i thought a simple way of testing how the work/compare is to touch/measure the temperture of the bar. If that is were all the heat is going it must get pretty hot when measured just outside the grips compared to the rubber grips?
TeaPig
Registered user
If all else was equal that would work, the question is do the new aluminium bars actually conduct the heat away faster that the old steel bars leading to colder fingers compared to the old bike. Heat and temperature are two different things so if the old and new bars had the same element in the grips, the amount of heat being supplied to the bars would be the same but the temperature of the new grips would be different due to the higher rate of heat transfer away from the source
chad
Registered user
Hi
A simple test for how much of the problem is the GS bar condting more heat is to unbolt bars from yoke and wrap the bars (not grips) in a towel and then turn on grips for a long time. The heat conducted by the bars will warm the bars but not get lost to air or bike frame so eventually the grips will stop losing so much heat as the bars stop being a cold sink for the heat.
If temp is pretty much the same as when bars are mounted to the bike, the bar conduction is not a big issue.
It's probably not as simple as measuring resistance of element if it's the bars are not the issue as the ZFE on different models may supply different powers. Power is probably applied by switching 12v on and off in pulses the longer the on part, the more power overall (pulse width modulation).
Good luck with it.
Darren
A simple test for how much of the problem is the GS bar condting more heat is to unbolt bars from yoke and wrap the bars (not grips) in a towel and then turn on grips for a long time. The heat conducted by the bars will warm the bars but not get lost to air or bike frame so eventually the grips will stop losing so much heat as the bars stop being a cold sink for the heat.
If temp is pretty much the same as when bars are mounted to the bike, the bar conduction is not a big issue.
It's probably not as simple as measuring resistance of element if it's the bars are not the issue as the ZFE on different models may supply different powers. Power is probably applied by switching 12v on and off in pulses the longer the on part, the more power overall (pulse width modulation).
Good luck with it.
Darren
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Looked at the diagram on http://www.r1200gs.info/R1200GS-WD2.pdf. The switch and voltage is controlled by the ZFE. You either have to change the resistor in the grips or change a setting in the ZFE to get warmer grips. It's either that or aftermarket grips.
and here comes the science part
scientifically, i think it's spelled 'frisbee'
sometimes i wonder......"WHY IS THAT FRIZBEE GETTING BIGGER ? "and then it hits me
I had a 57 plate gsa the heated grips where not fit to be called heated grips
I now have a 2010 gsa and the heated grips are no better to think you get charged for them is crap they are useless bmw dealers say wear lighter gloves
I now have a 2010 gsa and the heated grips are no better to think you get charged for them is crap they are useless bmw dealers say wear lighter gloves
chad
Registered user
scientifically, i think it's spelled 'frisbee'
sometimes i wonder......"WHY IS THAT FRIZBEE GETTING BIGGER ? "and then it hits me
Do I look like I give a shit
retardedignition
Registered user
Alternative heated grips
Has anyone fitted replacement grips to a 2008 GSA. My left hand grip has died and I'm not sure if the BMW extended warranty covers replacement. An alternative type may be cheaper and most importantly much warmer.
Has anyone fitted replacement grips to a 2008 GSA. My left hand grip has died and I'm not sure if the BMW extended warranty covers replacement. An alternative type may be cheaper and most importantly much warmer.
I had my left hand one replaced under extended warranty on a 57 plate last year and it was still only luke warm
retardedignition
Registered user
I've looked at the wording on the extended warranty and it doesn't specifically mention heated grips, plus they state if it isn't listed, it isn't covered. Keeping my fingers crossed on that one - once they've thawed out.
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