Oxford has been making heated grips since 1983. Their latest offerings have decades of research and development behind them, and feature the newest innovations. A key benefit of this is the remarkable ease of installation Oxford have engineered into their products.
But before you start tinkering, make sure to do the following.
Prepare for Hot Grip Installation
1. Get your tools ready:
To install your HotGrips, you need the following:
- A sharp blade — to remove your existing grips.
- Sandpaper or file, and brake cleaner, or any adhesive remover to clean your handlebars before installing the new HotGrips.
- Pull-out poker or some cables to help feed the wires through.
- Allen/hex keys to remove bar-end plugs, if necessary.
- Cable ties, if needed, to secure and tidy up the wiring.
2. Assess Handlebar Length:
Measure the length of the existing grips on your bike. Oxford HotGrips come in various lengths, so compare these measurements to ensure a proper fit. Standard sizes usually range in length from 120mm to 130mm.
If you have 1” handlebars (as found on many Harley-Davidson models), you’ll need to look into the individual specs of each HotGrips model.
Refer to this fitment guide for help choosing the right HotGrips for your bike.
3. Inspect Your Bike’s Electrical System:
Oxford HotGrips require a 12V electrical system to operate. Confirm that your bike’s electrical system is compatible and that it has sufficient power to support the heated grips.
4. Clearance for Throttle and Controls:
Make sure there is enough space on the handlebars for the grips without interfering with the throttle, brake, and clutch controls. The heated grips should not impede the normal operation of these controls.
5. Battery and Wiring Considerations:
Verify that your bike’s battery can handle the additional electrical load. Check the wiring instructions that come with the HotGrips to ensure you can safely connect them to your bike’s electrical system.
6. Consult Manufacturer’s Compatibility List:
Visit the Oxford Products website, or refer to the product manual to see if your specific bike model is listed as compatible with Oxford HotGrips.
7. Seek Advice from Retailers or Mechanics:
If unsure, consult with a retailer who sells Oxford HotGrips or a professional motorcycle mechanic. They can offer advice based on your bike model and help with installation if needed.
Time to install your HotGrips
Once you’re ready, it’s time to install those grips.
1. Remove any bar-end plugs.
2. Use a knife to cut through your current grips. Be careful not to cut too deeply straight away and risk scratching the bike. Cut long and shallow strokes, and then go back and cut deeper, until you can easily peel the grip away.
3. After peeling the grip off, clean up the remaining glue and resin using brake cleaner. Alternatively, you can also use any adhesive remover.
4. To properly install the HotGrips, you need the handlebars to be as smooth as possible. You can use a knife to carve off any ridges, or sandpaper to smooth out the edges.
5. Once the handlebars are clean and tidy, take out the HotGrips and do a ‘dry run.’ This means inserting the grips onto the bars without glue. This is to ensure they do indeed fit before you pass the point of no return and install them using the provided grip glue.
If you’re installing HotGrips models with Integrated Controls, be sure to install the grip with the control buttons on the left side, away from your throttle hand ;).
It may take some effort to slide the HotGrips all the way on, as it should be a snug fit. If it is too tight, you may need to clean and smooth the handlebars further.
6 .Once you’re sure that you have the right grip model and the right fit, you can now remove them and apply the provided glue inside the end of the HotGrips, glueing and fitting one at a time. Be careful not to use too much glue.
Note: You only have seconds before the glue starts to harden, so make sure that you fit the HotGrips onto the bar as quickly as possible. Use a rag to get purchase on the grip.
7. Trim away any extra grip, according to your bike’s model. Refer to the trimming guide provided.
8. Now it’s time to set up the wires. Run the wiring neatly along the handlebars, avoiding areas that could pinch or damage the cables.
Secure them using cable ties, keeping them away from moving parts like the throttle and brake levers. Ensure the cables have enough slack for turning the handlebars fully but avoid loose loops that could snag on something. Run the cables along the frame towards the battery compartment, following existing wiring paths for a clean installation.
9. Connect the grips to the motorcycle’s electrical system using the supplied wiring harness. Locate the battery terminals and attach the red wire to the positive terminal and the black wire to the negative terminal. Use the inline fuse provided to protect the system from electrical issues.
10. Once the connections are secure, tuck away the excess wiring and secure it with cable ties, making sure it is out of the way and won’t interfere with other components.
11. After completing these steps, test the grips to ensure they're working correctly.
Once you’ve set up your Oxford HotGrips, you can now safely tack on your bar-end plugs and any other accessories.
If you’re unsure which HotGrips fit your ride, check out our previous article to help you choose the right model for your bike. We also break down the differences between each Oxford HotGrips models.
Explore our full range of Oxford HotGrips, designed to keep your hands warm and comfortable on every ride. Browse now and find the perfect fit for your bike!