Heated hand grips

[Titto]

Nothing new to add as per post #97 DC. My dealer wont fit them for the reasons stated.
My bike is being picked up in a few days to have the software sorted for the heated grips to cancel the power savings features so it runs 100% all the time when required.

Will update then....

 

[Gix]

Had them on full yesterday, absolutely useless.

 

[bmmonty]

heated grips

Ally bars go do the maths

Get an RT

No ally bars

No problem

 

[matchbox]

But the right grip is not in contact with the bars? Though some have found R. warmer than L. perhaps for the reason you state?

I have '13 year GS and, like my 'R' before, the grips never feel really hot, though if they were any hotter they would be uncomfortable. They also stay hot when stationary.

 

[DING-DONG]

But the right grip is not in contact with the bars? .

Left grip also not in contact with the bars.

 

[Bikerboy108]

Hey Mates? I'm a newbie to the UK site but am a frequent poster on advrider and am especially interested in this issue and have posted many items there...
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1030950&page=16

As you see at the end of the article in 2/14 BMW found that because of thicker bars on the WC GS and GSA's the heat doesn't come thru to the grips as well.... I think you are about at the same place as we are over in the states... We are waiting for someone to actually try a swap ( not to hopeful though ) I think our options are to Bitch, Bitch and Bitch... and not just to the tech on duty ..THey need to do these PUMA reports or whatever you call them so BMW Knows were pissed and looking for a solution !! Thanks

Below from one of my posts on ADVRIDER
OK here is the update First bike is a 2014 GSA bought in the beginning of April 2014
1.Warranty manager took reading at grips he said 125 f although I never got that high took reading of new 2015 and got 160f... His words were a significant difference and definitely not as hot..

2. New bikes have different part number grips as of 8/14 and he said would look into compatibility with my bike..

3. Firmware updated... What that does is let heated grips start up at idle just like newer bikes.. SO if you have older bike and not updated your grips don't go on till 1300 RPM... does not increase heat

4.He said new grips are not compatible with old bikes , said something about software.....

5. Said he filled out a PUMA form... THIS IS THE ONLY WAY BMW FINDS OUT THERE ARE ISSUES

SO he said if BMW gets these they start looking into it and it may be only an issue of updating software so new grips work on older bikes , or possible other fixes.. SINCE THEY are working within para maters not a recall/warranty issue as of now...

SO what can we do
A. COMPLAIN TO YOUR DEALER AND HAVE HIM CHECK YOUR GRIPS AND AT THE LEAST START A PUMA..

B. CAll BMW USA AND START A CASE AND HAVE THEM TRY TO FIND A RESOLUTION..- .
1-800-831-1117

C. THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE

 

[Godzilla]

Welcome over here Bikerboy108.

Thanks for your efforts.

 

[Matty589]

I only noticed how bad the grips were on my '14 GS when I traded it in for a '15 GSA. They're much, much hotter, to the point where I rode out today at -1C and sub 50mph I had to turn them down from full to half because they were too hot. I kind of got used to it as every other BMW I've had has had lukewarm heated grips. When I stopped and turned the engine off and took my glove off the grips were almost too hot to touch.

 

[Bikerboy108]

Confirmed from my dealer too today the new grips (08/14) wiring arent compatible with the pre 08/14 bikes.
My only option is a forced software update specifically for my model grips, so it's going in for that.
So, no real update. I think others on here have had this specific update to no avail. I'll have it and test again with the IR heatgun to see if it is any different!

Got mine home after software update still suck I could only get 96 degrees out of it.With no gloves on after 6 minutes grips only warm.Looked at updated parts fiche and only difference in part numbers is for the heated grips...No different part numbers for wiring loom or connectors, No different part numbers on multicontroler or switches ( which the heated grips connect to) I still have my doubts that the new ones will not just plug in .. Has anyone actually ,physically tried this??? Trying same thing on this side of the pond... Anyone know hpw to get a Corporate tech involved???

 

[mrtee43]

Gave mine a wash outside today and thought I would try and see how warm the grips felt in the ambient temperature which was a bit nippy.I tried them after idling for 5 minutes or so then with raised RPM. Absolutely useless, they were just warm to the touch.In fact their did not seem to be much difference between one dot or two.

I bought one of those cheap infrared thermometer gun things and the reading, where ever I pointed it on the grips, never got above 90 degrees F.

So imagine the temperature with a bit of wind chill factor thrown in.

They are just not fit for purpose and BMW should bloody well do something about it.

 

[DC]

was out riding with a friend on his 14 GSA compared to my 15 GSA. huge difference…in fact it differed so much he has complained at the dealership….it does look like the bars are steel on the 15 compared to ally on the 14, so he wants his bars and grips changing to come in line with how they should be …the difference between the two bikes when on setting 2 was incredible .. on the 15 bike setting 2 was too hot after 5 mins and have to be turned down, on the 14 bike setting 2 was barely felt through the same glove !!!

 

[Bikerboy108]

was out riding with a friend on his 14 GSA compared to my 15 GSA. huge difference…in fact it differed so much he has complained at the dealership….it does look like the bars are steel on the 15 compared to ally on the 14, so he wants his bars and grips changing to come in line with how they should be …the difference between the two bikes when on setting 2 was incredible .. on the 15 bike setting 2 was too hot after 5 mins and have to be turned down, on the 14 bike setting 2 was barely felt through the same glove !!!

Yes Grips suck and we have done quite a bit of discussion over in the US on this at advrider.com Basically 13-14 temps in the 90-100 F range the 15's around 150- 160 F read from page 9 pg here
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1030950&page=9

Now we get so much misinformation even from the dealers!!! look at post 106 on your site to see BMWNA reason for weaker grips..

May be different in England but handlebars did not change from 14 to 15 see here..

http://www.ascycles.com/Illustrated_catalog2/MicroList.aspx?id=56208&catID=&catname=&bindName=Motorcycle%20handlebar&bindCat=32_2106

Only thing that change in Aug. 2014 is the grips note says 5.5 ohms ( don't knpw exactly what that means) see here

http://www.ascycles.com/Illustrated_catalog2/MicroList.aspx?id=56208&catID=&catname=&bindName=Handlebar%20grip,%20heated/Multi-controller&bindCat=32_2190

We need to help each other to get a correct answer... Please reach out to your sources ..What we really need is a dealer that is an advocate for us?? Oxymoron?? And get someone up the tech line ( corporate) to help us...

 

[Engineer]

Just a note, it is really quite difficult to make accurate temperature measurements on things like heated grips. The figure you get will be highly dependent upon how you make contact with the measuring device, ambient temperature etc. The cheap infra red things are almost useless as they don't correct for the emissivity of the surface of the material you are measuring. You will be lucky to get a reading accurate to within 10C even in still air at a defined ambient temp what ever method you use.

Regardless of all that I admit that they could do with being a bit hotter on my 2013 LC so that I can wear my summer rain gloves throughout the Winter.

 

[Bikerboy108]

Yes Grips suck and we have done quite a bit of discussion over in the US on this at advrider.com Basically 13-14 temps in the 90-100 F range the 15's around 150- 160 F read from page 9 pg here
http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1030950&page=9

Now we get so much misinformation even from the dealers!!! look at post 106 on your site to see BMWNA reason for weaker grips..

May be different in England but handlebars did not change from 14 to 15 see here..

http://www.ascycles.com/Illustrated_catalog2/MicroList.aspx?id=56208&catID=&catname=&bindName=Motorcycle%20handlebar&bindCat=32_2106

Only thing that change in Aug. 2014 is the grips note says 5.5 ohms ( don't knpw exactly what that means) see here

http://www.ascycles.com/Illustrated_catalog2/MicroList.aspx?id=56208&catID=&catname=&bindName=Handlebar%20grip,%20heated/Multi-controller&bindCat=32_2190

We need to help each other to get a correct answer... Please reach out to your sources ..What we really need is a dealer that is an advocate for us?? Oxymoron?? And get someone up the tech line ( corporate) to help us...

Well you may be right about measuring as I'm not an engineer BUT tested mine against known temps and within a couple degrees ... More importantly though if you read thru threads here and at advrider.com water cooled gs's up till the 2015 models SUCK..( They changed the part number then ) grab the early one with Bare hands on high ....and they are warm at best.. Grab the new ones with heavy gloves and you need to turn them to low..... "I don't no stinking thermometer "

 

[JimVonBaden]

Just a note, it is really quite difficult to make accurate temperature measurements on things like heated grips. The figure you get will be highly dependent upon how you make contact with the measuring device, ambient temperature etc. The cheap infra red things are almost useless as they don't correct for the emissivity of the surface of the material you are measuring. You will be lucky to get a reading accurate to within 10C even in still air at a defined ambient temp what ever method you use.

Sorry, that is complete crap! I tested my cheap infared on several surfaces and then with a series of temp gauges and it was near dead on. I tested my grips dead cold at room temps, in the 30's F, and then the grips. Read the thread, it is verified by several people.

Jim

 

[Titto]

Mine were calibrated too, and so easy to use. Its obvious which areas to aim for as the reading on mine changed instantly.
I also tried it with a "cheap" one as Engineer puts it, and found the readings to be identical.

The cheap one I used was a work colleagues, who had purchased his about 5 years ago off amazon for £9.99 !

I get my bike back later, once the dealer has delivered it so will be able to update with the results - I predict; Same highest temperature as before (so rubbish) but getting to that temperature should be faster!....

 

[Bikerboy108]

Mine were calibrated too, and so easy to use. Its obvious which areas to aim for as the reading on mine changed instantly.
I also tried it with a "cheap" one as Engineer puts it, and found the readings to be identical.

The cheap one I used was a work colleagues, who had purchased his about 5 years ago off amazon for £9.99 !

I get my bike back later, once the dealer has delivered it so will be able to update with the results - I predict; Same highest temperature as before (so rubbish) but getting to that temperature should be faster!....

As said by others before, although good to have Data like temp. readers BUT bottom line is the Grips Suck BMW knew it and changed the part number for the 15's in 08/14 and this is what they say in their advertising ....

" As well-experienced motorcyclists know,only warm hands can react quickly. The heated grips option provides increased comfort and safety through two heating levels that regulate heat automatically with the outside temperature. This option will easily extend your riding season."


Sounds like a SAFETY issue to me

 

[Godzilla]

As said by others before, although good to have Data like temp. readers BUT bottom line is the Grips Suck BMW knew it and changed the part number for the 15's in 08/14 and this is what they say in their advertising ....

" As well-experienced motorcyclists know,only warm hands can react quickly. The heated grips option provides increased comfort and safety through two heating levels that regulate heat automatically with the outside temperature. This option will easily extend your riding season."


Sounds like a SAFETY issue to me

Agree, in fact I remember reading an article that being cold was at least as dangerous as drunk driving.

 

[rjsmith26]

Great Thread.

Just about to look at buying a GSA. Dealer has advised that grip problem is only fixed on 2015 bikes. Which have new bars.

On this thread its seems to indicate that bikes from new (08/14).

My question - are bikes from 08/14 fitted with new grips on old bars? or were new bars implemented in 08/14 as well as new hotter grips?

Reason for asking is if I buy a ex demonstrator - I want to ensure I get a bike with decent hot grips.

Final question - anyway to spot bikes with the new grips/bars vs the old grips / bars?

TIA

 

[JimVonBaden]

I can't answer for the UK, but any bike labeled a 2015 in the US has the good grips. The build date you describe is right on the cusp, so I can't say. IF the handlebars are steel, however, it is easy to tell with a simple magnet. Plus, run the bike for 5 minutes and it will be obvious!

Jim

Great Thread.

Just about to look at buying a GSA. Dealer has advised that grip problem is only fixed on 2015 bikes. Which have new bars.

On this thread its seems to indicate that bikes from new (08/14).

My question - are bikes from 08/14 fitted with new grips on old bars? or were new bars implemented in 08/14 as well as new hotter grips?

Reason for asking is if I buy a ex demonstrator - I want to ensure I get a bike with decent hot grips.

Final question - anyway to spot bikes with the new grips/bars vs the old grips / bars?

TIA