Heated hand grips

[Dizzy]

I too have reported to my BMW dealer when mine went in for a service, investigated and got the same response as others stating they are working to spec etc. Rode to work yesterday in 6 degrees dry weather for 26 miles and again my hands were very cold with grips on level 2 using water and wind proof gloves.
After 5 BMW's in 5 years these have been the worst grips.

I bought into the BMW world and although I would perhaps change the bike before next years winter (and wouldn't have to go through the experience of these grips again) the response from BMW on this has left a bad taste.

Therefore, I have a test ride booked next Saturday on a Triumph Tiger Explorer and if I am impressed I will let me feet do the talking. I have spent a lot of money with BMW over the last few years and they will lose my custom.

I will of course be sending this to BMW UK also.

This is a competitive market and like others have said BMW should be looking after us consumers and valuing us accordingly. Perhaps the RT suspension recall costs are preventing them to take this seriously.

Dizzy

 

[Stevie4scoops]

It seems that BMW US is more accommodating to their customers than BMW GB who think they can fob us off. Could it be that the UK dealers are frightened of upsetting BMW GB by 'doing what they're told' rather than what they feel's the right thing to do.

Does anyone know the UK cost of the 2015 heated grips? If they weren't a fortune I'd buy and fit some firstly to get them working 'properly' ands secondly to prove a point.

 

[Bikerboy108]

I too have reported to my BMW dealer when mine went in for a service, investigated and got the same response as others stating they are working to spec etc. Rode to work yesterday in 6 degrees dry weather for 26 miles and again my hands were very cold with grips on level 2 using water and wind proof gloves.
After 5 BMW's in 5 years these have been the worst grips.

I bought into the BMW world and although I would perhaps change the bike before next years winter (and wouldn't have to go through the experience of these grips again) the response from BMW on this has left a bad taste.

Therefore, I have a test ride booked next Saturday on a Triumph Tiger Explorer and if I am impressed I will let me feet do the talking. I have spent a lot of money with BMW over the last few years and they will lose my custom.

I will of course be sending this to BMW UK also.

This is a competitive market and like others have said BMW should be looking after us consumers and valuing us accordingly. Perhaps the RT suspension recall costs are preventing them to take this seriously.

Dizzy

you mean you bought 5 BMW's in 5 years and your dealer won't do anything??

 

[Nutty]

I wonder if the GS grips are the same on the S1000R, as I spent the day on that bike today, with the grips on high all day, and they were next to useless. If they are, I'll buy the later version, and send BMW the old grips, and invoice for the new ones, and let them decide how they want to play it.

 

[paulR]

The heated grips on my 2013 LC are next to useless. I emailed a complaint to BMW customer services, asked whether the 2015 grips would fit and received the following response...

Whilst I understand your frustration, I can advise that when new models of BMW motorcycles are manufactured, it is not uncommon that components may change. I understand that you feel the heated grips are no not fit for purpose on your bike, however, I would like to assure you that we collate failure reports and part order information to determine if there is an inherent fault with a specific part. I have checked our records and the issue you have detailed, has not been highlighted. No corrective action has, therefore, been issued in the form of a product recall or quality enhancement for a repair to be carried out free of charge.

Maybe if enough of us make an official complaint then 'corrective action' may be taken.

 

[Toddmeister]

I wonder if the GS grips are the same on the S1000R, as I spent the day on that bike today, with the grips on high all day, and they were next to useless.

You shouldn't have sold those nice heated gloves of yours Rich

 

[Nutty]

You shouldn't have sold those nice heated gloves of yours Rich

Nah, although the grips weren't hot, my hands weren't too cold. Protection from the elements isn't the R's forte!

 

[DING-DONG]

I wonder if the GS grips are the same on the S1000R,

Yes they are .

 

[Nutty]

Yes they are .

Good to know.

I'll speak to my dealer, and see if we can get the 15 GS grips on. Will report back.

 

[GS_or_bust]

See to me the key also is SAFETY .... after all this is what they say on their website..
http://byo.bmwmotorcycles.com/15RA#packages Click on premium , then click on heated grips!!

" 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."

Thats what I would post on Facebook along with a letter from a lawyer to my dealer and BMW UK.... Come on one of you blokes gotta be a lawyer..????

I mean they are serving it up on a silver platter with that statement...

So are you saying that bikes that don't have heated grips are unsafe? Good luck with that line of thinking.

 

[Shamone]

BMW replied on FB asking me to contact them by email - I have emailed the response below:

Dear BMW,

I’m contacting you as requested on your Facebook page in regard to allowing authorisation for UK dealers to replace the heated grips on 2013/14 Model R1200GS motorcycles due to their very low heat output making them not fit for purpose.

As mentioned in my FB post it is common knowledge that BMW head office is not authorising dealers to upgrade the heated grips from the early 8 ohm version to the new improved 5.5 ohm version. Dealers have been upgrading firmware to allow the grips to stay at full power at low RPM’s but this does not provide a satisfactory solution to the low heat output.

Your records will now doubt show this has not been highlighted and no corrective action by way of a product recall or quality enhancement has been issued. The success of BMW Motorcycles means there is a very strong internet community where information is shared and there is a currently 24 page discussion on the UK forum on the poor performing heated grips (link below):

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/387812-Heated-hand-grips

A limited number of dealers are providing free replacements without BMW head office approval, but this merely makes it frustrating for owners who’s dealers report the upgrade cannot be done (example warranty claim attached). Some even say they are not compatible which is just serving to damage customer relations as the upgrade is now tried and tested.

My dealer is Pidock Motorcycles at Long Eaton, but as they have told other owners they cannot replace the grips I have not wasted my time in reporting the issue to them.

My VIN is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Kind regards Simon Bannister

 

[Bikerboy108]

So are you saying that bikes that don't have heated grips are unsafe? Good luck with that line of thinking.

No I didn't say it BMW says heated grips provide increased safety and reaction times? As stated by them on their website and print adv. So if they don't get Hot enough to do anything ipso facto it's a safety issue

 

[Engineer]

Heated grips or the lack of them is not a safety issue (they are an option after all) - safety is the responsibility of the rider - if they have any doubts about their ability to cope with the conditions then they should not ride their bike.

 

[mrtee43]

Heated grips or the lack of them is not a safety issue (they are an option after all) - safety is the responsibility of the rider - if they have any doubts about their ability to cope with the conditions then they should not ride their bike.

The bottom line is that I have paid good money to BMW for heated grips that are supposed to pass warmth through to my hands when I so desire.
They don't get hot enough and BMW have virtually admitted this, otherwise why would they change them for 2015 model year.

 

[MondoRich]

Will they do anything about this?
How many bikes will it be?
How much will it cost them?
Is it easier just to hope that we find something else to talk about?

 

[GS_or_bust]

I have paid good money to BMW for heated grips

and you have grips that heat.

I use the BMW Two In One gloves and when I put my hands in the 'Grip' side, all the glove lining is on on the back of the hand and there is just a thin leather on the palm. The heated grips work fine then and I normally turn them to the lower setting.

As a general thought, when I make a decision to spend 14K on a motorbike I don't go moaning about little issues with it because it will spoil my enjoyment of the bike and possibly my life. I concentrate on all the things about the bike that make me smile when I ride it. I don't want to turn into Mr Angry, I want to remain Mr Happy, it is an approach to life that has served me well. If at some stage in the future I feel that the grips could be hotter, I'll probably just buy the 2015 grips and fit them. For now if my hands get cold I will slip them into the other compartment of the glove and carry on enjoying myself..

 

[Titto]

Good for you.

I'm not happy. BUT its not taking over my life. I have a right to be pissed off at under performing equipment, sub standard compared to previous versions and subsequent versions. I use the bike as much as I can, and its my only form of transport, when its 5 degrees or whatever I expect the grips to work as they did on my previous GS, or the RT's I use, or the K's I ride.
I am experiencing something i'm not happy with. I like to have a rant on here. Other than this, it doesnt detract from the fact the bike is simply fantastic, and makes me smile every time I use it!

 

[Fluffmeister]

Good for you.

I'm not happy. BUT its not taking over my life. I have a right to be pissed off at under performing equipment, sub standard compared to previous versions and subsequent versions. I use the bike as much as I can, and its my only form of transport, when its 5 degrees or whatever I expect the grips to work as they did on my previous GS, or the RT's I use, or the K's I ride.
I am experiencing something i'm not happy with. I like to have a rant on here. Other than this, it doesn't detract from the fact the bike is simply fantastic, and makes me smile every time I use it!

Well said sir!

 

[Engineer]

I have always found heated grips to be a double edged sword - normally what happens in really cold weather is that you palms are kept warm but the backs of your hands and finger tips are still cold no matter how hot the grips are. If you put on thicker gloves then you don't feel the heat from the grips as much - so it is difficult to find a good compromise. I think the best solution is to have less hot grips and to wear thin gloves and fit handle bar muffs.

One thing that I know for certain though is if you are riding in cold weather even the 2013 LC grips are far better than nothing - try turning them off when riding in freezing weather and the difference is huge! They definitely more than take the edge of holding onto freezing metal bars!

 

[Titto]

Yes they do definitely.

There's no double edge sword for me though - I don't use thick gloves, more of a medium thickness type for cold weather and cold cold weather. Same gloves I've used for the past 3 years without issue and never needed to have thick ones. Its never been a consideration as previous grips were fine. If I did lots more miles or my journeys were longer every day then that would be my next move.