Frozen left hand - heated grip problem

[Bobbyboy]

My beloved 2008 1200GS has developed a minor problem (although the problem escalates as winter approaches).

The left hand heated grip ceased to work at all several months ago, whereas the right hand grip continues works fine.

Not being an expert on the finer workings of electricity in bikes, and gaining no assistance from the GS manual, any ideas what the problem is, and how to fix it? Incidently the bike has not been dropped or anything.

Any advice appreciated - and oh, I understand I have to use one of these fellows -

 

[Ash]

broken wire on the heated grip.
remember the left hand grip gets abused every time you move the bike etc.
new item about £70 [1150 price]
some people find and repair the broken wire

 

[ebbo]

If you can't fix the original wires you can always wind your own with Constantan resistance wire from Maplin

http://www.ebbo.org/homemade_heated_grips.php

 

[E. Buygum]

Same here a few months ago but fortunately still in warranty so fixed for free by dealer no quibble (Chester Motorrad). Was it still in warranty when it went wrong? might be worth a conversation with the dealer.

 

[gipsymagpie]

Yep, same again here. Warranty is king!

 

[muppix]

remember the left hand grip gets abused every time you move the bike etc.

You got one of them European left-hand drive models Ash?

 

[Pukmeister]

My first 1200 was an early model and had no heated grips, so I fitted the parts myself (and got the dealer to do the software update to make them work). They are very easy to fit as they simply screw into place with very small torx screws beneath the switchgear, and have a small plug-in connector for the wiring so if your dealer takes the piss with pricing and you have the tools, its an easy DIY job to swap the faulty heated grip.

I would also recommend fitting a set of 'grip puppies' (do a search) as the rubber grips wear away very easily with continuous use.