I've had a few different kinds, BMW factory, Kimpex, and the lastest which are Dual Stars. The Dual Stars so far have been a let down. Every other grip I've had got much hotter.
I bought mine from kurt at blackdog and they suck . The right one gets hot but the left one barely gets hot. I even tried insalating it but no go just barely warm. I talked to Kurt from blackdog at the KTM rally in lake tahoe he said their was a bad batch but he didnt offer a refund. So I guess I will try another brand.
I've installed the KTM part which is probably OEM'ed from somebody else. The "start" setting works well. Both grips are powered in parallel. The "on" setting, both grips powered in serial, is not really warm but just takes the cold out of it. I'm thinking about adding a switch from Symtec: http://www.symtec-inc.com/Internal-Handlebar-Grip-Warmer-Kit-Metric_p_7.html I've seen it offered separately for $89 somewhere. It provides 4 settings rather than the factory 2.
Bought a few of the Symtec ones with the rocker switch from California Sport Touring for various bikes. No issues here.
Got my bike with KTM (part 60112064144) grips and working great. These have a four level power controller, with dim indicator lights. Long press turns heater on/off and short cycles between levels. I've only couple of weeks experience, but temperatures have been close to freezing and I usually keep them on the second level. Highest level melts my gloves..
I've never had heated grips before. My 2006.5 Adv came with Oxford grips installed... I love them, a gift from the motorcycling gods! Get some you won't regret it!
+1 for Symtec heated grips, they're more expensive than other element grip heaters but, they work well.
Looks great. I wonder if we can install the new 4 level controller in our old Daytona grips, the ones with the 2 level switch, where position 1 means melt and position 2 does nothing...
I second the Oxford grips, the newer ones have the four settings which works well. I still have a set of the older ones which is variable by the potentiometer and you can dial in the exact amount of heat you need. Those black KTM ones look exactly like the 4 position Oxford heaters on my other bike. I live in Canada, heated grips is not an option to be without. WR Dave
Hot Grips are the best! http://www.hotgrips.com I have them on all my motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. Be sure to add Warm N' Safe's Heat-Troller, in either the sub-surface or surface mount variety, and you'll have grips that can go from barely warm to "melt your gloves hot" in just a few seconds. http://www.warmnsafe.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65_71_81 ktm950se
Good question GOTI , I have the older KTM branded grips. The grips look identical but the older style controller has three settings, off, start (which is like hanging onto an exhaust header) and on (which is barely warmer than off). But back to the original question; YES by all means get heated grips if you ride in the cold. They are the next best thing to round tires.
I hve the sock KTM and I think they are way to hot even on the lowest setting. Maybe I have senstive hands but I can barelyy stand it on the 1 setting. The #4 setting will melt metal! Maybe I got a weird batch lot or something. I have Powerlet heated gloves and jacket so I hardly use the hand warmers.
While I haven't installed heated grips on my KTM 950, I have installed a set on my FJR. See: http://www.warmnsafe.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=219 The kit works great and, with the digital pulse controller, you don't waste amps like you do with resistor based controls. On the FJR I was able to install the controller inside the left turn/horn switch housing. Don't know if there's enough room in the KTM switch.
I just installed some Dual Stars a few weeks ago. For me on low they still get too hot. But I have only used them down to about 40 degrees. I don't notice the left hand being cooler than the right. A few weeks ago my wife was on the back and we where riding on on the interstate doing 60+ with a 20 MPH wind from 2 o'clock with gust to 50. I was white knuckled and getting cramped up in my arms and shoulders. I turned on the grips and it helped me relax and loosen up. It was a big help, and I think just that one ride was worth the price.
Same here. I liked the fact that they were one piece and I did not have to put stock grips over the elements. I also have the Kaoko throttle friction and used this guide for installation: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381808&highlight=kaoko+throttle+lock I concur with the overly hot start position and luke warm on position. I will probably go to something like a heat-troller with a reostat this winter to get some mid heat range out of them.
Is this available in the US? The part number comes back with the old two position switch. Can't find it...