Installing Heated Grips

Cabin fever was getting to me, winter was lasting entirely too long. I needed to get on my bike and let the open road refresh my spirit a bit but the cold on my fingers for me has always been the worst part of riding in temperate weather. The thought of moving to a warmer climate is an ever present thought for me. One of these days that is exactly what my bike and I are going to do but until then, I am a northerner stuck in the land of frost and snow. Most of me is a little too insulated and can take the cold just fine, but my hands almost have to peeled off the handlebars even on a short ride in the winter. So it was time to look for a solution.

There is a lot of information on the net, most of it so fragmented and unclear as to be useless. Never the less, I got on the forums and started reading. I have a Honda ST1300. Love my bike. Many of those on forums recommended getting OEM parts, but at $190.00 plus I was persuaded to look elsewhere. Some recommended this brand and others recommend that brand. I was going to try and install the heated grips myself so easy set of instructions would be most welcome. So my criteria was refined down to affordable, easy to install and safe for my bike battery and alternator.

After a long search I settled on Koso Heated Grips. The store that I bought them from only provided a brief set of tips about installation but assured me that the instructions on the back of the package were clear and concise. So I anticipated a full set instructions with this product however, when they arrived the only instructions was vague wiring diagram on the back of the package. The Koso grips are great and work great, so I want to provide what is lacking in the package, instructions.

Installation:

1. Remove your current grips, this sounds easy but my grips were put on with adhesive and they where a very tight fit on top of that. You begin by removing the bar end weights. A something sized allen wrench does the trick. Then it was onto removing the rubber grips. What worked for me was to run a skinny screw driver up under the grip and gently separate the grip from the handlebar. I then squirted a small amount of water up under the rubber grips. They then pulled off easily.

2. Next I removed my right luggage bag and my seat.

3. Next was the panel underneath. Three simple screws hold the panel on. Be careful when removing the panel as to not break the plastic tabs that tuck the panel into other panels. Removing this covering reveals the battery.

4. Now onto the front of the bike. Follow the manuals instructions for lifting the gas tank up. There are only two bolts on front of the tank just before the handlebars that you need to remove and then the tank is hinged at the back a will raise up easily. The handlebars will prevent you from raising it up to far but it will be enough to run the connecting wire up underneath it. I unplugged the feed wire from the grips and I started from the battery area threading the wire for the grips up through the bike. You can follow other wiring through the bike. Use common sense and make sure the wire is not pinched anywhere.

5. Use duct tape and put one wrap of tape around your handlebars. Do not overlap the tape. This will provide a snug fit for your grips and prevent them from sliding.

6. Cut the ends out of your Koso grips with a pair of tin snips. Make the opening just big enough to accommodate your handlebar weights.

7. Carefully slide your grips onto your handlebars. Make sure they are snug. If not snug enough add a bit more duct tape.

8. Now secure the grip wires to the underside of your handlebars. Plug them into the feed wire.

9. Remove the back panel of the switch and replace it with the plastic back provided by Koso.

10. In your kit you will find a small metal angled bracket. Attach it to the back of the switch.

11. Now attached the metal bracket by removing one of your reservoir handlebar bolts. Put the bolt through the bracket and re-attach the bolt. Tighten securely.

12. Now back to the battery. Attach the gray wire to the positive post and the blue wire to the battery ground.

13. Now test. Start your bike and while idling click the switch. Confirm the LED lights on the switch are lit. Feel the grips, they should get warm rapidly. All good, turn the grips of then shut your bike down.

14. Re-attach your gas tank screws and your side panel. Put your seat back and luggage bag back on.

15. That’s it, your done! Enjoy heated grips. Be mindful to always shut your heated grips off when the you turn your engine off otherwise you will deplete your battery.

Your fingers will never have another cold ride.