| Author | Message | ||
     Nickh |
Does anybody have any experience with the Buell Heated Grips? How well do they work? How difficult are they to install (I have an 09 XB12Scg)? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Nick | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
They work great and are a direct bolt up. They are expensive though and are, if not already, going to become quite scarce as a factory accessory. | ||
| Froggy |
They are easy to install, all you will need to do on your bike is drill a small hole in the handle bar for the grip (or you can glue it instead). The included drill bit sucks, but it will drill no problem if you have your own bit. Expensive yes, but a fantastic kit. The electrical part is plug and play, the outlet is under your flyscreen. | ||
| Toecutter |
I love mine. Most people say that they have two settings... too hot, and way too hot. However, I think that the heat they produce is just about right. Sure they get pretty hot on the high setting, but on a 34 degree morning, it is welcome. I know that they are fairly simple to install, but I don't have experience with the installation as I had the dealer put mine on before I took delivery of the bike. | ||
| Nickh |
Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate the information.  Nick | ||
| Whatever |
Is there a port under the fly screen on all XB models? I thought it was just for the Uly models? Also is there a port under the seat as well, or just on the Uly models? Thanks, Looking into wiring in the heated gear I got and it is sort of related... the maintenance manual makes it sound like there are no ports on the XBs that are only on the Uly. | ||
| Froggy |
Whateva, all 06+ Uly models and all 08+ XB/1125 models have the port under the flyscreen. Only Uly models have it under the seat too. Older XB models do have the accessory line, but not the port, so you can still splice in a connector for it. Here is a copy of the instructions for the Buell kit if you want to preview the installation. http://froggypwns.com/buellpdfs/Buell_Heated_Hand_ Grip_Kit_INSTRUCTIONS.pdf | ||
| Whatever |
Thanks Froggers... That will be sweet as then the dual control for the gear can just go on the handle bars and back into the port on the windshield... right? Is there an issue with hookng up the heated gear to the port off of the battery that is made for the battery tender? I have been told that it could drain the battery if left on while the bike is off and I should hook it up to an ignition source instead, ie, the seat under the bike. | ||
| Froggy |
Are you talking about running the heated suit off that switch on the handle bars for heated grips? I don't think that would work without hacking and splicing, and even then I wouldn't recommend it due to the low amp fuse on the accessory line. I don't know what is involved with the battery tender on 2010's, as it is part of the bike and not a dealer installed item like previous years. Typically, they have low amp fuses, so it isn't a good idea to run the gear off them either. I run my heated gear off a dedicated line straight to the battery. Battery drain is not an issue, as the cord is only a few feet long, so even if I forget to unplug it and do walk away, the cord will pull itself out and disconnect from the suit. Being that the heated gear is on its own line and own fuse, you don't have to worry about losing all your other accessories if something happened and the fuse blew. The main reason for a dedicated line is that a heated jacket and gloves will draw close to 10 amps, so if you tried to run it off the stock line you will be close to overloading the circuit. It takes about 2 minutes to install the battery connector and route it to the small hole near where the frame and seat rails meet. | ||
| Whatever |
Wha? Now I am confused! Can you run it from under the seat? Me no likey how this sounds!  | ||
| Froggy |
The battery is under the seat, the pigtail connects directly to the battery terminals, where the connector goes is up to you but I personally find it best poping out the left side. You can see it here hanging:  I got it zip tied now so its not hanging so far low. | ||
| Whatever |
Where are your controls? | ||
| Froggy |
I use this for control http://cozywinters.com/shop/wg-dpcoax.html?source= base It has 2 knobs, and connects to the power output pigtail pictured above. One knob controls my Gerbings gloves, other for my Gerbings jacket. I tuck away the extra wiring, and the controller hangs out the side of my Aerostitch suit by my hip. Easy for me to adjust with my left hand while riding. Most heated jackets come with a basic on/off switch for control, no adjustably. Nice if you want to cook or freeze  | ||
| Whatever |
I got one with dual controls- can adjust the pieces separately and adjustable for gloves and jacket liner... I think it will work great, got two weeks to test drive it until I head south... trying for an Iron Butt over the smokies in October... October 8th to be exact... Chemical heaters for toes should work... | ||
| Reepicheep |
Polly heaters are cheap, won't wear out, and let you use whatever grips you want to use. They run fine from the accessory line under the flyscreen on a Uly. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Yep. +1 for the Polly Heaters. | ||
| Catalan42 |
I rented a Beemer in the UK last winter with heated grips, and they made only a small difference due to the wind blast carrying off the heat quite quickly. They were better than nothing, but only 1/10'th what I would want in really cold weather. In May, I went on vacation crossing the snow-covered Sierras at 10,000 ft and bought the Gerbings headted jacket liner (long sleeve) and a matching pair of heated gloves (they plug into the end of the sleeves). The Gerbings stuff was a lifesaver when you're doing 80 mph at 20 deg F. If it's cold enough for heated grips to really make a difference, I think it is probably cold enough that you really need electrically heated clothing instead. Alan P.S. The heated clothing is also a lifesaver if all your gear leaks in the Oregon rain and you are soaked to the bone and trying to ride even at a "mild" 50 deg F (an unexpected additional benefit). | ||
| Sifo |
My WideGlide had heated grips when I bought it. They were kind of nice to just take some chill off. When it really was cold though it was just weird having sweaty palms while the backside of your fingers were freezing cold. They just put the heat where you need it least. Heated gloves would be much better IMO. | ||
| Reepicheep |
With the polly heaters and the Uly / 9sx handguards, I am good for about an hour at 30 degrees F before I am getting miserable. So they get me to work. The heated gloves for sure would do more better longer, but they are a lot more invasive, and I worry about durability, especially for the cost. The insides of your hands can bake, while the outside go numb. But there is generally enough heat that when your brain says "squeeze the brake or die" the chemistry of your muscles can react reasonably well. I wish somebody would make a passive heated glove for use with grip heaters. Something that conducts heat really well from the palm to the back of the hand... insulated on the outsides but not on the palms, with heat conductors from the palms to the backs. | ||
| Catalan42 |
The Gerbings heated gloves actually provide much less heat than the jacket liner. The gloves keep your hands from freezing, but not sweating-hot. Your torso & arms will get really toasty on high (unless the air temp is quite low). Of course, all the muscles that work those all-important brake fingers are in your forearm...... The legs on a Uly don't get that much wind, so a any kind of wind-blocking pants will do OK there. If you do plan on riding sub-zero, they do make heated pants and even boot liners (I'm not sure I even want to drive a car at those temps!) Alan | ||
| Wolfo68 |
froggy, is that radar you're runnin? | ||
| Nickh |
Well, I got the heated grips today and I'll be installing them this weekend. I'll report back and let you guys know how everything turned out. Nick | ||
| Ourdee |
I like the stock heated grips. They are real nice when you have wet gloves in a rain storm. I use high when it is 17 degrees f. out. I put a rain suit on over everything when it is that cold. I think I may try an electric vest this winter. | ||
| Dancing_dogs |
So I have a question regarding heated gear. I rode with my Gerbings jacket liner on max heat for 4 hours last Monday. I believe I have the 90W controller. At my last fuel stop the bike wouldn't start. We had to push start it. I'm guessing that I was drawing too much power and the electrical system couldn't keep up. I did not have my heated gloves on and I suspect this would have made things worse. Question: I was riding with both hi & lo beam on....if I switched to just lo beam, would I be ok or is there still an issue? Thankfully the bike didn't die on me while riding on the freeway. As it is right now, I'm gun shy on using the heated jacket liner or gloves. Thanks for the help! | ||
| Froggy |
If you do not have a voltmeter on your bike, you would have no way of knowing if your bike is correctly charging or not while riding. Heated jacket alone will not cause what happened to you, unless your battery is on the way out or you left it plugged in for an extended period of time with the engine off. Also, the Gerbing jacket consumes 77 watts (@12v). | ||
| Froggy |
Wolfo68, I don't have any radar detectors. I don't speed much, so I don't have much of a use of one. | ||
| Vospertw |
DD - the book says 405 watts at 3000 RPM. To get the real answer, you should add up everything you have on, all lights, instruments, ECM, fuel pump, fan, etc. and calculate your excess charging capacity. Your accessories shouldn't exceed the excess, although it's ok for short periods of time. For constant use though, you don't want to be right on the limit; you'll be pushing the lifespan of your charging system components. Good homework assignment for someone! You will likely be ok with one light on, though I know on a lot of bikes (that aren't "touring" bikes)you can max out your system pretty easily with a couple pieces of heated gear. FYI - one of the books on my shelf lists the Blast as only having 100 watts excess capacity. Now, that isn't an XB, but I'd be willing to bet we don't have a whole lot more. | ||
| Wolfo68 |
ok, I was just wondering what the black thing was behind your windscreen | ||
| Froggy |
Race computer | ||
| Dancing_dogs |
Thanks guys, can someone point me to a good place where can i find the values for all the components and accessories? I guess that I have some homework to do.  |
