I have a 04 Sportsman 500 and would like to wire up hand and thumb warmers? How do I go about doing this? Do you have to cut the stock grips off to put on the heat tape and use new grips? Thanks,
Craig

 

The grips should come off without being cut. Spray some brake cleaner into the area between the grip and bar, work the grip around with your hand and will eventually slide off. I've used this method on motorcycles for years.

 

have pure polaris hand+thumb warmers on mine, they are self adhesive, thin and go under the the grips, and then grips go back over, cost $45 for grips and $45 for the thumb, easy electrical connect, drill small holes in pod for 3 way switch High/off/low. work well, many other after market options, they are a must from November on up here.

 

I have the Polaris handwarmers also, love them. Easy install. My buddy bought Polaris hand warmers for his 2000 Honda Forman ES. I used a little dishwashing liquid to put them back on. I don't remember how they came off?? Guess it wasn't a big problem.
Kirk

 

There is only one way to remove hand grips..... and put them back on....
Air compressor!
Put a small hole on the bar end of the hand grip if there isn't one there already.
Push an air nozzle, spray gun, whatever you call it.... in the end of the hand grip...
Watch the other one fly off!
You may have to trap the air by placing your hand over the hole in the opposite side hand grip at the bar end.

Repeat this process to re-install them.... NO SOAP.... They will slide around for-ever.....
Good luck!

 

I agree with the air compressor. The ONLY way to do it. So fast, and works real well. Do NOT stretch your grips doing it this way, pay attention to what you are doing. You have to have 2 small holes in the grips(1 in each grip end). Also, I put hairspray on the bars before I put the grips on. This helps the grips from ever moving, twisting, or falling off. Some guys use spray paint too. You can also get some very thin mechanics wire, and wire them on too.....I do this too, as in mud and hard racing, they usually come off.