What kind of grips to get

[Melena]

The original grips wore smooth my right hand kept slipping on the throttle.  I found some foam grips that I thought would be great, but they are too small in diameter and my hands get numb too fast.  My hands need something thicker to grip onto.  Hands just are getting too stiff.

I have a new pair of BMW grips but I have bar end mirrors and I'd have to cut the ends off to get them to work.  I really hate cutting something up if I can get something that will work without doing that.  I saw some grips at some shop that were more oval in shape to fit the hand better and was thinking about something like that.  But that shop went out of business and I have no idea where to find anything like that.

And then there are the heated grips.  That's another possibility.  But I did a search on here and I found a thread or 3 about heated grips and how the BMW ones don't work with bar end mirrors.  

I've also done a Google search but there is so much out there that aren't anything like what I want that it's hard to find anything I'm interested in.  And it's hard to tell from a little picture on a website what the grips are really like.  

So, anyone have any ideas?  Anyone out ther with bar end mirrors and have some great grips that you like?  

[drewboid]

I really like the Gran Turismo grips. they seen to be air filled and are larger in diameter. You will have to cut off the end to fit bar-end mirrors. Not too hard to do , I did it for the turn signals on my /2.

Left side grip will be 3/4", Right side 1" to fit over the throttle tube.

One place that advertises them
http://zksportmotors.com/grips.html
Haven't dealt with them - just found then via a web search.
Good luck.

[nhmaf]

I bought some cheap "gel" grips from an ebay store - I didn't feel bad about cutting the ends off them that way !  But seriously, they work OK, but aren't really great and if you need a larger diameter grip for grasping with fingers I wouldn't recommend these - Drew's are probably a better option.

[Justin B.]

Years ago, I used to use the Gran Turismo style (can't remember if that was the exact brand) on my old CB450 Honda which was very buzzy and I seem to remember they soaked up vibration nicely.

[Ed Miller]

I like the Grand Touring grips, the upper left hand set here:



My local dealer said they couldn't get them any more so I bought a couple pair from Ted Porter's Beemershop.  The texture is like shark skin or something, and is really easy to get a grip on.  They feel weird with your bare hands but good with gloves.

[Bob_Roller]

I had a pair of the Grab-On Deluxe Road Grips, I liked the foam, but it was to big of a grip for my small hands.

I'm back to OEM grips.

[Yikes]

My old Yamaha had a pair of the fat air-filled grips like drewboid shows and they were really comfortable and easy to grip, even for my not-so-big hands.  When I got my BMW it had a pair of the Grab-on Delux Road Grips, but they must have been really old because the foam was hard and almost sandpaper-like in texture.  I replaced them with heated grips and I wouldn't trade them for anything!  They really extend the range of weather I feel comfortable riding in.  

[MrRiden]

OEM grips! Ya don't need to cut the ends off, just a hole at the end for the bar end mirrors. [use exact-o knife] Adjust your throttle away from the bar end so there's no drag on the grip from the bar end mirror. you'll be making a small hole in the grip ends anyway for installation with an air compressor. Works a treat! Tried foam & moto-x grips. Stock ones felt the best. YMMV
rich
Heres one with the moto grips

[Melena]

Lots of good advice.  Thanks guys.

I checked Ted Porter's Website and  he has the Grand Touring Grips for only $12.50 for a pair.  I think it might be worth my while to get them and check them out.  I've done business with Ted Porter a few times and he is a person I will do business with again.  He's not too far from me.  The only problem is that I'd have to get over the Golden Gate Bridge and through a part of San Francisco to get there.    Not a ride I look forward to.  Online or calling him is the best way to deal with that.

The Gran Turismo Grips look like what I was thinking about.  I'm pretty sure they've come up in conversation before.  I'll have to Google them and see what I come up with.

[MrRiden]

Heck Melina once you get over the bridge it's a very fine ride down 1 to Teds. Make it a 2 day and book one of the rustic rooms at Pigeon Point light for the return trip.  
rich

[Melena]

Heck Melina once you get over the bridge it's a very fine ride down 1 to Teds. Make it a 2 day and book one of the rustic rooms at Pigeon Point light for the return trip.
rich  

Wish I had the time to do that Rich.  I will one of these weekends.  Summer hasn't started yet (it's pouring rain all this weekend)

I did, however, call Ted's and ordered the Grand Touring Grips.  I got them yesterday.  Yippee!  So far they look great and feel great in my hands.  I just have to cut the ends off for the bar end grips.  I've started it, but I've got to get outside when it stops raining to grind the throttle side grip down a bit so it doesn't hang up.  

Oh boy!  I can't wait to get this done.  My hands will be so much happier!    [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I'm glad you brought this up, Melena.  I am going to need to replace the grips on my little Honda cafe, and these are just what I am looking for!


JC Whitney has them for $7, FWIW...

[Melena]

But of course!    After I got mine I know where to get them cheaper.  Oh well.  At least I'm keeping my money more local.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

You are good to support your local dealer, Melena.  The cost difference was not that much!

I posted that link for others, and for myself, but now that I think about it, I may go to the local bike accessory shop to see what they have.