The stock hand grips feel a bit hard on the hands. Pro Grip Gel Grips are softer and provide a certain degree of additional vibration isolation. They are also somewhat less slippery than the stock grips.
I got mine at my local Cycle Gear store for $12.99. These are the model 719 open-end dual-compound variety. They come in various colors. The open end models mean you don't have to cut the ends out yourself to fit the bar-end weights.
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To install the grips, begin by removing the bar-end weights with an 8mm Allen wrench.
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Next, remove the stock grips. They are glued on. If you want to try to preserve them you can use a thin flat blade screwdriver and pry them from the bars using blasts of compressed air to assist. I didn't bother and applied lengthwise cuts with an X-Acto knife to slice them off.
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The new grips are 125mm long. This is longer than the stock grips. I moved the switchgear inwards a bit on both sides. You can just loosen the switchgear until they can be slided. No need to remove them completely. Now, others have installed the grips without having to do this. I could not and still leave room for installation of the bar-end weights without compressing the grips against the weights on one end or the switchgear on the other. Of course, you do not want to have the throttle side grip pressing against the switchgear. It must be free to twist freely and snap back when released. There is a large plastic washer between the grip and the switchgear on the throttle side to assist with separating the grip from the switchgear.
When I moved the switchgear I was unaware that there are reference tabs on the switchgear than fit into reference holes in the bars. Apparently I must have snapped off those plastic tabs when retightening the switchgear as I had no problems moving them. They tightened down nicely anyway and are immobile.
The following three pictures are from the Lubricate Cables page. No need to actually remove these screws, just loosen them.
Right Side.
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Left Side.
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Slide the grips into place. The throttle side uses the grip with the larger inside diameter.
There are some options here as what lubricating material you wish to use. You can use simple water, rubbing alcohol, hair spray, or special grip glue. Water will aid as a lubricant and then dry. Alcohol will do the same but dry faster. The grip will be easier to remove later if you want to do that. Hair spray acts as a lubricant to install the grips then will dry as a glue. The disadvantage is that if water seeps between the grip and the handle (such as perhaps in the rain) then the hair spray will become a lubricant again making the grip potentially unusable. Special grip glue may be the best way to go for a permanent installation. In this case you may want to thoroughly clean the bars first with rubbing alcohol. I used hair spray since I am not likely to see much rain.
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Work the grips in and position them and the switchgear as desired. Temporarily screw in the bar-end weights to verify that they will install without compressing the grip. Then remove them when you are happy with the grip and switchgear placement so that the lubricating product/glue you used can dry. Wait at least overnight (24-hours is better) for the material to dry.
The grips are directional and must be twisted to point UP when installed.
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Tighten the switchgear on both sides.
After the glue has dried, reinstall the bar-end weights. The torque spec is 26Nm, 19 lb-ft. I just made sure they were tight.
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Installed picture.
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Last Updated: 03-23-2003
Copyright © 2001-03, Patrick Glenn, All Rights Reserved.
The information presented here reflects solely my personal experience with my motorcycle and is presented
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