Heated hand grips

[MondoRich]

This seems to be as much about how you/we are treated as customers - which is a big issue developing from poor performance grips which should have been a smaller issue.

Many people have their GS as a toy I imagine, they possibly own other methods of transport.

The decision to spend £15k on a bike and hundreds (or thousands) on clothing, accessories or farkles is to buy into a brand or idea that they wish to subscribe to as it does something for them - they feel part of something, a club or ideology and they feel "special". The brand is important.

Why do some dealers do better than others? --- is it all about how they make you FEEL ?

If you feel "jilted" by an ex lover, dealer or motorcycle brand it's easy to see how deep the hurt can flow, how passionate people feel about these things and how vitriol this becomes.

Advertising budgets are huge to change and develop our perceptions but the informed chooser is growing and increasingly researching purchasing decisions using free will (and the Internet).

BMW are very clever, or have clever people working for them as they have decided that for them this issue doesn't matter.

They believe overall it's better not to change the grips and there's nothing that can be done to make them.

Time will tell if this was right.

 

[malcopopolo]

Absolutely agree with DrRich,

Harley Davidson are another example, it is more about life style over function, although their bikes have really improved in the last decade.

Fortunately it is just the grips at this moment in time. with bikes flying out of the showrooms BMW have decided it does not matter. Personally I will not buy another BMW product again. This is my choice and it probably will not make a difference to BMW in the long run. BMW are a premium product and having paid a premium price i expect a premium service including after sales care. We all know the new grips will work on older bikes. If BMW do not wish to change them free of charge they could at least should not treat us as thick stupid customers. They really have missed a marketing trick here, they could offered all affected bikes to replace them for a nominal fee if they take out an extended warranty or have a major service.

The bottom line is the GS is the best selling bike so BMW do not need to make any effort, however I believe corrosion will be a MAJOR issue for BMWs premium image when bikes are 4, 5 and 6 years old and this will affect new sales!

I have now purchased some glove liners to combat the cold and will not let this affect my enjoyment of the bike but i do feel BMW have stuck two fingers up to their consumers.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So, we have an essentially very good bike, one of the best selling bikes in the world and for very good reason but some peeps will never buy one again because their heated grips aren't as hot as they should be - is this thread for real

Andres

 

[Fluffmeister]

To be fair, I don't think that's the true context Andres, I think it's the way people are being dealt with by BMW Customer Services.

My grips are crap on my 2014, I've posted in this thread to. In itself, that would not stop me buying another BMW, but the attitude of BMW customer services certainly could have an effect on my future purchase decisions.

I don't think people will get the resolution that they want, BMW must be strapped for cash with the current recall for hubs

 

[mrtee43]

So, we have an essentially very good bike, one of the best selling bikes in the world and for very good reason but some peeps will never buy one again because their heated grips aren't as hot as they should be - is this thread for real

Andres

Or as corrosion resistant as they should be, or as reliable as they should be, or an engine that sounds like a bag of spanners that shouldn't.

Can't you see that if nobody complains about these issues including poor heated grips, BMW will just keep charging more and giving you less and less.
For me, it is the fact that BMW are actually lying about these heated grips and treating us with contempt.

 

[Paul S]

Or as corrosion resistant as they should be, or as reliable as they should be, or an engine that sounds like a bag of spanners that shouldn't.

Can't you see that if nobody complains about these issues including poor heated grips, BMW will just keep charging more and giving you less and less.
For me, it is the fact that BMW are actually lying about these heated grips and treating us with contempt.

Tell me - do you see everything as black or white

If you "really" feel that strongly either sell the bike and get a nice KTM/Triumph/Yamaha or get someone to fit a nice pair of Oxford hotgrips and take BMW to the small claims court to recover the cost.

Best of luck with the latter

 

[Paul S]

So, we have an essentially very good bike, one of the best selling bikes in the world and for very good reason but some peeps will never buy one again because their heated grips aren't as hot as they should be - is this thread for real

Andres

Some folks take these things really seriously - compared to natural disasters in other parts of the world this is clearly really important

 

[mrtee43]

Tell me - do you see everything as black or white

If you "really" feel that strongly either sell the bike and get a nice KTM/Triumph/Yamaha or get someone to fit a nice pair of Oxford hotgrips and take BMW to the small claims court to recover the cost.

Best of luck with the latter

I'll tell you something. I have fitted Oxford heated grips to 3 of my previous bikes and they are far superior to the ones fitted to my 2013 GS.
I don't need someone to fit anything to my bike, I am quite capable of doing it myself unlike some !

As for selling the bike, well that is a distinct possibility when the warranty runs out.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

To be fair, I don't think that's the true context Andres, I think it's the way people are being dealt with by BMW Customer Services.

My grips are crap on my 2014, I've posted in this thread to. In itself, that would not stop me buying another BMW, but the attitude of BMW customer services certainly could have an effect on my future purchase decisions.

I don't think people will get the resolution that they want, BMW must be strapped for cash with the current recall for hubs

That I get but, rightly or wrongly, it's pretty much the way of the world now. WBM are just a mass market manufacturer like any other and I think people have to be realistic about that even if it's not 'right'. If you read the post I've just posted about my 1190 you'll see that nothing is perfect and that some of the 'faults' have just been sorted by myself. My dealer has been good but I usually have low expectations so it's been a pleasant surprise. If it had been otherwise I would have made my feelings known but just got on and sorted it, life's too short

Or as corrosion resistant as they should be, or as reliable as they should be, or an engine that sounds like a bag of spanners that shouldn't.

Can't you see that if nobody complains about these issues including poor heated grips, BMW will just keep charging more and giving you less and less.
For me, it is the fact that BMW are actually lying about these heated grips and treating us with contempt.

To a point I agree (see above) but there comes a point where one has to move on and just start enjoying the bike or move on to a different bike I guess........... It was more the comment that the debacle over the heated grips meant the poster would never buy a WBM product again that seemed a bit dramatic?

Andres

 

[Paul S]

I'll tell you something. I have fitted Oxford heated grips to 3 of my previous bikes and they are far superior to the ones fitted to my 2013 GS.
I don't need someone to fit anything to my bike, I am quite capable of doing it myself unlike some !

As for selling the bike, well that is a distinct possibility when the warranty runs out.

So you can fix the problem yourself by buying a £55 pair of Oxford hot grips instead of getting all hot and bothered on here - off to the garage and get it sorted out then

 

[Fluffmeister]

So you can fix the problem yourself by buying a £55 pair of Oxford hot grips instead of getting all hot and bothered on here - off to the garage and get it sorted out then

But he's already paid BMW £250 for the privilege, and at one point BMW's heated grips were much applauded.

My gripe would be that had I been aware that the grips were so poor in their operation, I'd have not had them as a £250 option, I'd personally have fitted a set of R&G Grips ....for £30 which work brilliantly on my ZX12R.

This is all going around in circles now though.

 

[Paul S]

But he's already paid BMW £250 for the privilege, and at one point BMW's heated grips were much applauded.

My gripe would be that had I been aware that the grips were so poor in their operation, I'd have not had them as a £250 option, I'd personally have fitted a set of R&G Grips ....for £30 which work brilliantly on my ZX12R.

This is all going around in circles now though.

Your not wrong

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

But he's already paid BMW £250 for the privilege, and at one point BMW's heated grips were much applauded.

My gripe would be that had I been aware that the grips were so poor in their operation, I'd have not had them as a £250 option, I'd personally have fitted a set of R&G Grips ....for £30 which work brilliantly on my ZX12R.

This is all going around in circles now though.

.....and that's a very fair point.

I wish I'd never got involved in this thread now

Back to the safety of the Orange section for me.................

Andres

 

[Fluffmeister]

Your not wrong

We all need a big group

 

[mrtee43]

Yes, I must admit I am getting a bit pissed off with the whole subject to the point where I just think sod it, BMW have won this one, but they have lost me !

 

[snaponphil]

Yes, I must admit I am getting a bit pissed off with the whole subject to the point where I just think sod it, BMW have won this one, but they have lost me !

Me too, I'll not be purchasing the GSA I so wanted.. First road test of the KTM looks like it's gonna happen.. I'll cope with the grips on my WC now the weathers warmed up, but unless my puma request is actioned I WONT be spending my money with Bmw ever again...

 

[MondoRich]

Me too, I'll not be purchasing the GSA I so wanted.. First road test of the KTM looks like it's gonna happen.. I'll cope with the grips on my WC now the weathers warmed up, but unless my puma request is actioned I WONT be spending my money with Bmw ever again...

It doesn't matter Phil, that's only 1 bike.

1, 10, 100 bikes - irrelevant. They sold over 110,000 GS's in 2013.

Just don't be under any illusions

 

[snaponphil]

It doesn't matter Phil, that's only 1 bike.

1, 10, 100 bikes - irrelevant. They sold over 110,000 GS's in 2013.

Just don't be under any illusions

I'm not, it's only 1 bike I know, and absolutely fabulous bike it is too, I'm just sorta miffed with their attitude tho, over a year ago I complained about the heated grips, dealer said they know they're not up to standard but they were sure a 'fix' would happen, so I waited, & waited some more, even went to another dealer cos I thought dealer was giving me the run around, all in all I've WASTED days of my precious time riding to dealers with this issue, (150 mile round trip) which takes a full day including time spent at dealers drinking coffee..
I'll spend the £200 for the updated grips long before BMW 'fix' them for me, as I love the bike to bits & wanna use it..

I would say I'm a reasonably good loyal customer.. Most items of clothing & accessories have come from Bmw,
Akra silencer, quick shifter, nav 5, tank bags, rear seat bag, top box & panniers, old city suit & new rain suit (before they discontinued them) Bmw jackets, aux lights, loads more I forgot, but I see £5k or more in bits..
R1200GS WC 2014 8500 miles, draped in ACF to keep the weeds at bay..
K1200S 2007 6000 miles immaculate..
R1200C 2002 (chromehead) 6000 miles showpiece..
2014 Harley 48 (my one detraction) don't love it but it's great to look at & the noise just makes me smile..
1978 Yamaha RD200DX, classic that fires up on the button.. Those that 'Know' will know what I mean..

Shit, must sell some bikes..!

 

[MondoRich]

You're not wrong Phil, you're the kind of customer any business would want.

Loyal, generous with the cash and a repeat buyer.

I'm sorry you feel miffed I understand why you do.

 

[GS_or_bust]

But he's already paid BMW £250 for the privilege, and at one point BMW's heated grips were much applauded.

My gripe would be that had I been aware that the grips were so poor in their operation, I'd have not had them as a £250 option, I'd personally have fitted a set of R&G Grips ....for £30 which work brilliantly on my ZX12R.

This is all going around in circles now though.

So the answer seems to be to ask for your £250 pounds back that you paid for the grips (tell them they can take the heat elements off the bike if they want them back). They might only let you have it in money off vouchers but no problem as you spend this refund on 2015 heater elements, fit them to your bike and problem solved. You also promise not to put anything on the forum about the settlement since the Dealer might be sensitive about publicising this unofficial upgrade.