Aerostich heated grips

[RedRover5683]

My dealer recently installed a set of Aerostich heated grips on my 2007 VFR800A. The technician did an excellent installation, and the grips heat up very quickly and effectively (low- and high-heat settings).

However, the Aerostich grips are significantly fatter than the stock grips, and unlike the stock grips, they're not contoured, i.e., they're not somewhat tapered at both ends. Instead, they're like gripping two thick wooden dowels covered with rubber, if you will.

The problem I'm having is that these thicker and uncontoured grips are causing my gloved hands (ATGATT) to feel uncomfortable, mostly my right hand, which is under more moment-to-moment tension because its busy finessing and controlling the rather twitchy throttle of the VFR's fuel-injected engine. (By comparison, I loved the OEM heated grips on my previous BMW K1200GT. They were thin, well contoured, and very comfortable.)

Its the outer-half of my right hand that soon begins to ache and cramp, which I attribute to the fatness of these grips, but even more so to the lack of a tapered profile on the outer aspect of the grip.

So far I've rode ~200 miles with the Aerostich grips, and while my hands seem to be rebelling a bit less with these new grips over time, they remain less than ideal and I doubt I will ever really like 'em much in terms of overall comfort and ergonomics. (My ThrottleMeister offers some welcome relief to my right hand when I can safely use it, but the ThrottleMeister is less ideal than electronic cruise control.)

Another way of looking at this problem is that these fat grips make me feel less connected with, and in control of the motorcycle, since hand and wrist comfort are so important in being able to relax, concentrate, and ride well, without being nagged and distracted by sore hands and wrists.

All that said, are there any reputable aftermarket heated grips that are a close approximation to the the thickness and contours of the stock VFR grips? If so, how likely is it that the electronics, wiring, and switching of the Aerostich grips could simply be left in place and used to control a more suitable brand of aftermarket grips? (I've thought about looking into having a set of the BMW K1200GT's heated grips installed. Maybe that's the way to go, if feasible?)

I welcome your thoughts and experiences regarding this issue.

Kurt

[plasma]

Hi Kurt, the answer to your problem, is to do what I have done and that is to fit Honda heated grips, the grips are nearly the same diameter and work very well.

safe riding Plasma

[Craig in Alabama]

Hi Kurt,
I installed a set of Oxford Heaterz heated grips on my Ulysses, and they are great. The grips are the same size (as far as i can tell) as standard grips and have the same rubbery feel. I am thinking of putting a set on my '95 VFR. They were only about $55 online and very well made. 2 year warrenty, too. So if you can't live with the Aerostitch grips, this is another fairly inexpensive alternative.
Cheers!
Craig

[Action]

Kurt,
Like Craig mentioned, I have oxford heated grips on the VFR. I really like them but I think they are a little thicker than stock (I wrote a quick review on them if you’re interested). Could your riding position be causing more problems than the new grips? You should not be putting much weight on your hands at all. Are you squeezing the grips? That will give you hand cramps quickly. Hope you find something that works.

Action

[RedRover5683]

Thank you all very much!

Plasma, I would like to know the part # for the Honda heated grips you're using, so I can pass this along to my dealer.

Thanks again to all who've responded. You folks are great

Kurt

[DVMSVFR]

Kurt,
I just installed heated grips from Hot Grips and they too are a little thicker. I believe with time my hands and muscles will acclimate to them and it will become something I do not think about (hopefully!). Like you, on my R1200GS the stock heated grips were great. I believe you have to get the Honda heated grips through a european source and they are expensive comparatively.
Good luck,
Brian

[plasma]

Hi again Kurt, the information you require concerning the part number for the heated grips I'm afraid I don't have. However if you choose Honda grips you won't need it, because each set of grips comes tailor made to suit the model you have ordered them for, there is no messing about with wires it all comes ready done for you, even with a fuse fitted, so all you have to do is fit the grips to the bars and the power is taken from the front stop light switch, you just push it onto the terminal just under the brake leaver. Most people in the UK order our parts from Dave Silvers, he is the most reasonably priced of the dealers and gives a very good service, I know he deals with America, his e-mail address is as follows=

sales@davidsilverspares.co.uk

These grips are a bit more expensive than some others, but as I've allready said they come tailor made to suit the bike so there is no messing about joining wires up and the controller is very sophiscated for example it turns the grips off of the battery voltage goes low like for example if you are in a traffic jam you won't end up with a flat battery.

Plasma