Heated hand grips
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
I have them on both my bikes. When it gets very cold, below 30 degrees, their effectiveness is minimal - my bikes don't have fairings to protect the hands. I purchased heated gloves They will literally burn the skin off my hands so I also purchased the temperature regulator. So I use both depending on the outside temperature.
Last edited by barjbar; Sep 9, 2009 at 01:07 PM.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Downers Grove, IL
Harley Davidson Heated Grips
I have a 2009 FLHX, had the grips installed when I bought the bike, loved them. I've had to replace 3 times since, the dealer says they never last, I'll keep changing them since they are under warranty, but what a pain in the a$$! Love them, but why can't Harley do it right?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
A friend of mine has some installed on his 04 Fatboy, and raves about them. He's never had a problem. I thought I'd take his advice, and get a set.
Unfortunately, the local dealers won't even stock them anymore because of the problems.
Unfortunately, the local dealers won't even stock them anymore because of the problems.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 356
Likes: 1
From: Leicestershire, UK
Thank you to all who have responded for your input. As I live in the UK, riding in the rain is a regular occurence, so it sounds like the H-D grips may not be too good. Maybe I'll have to go the heated glove route instead. I'll also check out the internal handlebar heaters that were mentioned favourably above.
Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Heated Grips
However, I've got the heated grips on the 2011 CVO Road Glide and they DO NOT function correctly below approximately 40-45 degrees - which is when you NEED them. Apparently, the ambient air temp in that range negates the intent.
The dealer tried their best to fix the problem but their hands are tied after try #3, when the motor company has to be conferred with.
They do what the H-D Tech says to do, and I go down the road as the guinea pig and get frosty hands.
I called their CS people and they called back saying that the grips check within parameters in the shop, so they won't be able to take any further action.
Hellooo!! Wrong environ dufus...
I paid for an accessory that isn't worth spit and they won't back the product.
BTW - I am one of many who have had this scenario bite them and no relief offered....
It's your call.
I'm going back to the Gerbing Heated Gloves and H-D can bite me.
Ooops - did I say that out loud?
Terry, to an extent you're right regarding the grips warming your palms instead of the back of your hands. But here's my take on their usefulness. When you start getting even slightly chilled, for instance riding in the rain when it's cool, your body starts reducing blood flow to your extremities. Holding on to something warm seems to reverse this and you actually feel warmer all over, not just your hands.
BMW has been offering heated grips for years and some models even come standard with them. I first had them over 20 years ago on a BMW. I'll put it this way, heated grips certainly aren't a necessity and if you've never had them you won't miss having them. But once you get used to them you'll be spoiled.
BMW has been offering heated grips for years and some models even come standard with them. I first had them over 20 years ago on a BMW. I'll put it this way, heated grips certainly aren't a necessity and if you've never had them you won't miss having them. But once you get used to them you'll be spoiled.
Supporter
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Mountain View, CA
I use poly heaters, they fit inside the handlebars. You can use any grips you want since they heat the bar not the grip. They only have two settings (high or low) but that is enough. They work great and I have no problems with them in the rain.
If you do get poly heaters make sure you get the ones for motorcycles, not the ones for snowmobiles.
If you do get poly heaters make sure you get the ones for motorcycles, not the ones for snowmobiles.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
http://lockitt.com/Lockitt/category/ELGPHG.html
Heated grips are great in cooler weather with insulated (non perforated) gloves down to about ~13C/55F. If you ride in conditions colder than this though I would recommend heated gloves instead - they warm the fingers and back of hand, the parts that get the most chilled.
Heated grips are great in cooler weather with insulated (non perforated) gloves down to about ~13C/55F. If you ride in conditions colder than this though I would recommend heated gloves instead - they warm the fingers and back of hand, the parts that get the most chilled.