Heated Grip Problem

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Wilderbeast

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Looked thru the search items and can't find anything on this. I've had 4 x BMW's of which one was a GS 1150 about 7 years ago. Also had an RT and a GT. On the other three bikes, the grips would get really hot when on the second setting. Just did a 200 mile trip on the used 1200 I just picked up this week. Wasn't all that cold, between 5 and 7 degrees C for much of the ride Hands were freezing and I had to stop several times to warm up. Grips get warm but not hot. Anyone else had this problem? It's not an intermittent problem, they just don't get anywhere near as hot as any other grips I have had. I have 7 months warranty left on the bike. Wondering of anyone thinks this is worth looking at under warranty too...
 
At those temperatures I would have my grips opn the high setting for about 10 minutes and then have to turn them down to the low setting as they would be too hot. Maybe your high setting/switch is broken but I would take it back to the dealer under warranty. I have been out tonight with the computer telling me it was -2 and the grips were warm enough.
 
I have a 2008 GSA and the grips get quite hot on the highest setting. Been riding in 1 or two degrees on the motorway and my palms are pretty toasty although my fingertips get a bit numb, but I don't think anything can help that except maybe heated gloves.

Sorry I can't be more specific.
 
On the older 1200 they take a while to heat up, probably as most the heat goes to the bars first.

Presume you're not wearing winter gloves right? :blast
 
Thanks for the replies. Think the second setting may not be working as suggested. Grips only warm even without gloves on as I checked that out when I got to the service station. From what you guys say,and from previous experience, these grips should be HOT and they don't get beyond warm to say the least!

Off to the dealer :)
 
I can almost smell the burning rubber on the high setting! If yours don't feel HOT you have a problem.
 
I've got the same problem with my '56 r1200 gsa,

On heat 2 they get hot for about 5mins then go to warmish and then about 20mins later get hot again.

I too am off to the dealer and yes its no problem under warranty so I've been told by ocean in plymouth.
 
Do the grips switch on and off, are they thermostatically controlled ?
Are they meant to be on constant.
Grimo.
 
Good question Grimo, as come to think of it, mine also come on and go off again when on the high setting. Anyone know if they are meant to stay on constantly?
 
Wildebeast

I think that what you have is a facelift GS1200?

I too have had this issue from new on my 08 GS1200, the heated grips are simply nowhere near as effective as my previous 1200's. In fact a side by side comparison shows that it is not just me. Several friends have the pre-facelift 1200 and a quick check shows that their grips are far more effective.

I have taken it back several times to different dealers. They have replaced the grips and they have 'uploaded updates to overcome the problem'. The last attempt the dealer told me that the tempretaure was correct and all is well. It is not.

I ride all day on the RT at work with hot hands, sometimes too hot, and then ride home and suffer the same issues you identify.

I suppose it is time to write directly to BMW? I hope this helps, any others out there experiencing this?
 
'JH' said:
Wildebeast

I think that what you have is a facelift GS1200?

I too have had this issue from new on my 08 GS1200, the heated grips are simply nowhere near as effective as my previous 1200's. In fact a side by side comparison shows that it is not just me. Several friends have the pre-facelift 1200 and a quick check shows that their grips are far more effective.

I have taken it back several times to different dealers. They have replaced the grips and they have 'uploaded updates to overcome the problem'. The last attempt the dealer told me that the tempretaure was correct and all is well. It is not.

I ride all day on the RT at work with hot hands, sometimes too hot, and then ride home and suffer the same issues you identify.

I suppose it is time to write directly to BMW? I hope this helps, any others out there experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Hope I don't find the same problem...Will take it to the dealer and report back when they have done the work. Facelift 1200? Think so, it's a July 08 plate.
 
Heated Grips

I have 08 GS exactly same problem grips are cool compared to previous 04 and 06 GS mate has same problem with his 08 adventure.

'JH' said:
Wildebeast

I think that what you have is a facelift GS1200?

I too have had this issue from new on my 08 GS1200, the heated grips are simply nowhere near as effective as my previous 1200's. In fact a side by side comparison shows that it is not just me. Several friends have the pre-facelift 1200 and a quick check shows that their grips are far more effective.

I have taken it back several times to different dealers. They have replaced the grips and they have 'uploaded updates to overcome the problem'. The last attempt the dealer told me that the tempretaure was correct and all is well. It is not.

I ride all day on the RT at work with hot hands, sometimes too hot, and then ride home and suffer the same issues you identify.

I suppose it is time to write directly to BMW? I hope this helps, any others out there experiencing this?
Click to expand...
 
I have an '08 GS and exactly the same problem!

They were looked at by BMW on two occasions with only marginal improvement:(

There was a previous tread about this - probably at the beginning of the winter in 2008;)

I think the problem relates to the new alloy handlebars that are very efficient at absorbing and then dissapating the heat from the grips:mad:
 
Right,
After reading some of the replies regarding the heated grips I decided to ring the dealer i bought the bike from. He has suggested that the software needs to be updated due to the fact that the resistance of the grips might be a bit low causing the electronic fuses to activate. He also said that it affected the 2008 model
I'm not convinced that this will cure it. Am i correct in saying that this type of fuse only reset when the ignition is turned off and on again. I suppose I have to give them the benefit of doubt, I just hope this dosen`t get dragged out. :(
 
Grimo,

Not sure how to "quote" from a different thread, but the thread linked to this one had the following from Sonic The Hedgehog:

"Mine were same initially on my '08 - I rode it and a demo GS back-to-back and was astounded by the difference in them, as my hands were cooking on the GS.

Subsequently had a roll-up software update for a few bits and pieces, and the heated grips were fixed by that..."

I'll be speaking to my dealer today and will report back. It worked for Sonic, so there is hope. For others, replacement grips have worked. Definitely going to get mine fixed as I can't live with them the way they are. Pretty useless.
 
They were the same on my 08 GSA - pretty useless.
Now sold the bike and got a K1300s - the heated grips on that are very good, so I can't understand why the GS's should be so poor.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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