Easy but satisfying customization!
A customization that doesn't cost a lot of money and gives a high level of satisfaction. If there is one thing you can see a change in, it's changing the grips! Since it is around the handlebars, you can feel the customization every time you ride. Of course, since grips are rubber products, they can become hard and slippery as they deteriorate over time, making them a consumable item.
However, due to the importance of grips, various companies have developed various types of grips, and the choices are wide and deep. In this article, we'll introduce you to the most important parts for controlling your motorcycle, how to choose grips, and our recommended ranking for 2020!
How to choose a motorcycle grip
Before we get into the rankings, let's review grip replacement. Keep these three points in mind when choosing a grip and you won't fail!
Pay attention to the grip size!
There are two main types of grip diameters on motorcycles. This is the same with the diameter of the handlebars.
Left: 22mm, Right: 24mm for general sport motorcycles and scooters.
Left: 25mm, Right: 30mm, corresponding to the inch bar used in cruisers called American.
These are the two main types. The reason why the thickness is different on the left and right side is that the right side is thicker because it mounts on top of the throttle cone. By the way, Super Cub series has 24mm left and right.
In addition, pay attention to the length of the grip. Basically, it is best to match the stock length, but there are some connoisseurs who choose a shorter size. But be careful about choosing long grips! If they are too long, the grips can stick out from the handlebar or interfere with the bar ends, leading to serious accidents such as not being able to return the throttle. Basically, you should use the stock length. Please check your vehicle's handlebar diameter and length before purchasing.
Penetrating or non-penetrating?
There are two types of grip end (end) treatments: through and non-through. As the name suggests, the through type has a through-hole in the grip, and the bar end is attached to the end of the handlebar. On the other hand, the non-through type has a blocked end and bar ends cannot be attached.
If you want to add a bar end to a non-through type grip, you can use a special cutter to cut it out to make it a through type.
Let's choose the comfort and hardness of the grip.
Finally, decide how comfortable you want your grip to be. Some riders prefer the stiffer type for better control, while others choose the shock-absorbing type to reduce vibration when touring. Some shock-absorbing grips use multiple layers of rubber to absorb shock while minimizing changes in thickness, and should not be underestimated!
The best way to choose is to trust yourself! We recommend that you choose a motorcycle that suits in your daily use.
Think of steering wheel vibration as the entire handlebar area.
If strong vibrations are being transmitted around the handlebars, the grip alone may not be enough to control them. Vibration can cause fatigue on long rides, accelerate the deterioration of metal bracket, and even cause bolts to fall off. If you start to notice vibrations, it is recommended to take measures to prevent vibrations in the entire handlebar area, including bar ends and inner weights, in addition to the grips!
Incidentally, vibration can also occur when there is a problem with the fork or wheel parts of the suspension, so if you are experiencing vibration that cannot be dealt with by grips or bar ends, you may want to check the condition of your vehicle.
Latest for 2020! Motorcycle Grip Popularity Ranking
No.10 domino｜Road type grip
Domino's grips have been used by many MotoGP teams and have been developed together with them to real racing specs! This road type grip is a little thicker than most stock grips for a softer grip and to absorb vibration.
No.9 PRO TAPER｜Grip PILLOWTOP
PILLOWTOP, featuring a rugged and innovative block pattern, is No. 9! They are popular for their high shock absorption and the grip created by the craggy blocks. You can choose from six different colors of hard compound for the bar ends.
No.8 PROGRIP｜Superbike Grip #601
Pro Grip's Superbike Grip #601 has a unique shape where the palm of the hand hits the grip instead of the usual round cross section! The grip has a dual structure of outer rubber (soft) and inner rubber (hard) to absorb vibrations with the grip! The material is also made of earthquake-resistant gel, which prevents fatigue and is recommended for road surfaces and vehicles with a lot of vibration.
No.7 PROGRIP｜Grip for off-road #795
The ribs at the end of the grip are cut to reduce contact with the palm of the hand. Serious off-road grip with four grooves for wiring! The simple shape and the use of standard rubber make it easy to catch information on the road surface.
No.6 domino｜Race type grip
The race type of Domino Grip is being developed in collaboration with MotoGP team "San Carlo Honda". These grips are designed to be used in on-road racing, providing a comfortable grip that sticks to your hand and won't slip off even when riding hard. The difference between the street type is that the inner lining of the double structure is adopted a little hard.
No.5 MADMAX｜Grip
It is popular for its orthodox design that everyone seems to have seen at one time or another. The reason I've seen it before is because a lot of the CB series of training motorcycles use a similar design for their grips! There are a lot of grips that have the design of the stock grip. This grip is one of them and it is a reproduction of the stock shape. Stock grips similar to these grips were used on the Honda CBX1000 and the RS250 production racer.
It's a very stylish grip that looks perfect on an out-of-print motorcycle!
No.4 PROGRIP｜Superbike Grip #724
Fourth place goes to the Superbike Grip #724, the most orthodox design of all the grips made with quake-resistant gel! Simple grips are popular among riders who enjoy a wide range of riding conditions from city riding to winding roads. You can choose the inner color of this kind of double structure grip in many cases, and you can enjoy it as one point of exterior customization. It might be interesting to dare to choose a flashy color?