Fitting heated grips on your motorcycle is a practical upgrade that significantly enhances riding comfort, especially in colder conditions. The process involves carefully removing your old grips, installing the new heated elements, and integrating them into your motorcycle's electrical system for power.
Heated grips work by incorporating internal heating elements that warm up when connected to your bike's power supply, providing warmth directly to your hands. This not only keeps you comfortable but also improves control by preventing numb fingers.
Essential Tools and Materials
Before you begin, gather the following tools and materials to ensure a smooth installation:
- New heated grip kit: Ensure it's compatible with your motorcycle's handlebar diameter (typically 7/8 inch or 1 inch).
- Hex keys / Allen wrenches: For removing existing bar ends or controls.
- Screwdrivers: Philips head and a small flathead screwdriver for various fasteners and assisting with grip removal.
- Wire cutters/strippers: For preparing electrical connections.
- Electrical tape or heat shrink tubing: For insulating wire connections.
- Multimeter: Essential for testing electrical circuits and finding a switched power source.
- Grip glue (super glue or specialized grip adhesive): To secure the new grips.
- Cleaning spray or rubbing alcohol: To clean handlebars.
- Zip ties: For tidying up cables.
- Optional: Compressed air, lubricant spray (e.g., WD-40) for easier grip removal, and a utility knife if you plan to cut off old grips.
Pre-Installation Preparations
Safety first! Disconnect your motorcycle's battery before starting any electrical work to prevent short circuits.
Removing Existing Grips
The first step is to remove your old motorcycle grips. You have a couple of options, depending on whether you wish to preserve the OEM grips:
- Preserving OEM Grips: If you prefer to keep your original grips intact, you can often remove them by carefully working a small flathead screwdriver underneath the grip's edge. Once a small gap is created, you can inject compressed air or a lubricant like WD-40. The air or lubricant will help break the adhesive bond, allowing you to twist and slide the grip off. Repeat this for both sides.
- Cutting Off Grips: If you don't intend to reuse your OEM grips, you can simply use a sharp utility knife to carefully cut them off the handlebars. Make sure to cut away from yourself and avoid scoring the handlebar itself, especially on the throttle tube.
- Remove Bar Ends and Controls: Detach any bar end weights or handguards. Loosen the screws on your throttle housing and clutch lever assembly so you can slide them slightly inwards if needed, providing enough space to remove and install grips.
Installing the New Heated Grips
Once the old grips are off and the handlebars are clean, you can proceed with installing your new heated grips.
- Clean Handlebars: Thoroughly clean the handlebar surfaces and the throttle tube with rubbing alcohol or a suitable cleaner to remove any old adhesive residue and ensure a strong bond for the new grips.
- Test Fit: Before applying glue, slide both new heated grips onto their respective sides (clutch side and throttle side). Ensure they fit snugly and that the cables exit in a convenient direction for routing. Make sure the throttle grip operates smoothly without sticking.
- Apply Grip Glue: Apply a thin, even layer of grip glue to the clean handlebar (clutch side) and the throttle tube. Work quickly, as some glues set fast.
- Install Grips:
- Clutch Side: Firmly slide the left (clutch) heated grip onto the handlebar, rotating it into the desired final position before the glue sets. Ensure the heating element wire exits neatly.
- Throttle Side: Slide the right (throttle) heated grip onto the throttle tube, again rotating it into position. Check for smooth throttle operation without binding.
- Secure Bar Ends (if applicable): Reinstall your bar ends, ensuring they don't impede the throttle's movement or pinch any wires.
Wiring and Electrical Connections
This is a critical step, requiring careful attention to avoid electrical issues. Most heated grip kits come with a wiring loom, a control unit, and instructions.
Finding a Power Source
You will need to connect your heated grips to a 12V power source. It's highly recommended to connect them to a switched live power source, meaning they only receive power when the ignition is on. This prevents draining your battery if you accidentally leave them on.
- Ideal Switched Live Points:
- Tail light wire
- Headlight parking light wire
- Accessory fuse block (if your bike has one)
- Avoid Direct Battery Connection: While possible, connecting directly to the battery risks battery drain if the grips are left on. If you must, ensure your kit has an automatic shut-off or install an inline switch.
- Using a Multimeter: Use a multimeter to identify a switched live wire by testing various connections with the ignition on and off.
Connecting the Controller and Loom
- Route Cables: Carefully route the wires from each grip along the handlebars, down the forks, and towards your chosen power source and controller location. Use zip ties to secure the cables neatly and prevent them from snagging on moving parts or becoming damaged. Ensure there's enough slack for full steering lock without tension.
- Mount Controller: Mount the heated grip controller in an easily accessible but safe location, typically on the handlebars near other controls.
- Connect Wires:
- Connect the grip wires to the main wiring loom as per your kit's instructions.
- Connect the main loom's positive (+) wire to your identified switched live power source.
- Connect the main loom's negative (-) wire to a good chassis ground point on your motorcycle (e.g., frame bolt, negative battery terminal).
- Install the inline fuse provided with your kit into the positive wire.
Testing Your New Heated Grips
Once all connections are made and secured, it's time to test your installation.
- Reconnect Battery: Reconnect your motorcycle's battery.
- Turn on Ignition: Turn the ignition key to the 'on' position.
- Activate Grips: Turn on the heated grips using their controller.
- Check for Heat: Wait a few minutes and feel both grips to ensure they are warming up. Test different heat settings if available.
- Check for Faults: Look for any warning lights or error codes from your heated grip controller. If nothing happens, re-check all your connections, fuses, and power source.
- Full Lock Test: With the engine off, turn the handlebars from full left to full right lock, ensuring no wires are pinched, stretched, or interfering with steering or controls.
Heated Grip Installation Checklist
To help you keep track, here's a quick checklist:
| Step | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Safety First | Disconnect battery | ✅ |
| Remove Old Grips | Preserve or cut off existing grips, remove bar ends | ✅ |
| Clean Handlebars | Ensure surfaces are free of residue | ✅ |
| Test Fit New Grips | Check for proper fit and cable routing | ✅ |
| Apply Grip Glue | Apply to clean handlebars and throttle tube | ✅ |
| Install New Grips | Slide grips on quickly, align, ensure free throttle movement | ✅ |
| Route Wiring | Secure cables, ensure no interference with controls/steering | ✅ |
| Mount Controller | Place in an accessible location | ✅ |
| Connect Electricals | Connect to switched live power, ground, and grips, install fuse | ✅ |
| Reconnect Battery & Test Grips | Check for heat, smooth throttle, and no electrical issues | ✅ |
By following these steps carefully, you can successfully install heated grips on your motorcycle, ensuring a warmer and more enjoyable ride in any weather. For more detailed electrical guidance, consult your motorcycle's service manual or an experienced mechanic.
