Heated motorcycle grips buying guide | How to warm your hands in a pinch without lifting a finger
Keeping your hands warm can be a struggle riding without some heated motorcycle kit, with frosty fingers a very real risk for motorcyclists most of the year in the UK. Even on summer days, the dew kissed mornings and vibrant sunsets can both see temperatures drop to uncomfortable temperatures pretty quick, and that’s when you’ll be reaching for one of the best heated motorcycle grips.
Heated grips replace your bike’s regular grips with units that have tiny electronic heating elements moulded into them, which plug into your bike’s battery for infinite heat. With heated grips your cold weather saviour is just a button push away, making them more convenient to use than heated gloves. However, heated grips don’t reach the back of your hand, so the wind chill effect can still get the better of you without any extra wind protection.
What to consider before buying
Handlebar diameter
Consider that heated grips are sized by the diameter of the handlebars, so you’ll need to order the size that matches your bike. The most common sizes are 22mm (7/8″) or 25mm (1″), but if you’re unsure you can measure yours by placing callipers on either side of the stem.
Ease of installation
Consider how complex the installation process is, and how comprehensive the included instructions are — some heated grips are easier to install than others. If you’re not confident to fit them yourself, consider reading an expert guide on fitting heated grips for some guidance, or take them to your local mechanic.
Power draw
Consider how much power the heated grips will use, so you can work out if your bike’s battery can handle the load. Most stock battery setups should be fine, but this is especially important to consider if you have other electronic accessories connected to your bike. Also consider any extra safety features such as auto-shutoff, to prevent draining your bike’s battery if you accidentally leave them turned on.
Recommended usage
Consider how the manufacturer recommends using their heated grips to get the most out of them. Most tailor their heat output for thicker winter gloves, but consider if you could get away with summer gloves on a lower heat setting.
Heat levels
Consider how many heat levels are on offer, and how hot each level gets. It’s difficult to gauge just from specs alone, so consider reading some expert reviews to get an idea before buying.
Water resistance
Consider the water resistance of any heated grips you’re looking at buying. Look for an IP rating of IP54 or higher, or research how a manufacturer tests for water ingress themselves if they aren’t IP rated.
Extra wind protection
Heated grips only heat the palms of your hand, and leave the entire back of your hand exposed to the elements. Consider adding another wind-blocking element to make your heated grips more effective; whether it’s thicker winter gloves, hand-guards, or handlebar muffs.
Extra heated kit
Consider that heated grips might not offer enough warmth on their own in the depths of winter — adding a heated vest or heated jacket to your winter kit can make unrideable conditions a breeze.
The best heated motorcycle grips
"Oxford’s HotGrips Pro provide effective and consistent heating whatever the conditions. They’re easy to fit, simple to use and look OE, plus the soft silicone grip surface makes them comfortable in use, even when they’re switched off.
"Performance so far has proved faultless, and, although not the cheapest on the market, I wouldn’t have to think twice about spending my own money on them."
Pros
- Quick to warm up
- Three levels of effective heat
- A doddle to fit
- Factory fitted look
- Battery saving mode is a nice addition
Cons
- Not cheap
| Waterproofing | IP65 rated |
| Heat levels | 3 |
| Size | 22mm (7/8") |
- Integrated controller - allows rider to adjust temperature without removing their hand from the grip
- Built-in Thermistor technology auto-regulates temperature
- Precise temperature control - multi-coloured LED lights indicate temperature settings (Red = 45°C; White = 40°C; Blue = 35°C)
- LED lights automatically dim to reduce distraction when riding at night
- Intelligent heat setting memory - stores previous heat setting and defaults to this at power-up, saving time when in regular use. Note: Function is available when heat controller is connected to ignition
- Battery saving modes - protects against flat batteries, so if you forget to turn the switch off it will do it for you! An additional battery saving mode for lithium batteries
- Simple installation - the new integrated controller means that the HotGrips® wiring loom is even easier to install
- Silicone formed grips - increases grip lifespan by up to 200% without compromising comfort or performance
- Weatherproof design - fully waterproof connectors and integrated controller meet IP65 rating to protect your HotGrips® from the elements
- Integrated cable strain relief - a more compact cable exit enables grip size to be reduced
- Fits 7/8" (22mm) ⌀ handlebars
- Control guaranteed - knurling tread pattern creates the largest surface area for maximum of grip and control
- Customisable grips - Grip length of 125mm but can be trimmed to 120 or 115mm if required, with open ends allowing bar end weights can be fitted
How MCN tests products
Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We test our heated grips the same way you’ll use yours, by braving the cold on our own bikes. And, we make sure to put them through at least 1000 miles of cold weather riding before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.
While testing, we mainly focus on comfort, looks, build quality, ease of use, practicality, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each heated grip a rating out of five stars in each of these categories, and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best heated grips, so every pair you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:
1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A pair of heated grips with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A pair of heated grips with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A pair of heated grips with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A pair of heated grips has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. Heated grips with a four-star rating have surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A pair of heated grips has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. Heated grips with a five-star rating have delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with their performance. We would happily spend our own money on them.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.
- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
