considering the Honda heated grips for the CB1100

[rboe]

I installed heated grips from Bike Master on the Griso. Larger diameter with better grip than stock (prefer them to the stock CB grips too) and you can get them for about $60. Four or five levels, work very well.

In use I prefer the glove liners. But there are times when you don't have them so having the heated grips as a back up is nice.

I don't tour on the CB so I have refrained from adding them but this winter - just may pull the trigger.

[Riko_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

skip to around 3:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-uQbiRAwA

and i count 5 levels in that video, not 3

skip to around 3:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-uQbiRAwA

and i count 5 levels in that video, not 3
Interesting! There do appear to be 5 levels for the OEM heated grips on the EX (obvious from the spoked wheels), and the 5 level numbers show up on the central gauge indicator screen. The Honda installed OEM heated grips in the U.S. come with only 3 levels, and nothing shows up on the central gauge cluster screen. The same thing was true for the OEM heated grips that I had Honda install on my previous bike (NC700X).

Thanks for the link to the Youtube video delineating the differences!
fritz

skip to around 3:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-uQbiRAwA

and i count 5 levels in that video, not 3
Interesting! There do appear to be 5 levels for the OEM heated grips on the EX (obvious from the spoked wheels), and the 5 level numbers show up on the central gauge indicator screen. The Honda installed OEM heated grips in the U.S. come with only 3 levels, and nothing shows up on the central gauge cluster screen. The same thing was true for the OEM heated grips that I had Honda install on my previous bike (NC700X).

Thanks for the link to the Youtube video delineating the differences!
fritz
Strange that you say that, what you say implies that those 5 level heated grips are a non-US accessory.
Yet I have red some time ago, however I don't remember where but I'll post the link when I do, that those 5 level grips are indeed a US accessory..

Very strange.

I have opened up a topic in all major European CB1100 boards asking about this specific grip heater, in the hope they can clarify in wich markets these are sold officially.
Those boards are the German, the UK one and the French one.
Still waiting for the first answer however.

Also contacted Samurider, and awaiting his answer about this item.
On his site it states that it has 3 levels, but so does any other international Honda website.
Absolutely nowhere did I find an official site or PDF file of accessory products for this bike that speaks of a 5 level heated grip.

It could be that this is a very new item, since the youtube video I encountered, by accitend, was posted on the 15th of august, so the video is less than a month old.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT-uQbiRAwA

[Elipten_imp]

I have 3 position Honda heated grips on my DLX and there is no digital number in the cluster and when purchased from Honda no option for 5 position grips. Would have been nice to have it.


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[Riko_imp]

Hmmm and does the icon appear in the digital display when the grips are turned on?

[CA200_imp]

I have the Honda heated grips and covered them with some grab-on foam covers and they work very well even with thick gloves on.

[Riko_imp]

I just got answer from Takashi of samurider.com

[Elipten_imp]

No icon, nothing in display when grips turned on. Only the power/heat level button on grip flashes when on.

There is an icon visible when bike is powered on and does sweep of instruments. Maybe dealer did not install correctly? Would like to know others' situation. Mine is a 2014 DLX.

Also There is no heated grip icon on my 2013 Std instrument display when I power it on.


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[Riko_imp]

aight thx for clearing it up!

[RedWinger_imp]

My experience: They are...
hard as a rock
hot as a lava rock
expensive as a diamond rock. =)

I find it not-so-easy to turn my left blinker on because how far I have to stretch my thumb without loosening my grip. Not sure if the heater button pushes the hand further out than stock grips. I just used them for the first time recently and kept hitting the button, trying to switch em off... didn't know they had different settings. Thanks!

[AzBob_imp]

My experience: They are...
hard as a rock
hot as a lava rock
expensive as a diamond rock. =)

I find it not-so-easy to turn my left blinker on because how far I have to stretch my thumb without loosening my grip. Not sure if the heater button pushes the hand further out than stock grips. I just used them for the first time recently and kept hitting the button, trying to switch em off... didn't know they had different settings. Thanks!

Have you tried letting go of the grip to reach the turn signals? Generally, a tight grip on the bars is considered bad form. A light touch and loose arms is recommended.

And yes... why the heck are the Honda-branded heated grips so much money? Depending on where you get them, $300-400 for both parts (the grips themselves, and the attachment kit).