Grips...so what ya think??

[AdrianR]

You know this bike rocks...yeah, even with the so-so stock tires..

But what I think I have been noticing is the grips.  I noticed how my throttle hand gets numb after awhile...


My step dad noticed this as well...

How bout' you? 

[Robert]

Glad you brought this up since I was wondering if this happens to anyone else also. I just have to change the position on the grips and it goes away. I am thinking though about some new grips or I do have a pair of gloves that may help. The 01 grips were a bit more tolerant of the oils or sweat on the hand and not being so slippery. I also think because of the slightly forward sitting position it puts more pressure on your hand.

[rogueleader_92]

I have a friction throttle lock for long distances and a throttle rocker for twisties and u wear fingerless gloves with gel pads, I haven't noticed any problems with the grips.

[bscrive]

I put on a set of Avon grips with throttle assist.  They work great. 

[mrtappan]

Mine does that one every bike so nothing new to me.  Thank you, slipped disc.   

[havoc]

i was experiencing it at first - but changed my seating position and problem solved.

[F6Dave]

I wanted to try something different too, but my F6B has heated grips which limit your options.  The expensive ($250) Honda heated grips were also showing more wear than I liked, and I wanted to protect them.

I got some foam grip covers from Grab-On that work great.  They only cost $13 so I figured I nothing to lose and could just cut them off if I wasn't happy.

Installation only takes a few seconds.  The recommended hairspray method makes the job extremely easy.

[dinosnake]

Does anyone have any experience / info regarding heated grips for our new Valks?

Reports say that the bars are internally weighted - there are objects inside the bar.  Has anyone successfully removed those weights?  How about internal wiring for a set of heated grips, anyone try it?  Etc, etc etc?

I'm looking at the Avon heated grips but their controllers get mounted on the clutch perch, which for me is currently occupied by a mount for my GPS.  The space between the bars and the clutch master cylinder seems very small; if I need an alternative mounting point for a handlebar-mounted controller I doubt that there is enough room.  I wouldn't mind a knob-style controller down on the right side rear cover panel of the radiator pod, near your right knee - if done correctly, I think that might look and operate very well, but "if done correctly" is the clause as most of the controllers aren't designed to be mounted through a panel.

I've got less than a month to figure out and get a set of heated grips installed, by the end of September temperatures start dropping (especially after the sun goes down) and I've become too enamored with heated grips to think about giving them up now!  

[AdrianR]

i was experiencing it at first - but changed my seating position and problem solved.

Havoc..could you kindly elaborate??

[bscrive]

Does anyone have any experience / info regarding heated grips for our new Valks?

Reports say that the bars are internally weighted - there are objects inside the bar.  Has anyone successfully removed those weights?  How about internal wiring for a set of heated grips, anyone try it?  Etc, etc etc?

I'm looking at the Avon heated grips but their controllers get mounted on the clutch perch, which for me is currently occupied by a mount for my GPS.  The space between the bars and the clutch master cylinder seems very small; if I need an alternative mounting point for a handlebar-mounted controller I doubt that there is enough room.  I wouldn't mind a knob-style controller down on the right side rear cover panel of the radiator pod, near your right knee - if done correctly, I think that might look and operate very well, but "if done correctly" is the clause as most of the controllers aren't designed to be mounted through a panel.

I've got less than a month to figure out and get a set of heated grips installed, by the end of September temperatures start dropping (especially after the sun goes down) and I've become too enamored with heated grips to think about giving them up now!  

The weights in the handlebars come out really easy if you want to remove them.

[havoc]

i was experiencing it at first - but changed my seating position and problem solved.

Havoc..could you kindly elaborate??

sure thing sir!

I caught myself riding slightly hunched over, my arse right against the back cup of the seat. it was comfortable in all aspects EXCEPT i was getting numbness in my throttle hand after about 1hr of riding. I'm  5'9" and my arm reach is average - i use a 34/35 dress shirt length. I *think* what was happening there was that the hunch over was causing my arms to be slightly raised relative to my shoulders compared to when i straightened out my posture. When i did straighten out my posture, i found my reach to the handlebars was just a wee bit shy of being comfortable if i was seated ALL the way back on the seat. So I moved my butt about 1" forward - basically centred on the saddle. Numbness gone.

summary: i sat up straighter and about 1" to 1 1/2" forward to rid myself of numbness in the throttle hand

[bscrive]

I am finding that the seat Honda put on is made for the slightly leaned forward position.  With my new bars I am sitting more upright, and I find that my tail bone hurts after a while.  The Airhawk helps a lot, but the seat is still tipped forward.  I guess I will have to put up with it until next year. 

[dinosnake]

The weights in the handlebars come out really easy if you want to remove them.

Great, thanks, super helpful!

I am finding that the seat Honda put on is made for the slightly leaned forward position.  With my new bars I am sitting more upright, and I find that my tail bone hurts after a while.  The Airhawk helps a lot, but the seat is still tipped forward.  I guess I will have to put up with it until next year.

I have been thinking that it is a major mistake for the moto rags to call this a "power cruiser".  Really, from the seating position, bars and overall character of the bike, I think it is more "mega-standard" than "power cruiser" - it's not really a "cruiser" by any normal standard of the definition, especially and including the looks.  "Standard"?  Yes, please, including those "I'm Bad A$$" looks.

[The Dark Knight]

I had the same issue. I put on a set of the Kuryakyn ISO grips. Much better now. Not perfect, but much better. I'd have to swap out the bars to make it perfect.

[hubcapsc]

I'd have to swap out the bars to make it perfect.

 

-Mike

[_Sheffjs_]

Does anyone have any experience / info regarding heated grips for our new Valks?

Reports say that the bars are internally weighted - there are objects inside the bar.  Has anyone successfully removed those weights?  How about internal wiring for a set of heated grips, anyone try it?  Etc, etc etc?

I'm looking at the Avon heated grips but their controllers get mounted on the clutch perch, which for me is currently occupied by a mount for my GPS.  The space between the bars and the clutch master cylinder seems very small; if I need an alternative mounting point for a handlebar-mounted controller I doubt that there is enough room.  I wouldn't mind a knob-style controller down on the right side rear cover panel of the radiator pod, near your right knee - if done correctly, I think that might look and operate very well, but "if done correctly" is the clause as most of the controllers aren't designed to be mounted through a panel.

I've got less than a month to figure out and get a set of heated grips installed, by the end of September temperatures start dropping (especially after the sun goes down) and I've become too enamored with heated grips to think about giving them up now!  

Had heated grips on last bike. Going to try heated gloves this time. 

[wiggydotcom]

A lot of us with the F6bs have gone to the Shinhopple grips. They are very cheap and go right over the stock grips. It appears the Valk grips and F6b grips are similar(small diameter).

They are cheap at 6.20 a pair and if you have heated grips, the heat WILL transfer through them just fine, according to those who have them.
They can be put on with the help of dishsoap, glass cleaner, etc in about 15 seconds or less apiece.

Along with comfort, they add diameter to your grip.
 I ordered two pair up front but I think they'll last a year or better per pair.
If you don't like them, it's not like you're out too much.

The 5.5 inch length worked perfectly for the F6b.
Here is the link:
http://www.shop.shinhopples.com/product.sc?productId=1067&categoryId=103

[Robert]

A lot of us on with the F6bs have gone to the Shinhopple grips. They are very cheap and go right over the stock grips. It appears the Valk grips and F6b grips are similar(small diameter).

They are cheap at 6.20 a pair and if you have heated grips, the heat WILL transfer through them just fine, according to those who have them.
They can be put on with the help of dishsoap, glass cleaner, etc in about 15 seconds or less apiece.

Along with comfort, they add diameter to your grip.
 I ordered two pair up front but I think they'll last a year or better per pair.
If you don't like them, it's not like you're out too much.

The 5.5 inch length worked perfectly for the F6b.
Here is the link:
http://www.shop.shinhopples.com/product.sc?productId=1067&categoryId=103

Hey thanks for that I think I will give them a try. I just ordered 2 sets

[wiggydotcom]

A lot of us on with the F6bs have gone to the Shinhopple grips. They are very cheap and go right over the stock grips. It appears the Valk grips and F6b grips are similar(small diameter).

They are cheap at 6.20 a pair and if you have heated grips, the heat WILL transfer through them just fine, according to those who have them.
They can be put on with the help of dishsoap, glass cleaner, etc in about 15 seconds or less apiece.

Along with comfort, they add diameter to your grip.
 I ordered two pair up front but I think they'll last a year or better per pair.
If you don't like them, it's not like you're out too much.

The 5.5 inch length worked perfectly for the F6b.
Here is the link:
http://www.shop.shinhopples.com/product.sc?productId=1067&categoryId=103

Hey thanks for that I think I will give them a try. I just ordered 2 sets

 

[pago cruiser]

It's resurrection time again...
No not THAT resurrection.
This would be Old Thread resurrection time...

Has anybody found a way to remove the stock rubber grip from the throttle tube?
It appears that the grip/throttle tube are sold as one piece.  It has a chromed plastic ring around the cable connection end, which means I cannot (easily) wedge a screwdrive to pry the grip from the tube, and then hit it with some compressed air.

Alternatively, i could just razor-knife it, but I'm trying to do this without destruction...

Why?
Finally found some NOS Beston "Titty Grips" as they were affectionately known back in the day of wooden ships and iron men... you know, when Brit twins ruled the roads....  Been looking for years for some that fit 1" bars.  While EMGO and a few other companies are currently making versions of these, they are all hard as a bar of steel once installed.  They suck.  Real Titty Grips are way softer, like... yeah.    Other than ...softer..., they also fit the concave curvature of your palm with your hand wrapped around the throttle.   These are great.

Here's the listing if anyone is interested.  



Don't know how many he has left, but I bought 4 pair.   And no, I ain't making up the name:



Different brand, but if you have 7/8" bars on another bike, the "Sh-Ke-Da" 's are also the real deal.

[Bill Havins]

 

[Jess from VA]

My 70' BSA Lightening had those grips.  My first bike and what did I know?  But they were great.  Kinda soft and squishy as I remember. 



Really you don't see palm swells in any bike grips anymore, and I think they improve grip and are easier on the hands (when soft and squishy).

[Robert]

I put tennis racket wrap on mine and I love it. Adds just enough softness that no more problem and has enough friction to make for a lighter grip. The diameter is also better for me since my hand size is slightly larger.

[ledany]

What about the shrinking rubber grip ?

https://www.amazon.fr/Antidérapant-poignée-thermorétractable-supérieure-Longueur/dp/B00TH2AOH6

[dinosnake]

I've had this problem for a long time due to a broken wrist from hitting a deer 15 years ago, now made worse since last year by arthritis in the right shoulder (probably from either that accident or the prior animal strike).  I've solved it 2 ways:

1) a ThrottleRocker.  Won't ride without it, even bring it with me when I rent bikes somewhere.

2) the most recent addition, a throttle lock.  I have Show Chrome heated grips so I needed a lock that was compatible and found it with an aluminum model GoCruise.  The aluminum model has an adjustment thumbwheel that makes it compatible with any thickness grip, even heated ones.

Between the two of these devices I can find relief from pain with either the ThrottleRocker reducing my wrist pain from happening at all, to the GoCruise allowing me to either relax my grip on the throttle or completely remove my hand for brief periods to shake my arm and wrist out for a bit. 

And both a cheap solutions, too.

[Safety Steve]

I know this is a old topic but on my 2- 97 Valkyries I have the Cool Sac grips on mine and I love them, I plan on getting a pair for my 2014 valk, and if you are not familiar with Cool Sac they are made of leather and are over size grips, I find myself with the smaller grips really gripping hard with the Cool sac grips I don't grip as hard and there is a far amount of cushion under the leather and they look great.

Just my very late 2 cents.