BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Whilst I like my Keis heated gear I hate their controllers, those triangular things that hang off your waist. They're often hidden underneath the bottom of your jacket, inaccessible whilst riding and even when not, difficult to see and fiddly to used with gloved hands. Enter the above method of controlling them via a CanSmart/Heated Grips which just sounds so much easier.

As far as I can see instead of wiring your Keis power cable to your battery or a 12v power supply you connect it the CanSmart, then using the inbuilt software set the five power percentages, (which is in effect setting the heating levels) to suit your preferences. When you then switch the heated grips on the Keis stuff comes on with it with the heat of the Keis gear varying subject to what level you have your heated grips on.

Sounds simple, or is it. Has anyone actually tried this?
('18 R1250RT)

This is exactly how I operate my heated vest and yes it is as easy as that

I'm not sure how it would affect other gear like trousers and socks etc but with the heated vest I have it works well it's just figuring out what percentage you want with each setting on the grips as sometimes I require more heat but putting the grips on 4 burns my hands so I end up doing short bursts for a bit of additional heat

Thanks Stu, just what I needed to know and just this moment I've ordered one of these cables.
https://www.hexinnovate.com/product/hex ... c-adapter/
It's expensive for what's just a cable, but it means I don't have to butcher the original wiring loom and that's fine with me.

Ref heat settings, I hear what you're saying and I rarely ever ride with the grips on more than 2, maybe three if it's both cold & wet. I think I've only ever had them on 4 or 5 when I've needed a rapid heat up. It's the same with my Keis gear, most of the time it's on 1 (or green), occassionaly 2 (Amber) and I can't remember the last time I had them on 3 (Red). If I remember rightly Keis's Green heat setting is 1/3rd power/heat; Amber 2/3rds and Red the full burnt toast setting. The only downside I can see so far is that by losing the individual controllers all my Keis stuff will be at the same heat level, but if it's cold enough that my fingers are telling me to turn the grips up a notch, you can be damned sure my toes & torso are telling me the same thing. I guess a bit of experimentation will be in order but I'll start out by mimick the same 1/3rd etc that Keis use.

Be interested to k ow your results

If I get chance I will have a look at my settings which could be a good baseline for you

On my 2012 Camhead, the Keis controllers are mounted like this.
Jacket & insoles independent of each other and heated grips/seat.

David. wrote: Mon Dec 01, 2025 3:51 pm On my 2012 Camhead, the Keis controllers are mounted like this.
Jacket & insoles independent of each other and heated grips/seat.


Keis 5.jpg

I thought you mothballed your bike for the Winter? Do you need all the extra heating...?

UPDATE:-

Well, it all worked!

The cable (https://www.hexinnovate.com/product/hex ... c-adapter/) was a straight forward fit, the programming of the CanSmart was easy and for the moment I best guessed the temperature percentages. The only issue I had was because my CanSmart unit is fitted in the space behind the rear seat / under the rack, the cable isn't quite long enough to come out at the front LH corner of the front seat (which is where I prefer it). Fortunately I had a short extension cable and it now hangs down where I'm used to it being.

In terms of use, it couldn't be easier. In my case I use the WonderWheel to switch on the heated grips to the desired level and as if by magic the heated kit comes on at whatever heat lever you've preset it to (i.e. to match the heat of the grips). It was cool (5deg C) rather than cold when I left home at eight o'clock this morning, but being able to put the vest & insoles on 'high' for the first few miles for a quick warm up was quite pleasant. Once warm, being able turn it down to background warmth on the go was a darn sight easier than fiddling with those dangly down controllers. Similarly on the way home this afternoon, with a clear sky, as it got dark the tempurature dropped quite sharply. Being able to turn up the heat with no fuss or bother is really useful. All in, one happy bloke.

Sorry @Capt Sisko I never did manage to look at what settings I have on mine for you!

It's very easy to set up use isn't it and works really well