Boxerworks.com

Firstly, let me categorically deny going soft.

OK, what heated grips have you chaps in the cold parts of the world tried?
Any standout brands/styles?
Anything to avoid?

81 R100RS, standard alternator.
Running with headlight on, tail light, gauge lights.

Maybe a little softening creeping up on me..............

I'm not gonna buy a GS just for heated grips!

Here's what I have used for about 5 years.
Cheap and reasonably effective with GS hand guards.
http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/h ... p_kit1.htm
Softie.

I have been using a set of grip heaters made for snowmobiles for some years and have no complaints. They were inexpensive and easy to install. The best money I spent was on a set of ATV hand covers they slip on and are secured with a Velcro strap, may not look astatically pleasing but my arthritic knuckles are happy. Covers may not work well if you have bar mounted mirrors.
Guy

dougie wrote: Softie.

They look quite simple and adaptable Doug.

Softie? No, it's me, Me109 Doug

They were quite easy to install. Peel and stick the elements, grips in very hot water for a while, popped them on, done.
Then there is the wiring. I don't like wiring.

guy wrote:I have been using a set of grip heaters made for snowmobiles for some years and have no complaints. They were inexpensive and easy to install. The best money I spent was on a set of ATV hand covers they slip on and are secured with a Velcro strap, may not look astatically pleasing but my arthritic knuckles are happy. Covers may not work well if you have bar mounted mirrors.
Guy

Thanks Guy, hand covers might be difficult on an RS........ I 'spose there are many options out there, it's a matter of avoiding crap.

You only need the GS hand covers (brush guards) if you DON'T have the coverage of a RS fairing...

But complete covers (Hippo Hands) are what you need for the long (cold) haul.

I've only used the 2-temp BMW heated grips - on a couple different bikes. My impression is that I would be much happier with an infinite control, as I frequently find myself in situations where low is too low and high is too high.

I know some of the aftermarket Snowmobile grips have infinite controls available as an option.

Major Softie wrote:I've only used the 2-temp BMW heated grips - on a couple different bikes. My impression is that I would be much happier with an infinite control, as I frequently find myself in situations where low is too low and high is too high.

I know some of the aftermarket Snowmobile grips have infinite controls available as an option.

Even though I've not had heated grips before, I'm inclined to agree with you Major.
Dougie's link for heated grips has an option for infinite control. The company claimed it was similar to a light dimmer.

I wonder if it would work on heated arguments?

So it appears there are two main types of heated grip.
A flexible wrap around wire filament that adheres directly to the handle bar, and hand grips with the filament molded within.

I'm guessing the wrap around type are less effective due to heat transfer to the handle bar where the molded type would have more insulation to stop transfer, therefore being more effective and ultimately consuming less power.

It appears 35 watts is about the standard power consumption.

Motobins have heated grips similar to the bmw grip at about $190 Au. (grey as opposed to black?)
No controller or other stuff is included. They do have kits for other bikes so I'd assume they could put something together.

The wrap around flexible 'fit all' types looks to be about just over $100

Two and a half weeks until the Alpine Rally................