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Even less if you already have Grip Puppies!
Last week we had a couple of cool mornings so before it gets really cold I decided to install heated grips on the FZ. I could have gone the normal route and bought heated grips like Oxford but 1. I didn't want to spend $100+, 2. I like my grip puppies and wanted to keep them and 3. I didn't want to go through the hassle of removing the stock grips (no air compressor).
So after a quick search around I found these for $34: Motorcycle Accessories from California Sport Touring, Inc.: Symtec Motorcycle Grip Heater Kit w/round rocker switch
I also found a non FZ6 forum where they did the install and it worked pretty well.
The package comes with a rocker switch for hi-off-low, wiring, plugs and the heating elements. You do need to attach the plugs to the wires but its simple. I used solder but you could probably just crimp them on.
The set up is simple. My grip puppies were already on the bike so I just rolled them back and put the elements on top of the stock grips (the elements have an adhesive) and roll the puppies back over them. One trick is to leave enough slack on the throttle side wiring so the throttle does not catch when twisted.
Clutch side:
Route the element wires back towards where you want to mount the switch. The faired folks can drill a hole in the fairing infill and I imagine it would look pretty good. Being naked, I had to choose a different spot.
I built the bracket with a 1" clip from Home Depot (about a dollar) and attached it to one of my mirror bolts.
Now you need a power source. The directions say to splice into the headlight wiring but after my naked project I wrapped those wires pretty tight. So I routed the power line direct to the positive terminal of the battery using a fused line from a Battery Tender cable I had but don't use. If you do connect to the headlight wiring it is very simple. The connector is included in the kit. Last, the two ground wires I attached to the frame using the tank bolts. I did need to widen the round connectors using a nail punch so they would fit on those bolts. Blurry pic but you can see where they go under the tank.
Any excess wiring can be wrapped up clean and hidden under the tank. Then I used some electrical tape and a corrugated shroud to wrap them up nice and tight.
And the ride report: LOVE THEM! On high they get pretty hot but its a good way to start them up then move to low. I had them on for about 30 minutes and there was no melting issue or anything else. So Grip Puppies: $10 + Symtec Heaters: $34 + clip $1 = $45. GREAT deal for those who get chilly fingers out there.
Edit: I might make a couple of changes. 1. Move the switch to the clutch side for easier left hand switching and 2. mount to the front of the handlebars to get the wiring behind the headlight.
Last week we had a couple of cool mornings so before it gets really cold I decided to install heated grips on the FZ. I could have gone the normal route and bought heated grips like Oxford but 1. I didn't want to spend $100+, 2. I like my grip puppies and wanted to keep them and 3. I didn't want to go through the hassle of removing the stock grips (no air compressor).
So after a quick search around I found these for $34: Motorcycle Accessories from California Sport Touring, Inc.: Symtec Motorcycle Grip Heater Kit w/round rocker switch
I also found a non FZ6 forum where they did the install and it worked pretty well.
The package comes with a rocker switch for hi-off-low, wiring, plugs and the heating elements. You do need to attach the plugs to the wires but its simple. I used solder but you could probably just crimp them on.
The set up is simple. My grip puppies were already on the bike so I just rolled them back and put the elements on top of the stock grips (the elements have an adhesive) and roll the puppies back over them. One trick is to leave enough slack on the throttle side wiring so the throttle does not catch when twisted.
Clutch side:
Route the element wires back towards where you want to mount the switch. The faired folks can drill a hole in the fairing infill and I imagine it would look pretty good. Being naked, I had to choose a different spot.
I built the bracket with a 1" clip from Home Depot (about a dollar) and attached it to one of my mirror bolts.
Now you need a power source. The directions say to splice into the headlight wiring but after my naked project I wrapped those wires pretty tight. So I routed the power line direct to the positive terminal of the battery using a fused line from a Battery Tender cable I had but don't use. If you do connect to the headlight wiring it is very simple. The connector is included in the kit. Last, the two ground wires I attached to the frame using the tank bolts. I did need to widen the round connectors using a nail punch so they would fit on those bolts. Blurry pic but you can see where they go under the tank.
Any excess wiring can be wrapped up clean and hidden under the tank. Then I used some electrical tape and a corrugated shroud to wrap them up nice and tight.
And the ride report: LOVE THEM! On high they get pretty hot but its a good way to start them up then move to low. I had them on for about 30 minutes and there was no melting issue or anything else. So Grip Puppies: $10 + Symtec Heaters: $34 + clip $1 = $45. GREAT deal for those who get chilly fingers out there.
Edit: I might make a couple of changes. 1. Move the switch to the clutch side for easier left hand switching and 2. mount to the front of the handlebars to get the wiring behind the headlight.
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