uneven grip heat?

[kannonbal]

I've got a '95, which is just fantastic, but my grip heaters seem out of whack. The throttle grip gets so hot that it is almost too hot for a bare hand, but the clutch grip barely gets luke warm. WTF? anyone have any insights? I did try the 50% setting to see if the clutch grip was wired backward, or something, but that was not it.
cheers, chuck

[mtngsrider]

I noticed the same thing on my GS. I have never spoken to anyone about it, but my supposition is that the right side is insulated from the metal handle bar by the throttle sleeve, whereas the left grip is in direct contact with the handle bar. This would cause the handle bar to absorb some of the heat on the left grip. FWIW, my .02

MTNGSRIDER

[guitarian]

I had the same problem on my "03. I don't know how the other bikes are wired but on mine there is a a little quick disconnect plug a few inches from the grip. My left one was corroded. Clened it up and it works fine now.

Nash

[kannonbal]

i'm going to have to check and see if I do have a disconnect. I don't remeber seeing one when I was poking around. Someone over in advrider actually mentioned the same theory concerning the throttle tube insulating the grip. His recommendation was to remove the clutch grip and reinstal the grip heater over some insulating foam tape, or even a cut off throttle tube. Haven't gotten aroung to taking the grip apart, though. When I do, I'll post the result!
cheers, chuck

[Gerald]

I have not had this problem on my RT, but it seems to me that
this should be a BMW problem if it is cropping up with this many
owners.

Have you talked to the dealer about this and if so what did the
dealer have to say? Just curious in case it happens to me down
the road.

Gerald

[kannonbal]

never even thought of asking a dealer, actually. maybe I'll give the boys in Grand Junction a call tomorrow. I'll let you know if I find anything good out

[knary]

You probably don't have a problem. The reason for the difference in heat is pretty clear. There is a difference in the amount of insulation between the handlebar and the two grips. The throttle side has both the thin plastic of the heating element and the thick plastic sleeve of the 'twist grip' insulating the heating element. The left side is only insulated by the thin plastic of the heating element. This means that much of the heat generated by the left grip is absorbed by the handlebar (a willing heatsink). This makes the right grip feel much warmer than the left. Why BMW hasn't done anything to fix this 'problem', I don't know.

[Gerald]

Both grips on my '04RT have about the same amount of heat
coming through them. If there is a difference I can't feel it.
Maybe they have fixed the problem or maybe the problem
hasn't reared its ugly head yet.

It still seems to me BMW owes those of you with this problem
a little help.

Gerald

[kannonbal]

the difference is not even close! It's not like you're riding along thinking that the clutch grip is just a little cooler, or something. Throttle hot hot hot, clutch barely luke warm. I'm going to tear into the clutch grip this weekend and see for myself what is up. hopefully it is something as easy as adding some insulation. With as much a difference as I am experiencing, though, I do have my doubts. Could be that it is a combination of insulation, dirty contacts, and a little bit of it's just the way it is.

[kannonbal]

so, I tore into everything today. Probed the wires at the disconnect, under the gas tank, and had power top both sides. Uven showed a voltage drop when I turned the grip heat to 50%. I then probed the hot wire right where it comes out of the handlebar, and attaches to the heating element. Still showed plenty of voltage, and still showed the voltage drop. The heating element WAS attached to a plastic sleeve which screwed to the handlebar, and the grip was glued to the heating element, which I did not remove since I did not want to damage the actual element. Someone at advrider had recommended adding insulation to the clutch side, but there was definately not room to add anything, since the plastic sleeve fit quite tightly to the handlebar. Conclusion? It is just the way it is, I guess. The element is getting power, it does warm up somewhat, and there is no place to add insulation. Other than the element being shorted out, or something, I guess that the additional airspace on the throttle side is what makes the difference in perceived heat. Bummer. I sure was hoping it was something like a corroded contact.

[AntonLargiader]

Yeah, I have no idea what people are talking about when they talk about the throttle grip having a plastic tube, etc. Maybe they've never actually looked? Or they have some other grips? :dunno
Every set of heated grips I've installed has basically the same plastic tube on each one; the left one is screwed to the handlebar and the right one slides. The NON-heated ones don't have a plastic sleeve on the left grip.
I wish I had some sort of answer for you. If the wiring is correct than all you could do is try replacing the grip. On my R1100RS they both heat evenly.

[knary]

Originally posted by AntonLargiader
Yeah, I have no idea what people are talking about when they talk about the throttle grip having a plastic tube, etc. Maybe they've never actually looked? Or they have some other grips? :dunno
Every set of heated grips I've installed has basically the same plastic tube on each one; the left one is screwed to the handlebar and the right one slides. The NON-heated ones don't have a plastic sleeve on the left grip.
I wish I had some sort of answer for you. If the wiring is correct than all you could do is try replacing the grip. On my R1100RS they both heat evenly.

As you know, both heating elements are wires wrapped around and somwhat embedded in some kind of plastic tubes. The one on the right side is over the throttle twistie bit (aka bigger plastic tube). Correct?

[AntonLargiader]

Originally posted by knary
As you know, both heating elements are wires wrapped around and somwhat embedded in some kind of plastic tubes. The one on the right side is over the throttle twistie bit (aka bigger plastic tube). Correct?

On every BMW I can remember, both heated grips are built on a sleeve with the same ID. I don't see why they wouldn't have the same OD also, ergo the same insulation value, but I haven't measured that specifically.

I have in front of me an Oilhead non-heated throttle grip and an Airhead heated throttle grip. Both seem to have the same size internal tube; the heated one is integral with the throttle mechanism stuff (not in addition to). To the best of my recollection the rest are the same way. The heating elements on the Airhead grip seem to be on top of the black plastic tube. On some K-bikes I think I have seen a phenolic-resin sort of tube instead. The Oilhead ones are plastic.

Bottom line is, I'm pretty convinced that all BMW left-side heated grips have a sleeve functionally similar to what's on the right, that insulates the heat from the handlebar.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by knary
As you know, both heating elements are wires wrapped around and somwhat embedded in some kind of plastic tubes. The one on the right side is over the throttle twistie bit (aka bigger plastic tube). Correct?

That's true, except for BMWs. The grip on the right side rides directly on the bar, just like the left side.

[knary]

Originally posted by KBasa
That's true, except for BMWs. The grip on the right side rides directly on the bar, just like the left side.

This is all very weird. I distinctly remember the throttle side on my K-bike having an additional sleeve. This isn't me relaying some half-baked idea of what I heard from someone else.

[kannonbal]

Just went on my first long ride since tearing into the system. It seems that the degree of heating HAS evened out; unfortunately, it was the throttle side now not as hot as it was before. Now, both sides are sufficently warm, though not hot. I wonder if just pulling the quick connect apart and putting it back together somehow cleaned off the clutch grip contacts? sounds possible. Don't know what use the 50% setting is though, since the heat from the 100% setting was just enough to make me comfortable through my gloves.

PS: if you ever have the chance to ride from Crested Butte, over Kebler pass, over McClure pass, into Aspen, over Independence pass, over Cottonwood pass, back to Crested Butte, DO IT!! 285 miles, with about 65 miles of dirt. perfect.

[beemer]

I have an 04 R1150GS with the same problem.

I took it to the dealer and they said it was close enough in temp. When the heat is on high, one side is almost too hot to touch, while the other side feels like it's on low.

just my .02

[kannonbal]

hey beemer,
As my last resort, I've decided it ws all just a case of mind over matter. you know, if you don't mind, it doesn't matter.;) Best that I can tell you, wear a glove so you don't burn your throttle hand.:rofl