grips

[Fastmover]

What is a good grip to install (thicker)
Steve

[STeve1300]

You're probably not getting alot of responses cuz this has been hashed out alot recently. Do a search on 'grips', or read this thread on grip puppies. I am VERY happy with mine.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4272&highlight=grips

[sherob]

I second the grip puppies :bow1: ... alot more comfy for my hands!

[duffy05489]

I also recently installed the grip puppies and am happy with the results.

[wjbertrand]

What is a good grip to install (thicker)
Steve

I like the BMW grips, thicker at the ends but narrower toward the inside. The tapered shape provided a goot writst angle for me with the stock bars and helps to keep your hand from slipping out toward the end of the bar without having to increase your grip strength. They are perfect fit to the ST's throttle barrel too.

[DWJ Honda]

Jeff,

any close-up photos of those Beemer grips??

I've heard a lot of good things about them over the years and they are high on my list. I've never changed out a pair of grips before. Is it a pretty easy job or would you recommend having a dealer do it?

thanks, DWJ

[Dorian]

beemer grips, not installed:

http://www.touringmotorcyclists.com/photos/BMW_Grips_01.jpg
http://www.touringmotorcyclists.com/photos/BMW_Grips_02.jpg

[dond]

One more for BMW grips!

[Dorian]

I've never changed out a pair of grips before. Is it a pretty easy job or would you recommend having a dealer do it?

thanks, DWJ

The job is ridiculously easy. Do not have the dealer do it.

To get the old grips off:
1. Remove bar weight at end of grip (you will need to hold the weight still while using the screw driver to remove the phillips screw.)
2. Use the same phillips screwdriver and carefully insert it at the end of the grip between the handlebar and the rubber of the grip.
3. Start twisting the screwdriver, "walking" it around the inside of the grip until you have gone all the way around and released all the glue.
4. Continue "walking" the screwdriver around while pulling the grip gradually off the handlebar. You should end up with two re-usable grips (should you want to keep them for some reason).

Alternative grip removal:
1. Use an exacto knife and cut the suckers off. Of course, they will not be re-usable.

Installation of new grips:
1. Clean handlebar, removing all residual glue from previous grips.
2. Use AquaNet Hairspray to semi-saturate the handlebars where the grips will go (any brand of hairspray will work, but folks are always asking for a brand).
3. Push the grip in place before the hairspray starts getting too tacky.
4. Allow the grips to set for 12 hours before doing any riding.

Note: Most grips come with some type of glue, or you can pick up grip-glue at any accessory shop. It works well, but almost too well. If you shove your grip on and have it misaligned, getting it back off or adjusted is a real hassle. Also, its easy to apply too much glue and end up shoving a bead of it between the grip and the handlebar controls, resulting in a dangerously stick throttle. I've been using hairspray for grips since 1977 and it has worked perfectly.

[GRN]

Steve,

If you have the OEM heated grips, or may ever want them, the grip puppies are the way to go... cheap, easy to install (slip on with hair spray or soapy water). They felt too thick in the garage initially, but they are great on the road... and they help diffuse the hot spots from the heated grips).

[Fastmover]

I ordered grip puppies yesterday . I will look into BMW grips after my return from Colorado.
Thanks
Steve

[Mark]

Put the BMW grips on the ST1100 with Helibars and then took them off and moved them to the stock bars.
I used a pointed air tip and slid it under the grip to remove them and then used the same tip to help slide the new ones on... really slick with just air, no liquid.

Mark

[stg1]

I second the air compressor method, if you have one it is way to easy.

[wjbertrand]

Jeff,

any close-up photos of those Beemer grips??

I've heard a lot of good things about them over the years and they are high on my list. I've never changed out a pair of grips before. Is it a pretty easy job or would you recommend having a dealer do it?

thanks, DWJ

I was beaten to the punch on posting a photo, but here's what they look like installed:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/268485706/284594584lcRgsp#

[cerrmj]

I just put on the Grip Puppies - took a bit to get them on, but I like them so far. Seems to even improve the bar position a bit as well (I have Larry's riser plate on too!).

One problem is that my Throttle Rocker (TR) doesn't adjust easily anymore - the plastic digs into the softer foam. I used to slide it around and out of the way when I wasn't using it then back into position when I needed it - can't do this anymore. I think I found a pretty good fixed position though.

I'll probably take the TR off when I get the audiovox cruise installed later this month - but then again, maybe not.

Bob.

[Fastmover]

They are the ticket!!!! Maybe better than BMW grips
Steve

[CrashTestDanny]

For $7.50 (from CA Sport Touring) the grip puppies can't be beat. I left my throttle rocker on - never felt the need to adjust it much.

Anyone have some workable instructions for installing the AudioVox cruise control?

Thanks,
Dan
'05 ST1300 :biker: