Heated Grips by Komine
Our test team has been flat out this winter ensuring that the latest goodies do the trick.
These Japanese made gips have passed muster. We reckon the grip intergrated controller is easier to use and much better looking than the ugly Oxford item.
Here's what they reckon
The Komine EK-300 Heated Grips with built-in controller is a great way to keep your hands warm whilst on the bike. With 5 settings on the integrated heat controller, you’ll be able to customise your heat to your riding conditions without cluttering up your handlebars. These grips have a lot of kick to them so it would be rare that you would need them on the high setting.
The great thing about Komine grips is that you can install them yourself thanks to the simple battery harness system that they come with which can help remove added costs. The harness simply connects to the battery and the grips deactivate themselves once the voltage drops to 11.5V to protect your battery (some bikes will require more than 11.5V to start) . Having them installed so they run through the ignition system is also an option with the help of your local technician.
Note from Andy - Installing with connection to ignition 'ON' circuit is best.
Here's William's thoughts
Product IS recommended
The controls on the left grip are easy to use, although the 5 set lighting – blue through to red – is not easily seen in the morning light. Best to count the steps through to the selected temperature.
Top step (5-red) is very warm and not required unless the temperature to below say 6 or 7, or wet weather. For air temperatures around 9/10 there yellow (3) or orange (4) is sufficient.
The kit is easy to install with the wiring segmented into three wiring looms – grips to circuit controller; circuit controller to battery cables; and battery cables. All the connectors are good quality, robust and waterproof. The controller fitted easily under the tank and there are sufficient cable-ties to make secure.
The battery loom is designed to connect directly to the battery, and easily disconnected if necessary, however if you can find the grip circuit on your bike (assuming there is one) then this would be superior, but not important.
When the grips are connected directly to the battery, there is a possibility that the battery could drain. I haven’t yet timed when a voltage drop will turn the grips off, but assume its there! (Yes there is, Andy)
Having the controller on the left grip means there is no other device to mount on the bars, and the wires simply accumulate with all other bar wiring.
The grips come with 3 alternative end pieces, so the length of an individual grips can vary. On the Ducati Desert sled, the #2 was perfect for the left; and the #1 for the right throttle, with the longer 33 surplus to requirements.
There is adequate extra shims to make sure the grips fit tightly plus super-glue to attach. Be warned – the super glue dries very quickly so make sure you are ready for a v. fast install Or don’t use much glue initially. Given that the end grip length is separate, its possible install a grip, then to add the super-glue after the grip is installed, and then glue the footer into place.
The Komine motto is ‘Safely & Innovation’ – both of which are in evidence.
However the majority of the instructions is in Japanese and the pictures are very ‘amine’ (Japanese for cartoon!)
James reckons
Packaging
Packaging was good. Everything arrived in good condition.
Instructions
Not particularly helpful. English instructions were pretty bare with very small type. Anyone (like me) who has never fitted heated grips before is going to struggle with the supplied instructions. Recommend watching these instead:
Also recommend using 3M Scotch Extreme fastener (https://www.bunnings.com.au/3m-scotch-2-5cm-x-1-2m-black-extreme-fasteners-roll_p3950427) to secure the electronic control unit to the bike.
Fitting
Reasonably straightforward (after I watched the videos). Took about 2 hours with most of that time spent removing and putting back on panels etc on the bike. If I had a naked bike, it would have taken a 20 minutes max.
I’d recommend not using the superglue or, at least, making sure that you’re really happy with the positioning of the grips before you glue them in place. It is impossible to move the grips once they are superglued in place.
Set Up
Excellent. I bought these because they have the integrated controller – I didn’t want the very ugly separate controller that comes with many aftermarket grip heaters.
Only 2 minor niggles: Indicator light isn’t very visible in bright sunlight (not unexpected) and there’s a gap between the grips and the bar ends even with the largest spacer (easily fixed by moving the clutch and brake control blocks out by a few millimeters).
Performance
Great. Easy to use with gloved thumb
Excellent. Have taken them for a few runs. They heat up in a few minutes and provide good warmth through thick winter gloves
Too soon to say
Absolutely. Kept my hands warm
Value for money - low 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 high
Other comments –
Well worth the money (even if I had paid full price). As soon as I can find the right wiring connectors, I’m going to connect them up to a switched circuit – while they will automatically shut off if you leave them on and the battery drops below 11.5v, I’d rather have the piece of mind of knowing that they turn off whenever I turn the key off.