Heated Grips

I had a set of Harley Davidson grips that I hadclutch lever/mirror attachment. When ordering the
installed when I got Electra-Glide Ultra 2 years ago (inunit, make sure you order the one that matches
fact, today is the 2 year anniversary of when Iyour current black or chrome controls.
picked my bike up!). As much as I love my HD, IThe installation does require drilling a hole in the
can't say the same for the HD heated grips. I've hadunderside of the handlebar. This can be difficult and
them replaced about three times in the past twotricky. If you don't feel good about this, take it to
years for intermittent operation. When it happenedthe dealer and pay for the install.
again this year, the dealer balked. I can't blame themBe aware that you can pinch the wires from the
sine HD Corporate won't reimburse them for mycontroller to the heaters when tightening the
grips anymore. Remember, they operatemounting clamp to the required torque. If that
intermittently, and when sent back to HD, of coursehappens repeatedly, it's probably the wires being
they worked!crushed against the handlebars and shorting out. You
So this year I replaced my heated grips with somecan fix this by placing some black electricians tape on
from Kuryakyn. They are different form the HDthe handlebar just underneath the controller.
heated grips in that the heating element is an integralThey operate very well and do a great job of
part of the HD grips. The Kuryakyn replacement isheating. The only caveat is to be careful about which
actually a separate set of grips and heating elements.grips you purchase. I brought the Kuryakyn ISO9000
In other word, you buy the grips separate from thegrips which use a LOT of some sort of rubber
grip heaters.material for vibrations isolation. Unfortunately, this
The heater is unique in that the heating element ormaterial doesn't transfer heat very well or fast so
coil is attached to an aluminum partial cylinder that'sI'm not getting the full effect of the heaters. Bu the
designed to be inserted into the handlebar itself.grips are darn comfortable and I love the built in
Think of a cylinder with a slot cut down the long axis.throttle boss.
You simply compress the cylinder and slide it into theAll things considered, these Kuryakyn grip heaters are
handlebar. Friction then holds the heater in placea great replacement. It does take some skill and
against the inside of the handlebars.patience to install and the drilling is laborious. And be
The LED controller replaces the front clamp on thecareful what grips you use with them!