I'll second delkron97's input.
I've run heated grips for many years on my VFR, all my friends bikes, my brother's bike, my wife's two bikes, and just installed them on my dad's KZ1100 this past weekend.
These are the ones I use:
www.dual-star.com/index2/Rider/heated_grip_kit1.htm
and then I buy new grips, the Progrip Gel's, as they dampen some vibration but more importantly they are slightly sticky even in the rain. I've heard the foam wraparounds are pretty slick when wet.
I've tried the hotgrips but didn't like the hard plastic (maybe they sold me the wrong ones?) and they require a little extra thought regarding resistor placement (the Dual-star's don't use a resistor - it has two sets of wires in each element).
There is no subsitute. I have installed DL650 handguards on the VFR but it doesn't block enough wind, the heated grips are much more effective.