Dennis, I have used HD heated grips on 4 of my Harleys in the past, and never had any issue or have them fail. While I wont say they are prefect, I think how they are installed will affect their working long term.
The left grip wire appears to enter the grip close to the inside corner of the grip. If the grip is pressed too far, or too hard onto the bar, it very likely the end of the bar will cut or pierce that internal wire where it enters the grip. That would cause the grips to fail.
Also, if the grip is pressed too far onto the bar, not leaving a gap from the end of the bar and that wire, vibration will eventually cut through the wire. Same result: failure. The instructions are clear not to press the gripp too far onto the bar. I must be measured to ensure the bar end doesnt cut the wire. I think this is where mistakes are made that render these useless.
The throttle grip must also not be installed too far onto the bar, or it will cut into the wire on the throttle side. Again, the instructions should state the precise measurement of how far to slide the grip onto teh bar. Back that measurement off 1/4 inch, and I can almost guarantee no problems.
Also, dont pull hard on the wire when pulling through the bar inside. Dont force the wire through the bar, although it can be a bugger to get the wires through with the TBW bikes. It takes some wiggling and a little twisting. But, dont leave twisted wires in there...untwist them before buttoning things together. Also, make sure the throttle side has some slack, since that wire rotates with the grip.
IMO, its not a great design. Its easy to short out these grips if pressed too far onto the bar.
JMO, HTH. After 10 years of using these without issues, I really do beleive installation is key to long term life of the grips.
Dennis
Author
Topic: heated hand grips (Read 5995 times)