2012 heated grips - retrofit to earlier models...

rhody · 01-14-2012, 03:40 PM

Just got back from a 20 minute ride, 25 degrees Fahrenheit, even with battery powered heated gloves I started to become a popsicle. I have a call in to my shop to inquire if the 2012 heated grips can be retrofitted to earlier models or if BMW sells an upgrade that will do it. I hope they didn't have to upgrade the stator, etc... in order to achieve this. Grips draw some amps... If anyone knows or has done this, the cost and particulars for install would be appreciated.

Rhody...

dattaway · 01-14-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody

I hope they didn't have to upgrade the stator, etc... in order to achieve this. Grips draw some amps...

I did a 500 mile trip last week with a full Gerbings electric suit, gloves, etc, and even used the high beams.

Rainman · 01-14-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody

Grips draw some amps... If anyone knows or has done this, the cost and particulars for install would be appreciated.

Rhody...

Search is your friend, and there is a LOT of information if you search for it first. No sense in starting new threads for the same stuff that is covered over and over and over.

Now try this:

OEM BMW heated grips - retrofit!

rhody · 01-14-2012, 07:29 PM

Thanks, Rainmain. Admins, I would have no objection to having this thread deleted. I posted this right after my ride and was chilled to the bone, so possibly my mind was clouded from the cold. I have had hypothermia before or near hypothermia while hiking in the rain, I couldn't think straight then either.

Rhody... crawls away slowly under a rock...

rhody · 01-23-2012, 06:00 PM

Maybe there is some redemption for me. My local bike shop says they can retrofit the KTM heated grips for a lot less than the 2012 BMW heated grips. They have installed them on countless bikes and everyone is happy, with the quality and longevity.

I will post the estimated parts and labor if anyone is interested.

Rhody...

Slim · 01-23-2012, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody

Maybe there is some redemption for me. My local bike shop says they can retrofit the KTM heated grips for a lot less than the 2012 BMW heated grips. They have installed them on countless bikes and everyone is happy, with the quality and longevity.

I will post the estimated parts and labor if anyone is interested.

Rhody...

i am deffinitly interested in this, and would love an update!

rhody · 01-23-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slim

i am deffinitly interested in this, and would love an update!

OK Slim,

Let me get the details and report back.

Rhody...

usrodeo4 · 01-27-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody

Just got back from a 20 minute ride, 25 degrees Fahrenheit, even with battery powered heated gloves I started to become a popsicle. I have a call in to my shop to inquire if the 2012 heated grips can be retrofitted to earlier models or if BMW sells an upgrade that will do it. I hope they didn't have to upgrade the stator, etc... in order to achieve this. Grips draw some amps... If anyone knows or has done this, the cost and particulars for install would be appreciated.

Rhody...

You can have mine..haha. I ordered mine w/o heated grips (Orlando) but they say it is arriving with them...so I'm not being charged for them, which is cool...maybe on a very rare occasion I may use them, but like you the amps concerned me, plus it's just one more electronic failure point.

25 degrees? Really? Aren't the roads kinda slippery? Guess I don't see the point on a SB.

rhody · 01-27-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usrodeo4

You can have mine..haha. I ordered mine w/o heated grips (Orlando) but they say it is arriving with them...so I'm not being charged for them, which is cool...maybe on a very rare occasion I may use them, but like you the amps concerned me, plus it's just one more electronic failure point.

25 degrees? Really? Aren't the roads kinda slippery? Guess I don't see the point on a SB.

Yeah, 25 degrees careful with the throttle and TC is on, (normally ride with it off), more amps causes the stator to heat up, and eventually melt, pull the stator cover of after a long ride with the grips on high and see if you smell melting wire, if you do, you are stressing your stator, knowing those Germans though they probably over-engineered the hell out of it and you will be fine. Had an 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300 ABS, and lots of guys had stator problems, they were over stressing the poor stator with heated vests, gloves, GPS, radar detectors, you get the idea. There was more than one post with a melted mass of blackened wires as a result. This is a whole different ball game, however, if the temps dip to the 40's please report how comfy they work for you.

Rhody...

dattaway · 01-28-2012, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhody

Yeah, 25 degrees careful with the throttle and TC is on, (normally ride with it off), more amps causes the stator to heat up, and eventually melt...

No. Our mosfet regulator is of a shunting design. It shorts excess voltage back to the stator, so the stator is always running at 100% capacity. The stator puts out 350 watts, if you use it or not.

I have a full Gerbing's electric suit. Works well on long rides. Even with the high beams on.