My name is Greg, and I just purchased a used 2006 Kodiak 450i. I want to install some heated grips this weekend, and I was wondering if there is a readily available "switched" power supply on the machine for these, or if folks generally run new wires straight to the battery.
My machine has all of the plastic undamaged, and has no mods that I know of. I really like it, but the last few nights here in western MA have been in the single digits, and my hands (mostly my throttle thumb!) nearly froze off in minutes.
I am sure that I will have more questions later, but I will be happy just to get started with this one.
Thank You!
Greg

 

When you buy a hand /warmer kit (Any of them) they give you simple to understand instructions , I have done a few sled but cant see why there be a difference on a ATV.

 

Yes, the instructions are fairly generic, though. I was looking for an answer like "Yes! on an '06 Kodiak 450 there is an unused yellow wire under the hood, located to the right of the steering column" or something like that. I did not find anything like that, though, even after checking the service manual. The grip heater instructions just say something like "We suggest wireing your grip heaters to a switched power source - so you battery does not go dead if you leave them on". Yep. Ok. The best I could do was to tap into the 12v "lighter" style accessory port wiring.
They work great, and I actually had to turn them down quite a bit. The thumbwarmer accessory does not work nearly as well, though. It gives off very little heat. With grip heaters and gauntlets, I do not even need gloves to ride in 20 degrees!

 

That is where most guys wire them into. Sorry I haven't been on in a while or I would have answered you sooner.

 

Ya what he said

A few side notes for ya Greg,

1) Shoot me an email at: snowwmax@yahoo.com and I will provide you with a late Xmas gift (03-06 Yammi Fact Svc Manual)

2) I am from Eastern Ma, but do ride in SW NH in the Troy Swanzey area a lot! There are some great trails there!

-CS-