Your new bike is superb – just what you wanted. But anything mass-produced will be a compromise – why put up with that? Instead, make your bike yours. Whether it’s brand new, or used but new to you, there will be room for improvement and personalisation.
Those who ride through the winter will definitely want heated grips. Our aim here is not to replace the instructions, or indeed your common sense, but to offer some supplementary advice based on years of experience – and countless mistakes. For now, here are some choice parts that will help you bring your bike closer to perfection in pursuit of your best ever summer on two wheels.
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| Have a quick look to make certain a universal kit will fit your bike. Length of wires, where to fit the control, if the grips are the right width – all need to be OK. |
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| To remove the old grips poke a flat bladed screwdriver in between grip and handlebar. Squirt with WD-40, move the screwdriver round the bar, pop it off. |
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| The throttle tube may need to be carefully modified to fit the new grip. This KTM tube needed a lot of plastic taking off with a hacksaw and Stanley knife. |
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| The main power lead needs to be routed from the battery to the bars: eg under the tank or in between panels. Make sure it doesn’t get trapped or hot. |
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| Find somewhere to put the junction of all the parts. This could be under the tank, in a side panel or inside the headlamp bowl. Check the steering so it doesn’t foul. |
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| Our system could be attached to a battery as it senses when the engine has turned off. But some should be wired to a switched positive to save the battery. |
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| Find somewhere practical for the controller to go. Preferably out of the rain, it also needs to be easy to reach – and, again, check it doesn’t foul the steering. |
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| Lastly, use cable ties to smarten up the run of the cables to the grips. It is important to remember the throttle grip needs some slack for it to turn. |