Oxford Heated Grips, poor performance

[yoyo]

I fitted Oxford Premium Adventure grips last week. I have to say I was really disappointed in their performance, I know they have an intelligent controller but I run them through my aux fuse box with a 10A fuse but at 100% they just felt luke warm when on the move. Today I fitted them directly to the battery and they got a bit warmer but older versions would burn my hands if used without gloves but these get nowhere near as hot.

I don't suppose anyone has a pair fitted that could take a temp reading for me? I have an infrared thermometer that shows them at 47deg when used through a fuse box and 55deg when directly from the battery. I've Googled what temp they should reach but I can't find any info other than reviews.

 

[Davesax36]

I just put mine on yesterday. I'll try to get a reading tomorrow.

 

[greenwall]

Mine get too hot on high to hold with no gloves. New version.

 

[Kurgan]

I bought a new set and installed them earlier this year. Highway speeds of 70mph on a 45 degree today, the two hottest setting are too hot! Grab them with bare hands on full power, you can't hold on, they're insanely hot. I've got mine wired directly to the battery.

 

[jrusell]

I was able to check mine today, but this was with the bike idling in the garage. I wanted to get a temp for each of the settings but it was taking a while for the temps to stabilize so I kinda abandoned that after awhile.
Oxford grips, Adventure model, connected directly to battery.
Air temp=13 degrees Celsius
30% setting- after 5 minutes. = 27 degrees celsius
40% setting, after another 5 min= 34 degrees celsius
100% setting, another 10 minutes=63 degrees celsius

The throttle side took longer to warm up and was approx 5 degrees less than the left on the 30 and 40% setting, but I suspect they were not fully stabilized when I took the temp.
After another 10 minutes on the 100% setting and they were both the same temp. I do think they would have gone up a few more degrees had I waited some more.

I had the old style on my previous KLR650 and I do think they put out slightly more heat than the new style.
I was on a 4 hour trip last week and left a friends place before sunrise. It was 3 degrees out and I ran the grips on 100%. I had no issue with my hands getting cold, but I bet the klr with the old style grips would have been fine at 75%, maybe 50%.

I will also say the angle of your controls has a huge affect on hand comfort. I usually like my controls pointed down more than most and on another trip my hands were very cold. (this was before I had heated grips installed) I had to adjust them back to a more level position and instantly the cold was gone. One of my winter projects will be to add a spoiler to the top of the hand guard to increase wind protection.

Entirely possible the hand guards on the klr gave slightly better wind protection and because of that the heaters appeared to be better on that bike.

 

[yoyo]

Thanks for the replies all, I think I'll have a word with Oxford, fully expected them to be too hot when out riding but they are no where near that. I'll let you know how it goes.

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[Squibb]

There are so many variables here yoyo, so the results from others probably won't help you much.

Personally I find gloves & windchill are the major factors that affect performance. Also, with all the heated grips I have ever fitted, whatever the make, they improved hugely with use. So IMHO, persevere a bit longer - turn them up to max, remember they are trying to heat cold bars as well as the grips/gloves & only then your hands. So this morning, with temps at zero outside, maybe 5c in a dry shed/garage, you maybe expecting too much - I reckon circa 45 - 55c is reasonable - much more & the rubber grips will start to become unstable with use.

Then, to avoid stressing the battery, ensure they are wired from a switched source so that they go off with ign. - not only is it just so easy to forget yourself but also you may find you give some scrote the pleasure of ruining your day.

Ride safe ..................... KEN

 

[yoyo]

Thanks Squibb, I'll give it a bit longer and a few more runs. I used the bike on Saturday when it was 13deg but I'd say they were at best luke warm. I'll give it some more time, I don't understand why running it directly off the battery would make such a difference to running it through a switched relay.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I run my Oxfords through an auxiliary fuse block and they get too hot above 50%.

 

[Xt1200zsupertenere]

I run my Oxfords through an auxiliary fuse block and they get too hot above 50%.

Same for me

 

[OldRider]

I run my Oxfords through an auxiliary fuse block and they get too hot above 50%.

Same here.

 

[yoyo]

I've emailed Oxford for some advice and I'm off on Friday so will give them another go then.

 

[Random_Rockfish]

I've had heated grips on Beemers over the years.
I found that the outside of my hands would not get warm enough when riding at highway speeds (but my palms were almost too hot).
They are a nice convenience on cool days but came to the conclusion that when it's really cold, heated gloves and a heat-troller can't be beat.

 

[Shipwreck]

I installed the same ones the OP did. I put mine on 100% and they will burn my hands through gloves. I went for a ride the other night it was 29 degrees F out and my hands was still pretty warm on 50%

 

[yoyo]

Sorry guys I forgot to come and update this, it was a faulty controller, I fitted the replacement and it improved things a lot, due to changing jobs I've not had time to get out and try them in anger but I did nearly burn my bare hands so I guess they'll be good!

I agree that heated grips aren't a replacement for a good heated glove but I find them awesome at the beginning or end of the season when wearing summer gloves.

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