Fitting soft grips.

[fac191]

Thanks for all the suggestions people. Several brands there I haven't heard of before. I've used Grip Puppies on previous bikes and been happy with them. However the ProTaper Pillow top product looks interesting. I have several pairs of gloves but my main motivator for choice of glove is how they perform in wear tests in case I end up kissing the tarmac with them. I need the added thickness on the grips simply because I find standard grips too thin and difficult to hold comfortably for long rides.
Now I just need a 12mm hex to fit 1/2" drive.
Nothing like a new project or modification to justify a trip to the tool shop.

If you dont have one its worth getting the hex for the front wheel spindle.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Grip Buddies! Super spongy, thick neoprene that cushions your hands and works well with heated grips and due to their attachment with hidden flush mounted Velcro strips no need to remove anything. On my second pair as they seem to last about 2 to 3 years with regular use. Highly recommended:

GRIP BUDDIES

We wish many happy and safe motorcycling miles to our extended family of current and future satisfied Original Grip Buddies/Original Beemer Buddies customers !

www.originalgripbuddies.com

Yamaha Super Tenere

www.originalgripbuddies.com

I currently have these "Grip Buddies" on mine, and like them a lot.........You do not have to remove anything to install these.
There is a Velcro-seam, but if you position it in the correct place, you'll never notice it.
They will not last as long as other options..............but I'm partial to the feel and grip they provide.
They DO work with Heated-Grips.
I "Think" they are offered in two thickness versions?
The guy that sells them is in NY (near Saratoga Springs I believe)

I have used the "ReGrip" on the bike previous....................two things:
(1) The "Yellow" ReGrip is the correct size for the factory Yamaha grips. You will have to trim just a bit off the length after it's installed. I can't remember if I had to remove the Bar-End to install these, but something in my thoughts and the way you install these says that I did-not............as long as the yellow plastic-sleeve fits over the Bar-End weights, you do not have to remove them.
(2) After having been on the bike for a couple years and in the sun/elements, the outer layer of this material degrades to the point where it leaves a black coating all over the palms of your gloves, or your hands if you operate the bike with no gloves on............anything you touch after that will have black fingerprints or smudges on it.
My friend Cap'n Ron experienced the exact same thing on the ReGrips he used.
I will probably never use them again............YMMV

Once the Grip-Buddies wear out, I will probably order another set.
I like them that much..................

 

[EricV]

(2) After having been on the bike for a couple years and in the sun/elements, the outer layer of this material degrades to the point where it leaves a black coating all over the palms of your gloves, or your hands if you operate the bike with no gloves on............anything you touch after that will have black fingerprints or smudges on it.
My friend Cap'n Ron experienced the exact same thing on the ReGrips he used.
I will probably never use them again............YMMV

Interesting. Wearing summer perforated gloves my hands are always dirty after a ride... with factory grips, Oxford heated grips, Grip Buddies or ReGrip. I don't think it's the grips.

Seriously though, did you typically park the bike outside a lot? I didn't experience that issue myself, but the bike rarely sits outside and I rarely ride no hands, so not a lot of sun exposure.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Interesting. Wearing summer perforated gloves my hands are always dirty after a ride... with factory grips, Oxford heated grips, Grip Buddies or ReGrip. I don't think it's the grips.

Seriously though, did you typically park the bike outside a lot? I didn't experience that issue myself, but the bike rarely sits outside and I rarely ride no hands, so not a lot of sun exposure.

Bike is always stored in the garage..................the only time it sits in the sun is if I am stopped somewhere during a ride (lunch, break, pictures, etc.......)
Or if I ride it to work. It sits outside during my work-day.

I have never noticed the black material degradation with any other grips, or grip sleeves..............Only the "ReGrip" ones.
I'm pretty hard on the grips too. I ride the hell out of the bike at times..................Dirt, Rocks, Water, etc..............

The current Grip-Buddies have been on the bike for just as long as the other ones, and they do not leave a black film on my gloves or hands.
I do not ever ride without gloves, ever! But the couple times I was moving the bike around the garage bare-handed is when I noticed the black film on my hands.
Then I checked my gloves............same thing.

In my situation, I do not have any issue with the factory Yamaha grips being too slippery.
It's that they seem just a bt too small in diameter for my large Bear-Paws.
My throttle hand would get fatigued riding all day. I needed slightly larger diameter.

 

[EricV]

Bike is always stored in the garage..................the only time it sits in the sun is if I am stopped somewhere during a ride (lunch, break, pictures, etc.......)
Or if I ride it to work. It sits outside during my work-day.

I have never noticed the black material degradation with any other grips, or grip sleeves..............Only the "ReGrip" ones.
I'm pretty hard on the grips too. I ride the hell out of the bike at times..................Dirt, Rocks, Water, etc..............

The current Grip-Buddies have been on the bike for just as long as the other ones, and they do not leave a black film on my gloves or hands.
I do not ever ride without gloves, ever! But the couple times I was moving the bike around the garage bare-handed is when I noticed the black film on my hands.
Then I checked my gloves............same thing.

In my situation, I do not have any issue with the factory Yamaha grips being too slippery.
It's that they seem just a bt too small in diameter for my large Bear-Paws.
My throttle hand would get fatigued riding all day. I needed slightly larger diameter.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to pay more attention next time I use them and see if I notice similar. I agree that the Grip Buddies feel like the higher quality of the three. And they do offer two thicknesses. I got used to the seam after a couple of adjustments to get the position good for me. I did have them on for 100k, so wear is expected.

 

[ZigZag]

So I bought some 'Rippa Grips'. I'm assuming a knock off version of 'Grip Puppies'. They lived up to there name when I was trying to install them, they ripped. I like the look of Grip Buddies but the seam might be annoying and I'm not sure I can source them here in Aus. Probably available on Amazon I guess. I might try and source some here in Aus or I'll get some Grip Puppies which are readily available.