I notice that you are in MA, which gets some snow...
Others have put on aluminum skid plates and found that they "stick" to snow while the OEM plastic skid plates slide over snow easily. Outside of expensive cost, it is something to consider. Are there that many rocky places in MA? Probably not like out in Moab or Continental Divide Trail... just thoughts.
YTube video of adding heated grips by "What ABout Bob".
What About Bob
bar diameter 7/8", 22 mm.
Quote from someone, forgot who:
"Install my heated hand grips. Took about three hours (I work slow and take my time). I tapped power from the wire going to the 12-volt power supply (white wire with green stripe). The wire is "keyed" so I do not have to worry about running my battery down in the event I leave the switch turned on. There were something like eight push rivets that I had to remove and one Phillips screw and the inner panel came right off. I did not need to take the front wheel off either - there was enough room for me to access the power to the 12-volt plug."
>>
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q82S4GG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1What-About-Bob also did video on aluminum skid plates. Look for it, I don't have addy, not interested.
YMMV