Heated grips and heated gloves serve two different purposes. Heated gloves are great when it's seriously cold and you're going to be out in it for a while. Heated grips are perfect for chilly mornings and evenings when it's not worth carting out all the heated stuff.

 

I'm on my third Ultra with heated grips, so I'm definitely in the "YES" category. Begining in 09 they fixed the breakage problem, and I have 35K on my most recent set with zero problems. I'm the envy of my buddies from 50-65 degrees outside. It's just enough heat to take the edge off.

 

I just bought my 08 Ultra and it has a set of the non-functioning Harley heated grips. I have pondered weather to try to fix them or just buy some other brand inserts and use the new set of Aileron non-heated grips I have sitting on my workbench. The drive by wire system has posed some questions as to what will and won't work such as heat demons or others. I am an electrician so the electrical part doesn't bother me I just don't want to be constantly messing with them,I want to do it once and I want it to be reliable. Can anyone else confirm that Harley has corrected the problems as 44492001 says above?

 

there's only two wires involved , and like i said it seems to me the problem is on a connecting pin inside the female connector connecting the right grip wire to the left grip ,they are very small connectors . the left and right grip has to have continuity between them or they won't work. there is also 2 fuses in the circuit to check . but they were so easy to install .

 

here's a schematic with parts diagram ( i fixed my problem by cutting 7 and splicing the new female end onto the right grip wire )

 

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT buy the heated grips from HD. They are a piece of SH*T and will last for about 8 hours over time.
Then you will find out that HD does not warranty the heating element that burns out. Hundreds of dollars down the HD drain!
Do yourself a FAVOUR and install AFTER MARKET heat elements that fit INSIDE the handle bars. They are used on "winter equipment" and work perfectly good on motorcycles.
There is only one problem. They have a high and low setting and you should buy a HD fairing switch to wire them to. The toggle switch that comes with them is UGLY!
Hope this helps
G
Ride In Peace

 

If kuryakyn made heated grips, Maybe. I am looking at the Ultra Limited, and the first thing I will do is remove those heated grips, and install a set of ISO grips. Can't stand those little diameter grips, made for a ladies hand ! Of course that is just my opinion ! Craig

 

I've had the H-D heated grips for 6 years on my 03 Ultra. Worked fine and still does except only on high, which is where it should be so it will heat through my thick winter gloves. Then when it really gets cold (below 30*) I put on the Gerbing heated gloves.
I would still buy a H-D set.

 

I am going to change my bars to some apes, not huge bars but maybe 12-14 inch. Do I need heated grips for the New England cold weather?

 

I think it depends on how comfortable you want to be. I would. I ride all winter here in Chicago and wouldn't be without my electric grips, gloves and jacket liner. I could ride without all the electrics, but I want to be warm, cozy and comfortable.