Heated grips

w650 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

Hi, I've just got a set of heated grips for my two bikes, a Kawasaki W650 and a CG125 (2005 model). I was wondering if anyone has had experience of fitting these to either of these machines. My question mainly concerns the point at which to hook up the live feed. I could go direct to the battery terminal but would prefer to use a feed activated by the ignition key so that the grips are not left on if you forget to turn them off before walking away and leaving the machine parked up.

Thanks in advance, Pete

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Best advice is to use a relay to connect up the grips. There are old posts on here to help if you use the search feature.

Basically can connect via relay to battery. However, relay switched via connection to live circuit. This is usually the headlight that you can tap into. So grips on when light on. You can use an extra switch if you like then can turn off when not required while riding. This can be plumbed into the fairing or sometimes come as one you can put on the bars.

As said, use search feature and all the info will be found.

With heated grips remember that although the palm of your hands may be warm the back and possibly the thumb can still be cold. You may wish to see about fitting hand guards to deflect the air flow to supplement the grips. I think for bigger bikes the ones for the V-Strom can be utililised (see threads on here and on other user/bike forums). Not sure what to use on CG. Only ever put mitten type things on that.

Thumbs Up

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EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Karma :

Connect to horn 12v live, most simple way yet no one ever seems to mention it, you dont even need to crimp/solder or anything...
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stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

How to wire in an electrical device using a relay.
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w650 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

Thanks for the replies. I'll post back when the job is done.

fatjames · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jul 2011 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

EazyDuz · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Karma :

What i mean is depending on how your bike is wired, i think most have a constant live 12v running to the horn, pressing the switch just completes the circuit meaning the horn sounds.
I had heated grips wired to my horn live, and grounded at the battery neg and it worked fine. No fires, no kittens were burnt to death Razz

Grips dont even use much power, scare mongering imo.
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J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

w650 · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jun 2012 Karma :

As an update to this thread, I have now installed the grips (R&G) and all is well. I have used a relay which is wired up thus:
Pin 30 live feed from battery +ve, Pin 87 to heated grips fuseholder, Pin 85 spliced into rear number plate lamp +ve feed Pin 86 to chassis ground. Relay is sited just behind (ie rear of) the battery and is accessible when the side panel is removed.
Apart from an embarassing problem because I hadn't fully tightened the ground bolt, they are working very well with no apparent problems.

Pete