Here's what I'd suggest.
First, you need to block the cold wind blast onto your hand / finger.
Use 3/4 style bar mitts for this.
These are semi-custom made by OBR adventure gear.
http://www.obradvgear.com/index.php/products/enduro-grip-mitt
The side of the mitts are modified to accommodate CRG lane spliter mirror.
That’s it. Pretty simple, and it works.
The disadvantage of heated grips
Unless you use grip mitts or hand guards, your fingers get cold, after certain amount of time. You need to block / deflect the cold wind hitting your hands/fingers.
You need relatively “thin” insulation on your gloves. (Ideally, no insulation on the palm side of the gloves.)
The middle and / or index fingers are often hovering over the levers, not always on the grip. And even when they are(on the grip), the finger tip of the index & middle fingers are not really firmly touching on the grips IF you are holding the grips properly. (Go on, sit on your bike, do the proper “screwdriver grip”. You will understand what I am saying.)
This type of heated grips
The left side grip will not be as warm as the right side.
This type of heated grips
You can not choose the type of the grip. You may or may not like the shape / material / overall feel of the grip that comes with the package.
The disadvantage of Grip Mitts
Some would say, grip mitts are aesthetically not acceptable.
Well, to me personally, the advantage of the grip mitts far outweigh the “uncool look” of the grip mitts.
So, the cost of OBR adventure 3/4 mitts is $55.
Pretty reasonable for quality,
handmade in USA item.
Compare these OBR 3/4 mitts to Hippo Hands similar items.
Hippo Hands back country
https://www.hippohands.com/products/backcountry
Second, you will need to keep your core body warm.
Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of “adding heat to your core body”.
It can solve “my hands / fingertips getting cold” problem.
When your body starts getting cold, the natural defense system of your body tries to save your vital organs which are all located in the core body.
So, it will reduce the amount of blood flow to extremities, trying to keep the warm blood for your vital organs.
That’s why your finger tips, toes, ears, etc are the first ones to get cold.
Adding the heat (calories) to your core body “fools” you body’s system, it will keep pumping out normal amount of blood to your extremities.
(It doesn’t matter how the extra calorie is added, by physical activities, by eating / drinking something warm, or by electric heated gear, your body wouldn’t know the difference. )
“Cold finger / hand” was the problem for me, before getting the electric heated vest. (which was 2 years ago.)
I hate thick, bulky winter gloves with passion. I just can’t stand them.
Yet, my fingers get cold rather easily.
With electric heated vest and hand guard, I can ride with thin racing gauntlet throughout the winter.
Yes, it can make such a huge difference.
(You will need to block / deflect the cold wind blasting onto your hand first. Otherwise, no matter what you do (electric heated grip / gloves, etc), you'll be fighting the battle you've already lost.)
The vest is not just for warming your upper body.
It also greatly improves the way you feel at finger tips, toes, ears, etc.
Don’t be fooled by the comment on internet forum saying “your arms get cold...”.
Unless you are planning to ride in 20°F all day, every day, the vest will work just fine.
IMG20181004083812 by Norcalkid, on Flickr
