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[highwayking]

OK, I thought I had made up my mind on replacing the stock H-D heated grips on my 2007 CVO Ultra.  I've read a lot about the Heat Demons on this site and most think they are more reliable than the H-D grips.  I called my dealer today and asked how much labor he would charge to install the Heat Demons, and without hesitation he asked me why I was wanting to put them on instead of replacing the stock grips.  He said in his experience, the Heat Demons were more problematic than the H-D grips.  Now I'm second guessing whether to get the Heat Demons.  He also added that H-D had improved the stock grips since 2007 and that they were more reliable now.  BTW, they sell Heat Demons as well as the Harley grips.  Anybody care to give me their opinion?

[Eagle Eye]

The heated grips on my '07 work great!  No opinion of the Heat Demons.  Good luck deciding.

[geezerglide]

OK, I thought I had made up my mind on replacing the stock H-D heated grips on my 2007 CVO Ultra.  I've read a lot about the Heat Demons on this site and most think they are more reliable than the H-D grips.  I called my dealer today and asked how much labor he would charge to install the Heat Demons, and without hesitation he asked me why I was wanting to put them on instead of replacing the stock grips.  He said in his experience, the Heat Demons were more problematic than the H-D grips.  Now I'm second guessing whether to get the Heat Demons.  He also added that H-D had improved the stock grips since 2007 and that they were more reliable now.  BTW, they sell Heat Demons as well as the Harley grips.  Anybody care to give me their opinion?

get the heat Demons, I have had them before on my 2004 CVO, will have my 2010 HD heated grips replaced next time they fail and this would be the second time.

geezerglide

[HOGMIKE]

OK, I thought I had made up my mind on replacing the stock H-D heated grips on my 2007 CVO Ultra.  I've read a lot about the Heat Demons on this site and most think they are more reliable than the H-D grips.  I called my dealer today and asked how much labor he would charge to install the Heat Demons, and without hesitation he asked me why I was wanting to put them on instead of replacing the stock grips.  He said in his experience, the Heat Demons were more problematic than the H-D grips.  Now I'm second guessing whether to get the Heat Demons.  He also added that H-D had improved the stock grips since 2007 and that they were more reliable now.  BTW, they sell Heat Demons as well as the Harley grips.  Anybody care to give me their opinion?

Got both on different bikes, one a '08 other a '10. No issues with either one.
 

[SCRM-R]

I know several riders with Heat Demons, including myself.  Work great with no issues.  Can't say the same for H-D heated grips.

[mrmagloo]

He must not have any experience with the Heat Demons, if that's the advice he's offering.  Tell him that if he truly feels that strongly, to give you a written 3 year parts and labor warranty on the HD heated grips, and put up or shut up.

[electraglideclyde]

 Do you know when a dealer is lying to you? When his lips are moving. My HD heated grips have been replaced twice and the the third pair has quit working. I wouldn't have another pair of HD heated grips. My money will go to Heat Demons when I get around to pulling off the Harley crap.  Other than that, I don't really have an opinion one way or the other.

[highwayking]

For those who have had the Heat Demons installed on their CVO bikes, will the wires go through the existing handlebar holes or will new holes have to be drilled in a different location?  Also, is the clutch clamp replacement (the part that has the controller) metal or plastic?

[mrmagloo]

For those who have had the Heat Demons installed on their CVO bikes, will the wires go through the existing handlebar holes or will new holes have to be drilled in a different location?  Also, is the clutch clamp replacement (the part that has the controller) metal or plastic?

The existing bar holes are fine. The controller clamp is metal and quite sturdy. The install is just as easy or easier than doing the HD replacement route. Both require removal of the bars and inner wiring on both sides. If your stockers burned out, Do NOT waste your money going that route again, or you'll kcik yourself later. I went through 3 sets before I said enough was enough. I wish I would have gone with the Heat Demons earlier.

[highwayking]

Geez, I didn't realize you had to remove the handlebar!  I thought it could be done by just removing the outer fairing and radio to gain access to the hole in the middle of the handlebar.  Then after removing the stock grip wires, you just fished the power wire through to the left side controller.  If I'm wrong then I guess I should just let the dealer install them.

[lilcoot]

I prefer the Heat Demons.  You can use any grip you want, and the switch is better looking IMHO.  Everyone I've talked to recommended the Heat Demons, including the Harley salesman who sold me my bike.

[mrmagloo]

Geez, I didn't realize you had to remove the handlebar!  I thought it could be done by just removing the outer fairing and radio to gain access to the hole in the middle of the handlebar.  Then after removing the stock grip wires, you just fished the power wire through to the left side controller.  If I'm wrong then I guess I should just let the dealer install them.

If you think it through, it's impossible to fish the Heat Demons wiring through the bars with the stock looms in place. You either have to fish them together or do the Heat Demons first. 

BTW - If you read the threads, the job isn't so bad.  I planned to do mine over the winter, but waited until just before spring broke. Found I got the wrong bar, so I had to wait a week for the new bar to put it all back together, but it's very straight-forward. If you have a seasonal layup, do it yourself and save the mod money.

[Midnight Rider]

Geez, I didn't realize you had to remove the handlebar!  I thought it could be done by just removing the outer fairing and radio to gain access to the hole in the middle of the handlebar.  Then after removing the stock grip wires, you just fished the power wire through to the left side controller.  If I'm wrong then I guess I should just let the dealer install them.

It is entirely possible to install the Heat Demons without pulling the bars or removing the existing internal wiring...I've done it personally, and know several others who have done the same.  They supply you with a flat plastic fish tape and if you apply a little lubricant, like silicone spray, windex...anything non corrosive...it's not all that difficult with the fairing off and the radio out of the way.  You'll have to grab the fish tape with a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the wires out of the center hole, that's all.  I'm not saying it's a walk in the park, but it's not hard either.  The Heat Demon wires are not heavy gauge, so space is not a problem, though it's all tight in there.  Certainly, if you were changing bars or had to remove the bars for some other reason, that would be the easier time to do the Heat Demons.  Just take reasonable care not to pull on the wires where they attach to the heating element.

The Dealer that said the Heat Demons are not as reliable as the HD grips is as FOS as a Christmas Turkey...

I would NEVER put HD heated grips on a bike if I had to buy them.  While some have never had a problem, many, many others have.  The Heat Demons are reliable, easier to operate, look good, and allow your choice of grips, as long as you realize that the thicker the grip, the longer it will take for the heat to get to your hands.  And of course, thick rubber grips will not conduct the heat as well as other materials.

[mrmagloo]

It is entirely possible to install the Heat Demons without pulling the bars or removing the existing internal wiring...I've done it personally, and know several others who have done the same.  They supply you with a flat plastic fish tape and if you apply a little lubricant, like silicone spray, windex...anything non corrosive...it's not all that difficult with the fairing off and the radio out of the way.  You'll have to grab the fish tape with a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the wires out of the center hole, that's all.  I'm not saying it's a walk in the park, but it's not hard either.  The Heat Demon wires are not heavy gauge, so space is not a problem, though it's all tight in there.  Certainly, if you were changing bars or had to remove the bars for some other reason, that would be the easier time to do the Heat Demons.  Just take reasonable care not to pull on the wires where they attach to the heating element.

The Dealer that said the Heat Demons are not as reliable as the HD grips is as FOS as a Christmas Turkey...

I would NEVER put HD heated grips on a bike if I had to buy them.  While some have never had a problem, many, many others have.  The Heat Demons are reliable, easier to operate, look good, and allow your choice of grips, as long as you realize that the thicker the grip, the longer it will take for the heat to get to your hands.  And of course, thick rubber grips will not conduct the heat as well as other materials.

I tried taking the 'recommended' short cuts some of you guys posted and it just ended up taking more time in the long run. Between pulling the leads off the grid, and trying to get my big hand down near that center hole and reach around with the other hand to the grip to feed the wires, to finesse the fishing, this 'short cut ain't no cake walk. Not only do you have to run leads from the controller to the center hole, but from the one side to the other as well. Imho, it's much, much easier to plan to do it over a layup period and just take your time.  Once you unplug your bar harnesses, and remove the bar with 4 bolts, you can work on it on table which makes this a pretty easy job, if you take your time.  You can even try the 'short cut' then, and if you run into problems, then disassemble the connectors.

[highwayking]

After reading all these posts, it suddenly dawned on me that we all should be mad as hell at Harley.  First of all, we bought the most expensive piece of iron the MoCo makes at $35K-plus.  Secondly, they make a big deal out of the fact that the CVO Ultras come with heated grips.  Thirdly, I think that even though some may argue that we are isolated cases, I honestley believe that there are many others out there who are silent on their disgust with the POS grips Harley markets.  I'm to the point that I am ready to say "Screw it, I'm putting on Kuryakyn ISO non-heated grips" and forget about the hassle.  I've got heated gloves, but I really thought the heated grips were a nice accessory.  I'm through with the stress of trying to decide what to do about the damn heated grips, but I'm still thoroughly pissed at Harley for putting these inferior items on such an expensive machine and then blowing us off when we complain because we didn't buy the extended warranty.  Halleluiah, holy chit, where's the Tylenol!