I need reviews/comments posted about heated motorcycle grips and
heated ATV grips. I'm looking for a very comprehensive set of reviews
and, more importantly, comments posted in user forums about any type
of heated motorcycle grip or heated atv grip. While the answer should
certainly include professional reviews, I'm particularily interested
in the comments posted in the myriad of forums that cater to owners of
various makes and models of ATVs and Motorcycles.

Broadly there are three categories of these devices (heated grips).

1.) Heated grips that are made by the major vehicle manufacturers - eg
Yamaha, Honda, BMW, Harley Davidson, etc. All these companies market
heated grips under their own brand name. There may be others.

2.) Aftermarket manufacturers that market heated grips under their own
brand name. Some brand names include Hot Grips and Custom Heat.

3.) Finally, there are aftermarket manufacturers that make "grip
heaters", which are devices that consist a thin sheet of plastic with
embedded heating elements that can be inserted below a non-heated grip
to generate heat. While not technically a "heated grip", these devices
serve the same function as a heated grip and MUST be included. Some
brand names are kimpex and symtec.

While professional reviews are likely to be easily found; it is very
key to answering this question successfully that the researcher has
the necessary skills to search through the many user forums that may
exist for this topic. User forums are usually based on an interest in
a SINGLE make and model of vehicle.

An emphasis must be placed on searching through user forums.

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 30 Oct 2005 08:20 PST

Daarrid,

 When searching user forums, most of the comments posted are not
really "reviews", but short user opinions that often run in long
threads. Are these the types of comments you are seeking?

" had those oxford jobbies from Hein Gericke and they worked fine even
though it is only be very hot or not. Had the original heated grips on
my beemer and they worked well on the low setting combined with
handlebar muffs... have the Honda original heated grips which have
lasted well for 27K miles and 3 years with just 1 problem that was my
fault and easily fixed. I'd recommend them.
However they won't cure the end of your fingers or thumb getting cold,
that's why I looked at heated gloves...These are also sold as
"Daytona" grips (I guess that HG get their logo put on them), which I
have. Work fine except as someone said, they are either too cool or
topo hot for the middle of winter. The cooler setting in good for
autumn/spring though - I'm just starting to use them on colder days
now."

Or - "Well I installed my Dual Star heated grips last night. I took a
quick spin to 'try' them out and they work very nicely indeed. I would
strongly recommend them to anyone contemplating heated grips."

The primary problem I see is that the majority of time researching
this question will be spent reading countless forum posts about heated
grips that turn out to offer nothing in the way of a review. For
example - they end up focusing on problems with the wiring, such as
"Last night I picked up my HP2. It was about 40 so I plugged in my 15
year old Gerbings and flicked on the heated grips. Got about 1/2 way
home and realized the heated grips weren't working" OR  "Any of you
fitted heated grips and are they hard to do. I've always made do with
just gloves but I fancy going for a bit of luxury....They are easy
enough to fit, but I wouldnt fit Oxford grips cos they aint so hot."
  

While this is certainly an answerable question, the major concern for
a researcher remains how many reviews you expect for the price
offered? And, when you mention "professional reviews" should be
included, are you suggesting that you also want a general product
review besides a user opinion?

Again - the majority of research time spent on this question appears
to be finding one "actual" user opinion for every 30 posts that offer
nothing.

Any input on number of reviews you will accept, and whether the first
two example I provided are the type you are seeking?

umiat

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 30 Oct 2005 08:49 PST

Another example of a forum "review"

"I had "Hot Grips" on my Kawasaki Concours but didn't like the grips
themselves as they were kind of hard.....It does involve some wiring
but, the general consensus seems to be that the Hot Grips are
uncomfortable as Sh#! and very expensive, and the Kimpex are flimsy.
The Dual-Stars allow you to use any grip you want. I'm installing mine
next weekend and can't wait to try 'em out!...Dual Star is the only
way to go.  I've had the Kimpex, suck (that resister you have to use
really made me....Dual Star is the only way to go.  I've had the
Kimpex, suck (that resister you have to use really made me nervous."

---

Clarification of Question by daarrid-ga on 30 Oct 2005 10:38 PST

The examples you provided are, in part, EXCELLENT AND EXACTLY what I
am looking for.

In answer to your other question, by professional reviews, I mean
reviews by magazines or other independent sources that review products
of this type for the general public's consumption. Here is one
example:

 http://www.atvconnection.com/tmpl/features/outdoors/hunting/hunterquad/dreamquad.htm

Another category of review that I did not specifically mention would
be web sites that compile customer reviews: Two examples of this:


http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/stores/product.asp?pid=907&str=4&ID=973277319

http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/products.php?catID=13&heading=Electric%20Clothing&catname=Grips

However - what is most important to this project are
comments/complaints/opinions - not formal reviews of these products by
consumers on various user forums. The examples you have provided are
uniformly EXCELLENT.

A link to a SINGLE long thread of comments that generally focuses on
"heated grips" is fine. No other data is required - just that link. 
Links to comments about heated grips which are NOT part of a
reasonably focussed thread on this topic would need to be listed
individually.

To my mind, the skill in doing this research beyond just gathering the
more formal reviews is in searching the various user forums and that
task seems to be of two parts. Generating a list of the most popular
make/model forums and then searching for comments about grip heaters
or heated grips etc in each forum.

I can't provide a specific number of reviews or comments that I
expect. As I noted, I view the more formal reviews as reasonably easy
to find but nevertheless valuable (I may be wrong about the ease of
that task). I would expect and rely on the researcher that they have
spent some time determining the most popular forums of various makes
and models, then located these forums, and then gathered any data that
is posted in these forums about the topic at hand and make that
imformation reasonably easy to reference.

I'm prepared to add a very generous tip for a very diligent and
comprehensive search.

Everything in your comments suggest you are researching information
that I very much need.

---

Request for Question Clarification by umiat-ga on 30 Oct 2005 14:18 PST

Thank you for replying so quickly and being so precise! I will
continue researching :)

Hello, daarrid-ga! 

 There are literally hundreds of motorcycle and atv forums on the
internet and there is no uniformly easy way to search them! Many of
the major forums do not allow access without registration, and those
that do often have no search features within the forum threads. For
example, if there were thirty pages of forum topics under "gear and
accessories," I often had to scroll through each one to find those
that might concern grips, sometimes coming up empty-handed! 
Therefore, I had to work with what forums were publicly accessible,
and within some reasonable time constraints since this task was
overwhelmingly huge!

 In most cases, I went through the threads to cull out the relevant
messages. Had I simply posted the links, you would have been faced
with scrolling endlessly to find the "opinion" comments

 While there may be many more forums and opinions out there, the
references below represent approximately ten+ hours of searching
through threads which are open to public view without registration. I
hope you find them satisfactory!
 
 
==============================
UK HONDA TRAIL RIDERS forum
==============================

"Heated Grips."
http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2260
"had those oxford jobbies from Hein Gericke and they worked fine even
though it is only be very hot or not. Had the original heated grips on
my beemer and they worked well on the low setting combined with
handlebar muffs..... have the Honda original heated grips which have
lasted well for 27K miles and 3 years with just 1 problem that was my
fault and easily fixed. I'd recommend them. However they won't cure
the end of your fingers or thumb getting cold, that's why I looked at
heated gloves. I couldn't find any any on-line though that I could
just buy. I get put-off when I can't buy something on-line as thats
how most of my purchases are made nowadays. Oh I did ask in Hein
Gericke though and they didn't do any....Hi Whealie I use my cheep
Oxford Handle Bar Muffs AND the Honda Heated grips. Just to rub it in
i wear my Pro Grip " Race Passion "short Moto x Gloves you get the
benefit of the Heated Grips plus you can feel what you are doing with
them on and the Muffs keep all the Windblast off your hands."

Read further...

http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2260&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15&



==========================
SPORT-TOURING Net Forums
==========================

"Heated grips for the 02 Viffer."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-36790.html
Can anyone recommend a good brand to buy? I see HOT GRIPS has some but
they are hard grips that look fugly and have to be epoxied down...I've
done quite a bit of checking on this myself and there seem to be two
options. A) Go with Hot Grips (or equivalent) for about $40 or B) go
with the Honda factory heated grips which can be gottn in Europe.
Everyone with 'A' is pleased with 'em. But, I'm with you in thinking
that they look like @ss. Everyone who has seen/has 'B' says they are
much better.....Smeg, I have the Hotgrips variable controller with my
Kimpex heat elements, that thing is really reliable. There still is a
neglegible draw of electricity when it is set to off. My dont come on
unless the key is turned on ( I have it wired to a relay). The knob is
easy to adjust while riding, even with thick gloves! I dont use the
hotgrips grip set they are a bit too hard for me, but they pump out
more heat and are faster heating then an under grip element. I am more
than happy with my cheap Kimpex elements..."

Read entire thread... 

"Heated Grips."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-57903.html
"have used the HotGrips on my last two bikes - with the HeatTroller.
They get HOT, real HOT... sometimes too hot.... This is not a bad
thing, the HeatTroller will control the temp for you, but he ability
to heat your hands is there. I have used them in rain, snow, and just
plain cold days. Even through heavy insulated gloves that I wore when
riding in a snow storm over the rockies - the heat form the Hot Grips
penetrated the gloves and kept my fingers toasty..

Read further...

"Heated Grips."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-36780.html
"I was checking out the list of accessories on the Honda UK website
and saw heated grips listed. Does anybody have these installed? Are
they available or do they have the same ailment that the US hard bags
have?...I have the cheapo Kimpex ones installed under the factory
grips. They work decent, and are fairly easy to install. I am not
familiar with the 02 Honda ones. I heard they are like
Hotgrips.....I've got hotgrips on my '99, along with the variable
controller. A priceless addition, if you ride in cooler temps. The
quality of the grips is good, and installation was not too tough."

Heated grips and Throttlemeister."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-37985.html
"I've been using Triumphs heated grips and a TM for 4 years now. 
Works great, wth and without the "friction sleeve....Yup I have both
the dual-stars and the throttlemeisters. Absolutly no problems."

"Hot Grips."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-42780.html
"I had "Hot Grips" on my Kawasaki Concours but didn't like the grips
themselves as they were kind of hard.....It does involve some wiring
but, the general consensus seems to be that the Hot Grips are
uncomfortable as Sh#! and very expensive, and the Kimpex are flimsy.
The Dual-Stars allow you to use any grip you want. I'm installing mine
next weekend and can't wait to try 'em out!...Dual Star is the only
way to go.  I've had the Kimpex, suck (that resister you have to use
really made me....Dual Star is the only way to go.  I've had the
Kimpex, suck (that resister you have to use really made me nervous."

"Dual Star Heated Grips."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-43155.html
"Just finished installing Dual-Stars grip heaters on my 919. Took much
more effort than I anticipated.....(Read entire post)

Thread: Need New Grips
http://www.f650.com/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=96471
"If you're strapped for money, I'd get the heated bar wraps from
California Sport Touring or Dual Sport. I have not installed mine yet
but they have had positive reviews here and they are well made. Comes
with all the necessary electrical kit to wire them. I am going to use
a relay although they apparently designed the bar wraps to not warrant
one."

"Winter Gear - What do you wear?"
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-36660.html
"Also had the Dual Star/Symtek heated grips on board, which kept my
hands warm up north."

"Heated grip experts heed my call..............."
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-57239.html



===============
HONDA VFR CLUB
===============

"Heated grips its bloody freezing." 
http://www.hondavfrclub.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6988
"For permanent stuff, Honda's the best. Oxford Hot Hands removable
stuff is okay and a lot cheaper. about 50 quid.......There's a vote
here for Heine Gericke Hotgrips @£50. I can't get over the fact that
the Honda grips are three times as much....I'm an Oxford fan as well.
Just done 50 miles with them - lovely. Who needs a thermostat -
there's an on/off switch....just had Honda grips fitted to Vtec, yes
expensive at £193 fitted but hands warmer than a particulary warm
thing on a very warm day.. IMHO worth the extra money.... looks neat
as well (fitted infront of clutch resevoir)....Stick with the Honda
gear. it maybe pricey, but NO ONE will doubt its quality, or
longevity. there is simply no better....Just got the Honda ones fitted
- Brilliant !...I'm told the problem with the likes of Oxford is that
in hot weather the rubber disintegrates and exposes the elements...I
had a set of Oxfords that fell apart within six months. The HG
Hotgrips have been working fine for a year and still look like new.

Read 5 more pages......



==========================================================
CHAIN GANG FORUMS - for owners and riders of the BMW F650
==========================================================

Modification and Maintenance - Heated Grips
http://www.f650.com/forums/Search/default.aspx?&searchText=heated%20grips&forum=9
"You'll really get spoiled with those (bmw) heated grips, I still use
mine in the morning even here in the AZ. The installation was pretty
straightforward, too. Just a little timeconsuming....."eLoLight and I
put the BMW heated grips on his Dakar a few weeks back. We had some
troubles but we managed to get it all mounted and working right. He
swears by the heated grips and encouraged me to get the setup for my
bike......I recommend the BMW heated grips.......Ditto...I've had 'em
for more tha a couple of years and icy winters in Missouri, and have
never had a problem. I prefer the factory look when it comes to some
things, and in this case the heated grips from BMW are my
recommendation as well."

(This thread continues for 13 pages but most of it is technical or
absent of opinions)

"Hot Grips."
http://www.f650.com/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=82296
"They're sold in the Aerostich catalog as well. Seem a bit bulky to
me. I've gone the Sym-Tec bar wrap route, as sold by Dual-Star and
California Sport Touring. Aerostich sells a bar wrap also but I think
they're of an inferior quality....."Hot wraps" are the ones that wrap
around the existing grips and fasten with velcro. I've had mine for 3
or 4 years and find them to work quite well. Also great to switch from
bike to bike.....I've had great luck with Kimpex Grip Heaters ($28)
that go under your standard grips. You just need to remember to
insulate the left bar before you install them."

"Stupid BMW heated grips question."
http://www.f650.com/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=63435
"My wife's GS has factory heated grips and, even on high, they don't
get very warm. On low, the warmth is virtually non-existant. This is
in comparison to the Kimpex grips I put on the other bikes, which are
wram as toast on low and get so hot on high that I can only leave it
there for a few minutes at a time on the coldest days."



==============
BIKERS ORACLE
==============

"What are the best heated grips?" 
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=18460&highlight=heated+grips

"Motrax Heated Grips"
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=16742&highlight=heated+grips
 "fitted some heated grips (Motrax Griptronic) the left one went on in
5 seconds, the right one about 20 mins of twisting the little begger
and yes I got the left and right ones the right way around."

"Heated grips"
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=15674&highlight=heated+grips

"Oxford Heated Grips."
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=10184&highlight=heated+grips
"... but I've bought a set of Oxford heated grips on the way home
instead!! I have fitted them this aft, but they don't seem to get as
warm as the standard fit BMW ones, even on the hottest setting. Has
anyone else fitted them, and how warm do they get? Its the proper
rubber grips, not the wrap around ones. I will be seriously pissed off
if I have to take them off to take them back to the shop.......ive got
the oxford grips with a temperature control switch and they get nice
and toasty even in the recent cold weather."



===========
CYCLEWORLD
===========

"Aerostitch Heated Grips Work Well."
http://forums.cycleworld.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/86560675/m/8500017421



==================
MOTORCYCLE FORUM
==================

"Hand Warmers."
http://www.motorcycle-forum.net/harley/OT_Hand_Warmers_737724.html
"My local HD Dealership said the Harley heated grips suck and he would
refuse to sell me a pair, even though they had like 14 pair in stock.
He said that almost 90% of them come back as defective. I guess the
heating element burns out after just one winter. They would not order
anymore from the MoCo and he also said next year they are not stock
any! So I'm looking for opinions on what vendor grip warmers you have
and how  long they've lasted and how happy you are with you with
then........Go to aerostitch and search for "heated grips". You'll
find two options there. I got the Warm Wrap ones for Jood and we
couldn't be happier. Aerostich is good people to deal with
too.........I purchased and installed the HD 6512-02A Contoured Chrome
and Rubber Heated Hand Grips on my Road King two years ago. They've
worked great so far, I'm glad I have them. I still have to wear
gloves, but I don't need the "oven mitts" anymore.



=======================
HARLEY DAVIDSON FORUMS
=======================

"Heated Grips."
http://www.hdforums.com/m_138408/tm.htm
"I know HD doesn't recall parts but has anyone know of a defect with
their heated grips. I had them installed on my Road King right before
winter. I used them two time and when spring came they no longer
worked and out of warrenty. I bought a new Ultra had them put on the
grips and they stopped working after a few time. These are covered but
I'm hearing from other that they have had a lot of trouble with them.
I would like to have them fixed on the Road King. Any ideas on getting
Harley to back their stuff?"



===============
ATV CONNECTION
===============
"Heated handlebar grips and thumb warmer." 
http://forums.atvconnection.com/messageview.cfm/catid/26/threadid/428626.cfm
"I have Kimpex brand grip warmers that allow the use of any grip that
you want, and Moose brand thumb warmer. They both work very well.....
got some HOT GRIPS brand lol , i love them , work great for
me......I'm using the Moose Heated Grips on my Grizz for plowing snow
and they work great. I usually start out with the high setting for
10-15 minutes and then they get too hot so switch to the lower
setting....A couple weeks ago I installed the Hot Grips Ergo grips and
a Kimpex thumb warmer on my Traxter. All of it was easy enough to
install, just took time. The Ergo grips work well but I'm not to sure
yet about the thumb warmer

"Are you using hand grip warmers?"
http://forums.atvconnection.com/messageview.cfm?catid=9&threadid=366703&highlight_key=y&keyword1=grip%20warmers
"Anyone using the hand grip warmers from Cabelas or any other
source?.....Hot grip has a good line of heated grips. I had them on my
96 sportsman and the guy that bought it said the grips are still
working and I have them on my Prairie now I love them.. Oh yeah when
you put them on use glue for heated grips or the SLOW setting epoxe
glue if you don't when they get hot they will come loose......We have
the Cabela's ones on my wifes ATV and she loves them. They put out
quite a bit of heat. We havn't had them long enough to judge
durability."

"Grip warmers."
http://forums.atvconnection.com/messageview.cfm?catid=5&threadid=378082&highlight_key=y&keyword1=grip%20warmers



=========
ATV TIME
=========

"Heated grips????"
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:czPT-nnEFeUJ:www.atvtime.com/ubb/Forum64/HTML/000767.html+forum+AND+%22grip+warmers%22&hl=en&start=23
"I have been using my HotGrips for several years and wouldn't ride
without them. They are the very first thing I add to a machine when it
hits my garage........We've installed many different types of heated
grips. We installed all the Kimpex styles (55.00 cad plus
installation) and have had fair reports back on them. The "hotgrips"
(90.00 cad + install.) are a very reliable and colourful heated grip
but comes only in the hard plastic grip, the soft grip they have is
very hard too come by. The most common and well reported grip that we
use 90% on our installations is the "SPX SOFTGRIP" sold by Gamma Sales
for 65.00 cad, 28.00 for the thumb warmer (plugs into handwarmer
harness) So far this is the most comfortable grip on the market by
far...I opted to purchase the Polaris style grip panels for my
Rubicon. They are the paper thin element that you glue to the
handlebars. This allows you to utilize your favorite grips, as well as
swap them out whenever you feel like it, and still have the hot grip
setup. HotGrips are great, but they rip you off and that hard compound
sucks hind tail. The Polaris setup also has as much better, lower
profile toggle switch. I set mine up in the display pod, looks
stock.......Good luck with the Polaris tape on warmers. Went through 4
sets of them the first winter.They simply do not hold up under heavy
use. They fry out. Several others that I know had the same problem. I
put the HotGrips on and haven't looked back....I use the Cabelas soft
heated grips and the Moose brand thumb warmer and am very satisfied



=============
ATV FRONTIER
=============

"Hand Warmers."
http://www.atvfrontier.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=12407/highlight=GRIP+HEATERS.html
"I always just use the kimpex ones that the grip goes over than you
can select any grip you choose (although I have not tried the gel
grips yet). They work great as does the thumb warmer......Symtec make
great hand warmers if you want variable temp settings for both thumb
and grips."

"Hand and Thumb Warmers."
http://www.atvfrontier.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15144/highlight=GRIP+HEATERS.html
"I have Hand & thumb warmer's on all of my Quads. And the ones I like
best are Weekend Warrior Hot Thermal Grips (built heavyer duty) $36 or
$39 bucks."



=============
CHROMEHEADS
=============

"No heated grips on my bike, what works"
http://www.chromeheads.org/discus/messages/9/47465.html?1124209402
"Aerostitch Warm Grips $45. I've used these for the past 3 years. They
work very well with one heat setting. Easy to install. For the R1200C
with Euro bars you would want to order the long cord version. You will
have to remember to turn them OFF when you park the bike as they plug
directly into the 12V power outlet from the battery. I fitted the
wires behind the left chrome cover along the path of already exiting
wire bundles. Nylon tie-wraps will secure the wires to the handle
bars. I can remove the whole set up in less than 10 minutes. When used
with the AeroFlow hand guards your hands will be toasty on the
underside. Cons: On leather grips like my 98C, the grips will slip
especially on the throttle. You'll have to get creative to prevent
this. I went as far as double sided tape. They should work better on
your rubber grips."



===============
TRIUMPHRAT.NET
===============

"Heated Grips & cold weather - advice."
http://triumphrat.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=2610&forum=14
 "best ones that i,ve seen are the hot grips brand yamaha snowmobiles
use them and they use a reostat to vary the temp."

"Heaters."
http://triumphrat.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=2780&forum=20
"I too am interested in the heated grips which run about $150 from
Triumph, BUT, I've got aftermarket grips which are a bit larger than
the factory grips. Big hands and all that. The original grips are just
too small and crampy......Instead of the heated grips that sell for
the $160. my dealer recommended snowmobile grip heaters. These sell
for about $25.00 and work the same.....Okay well for me its heated
grips, the expensive Triumph ones got fitted to my RS, easy job and
they look neat. Only hassle was adjusting the throttle play which for
those in the know is a bastard of a job. Still worth it, two settings,
hot and very hot. Ran 140 miles back from NEC (eveinings) and had no
problems on low setting. Friend has the Oxford wrap rounds which work
just as well, though a little messy and cost only 25 snickers."

"Trophy Bars and Heated Grips."
http://triumphrat.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=3182&forum=31
"Got myself some Saito heated grips from .louis.de a german supplier,
I was pleasantly surprised at the price, around 20 and they arrived
within a week.....Anyway, it was worth it in the end ..........THE
GRIPS ACTUALLY

"Evil Heated Grips."
http://triumphrat.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=viewtopic&topic=160&forum=7



=============
HIGH LIFTER
=============

Re: Grip warmers       
http://www.highlifter.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=856508&page=&vc=1
"I just installed heated grips and a heated throttle on my Rincon this
past August. I got a set from the local Arctic Cat dealer that
included both the grips and throttle for $69.99. These come with
replacement grips, but I re-used my stockers, as they came off in one
piece and the new ones had Arctic Cat logos. The local Honda and
Polaris dealers wanted something like $59.99 for the heated grips and
another $29.99 for the throttle heater, plus anywhere from $80.00 to
$100.00 for installation. Besides the cost, the other good thing about
the Arctic Cat kit is both the grips and the throttle heater work off
one switch, which has hi-lo-off settings. On high, it better be super
cold or you better have a thin pair of gloves on because they get
hot!"

http://www.highlifter.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=856859&page=&vc=1
"I have the ones that go under the grips, on my quad. They were $25 at
rocky mountain .... They are made by Kimpex and work great. Have a
hi/lo switch. I like them, as I can use whatever kind of grip I want."

http://www.highlifter.com/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=856477&page=&vc=1
"The best hand warmers I have found are made by Kimpex. Not there old
hard plastic ones but there new ones that they came out with last
winter. There are a summer/winter soft grip that looks like factory
grips and they have a turn button on them for you temp adjustment from
low to high and in between



==============
BCSPORTSBIKES
==============

"grip warmers."
http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/printthread.php?t=41551
"Hotgrips are the way to go.



===============
CYCLE CANADA
===============

"Heated Grips Recommendation."
http://www.cyclecanadamagazine.net/forums/cyclecanadamagazine.php?sujet=1&question=263&reponse=1771&pagea=&pageb=1&query=
"I have been using the Kimpex snowmobile heated grips for many years
with great results. They cost around $25, and are available at
Canadian Tire. Essentially mylar sheets with metal heating elements
bonded to the surface, they have an adhesive backing to stick to the
handlebar/throttle sleeve. You can then use whatever grip you wish
over the top."



=================
SOUTH BAY RIDERS
=================

"Heated Grips."
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18834&highlight=heated+grips
"I used the Dual Stars on my old VFR and loved them - they worked
great. I've got a new pair installed on my R1 now but they don't seem
to get as warm as on the VFR. May be the R1's grips are thicker or
provide more insulation somehow? Anyway, for the price you really
can't go wrong......Mine are the Dual-star kind (adhesive with
wiring), though of a brand purportedly for ATVs. Same deal. $28 for
the kit, 1/2-hour to wire it up (I had the shop do it). Well worth the
money, especially if you get caught out late or in unexpected weather
without your "warm" gloves."



==================
BIKER DAVE FORUM
==================

"Heated Grips."
http://bikerdave.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=bikechat&action=print&board=bikechat&num=1035126404
"They are easy enough to fit, but I wouldnt fit Oxford grips cos they
aint so hot......First thing I have fitted to any new bike is a set of
heated grips. The Oxford products ones are a heap of sh!t, the Honda
ones are expensive and go wrong frequently, the best of the lot are
supplied by Neutronics who make all the Pirahna stuff, and it is top
kit with superb after sales backup. I haven't needed to wear a pair of
winter gloves in years, and if your gloves get wet, they end up being
warm and damp rather than cold and wet.




*****************
PRODUCT REVIEWS
*****************

See "Heated grip elements review."
http://www.cxboard.netfirms.com/grips/

"Heated grips and other farkles."
http://www.surenet.net/~verhey/fjr/fjr.htm
 "The problem with most heated grips is you are stuck with using their
style and shape. I prefer to heat the existing grips. Both Dual Star
and Kimpex have a mylar heater element that can be installed on the
bars underneath the grip of your choice. As an added bonus , they are
about 1/10th the price of the Yamaha grips (made by "Hot Grips" for
Yamaha)."
 
"Heated Grips in general," By Doug Grosjean.
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/heatgripgen.html


HOT GRIPS 
=========
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=662

http://www.hotgrips.com/review.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-heated-grips/

http://www.ceejbot.com/blog/space/Hot+Grips+heated+hand+grips

http://www.hondadirectlineusa.com/stores/product.asp?pid=907&str=4&ID=973277319

http://sfriday.com/VFR800/hotgrips.htm
"The Hot Gripsare... 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-heated-grips/



AEROSTICH HEATED GRIP KIT and WARM WRAPS
=========================================
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=661
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=662


KIMPEX
=======
From Motorcycle.com (mostly about installations but a few comments
http://news.motorcycle.com/article.motml?sid=2538
"I've used Kempex grip heaters many times. I also use a bar mounting
for the switch (naked SV). The only thing I would do different is try
and find a variable resistor to be able to adjust the heat. Low is not
enough on cold mornings and High cooks your hands after twenty
minutes....I've used Kempex grip heaters many times. I also use a bar
mounting for the switch (naked SV). The only thing I would do
different is try and find a variable resistor to be able to adjust the
heat. Low is not enough on cold mornings and High cooks your hands
after twenty minutes."

http://sfriday.com/VFR800/hotgrips.htm
 "Under grip heated strips like Kimpex heaters are inexpensive, allow
you to use what ever grips you want and are easy to install."


CUSTOM HEAT
===========
There are several individual magazine reviews that have been compiled
on the Custom Heat website. From the link below, click on the top tab
for "Reviews."
http://www.customheat.com/main.shtml 
http://www.customheat.com/reviews/hwomen.htm

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=5254

http://www.goldwingproductreviews.com/CustomHeat.htm


DUAL STAR
==========
"I went with the Dual Star grip heaters simply because of the rave
reviews from owners on sport-touring.net. Plus, at $30, it?s hard to
go wrong with them. The grips work great.  After just a few minutes I
couldn?t believe I rode so many years without them.  The high setting
gets real hot, so I use it in anything less than 45 degrees.  Even
down to 32 degrees they work fine and I actually have to switch them
to low occasionally."
http://www.westernmassriding.com/index_files/Page2196.htm


OXFORD HOT HANDS
=================
WebBikeWorld
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/heated-motorcycle-grips/


MISCELLANEOUS
=============

Honda:

"Be warned that the Honda heated grips get very hot when turned on full blast!"
http://www.goldwingfacts.com/1800heatedgrips.htm

"Got these Hotgrips to replace the factory honda heated grips that
failed. honda does not sell replacement parts and they want another
$300 for a new set - even if you just need one part. On top of that
Hondas grips are generic and they give you an unheated spacer to make
up the difference in length from your stock grips to make the honda
heated grips long enough to fit your particular bike. I thought at
$300 I was getting the best by buying the honda heated grips but that
was not the case."
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=662 


Harley: 

"Now there are alot of options from the aftermarket for these. I work
alot of night shifts so I'm coming home at the coldest time of the
night on the highway. Also our season isn't as long and it gets cold
quick. These are new this year from HD. They have their own
independent thermostat. They have 6 different heat settings. Once you
get them at the temp you like, they will compensate as you go down the
road............"The only thing that I've had to change on it has been
the back tire and one of the heated grips. I was riding in a bad rain
storm for about 3 hours and had a death grip on the throttle. The
grips were on full bore and the seam of my glove melted into the foam
heated grip. The dealership hadn't ever seen anything like that. It
was covered under warranty and I was back on the road with in two
hours. http://www.epinions.com/content_103000280708

"This weekend project resulted in replacing the Harley installed grips
on the Sportster and wiring up a switch under my GPS receiver bracket
to operate them. The heated grips are great for cool days but I
quickly found out that riding when it is below 40 degrees requires
heavy duty heating."
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:efPpRgKjUpIJ:www.patrickweb.com/pages/motorcycling/motorcycling_in_the_winter.html+Harley+heated+grips+&hl=en

==


 I believe I have provided you with a good representation of opinions
and reviews on a variety of brands. However, if you still feel that
you need additional clarification, please let me know and I try my
best to help!


Sincerely,

umiat


Search Strategy

"heated grips" site. forum
forum AND "grip warmers"
motorcylce forums
atv forums
delphi motorcycle OR riders forums
yahoo motorcyle OR riders forums
heated grip reviews 
Kimpex grip heaters reviews
Hot Grips reviews
symtek heated grips
Yamaha heated grips 
Honda heated grips
Harley heated grips
BMW heated grips
reviews AND heated grips OR grip heaters OR heated wraps
reviews "heated grips" OR "grip heaters" OR "heated wraps"
best heated grips

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 31 Oct 2005 15:24 PST

Hello again, daarid!
 Thank you for your extreme generosity, both in rating and the tip. It
is very much appreciated. As for future work, you can always request a
researcher by name in the heading of the question if you desire. That
way, they will be sure to take a look at the question and let you know
if it is answerable. If not, they will open it to all the researchers.
 As for future research on this particular issue, it would be a
daunting task to register at "every" motorcycle and atv forum on the
internet. There would be no way to know if every one had been
discovered. Besides that, a lot of wasted time might be spent
registering on forums and searching for opinions, only to find that
there were none. Had I done so, the research would have been too large
an undertaking for the price restrictions on GA.
 As for the term "review" used in the search, this was not used every
time, as is evidenced by all my other search strings. The term
"review" was certainly not used on the forums, as it would not be a
term used by those who were commenting on a product. Therefore, in
such cases, my search parameters were very broad so that I could
gather all the threads, and then search through them. The term
"review" was also not used in a general internet search except to
narrow down some of the results. As you can see, I also used terms
like best heated grips, which returned very broad results that I could
narrow down. Believe me, I had pages upon pages of results that were
far too broad. I wish you could have seen how many pages I waded
through that returned nothing of relevance to your question! It is
often what the customer does NOT see that often makes answering
questions appear easier or of less effort than they actually require!

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 31 Oct 2005 15:33 PST

Daarid,
 I also want to note that since Google Answers is open to the public,
it would be unethical to provide excerpts from private forums. I would
be very uncomfortable with your suggestion of "setting up a persona"
to register on a private forum, and then proceed to post the results
publicly.
umiat

I gave this researcher a daunting task that was largely open ended.
The researcher did a great job.

Still I wish for more. Setting up a persona so one can register at
various sites is not very difficult and would have allowed the
researcher to gather additional information.

Also, since I am not a search expert, this next comment certainly
needs to be viewed in that context. I question the need for the word
"review" in the search criteria that this expert sometimes used. This
word might have have excluded many relevant results.

I wish Google allowed emails between questioners and experts. I'd
glady hire the same expert again to more fully research this issue.
Tell me how to do that!

Still this is a very well researched answer and deserving not only of
5 stars and the fee offered, but a tip of 100% ($100.00).

I truly want research that is exhaustive of all possible owners forums
that builds on what is already presented here.  I can help further
refine the search criteria and frankly I wish the search results were
not publicly available but I'm willing to live with a public posting.
If you or another are willing to refine the same search to include
every possible user forum I'd be quite happy to pay more. Please
advise.

There are, no doubt, as you said "literally hundreds of motorcycle and
atv forums on the internet" I'd like to see them all.

Still this question has been extremely well researched and the maximum
tip has been afforded ($100.00).

I hope we can further exhaust all possibilities of this research.