heated gloves vs. heated grips

[Morgan]

I have had Warm/Safe gloves and their Heattroller for about 5 years.  In that time the gloves have failed 3x.  Suddenly the gloves go from being acceptably hot to nothing.  No warning, no nothing.  Just a dead glove. The company replaced two sets, but I'm not impressed at all.  How complicated is this product?  I did notice that on various different bikes, there were varying levels of heat.  My FZ1 and CBR seemed better able to deal with the gloves than the SV.  I wondered if the SV was killing gloves, but, IIRC, I was on the FZ1 when at least one pair died.  

Anyway, I still have the working gloves and temp controller but the OEM grips I installed on my Super Tenere have me totally spoiled.  In conjunction with the hand guards, I'm good at 45 degrees with fully vented Alpinestars GP gloves.  I'm comfortable enough for 20 minutes to work with heavier gloves at 27 degrees.  Much below that and I just take the car to work.  No need to mess with the wires.  But, I do agree, that if I were to ride in the low 30s for much beyond a couple hours, I'd be definitely hooking up the gloves with the grips.  

[M.Brane]

 Grips + gloves.

 The cheap Cycle Gear grips on the VFR are good down into the mid 40s with normal gloves. Still working fine after 3 years despite cutting through one of the wires trimming them down to fit. I just soldered it back together with a short piece of wire, and coated it with black silicone. I didn't think they'd last more than a season at best.

 The stock grips on the RT will bake your palms on high at temps above 40.

 The Gerbings gloves are on when it's low 40s or below. The grips add a nice warmth to the palms when it's near freezing or below, but not essential.

[Carbonero]

I have had Warm/Safe gloves and their Heattroller for about 5 years.  In that time the gloves have failed 3x.  Suddenly the gloves go from being acceptably hot to nothing.  No warning, no nothing.  Just a dead glove. The company replaced two sets, but I'm not impressed at all.  How complicated is this product?  I did notice that on various different bikes, there were varying levels of heat.  My FZ1 and CBR seemed better able to deal with the gloves than the SV.  I wondered if the SV was killing gloves, but, IIRC, I was on the FZ1 when at least one pair died.  

Anyway, I still have the working gloves and temp controller but the OEM grips I installed on my Super Tenere have me totally spoiled.  In conjunction with the hand guards, I'm good at 45 degrees with fully vented Alpinestars GP gloves.  I'm comfortable enough for 20 minutes to work with heavier gloves at 27 degrees.  Much below that and I just take the car to work.  No need to mess with the wires.  But, I do agree, that if I were to ride in the low 30s for much beyond a couple hours, I'd be definitely hooking up the gloves with the grips.  

We had a segment on the show this past week discussing how a Warm-n-Safe HeatTroller died just a couple of weeks into its life. I won't say that it's endemic of Warm-n-Safe, but I do seem to hear more complaints about that brand than some others.

http://thepacepodcast.com/archives/2229

[Geno]

I use both when it's 40s and below.  Got a set of Powerlet liners under thin leather gloves, so dexterity is good.  The grips keep my palms toasty, and the powerlets take care of the tops & fingers down into the 20s.  

[black hills]

thanks for all the advice, ordered grips for starters and will most likely add gloves as well.

[expatbrit]

WIth handguards and heated grips, plus a set of Rev'it Bastions, my hands are not cold. They're not warm and toasty, but they're not cold at around freezing. It's just a bit of chill in the fingertips. I don't really notice the grips like I do with lighter gloves on.

I think heated grips vary in efficacy. I'm super happy with the stock ones on the Mutleystrada. Warm enough, for sure.

THe big thing I like about the grips is for days when it's not QUITE as cold, and I'm just a bit chilly in my summer gloves. Pop them on low, and bask in the glow.

[Dan K]

Whoever posted they had gloves that kept them warm to below freezing without heated grips or gloves, please tell me what they are so I can buy a pair.

 -Dan

[black hills]

Whoever posted they had gloves that kept them warm to below freezing without heated grips or gloves, please tell me what they are so I can buy a pair.

 -Dan

   I need a pair for riding, work, skiing, etc.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Both.

I like my grips for weather down to about 40 or so with summer gloves on long rides, and down to 30 or so with summer gloves for short trips.

For longer trips in cold weather, I snag my Gerbing gloves.  They are a PITA to take on and off (which is why I don't use them on short trips unless it is really cold.

The nice thing about the gloves is that you still have warm hands if you take your hands off the bars for a minute or two.

[Croak]

Both.  But if i had an either/or choice, I'd probably go with a good set of grips.  Heated grips are handy year-round and are always there, always ready when you need them.

[bluepoof]

I vote for gloves because I am utterly incapable of remembering to turn off the heated grips when I stop riding.    So grips are way too expensive for me -- $40 for the grips plus $75 every few months for a battery.

[Cablebandit]

 

[black hills]

I vote for gloves because I am utterly incapable of remembering to turn off the heated grips when I stop riding.    So grips are way too expensive for me -- $40 for the grips plus $75 every few months for a battery.

One of the reason I went with the KTM grips, clean install to a switched connection soi don't have to worry about turning them off

[expatbrit]

I vote for gloves because I am utterly incapable of remembering to turn off the heated grips when I stop riding.    So grips are way too expensive for me -- $40 for the grips plus $75 every few months for a battery.

Wire 'em to a switched circuit?

[M.Brane]

 I have a separate fuse block for all my accessories that is wired off a relay. No power to anything unless the key is on.

[bluepoof]

Now now, you all are making way too much sense.  

[miles]

Now now, you all are making way too much sense.  

If it's any consolation, BP, I've killed my battery a handful of times with the heated grips, too.    

[Yankee Dog]

Folks....   they sell these things in the autoparts store called relays. They only cost a few bucks. There are 13,000 sites on the internet that explain how to install them. It really aint too hard. Even I could figure it out.   No more dead batteries....  ever    

[expatbrit]

Folks....   they sell these things in the autoparts store called relays. They only cost a few bucks. There are 13,000 sites on the internet that explain how to install them. It really aint too hard. Even I could figure it out.   No more dead batteries....  ever    

Oh, that's not true!

Once I had relays and stuff on switched circuits, then I'd leave the bloody key in the 'park' position and kill the battery. That was a brilliant wheeze, let me tell you.

[Solitaire]

I had factory grips on an old R1150RT, now I have Gerbing G-3's for my Sprint GT. The gloves are significantly warmer IMHO. If you have good wind protection for your hands, you may find the grips are enough, but personally I wouldn't go back (though I have thought about the 'both' solution). Grips are great down into the 40's, and super convenient - lower 40's and below, I'll need my Gerbings...