Does anyone have a good user story to share about their aftermarket grip? I'm looking for something with more support than the foam grips offer.
Some criteria: Anything with chrome is out of the question.
I've used aftermarket grips on many of my bikes, but it's usually because I swap them out for heated ones.
I'm not what you're looking for in terms of "support". Are you looking for softer, or firmer, or something else?
My '89 has foam grips installed by the PO that look very similar to the foam grips available on RPM. IMO, they just are not that comfortable after anything more than an hour of riding..and to be honest, they look cheap. Since foam seems like one of the least firm options out there, I'm looking for something firmer.
However, I will say that the one thing the foam grips are good at is reducing vibration transfer. I have the RPM bar ends and with these foam grips I don't get a lot of vibration into my hands.
Several years ago I found some off-brand foam grips at J.C. Whitney. They were obviously a cruiser\Harley-oriented item (dumb eagle insert on the end of the grip, which popped right out...). What I like about 'em is that they're really, really firm foam. They've held up remarkably well, going on well over 5 years with no sign of deterioration. Unfortunately, J.C. Whitney no longer lists them, but somebody out there has to have them. Oh, and they were cheap, too.
I used these for decades. Great company and products.
https://grabongrips.com/motorcycle-grips-1
Hot Grips.
Quote from: FJ1200W on May 13, 2020, 08:10:45 AM
I used these for decades. Great company and products.
https://grabongrips.com/motorcycle-grips-1
Wow, hadn't heard of Grab On Grips since the early 1980's :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Quote from: Millietant
Wow, hadn't heard of Grab On Grips since the early 1980's :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Yep, same owners, made in America.
I had them on all my motorcycles "back in the day".
K&N Superbike bars, of course ;)
For standard grips on a pre-1991 FJ, the best I came up with was a set of plain Pro Grip 711 grips.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323633092435 (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/323633092435)
With the use of a set of Grip Puppies over the Pro Grips.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/123899028067 (https://www.ebay.com/itm/123899028067)
This set up has worked very well for me. The foam of the Grip Puppies is a higher density than the 100% foam grips. The combo also creates a slightly larger grip diameter and I find it less fatiguing for my hands.
On my 95 there is much less vibrations in the handlebars. I use Koso Apollo Heated grips sold by RPM. These also have a slightly larger grip diameter than standard grips. I absolutely love these grips. I just recently installed these heated grips on my Honda VFR.
http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KOSOGrips&cat=1 (http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KOSOGrips&cat=1)
Fred
I use Progrip 714 on my TDM (absolutely love 'em) and progrip 713 on my FJ which also work well.
https://www.denniskirk.com/pro-grip/714-dual-sport-grips-pa071400go02.p590120.prd/590120.sku?utm_source=google&utm_medium=csecid=6821162156&aid=76472566741&keyword=826224355422%3A%3Apla-826224355422&kid=826224355422&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pTrUeffu1pa-20DlwZv-ueJ9yPPDZ_S2juALhVN38GHWjn9G4uhBMAaAlCIEALw_wcB (https://www.denniskirk.com/pro-grip/714-dual-sport-grips-pa071400go02.p590120.prd/590120.sku?utm_source=google&utm_medium=csecid=6821162156&aid=76472566741&keyword=826224355422%3A%3Apla-826224355422&kid=826224355422&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pTrUeffu1pa-20DlwZv-ueJ9yPPDZ_S2juALhVN38GHWjn9G4uhBMAaAlCIEALw_wcB)
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/100-2120/progrip-713-black-sportbike-street-grips?&mrkgcl=444&mrkgadid=3308569188&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=490618175019_product_type_motorcycles_product_type_handlebars_and_controls_product_ty&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping++Generic+-+Handlebars+and+Controls&product_id=100-2120&utm_content=pla&adpos=&creative=278867792762&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pQLnz_cT0KVsl8VQAC_urYK5riN11kFtPVvEL4fpb0A09R0lXL5D0EaAiDbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds (https://www.jpcycles.com/product/100-2120/progrip-713-black-sportbike-street-grips?&mrkgcl=444&mrkgadid=3308569188&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=490618175019_product_type_motorcycles_product_type_handlebars_and_controls_product_ty&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping++Generic+-+Handlebars+and+Controls&product_id=100-2120&utm_content=pla&adpos=&creative=278867792762&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pQLnz_cT0KVsl8VQAC_urYK5riN11kFtPVvEL4fpb0A09R0lXL5D0EaAiDbEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Barrel shaped grips work for me, standard grips are cylindrical. Barrel grips are ergonomic by comparison, personally I find them more comfortable.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dunstallmotorcycles.com%2Fproduct%2Fbeston-style-gt-grips%2F&psig=AOvVaw2sMOb2sDHAB7ZC0wY5MVv6&ust=1589567860923000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCIDs-O__s-kCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dunstallmotorcycles.com%2Fproduct%2Fbeston-style-gt-grips%2F&psig=AOvVaw2sMOb2sDHAB7ZC0wY5MVv6&ust=1589567860923000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCIDs-O__s-kCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE)
Those aren't the ones I have, just showing you the shape.
Quote from: FJ1200W on May 13, 2020, 08:25:01 PM
Quote from: Millietant
Wow, hadn't heard of Grab On Grips since the early 1980's :sarcastic: :sarcastic:
Yep, same owners, made in America.
I had them on all my motorcycles "back in the day".
K&N Superbike bars, of course ;)
I used to order mine direct from the USA in the late 1970's and early 1980's - I saw them in Motorcyclist Magazine and the journo's gave them good reviews, so I thought I'd try some :biggrin:
Dads_FJ beat me to it. I also use the Pro Grip 714. I'm on my second or third set and a friend of mine with way more motorcycle experience than I, covets them. One of the first things he spotted on my FJ.
Hands aren't much different from feet. There is that soft arch across the middle of the palm. It needs support. The 714 has a slight but noticeable arc in the profile. This link clearly shows that bulge.
Pro Grip doesn't feature that like it's a big deal, but, it's a big deal. They also have some give but won't mush up. They look firm and they are. Things that look comfy just because they are soft are usually ( -----).
Pro Grips are under $20 and off the pegboard rack. You just might have to work a little harder to find the particular 714.
https://fortnine.ca/en/pro-grip-714-dual-sport-grips (https://fortnine.ca/en/pro-grip-714-dual-sport-grips)