Grips overheating? Changing just the rubber grip?

[johnnystorm]

Hmm, just picked my GS on Friday. Before purchase the grips looked worn and I asked about replacement of the rubber only (no can do I was told). This evening was my first go for a "long" ride (100 miles) with the grips heated as it was cold and 'orrible.

I could have been imagining it but I thought I could smell burning rubber (alas not my riding style, I'm certain) so....

Anyone else melted their grips and managed to swap just the rubber bits or do I run the bike back and have a good whinge and use the warranty?

Cheers in advance.

*edit* Just looked on the 1200GS links and seen that some Orings will do the job perhaps....

 

[Jonny_L]

I've not heard of grips melting before, though if you think they are, get back to the dealers and get it checked.

Is it your first time with heated grips? They can get pretty toasty if you've got them on high for a long time, The idea is so that you can have thick gloves on and still get the benefits. Not wanting to sound patronising, maybe you were just following a smelly car for a while and worried because they were hot?

 

[johnnystorm]

Well, that was my initial thought. I haven't been on a bike for a decent ride for a month so I was getting used to the nose playing a part in travel again! If the grips didn't look worn I wouldn't have even considered it. Other than a quick ride on a mate's pan with oxford grips it is my first time with them. I had on some summer alpinestars gloves rather than my thick winter ones fwiw.

 

[Jonny_L]

Yeah they'd be pretty uncomfortable after a while with summer gloves on at full heat.

Sorry I missed where you said they look worn, I'd pop in and have a word anyway in that case, maybe they got some water in them or something (I'm not sure how they work). You might get some new grips under warranty if you're lucky.

 

[johnnystorm]

I didn't actually run them at full tilt as "one dot" was enough, despite the foul conditions. I'll add it to my list of grumbles when I go back (no foot peg rubbers, who do I call if I need this BMW rescue thingy, etc) it's amazing what you forget when you have a shiny new bike that needs riding....

 

[snottywife]

BMW assist

Hi Johnny,

BMW assist is 0800777111.

When you go back to your motorcycle dealer ask for a free keyring with the number on.
Whilst you're at it ask for the BMW assist booklet.
It's useful.
They brought me all the way back from Holland and gave me a BMW car at Dover to get home!!

 

[Carl]

I got my BMW assist card and info book etc in the post about a week or 2 after I picked the bike up.
Are you sure its not just some polish or cleaning stuff on the engine burning away if this is your first proper ride? I usually get that after cleaning mine.
You are welcome to my footpeg rubbers as I took em off to get a bit more legroom

 

[johnnystorm]

Thanks guys. The footpeg rubbers was more of a principle thing really. Hopefully all the paperwork will arrive in the post then. I'll post up a pic of the grips and see what you guys think. I did just think of them as worn (previous owner had abrasive/aggressive grippy gloves?) but the smell got me wondering. Of course the polish idea is a good one as it's fresh out the dealership.

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

I'd second the polish thing. When I got mine out of the dealership, it started smoking at the front really bad, but it was just soapyish waster coming off the exhaust. Whenever I clean it, especialy if I use autosol on the exhaust, it stinks for a while.

Those grips do get quite hot as well. If you are wearing summerweight gloves, I think it would definately feel hot even on setting number one.

 

[Flipfly]

The 1150 rubbers can be changed (contrary to what BMW say!!!!).

All you need is 2 right hand side throttle rubbers and with a bit of gentle cutting and copious use of hairspray, hey presto new grips. It's easy enough, just take your time cutting the old ones off. Leave them to get warm and it makes it alot easier.

I assume that someone will sell the replacement rubbers so I'd give it a go before forking out on new heated ones.

As for the smell of burnt rubber.......that's ya mind playing tricks

 

[johnnystorm]

Cheers again, I'm deffo not coughing up for a new set! This is on a 1200 but I assume that you can also get spare grips rubber if you can for the 1150.

I do hope I'm imagining the grips smouldering!

 

[earthmover]

The element for the heated grips is embedded in the rubber of the grip on the 1200's. My clutch side grip shows signs of wear now, but it has done 22,000 miles. The throttle grip had to be replaced after I managed to cut through it with a throttle rocker and severed one of the element wires.
HTH
Mark

 

[johnnystorm]

OK, I'll forgive the dealers for not replacing 200 quids worth of grips, if it was a tenners worth of rubber then I might be peeved. It's not a functional issue just an aesthetic one. Orings for me then!

 

[Egon]

If you do need to change them yourself there is a bit Here
which shows how to do it

 

[zico]

For your info the BMW assist number is on a sticker beside the tank. You can see it when you take off the front seat. I know cos I've got battery problems with my 1200. Great bike though when the batteries not flat.

 

[talonfs]

I have put on slip-on foam grips from the USA. www.grip-tek.com and find a dealer. I ordered mine thru and bike dealer in California and they only took 7 days to get here. I am sure if someone wanted to order a large quantity they could be had at a reasonable price(postage made mine £12 a pair).
They increase the grip size a bit, but are really comfy and cut down a little bit of vibes.
They just slip on over the OEM heated grips. Heat takes a little longer to come thru' , but still gets up to temperature. They are 'closed cell foam', so are weather/fuel/oil resistant.

 

[iceclimber]

I have put on slip-on foam grips from the USA. www.grip-tek.com and find a dealer. I ordered mine thru and bike dealer in California and they only took 7 days to get here. I am sure if someone wanted to order a large quantity they could be had at a reasonable price(postage made mine £12 a pair).
They increase the grip size a bit, but are really comfy and cut down a little bit of vibes.
They just slip on over the OEM heated grips. Heat takes a little longer to come thru' , but still gets up to temperature. They are 'closed cell foam', so are weather/fuel/oil resistant.

Hi, I hope you can help ......... I have just bought a gs1200 in NZ which has done a hard 45k (km) & the grips are pretty worn & a bit tacky ....... I don't need to shell out on new heated grips cuz I never really used them ( twice thru the winter ) - I'd like to try the overgrips idea 1st before contemplating new BMW ones ....... who did you order the grip-tek grips from in the states & did you have to spec what style you wanted ?
many thanks
Steve

 

[luckylucian]

With so many 1200GS out there, some have crashed with low miles on them, the grips are unworn and only cost about £20 each.

Had mine swapped mine and not had any probs