http://www.dual-star.com/index2/Ride..._grip_kit1.htm
My hands get really cold when I ride so I decided to try a set of these grips from Dual Star. For $30, it was a much cheaper option than going with the very expensive Multistrada heated grips that I heard would work with the Sport Classics.
Installation was pretty straight forward. The supplied instructions are easy to follow. The kit comes with two heating elements, a toggle switch, wires, connectors, and zip-ties. One heating element is for the throttle and the other is for the clutch. The elements are like a sticker and wrap around your bars/clip-ons, underneath your grips. The clutch side element has more windings than the throttle side. This is because the clutch side element is wrapped directly around the metal bar which absorbs some of the heat generated as opposed to the throttle side element which is wrapped around the plastic throttle housing which is a better insulator. Not only that, the clutch side grip is thicker than the throttle side as well because it doesn’t have the plastic housing to slip over. I chose to wrap my clutch side bar first with a couple layers of electrical tape in an attempt to reduce the heat loss caused by the bare bar.
Routing the wires was the most difficult part of the whole process, but still no sweat. Three leads come off of each heating element (“hi”, “low”, and ground). The “hi” & “low” wires get connected to the supplied toggle switch. I connected the ground wires to a part of the frame under the seat. A power lead comes off the toggle switch which I tapped into the rear taillight power wire so that I wouldn’t worry about accidentally leaving the unit “on” when the bike is shut off. I didn’t like the look of the supplied bare toggle switch so I bought a handle bar mounted, toggle switch housing from
www.denniskirk.com ($20). It’s made to fit the supplied toggle switch. What’s great about this switch housing is that you can mount it in so many places on the Ducati trellis frame instead of on the handle bars which I think would have looked hideous. I mounted it on the frame just slightly ahead of the gas tank, left side. It’s less conspicuous there, and it still gives me the accessibility I need while riding to switch it on/off with my clutch hand. I made sure to route the wires for a clean look.
What I really like about the Dual Stars is that you can use it with the stock or any aftermarket grips you choose. I ended up replacing the stock grips. I chose a pair of BMW Sport grips ($20/pair). I read about these from another guy on the web that installed these same heated grips on a Honda VFR and really recommended the BMW grips. The tapered design really feels good in your hands. It’s tapered towards the outside of your palm, which is nice because it gives your pinky finger that extra bit to grab on to. Plus I think the ribbed design looks better than the stock grips as far as keeping with the classic/retro appeal.
Dollar-to-satisfaction ratio, it’s probably the best modification I’ve ever made on a bike. I just tested them on a short ride, about 30mi., and they kept my hands extremely warm. Warm hands = better control! The “low” setting was actually quite comfortable, with the “hi” setting being a tad too hot for me that day. I’m sure it’ll come in handy on much longer and chillier rides. All in all, a very good product. I highly recommend this to anyone who can’t stand cold hands while they ride or who don’t like wearing really thick winter gloves. I can’t believe I used to ride without these!
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dropped at 20+ MPH
Linear Mode
