HELP!!!!

[chuffboxcharlie]

Recently bought a mint GS1200 2008 from dealer but heated grips are just slightly better than useless!

They do come on but are probably in between setting 1 - 2 on Oxford Hotgrips in heat terms. Warm but certainly not hot.

Took it back and they fitted new left grip - no change.

Took it back 2nd time and fitted 2 new grips and carried out a few tests etc. Rode it home and no change at all.

Question
Are the grips on a GS not very hot and just warm even on setting 2 all day?

I have ridden a F650 (800 twin) and brand new 800GT as courtesy bikes and their grips are a lot better, I could actually 'feel the heat'.

So far ridden it in temperatures from -1 degs to +12 degs but still the same...


ANY IDEAS?????? (please....)

Dont want to use muffs and yes, I do ride in the winter.

Cheers

 

[red1]

Posted this answer before.

08 models were first to get alloy bars. Alloy doesn't retain heat as well as older steel bars. Therefore heat disipates quicker and heat levels lower.

 

[littleredrooster]

Posted this answer before.

08 models were first to get alloy bars. Alloy doesn't retain heat as well as older steel bars. Therefore heat disipates quicker and heat levels lower.

Mine's an '08 and the grips get too hot to hold on the highest setting (after about 10-15 mins).

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Posted this answer before.

08 models were first to get alloy bars. Alloy doesn't retain heat as well as older steel bars. Therefore heat disipates quicker and heat levels lower.

Alu alloy conducts heat about 4 x faster than steel.

Main problem I have found is that thicker gloves are also thicker on the palm which keeps the heat out.
I eventually found, what I think, is the perfect winter glove for use with heated grips.... Rev-it Club H2O.
They are warm & waterproof but have a thin palm like a summer glove so you get the benefit from the heated grips.
You also get no loss of 'feel' that you get with some heavier gloves.
Using these, I find the grips on my 09 GS.....toasty.

For really cold weather.....just add silks.

 

[davegs]

Warm hands

I too hated muffs but after friends tried them I sucombe and believe me once you've tried these you'll never look back.

 

[Steptoe]

I too hated muffs but after friends tried them I sucombe and believe me once you've tried these you'll never look back.

Why's that ??? are they attached to your head in some way to stop you looking back. ??

 

[TLSgazza]

Why's that ??? are they attached to your head in some way to stop you looking back. ??

Good lord, you're on form today, nearly spat me sammidge out

 

[Ali-bear]

I couldn't have muffs on my bike ...

... wouldn't know what to stick in them

 

[davegs]

Why's that ??? are they attached to your head in some way to stop you looking back. ??

Why, where is one supposed to put them?

 

[Andy B]

I had a March 08 GSA and the grips would be hot enough when not wearing gloves that I wouldn't want to leave my hands there for too long!

 

[Old Codger]

Fit

One on each ear makes you look like Deputy Dawg

 

[morty]

muffs & heated grips with summer gloves, thats electric sex in the winter...you can't beat it,the muffs that is
ps: my gsa is 08 & the grips are roasting on max.

 

[Wilsdorf]

Too hot on mine on 2nd setting after a few mins, first setting hot enough for all but the coldest days.

 

[Pukmeister]

Muffs on my 08 GSA with summer gloves all year around, I honestly can't remember the last time I used the heated grips.

 

[chuffboxcharlie]

HELP!!!

Wow, what a response, cheers.
Suppose that means that mine are NOT working correctly, so what "may" be the probable cause???

Is there a sender unit sending power up to the grips?

Does the switch play up absorbing power?

Would steel bars really make that big a difference?

Thanks to all once again

(and can you fit aftermarket grips to if all else fails??)

 

[davegs]

heated grips

I found on a trip to the US these had been fitted to snowmobiles for years
makes sense. But whenever I've had them on long cold trips they make my palms sweat and tend to make my palms sweat and uncomfortable and the backs of my hands are freezing!!. So, muffs rule ok!, in Paris last year ev ery bike had muffs on and most guachos as well.

 

[Ali-bear]

I recently bought a Keis heated waistcoat and it is a wonderful thing

 

[Andy B]

I think the issue of steel bars versus ali is a red herring. the grips on your bike were made to work with that bike.

When I fitted heated grips to my sister's bike some years ago (made by Oxford I think) there was nothing complicated about it. No special parts.

Here's a link to a thread on the other side of the pond. If you scroll down to entry no.60 by Joe Bar there is information in there that might be of interest if you are going to try tackling it yourself.

I have to say that problems with heated grips seem to come up infrequently and whilst I've never suffered myself I don't think it is a problem unknown to BMW! I wonder if you should chat it through with another dealer if yours is not being wholly honest about it, or just not interested.