A gripping question...

I looking for some nice looking, comfortable, vibration-reducing, and reasonably priced hand grips for my 550 Seca.



I have a bit of arthritis in my hands so I had hoped that the gel foam grips I found on ebay would provide more comfort and pass through less vibration than a solid rubber grip. I think it would work except the end caps are right about where the sides of my palms rest, so that gets kind of irritating. Anyone have a better idea?

 

Sure! http://www.bikebandit.com/product/14484 All foam; http://www.bikebandit.com/product/14502 gel; http://www.bikebandit.com/product/14499 gel; and then my personal favorite, old-school http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Motorcycle_P ... hion-Grips This is just a sample of what's out there. I use the Gran Tourismo style on all my bikes. I had the Grab-On all foam ones on my Yamaha SR500 thumper some years back and they were good too, especially on the vibro-single. Anything for a 7/8" tubular handlebar should work.

 

How do the foam grips hold up over time?
I keep thinking they will just crumble away as foam tends to break down.

 

I've had the foam grips for several years now. They will be replaced for '09. At $8.00 they are pretty cheap. They do a good job of cushioning my hands. You should get three or four years out of a set. My bike sits inside 99% of the time though. When I'm not riding of course.

 

I have arthritis too and put a pair of Kuryakyn ISO grips on both my bikes. They are a little expensive but work good.

 

ghost,
I have an 81 xj650, not running yet, that has sat in a barn since 89, still has the original faom grips on it & they are in pretty decent shape for there age. Not crumbling or nothing.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I am leaning toward the all-foam design. They're cheap enough that if I don't like them I'm not out that much.

The Kuryakyn ISO grips are pretty spiffy and I'd love to have a set, but at $70 I just can't justify or afford them right now.

 

You will "wear out" the foam grips before they ever start to crumble. What I mean by "wear out" is that after three or four seasons your right hand will have begun to actually wear away the foam slightly, just like footpegs eventually wear away. The Grab-Ons are FINE. You won't be disappointed.

 

I got a pair of ISO grips used on Ebay for about 30 bucks. You just have to keep your eyes pealed.

 

I ordered a pair of ISO Grips from powersportsuperstore.com and they are priced at $53. Note: the catalogue shows them at the MSRP, not actual price. Am installing this weekend I'll post the results - won't be able to tell you how they work on a ride until the spring.