Heated hand grips

[DRAIN MAN]

BMW have been aware of the grip problem since the bike first came out, WHY are they not helping their customers !!!!

They fixed the problem in Aug 2014 with a hotter grip on the later models, why did they change them !!!! if there is nothing wrong with the previous grips ( that is according to BMW ).

Maybe they have a LOAD of complaints !!!

I have been lucky and Pidcocks have swapped mine and they now work great, was out early this morning and the temp was 2-3 degrees to start with, after a few minutes on full switched to low setting and hands nice and warm all the way down to London.

BMW need to sort out what they are going to do to help all the people who are not happy, you all need to stick together and keep at BMW because they know that there is a problem but do not want to do anything about it.

 

[mrtee43]

BMW have been aware of the grip problem since the bike first came out, WHY are they not helping their customers !!!!

They fixed the problem in Aug 2014 with a hotter grip on the later models, why did they change them !!!! if there is nothing wrong with the previous grips ( that is according to BMW ).

Maybe they have a LOAD of complaints !!!

I have been lucky and Pidcocks have swapped mine and they now work great, was out early this morning and the temp was 2-3 degrees to start with, after a few minutes on full switched to low setting and hands nice and warm all the way down to London.

BMW need to sort out what they are going to do to help all the people who are not happy, you all need to stick together and keep at BMW because they know that there is a problem but do not want to do anything about it.

It seems you and Pidcocks have caused quite a storm at BMW customer services. They are quite upset that they have been proved wrong but from replies to other posters emails it would seem that they still insist that nothing can be done for owners of earlier bikes.

I have been told that " BMW are investigating this issue"

 

[Stevie4scoops]

How about lobbying MCN to write an article on the problem?

 

[DRAIN MAN]

I think that is a very good idea, BMW have had plenty of time to sort out this problem but seem to not be bothered about unhappy customers.

I think all the various motorcyle mags should be contacted, this is a worldwide problem, not just here in the uk.

Maybe this may give BMW a boot up the arse and get them into gear and start helping customers, not just fobbing them off with bullshit of why the grips do not work.

Is there anybody at BMW willing to explain WHY the grips are so poor !!! without dishing out more bullshit. We all know you look at this site.

Come on BMW lets here your side of the story

 

[malcopopolo]

had another response today.

"Thanks for your further email – Dan’s not here today so it’s been passed to me to look into further for you.

Our bikes are fully tested and the heated grips meet the legislation required – we can’t fit any other grips at the moment, but if this changes your Centre will be able to get in touch with you. As I’m sure you can appreciate we can’t fit a heated element that hasn’t been tested due to fire risk.

Thanks again for contacting us and please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with."


Interesting I rang my nearest dealer PIDDOCKS who are now saying it is a fire risk and they are not allowed to fit them. They even said it could catch fire in the garage! for the records Piddocks have been great but I suspect Piddys have been told by BMW to give out the same statement

 

[Paul S]

Interesting I rang my nearest dealer PIDDOCKS who are now saying it is a fire risk and they are not allowed to fit them. They even said it could catch fire in the garage! for the records Piddocks have been great but I suspect Piddys have been told by BMW to give out the same statement

Hope Drain Man has a fire extinguisher handy

 

[Godzilla]

Oh no, I'd better not buy a 2015 bike with the new grips, they might catch fire.

 

[mrtee43]

had another response today.

"Thanks for your further email – Dan’s not here today so it’s been passed to me to look into further for you.

Our bikes are fully tested and the heated grips meet the legislation required – we can’t fit any other grips at the moment, but if this changes your Centre will be able to get in touch with you. As I’m sure you can appreciate we can’t fit a heated element that hasn’t been tested due to fire risk.

Thanks again for contacting us and please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with."


Interesting I rang my nearest dealer PIDDOCKS who are now saying it is a fire risk and they are not allowed to fit them. They even said it could catch fire in the garage! for the records Piddocks have been great but I suspect Piddys have been told by BMW to give out the same statement

So if the latest grips are deemed to be a fire risk are BMW going to issue a recall to all the latest bikes ?

Or are they saying that there are two different wiring looms and that the earlier models have thinner wire that might catch fire due to the increased load ? Does anybody know if this is true or is it just BMW scaremongering ?

This begs the question why have BMW increased the heat output of the later models if the earlier one were deemed to be adequate because for certain, they would not do it on a whim.

This all stinks and BMW know it.

Oh and what exactly is the required legislation they refer to regarding heated grips ?

 

[DING-DONG]

They even said it could catch fire in the garage!

PMSL, I've heard everything now.

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Fire risk! Total bollocks. BMW forget that people who buy their bikes are successful and intelligent not as thick shit.

 

[Paul S]

PMSL, I've heard everything now.

Happened to previous models:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/197405-BIKE-FIRE?highlight=caught+fire

 

[ianm00]

I think contacting MCN is a very good idea.

Some years ago I bought a new Honda VFR Import from the Netherlands sold to me as UK spec bike, however the lights hadn't been changed and were dipping to the wrong side. The dealer I bought the bike from wasn't prepared to change the headlight until I contacted MCN. A man from MCN kindly phoned the dealer on my behalf and reminded him of his obligations. Soon after the headlight unit was replaced for me.

Ian

 

[DC]

A fire hazard !! You couldn't make this up ....hope nobody has insured third party only , then the grips catch fired! FFS ... If you have that in writing , I'd be going to the top brass of bmw stating your bike is now a fire hazard and want your cash back . If it can catch fire in the garage , it could catch fire while your riding , which would not be good .

The RT LC was recalled due to a suspension problem that could have caused a fatal , the owners were given a variety of options . The GS/ GSA boys should now be given these too , fires can be fatal

 

[DING-DONG]

I think contacting MCN is a very good idea.


Ian

Best of luck there, MCN are up BMW arse .

 

[Bikerboy108]

A link to that please.

The brochure just states :'two temperature settings'. The GS Adventure brochure states :'Fan of extreme and long tours? On rough roads, over stony tracks out in the wild, too? Tarmac, offroad, stones and sand: These are the challenges the new BMW R 1200 GS Adventure is longing to master with its easy and agile handling. A machine for those who want to test their limits and go beyond them. Or to put it briefly: A motorcycle for riders who are seeking real adventure and don't want to miss out on a great deal of riding pleasure in the process.'

I accept that the European marketing may differ from the US marketing. But a link to that would be helpful.

on their web site!!! go here... http://byo.bmwmotorcycles.com/15RA#packages then click on premium then heated grips !!!

 

[Bikerboy108]

Originally Posted by DRAIN MAN View Post
BMW have been aware of the grip problem since the bike first came out, WHY are they not helping their customers !!!!

They fixed the problem in Aug 2014 with a hotter grip on the later models, why did they change them !!!! if there is nothing wrong with the previous grips ( that is according to BMW ).

Maybe they have a LOAD of complaints !!!

I have been lucky and Pidcocks have swapped mine and they now work great, was out early this morning and the temp was 2-3 degrees to start with, after a few minutes on full switched to low setting and hands nice and warm all the way down to London.

BMW need to sort out what they are going to do to help all the people who are not happy, you all need to stick together and keep at BMW because they know that there is a problem but do not want to do anything about it.

It seems you and Pidcocks have caused quite a storm at BMW customer services. They are quite upset that they have been proved wrong but from replies to other posters emails it would seem that they still insist that nothing can be done for owners of earlier bikes.

I have been told that " BMW are investigating this issue"

Boy that would be hard to swap a set of grips and ride around???

 

[Bikerboy108]

I think contacting MCN is a very good idea.

Some years ago I bought a new Honda VFR Import from the Netherlands sold to me as UK spec bike, however the lights hadn't been changed and were dipping to the wrong side. The dealer I bought the bike from wasn't prepared to change the headlight until I contacted MCN. A man from MCN kindly phoned the dealer on my behalf and reminded him of his obligations. Soon after the headlight unit was replaced for me.

Ian

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA!!! GO FOR IT

 

[Stevie4scoops]

Sent email to three people at MCN today. None of them answered their phones and so far had no reply email. How about some others email the editor as well?

 

[Nutty]

An update from BMW…………

Complaint
K50, K51 produced on or before 31.07.2014 (model years 2013 and 2014):
The heated handlebar grips do not heat up sufficiently.
Cause
1. The heat output of the K50 and K51 is the same as that of previous models. However, the increased wall
thickness of the aluminium handlebar means that the heat output felt by the rider is lower.

2. To ensure that the motorcycle is supplied with sufficient power when the engine is idling, the output of the
heated handlebar grips is reduced to 15% of the maximum heat output if the engine speed is less than 1300
rpm.
As soon as the engine speed reaches 1500 rpm or more, the heated handlebar grips are reactivated with the
desired output.
During the first five minutes after switching on the heated handlebar grips, this reduced output is not
activated.

3. Basic module: Despite being set to heat setting 2 and the engine speed being sufficiently high, the heated
handlebar grips only reach a temperature that is significantly lower than 40 °C.
Measure
Causes 1, 2 and 3:
Please explain this situation to the customer and program the motorcycle with the current integration level.
The reduction of the heat output when the engine is idling has been improved from integration level K001-14-
08-500 onwards.
The output of the heated handlebar grips has now been reduced to 15% of the maximum heat output when
the engine speed is less than 1300 rpm for more than 3 minutes. This means that the required heat output is
now always available, even for the duration of standard traffic light phases.

Cause 3:
Reset terminal 30:
Switch off the ignition, wait for one minute, disconnect the battery and then wait briefly before reconnecting
the battery. If this does not rectify the problem, please create a PuMA case.

Note: The handlebar grips with increased heat output issued with model year 2015 CANNOT be retrofitted,
relevant warranty claims will be monitored.

 

[ianm00]

An update from BMW…………

Complaint
K50, K51 produced on or before 31.07.2014 (model years 2013 and 2014):
The heated handlebar grips do not heat up sufficiently.
Cause
1. The heat output of the K50 and K51 is the same as that of previous models. However, the increased wall
thickness of the aluminium handlebar means that the heat output felt by the rider is lower.

2. To ensure that the motorcycle is supplied with sufficient power when the engine is idling, the output of the
heated handlebar grips is reduced to 15% of the maximum heat output if the engine speed is less than 1300
rpm.
As soon as the engine speed reaches 1500 rpm or more, the heated handlebar grips are reactivated with the
desired output.
During the first five minutes after switching on the heated handlebar grips, this reduced output is not
activated.

3. Basic module: Despite being set to heat setting 2 and the engine speed being sufficiently high, the heated
handlebar grips only reach a temperature that is significantly lower than 40 °C.
Measure
Causes 1, 2 and 3:
Please explain this situation to the customer and program the motorcycle with the current integration level.
The reduction of the heat output when the engine is idling has been improved from integration level K001-14-
08-500 onwards.
The output of the heated handlebar grips has now been reduced to 15% of the maximum heat output when
the engine speed is less than 1300 rpm for more than 3 minutes. This means that the required heat output is
now always available, even for the duration of standard traffic light phases.

Cause 3:
Reset terminal 30:
Switch off the ignition, wait for one minute, disconnect the battery and then wait briefly before reconnecting
the battery. If this does not rectify the problem, please create a PuMA case.

Note: The handlebar grips with increased heat output issued with model year 2015 CANNOT be retrofitted,
relevant warranty claims will be monitored.

If BMW are not prepared to fix this issue I think everybody who is not happy should return to their dealer and ask for the price of the heated grips to be refunded.