Grip Heaters

[T-Bird]

I've had heated gloves for several years, but never have liked them. I've been thinking about putting on heated grips on both the HD and the Valkyrie. I've seen 2 types the regular grip looking kind and a outer wrap kind that goes over existing grips. Any recommendations???
Terry

[Joe Hummer]

I have the over wraps for my bike.  They are ok...heat well enough...I use them on cooler days...like from 30-45.  Below that, and I prefer my wife's Gerbing Suit (jacket, pants, socks, and gloves). 

Whichever way you go with it, make sure you get the controller instead of the on/off switch.  The covers I have are Oxford Hot Hands and they hold true to their name.  They heat up to 140F quickly and stay there.  Now...you may think that 140F isn't that hot...but let me tell you...it is!! 

Joe

[fudgie]

HD makes a set so that wouldn't be a problem for ya. As for the Valk, I don't know. If its cold enough I need grips then its a good chance theres snow or salt on the road. I just switch hands.

[Larry]

I have these on my Valk, they also make them in a HD version. They have a heated "foil" that goes inside the handle bars, so you have to take your grips off and drill a small hole. The controller has four different heat settings and mounts to the front of your resevoir(s) in place of the existing clamp. They come in black or chrome. Only had to use the high heat setting once! Boy was it cold. 
http://www.heatdemons.com/HEAT-DEMON-GRIP-HEATERS_c_24.html

[98valk]

I've had heated gloves for several years, but never have liked them. I've been thinking about putting on heated grips on both the HD and the Valkyrie. I've seen 2 types the regular grip looking kind and a outer wrap kind that goes over existing grips. Any recommendations???
Terry

if your gloves have thick palm insulation very little heat will get through. The best way is to keep the wind off with hand guards and to keep your torso warm with an electric vest and using a full face helmet.

[Moonshot_1]

I've got grip heaters. Came with the bike. They work ok but have a rather narrow window of use.

You can't wear thick insulated gloves. That pretty much defeats the purpose of the Grip heaters as the warmth can't get through the insulation. And if you try a thinner pair of gloves, the grip heaters generally won't keep your hands warm if it is below say, 35 degrees. At least it won't for me.
I actually stuff those hand warmer packets in my gloves for cold weather. That works great for me.

So you get the most out of grip heaters if you have a thin pair of gloves or no gloves at all. But that means it isn't that cold.

If you are looking for something to keep your hands warm while riding in cold weather, and do a considerable amount of cold weather riding,  I would suggest
Hippo Hands.  http://www.hippohands.com/index.htm


I don't have a pair but know someone who does and swears by them. They look good. I just don't ride enough in cold weather to make such an investment. They are about $90 a pair. But they would do much better in the cold than Grip heaters.

Knowing What I know about Grip heaters, I wouldn't make the investment. But that is just me.

[X Ring]

Kury makes an ISO grip for the 1800 Wing with heated grips.  I've heard you can adapt the heated grips from the 1800 Wing to our beloved Valks.

Marty

[asfltdncr]

The best grip warmer in the universe still only applies heat to the underside of your hand.  I like the outside (the windy part) to be warm.

[T-Bird]

Thanks for the replys

My heated gloves do a good job as far as keeping my hands warm, I just don't like the bulky feeling I have with them. I have a set of widder heated clothing & gloves. I may check out other heated gloves to see if there are some that are not so bulky.
I did like the hippo hands link...but didn't like how big they were, I may try some duel sport type of hand guards to knock off the wind.

[X Ring]

I may try some duel sport type of hand guards to knock off the wind.

T-Bird, try these.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NATIONAL-CYCLE-HAND-DEFLECTOR-GL1500C-VALKYRIE-97-03_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a96840698QQitemZ320352814744QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories



I have the tinted version.

Marty

[T-Bird]

Thanks Marty,
That looks like what I want. How do they attach?  Would they be easy to change from bike to bike, or would I need 2 pair?

[X Ring]

You take the mirror off, slip the bracket over the threaded post and re-install the mirror.  Then you put the shields on the brackets.  Takes maybe 10 minutes.

Marty

[chip]

I too use the National Cycle tinted hand deflectors, I'll put them on in the fall and off in the spring, They really do help with wind chill factor.Takes me longer to get the mirrors readjusted than anything else. I had the heated grips that wrap around the bars under the grips but the wire on the throttle side failed rather quickly from the constant movement of the throttle. I liked the heated grips when I was out on a cool but not cold ride, they kept me comfortable with light gloves. I now have a Gerbings jacket liner and gloves . I somtimes feel like I am tetherd to the bike with both the helmet head set and heated clothing . But if thats what it takes keep me comfortable I'll live it, rather than live without the ride.