considering the Honda heated grips for the CB1100

[fritzwilliger_imp]

Hi everyone... having tried both heated gloves with my last bike (Bonnie), and heated grips on a previous bike (Yamaha FJR), I have to say that I prefer the convenience of just flicking on the grips when needed vs stopping to layer on electric glove liners, plugging everything in, messing with the controller, etc. I'm seriously considering ponying up the money for the Honda heated grips. Questions to those who have already converted:

Are the heated grips more or less the same diameter and hardness as the stock plain grips? I ask because I had to put Grip Puppies on the originals in order to be able to ride comfortably, and I'm wondering if I end up still needing the extra padding with the heated grips, will the heat still pass through efficiently enough to my hands?

Can you control the amount of heat that the grips produce, or is at "on or off" kind of switch?

Any other observations you can pass along to someone who is wrestling with the question of spending $350 on these grips? Would you do it again if you know what you know now? And by the way, is there any chance at all of finding a lower price? Holy smokes!!

Thanks all. - Karl

Have had Honda heated grips installed on both my Dlx and previous NC700X. These OEM heated grips come with 3 settings, operated by a discreet push button just to the inside of the left grip. Very simple to operate, even on the fly. Push button once and hold for 3 seconds: indicator light flashes 3 times rapidly in succession of 5 cycles to indicate HI setting. Press button a second time: indicator light flashes 2 times in succession of 5 cycles to indicate MED setting. Press button a third time: indicator light flashes 1 time slowly in succession of 5 cycles to indicate LOW setting. Press button a fourth time: indicator light goes off; heat function is stopped. Grips have about same diameter and firmness as OEM non-heated grips.

The heat settings are VERY effective, and the variety of settings allows superb functioning across a wide range of ambient air temperature conditions. In short, I HIGHLY recommend these OEM grips. Further, I recommend that unless you are a particularly patient and advanced DIY-er, this complicated install is better left in the hands of a dealership repair tech who has done scores, if not hundreds, of such installs. That way you also get a warranty for the installation that goes along with your bike warranty.

Good luck and enjoy!
fritz