Grip Puppies

First topic message reminder :


So after almost 5 years I finally got jack of the small diameter hand grips on the B1250 and ordered a pair from http://www.andystrapz.com/ After checking what I could get them from overseas for I went local and checked out his website then put a call through to Andy (Yes he does answer the phone) $29 + $7 and I had them the next day.

They’re a tighter fit than I was expecting but that’s a good thing. I took the bar end weights off but probably didn’t need too. I also didn’t need to cut them to length I just pushed them all the way on. Let the soapy water dry and took the FZ1 (bigger grips) for a sprint

My first ride was this morning and I’m impressed with the increased diameter. The grips feel nice and chunky now under my gorilla hands. I think I feel slightly less “connected” but that should be right once I’m used to the new feel. They shouldn’t come lose or slip but time will tell.

Yes $30 odd is a lot to pay for a couple of foam rubber tubes but whoever said riding a bike was cheap

Here's a pic.

Other pix Here

GGiant wrote:Thanks Kewwig, the Oxfords seem to be the most widely used heated grips as far as I can tell.

Although I see there have been a few probs with the switch.....

But there don't seem to be many other options on the market. So I think I''ll give the Oxfords a go. I can currently get the "Sports" fpr $109 + post.

Cheers, GG

And when your Oxford switch fails you can replace it with one of these
https://nswbandits.forumotion.net/t3274-symtec-heated-grip-controller-for-metric-bikes

No worries Madmax, and thanks for your solution to the failed Oxford switch controller. Good to know there is an option for replacement. The handlebar mount you have is very neat.

I don't really like the look of the Oxford switch - it's BIG! and one of the reasons I have been hesitating, but I'll give it a go.

Cheers, GG

GGiant wrote:btw 2wheelsagain, are your handlebars standard?

May be just the angle in your pic, but they look possibly a bit higher than the standard bars.

GG

Yes mate they are standard but with the power of black B1250's they may have wrapped and stretched

An update on my Grip Puppies. They are splitting! Supplier not interested in replacing them even though they have been on for less than 3000km and the bike is always under cover.
Suppliers solution is to cut the split end off to stop them going further. One has gone about 12mm the other 8mm.
Discovered the splits after 9 weeks off the bikes.
Not fuggen happy.

I'm a bit gutted as my left grip puppy split this week.
Note to self if it splits a little leave alone!!!!!
Must say worth it though as the right takes the tingle out of the palm.

waits for hilarious replies

I was just thinking of getting these ...........Oh well maybe I'll get the cheapy ones again

Rustic wrote:I'm a bit gutted as my left grip puppy split this week.
Note to self if it splits a little leave alone!!!!!
Must say worth it though as the right takes the tingle out of the palm.

waits for hilarious replies

Mine split too after a couple of weeks. They didn't like being stretched over heated grips.

Splitting!
That is surprising. It doesn't seem like a material inclined to splitting really....mmm
I've only had them on my bike a wee time. I do like them though, no vibes coming through, good grip. But I will monitor for splitting.
Why not contact the head Puppy and let him know ''not happy'' and there are a few cases of low km fitments that have split.
GG

Could putting the Puppies over the possibly bigger than normal heated grips be the cause?
I have a set of Oxfords hot grips I am yet to fit, so the Puppies might be too tight on them.
GG

GGiant wrote:Could putting the Puppies over the possibly bigger than normal heated grips be the cause?
I have a set of Oxfords hot grips I am yet to fit, so the Puppies might be too tight on them.
GG

The Oxfords are slightly thicker, but the grippy texture of the sports grips made the fitting of the Puppies a major struggle. I haven't turned the grips on, so heating wasn't an issue. You need lots of soap to fit and don't over stretch them. I think the issue wasn't the puppies, but more my ham fisted efforts to get them onto the Oxfords. Swearing didn't help much at all.

Might pay to look also at Clark Rubber or even bicycle shops. Over the years, I've put better foam grips on bikes I've owned than were available from motorbike shops using tubular foam available from other sources, at a fraction of the price.

The exercise machine tube rubber from Clark rubber fits over the oem grips ( with soapy water ) & is pretty strong

I have Grip Puppies on my B1250. I also have Oxford Heated Grips on the bike and had no trouble sliding the puppies over the top of them– the secret for me was using plenty of soap. I initially tried installing them using a fairly weak soapy solution and really struggled, but then considerably upped the amount of soap and they slid on just fine.

The Grip Puppies have been a pretty cost effective upgrade in that I now get less wrist ache than I did before and noticeably less vibration through the bars as well.

2WA,
I`ve been using these grips for years.they come as various names but all the same.
The first time i saw them was about 1982 called BAJA GRIPS,got the last set from
Western in Penrith for about 25ish from memory but 30 sounds right
Always liked them
cheers.......................

Well after reading the posts here, I bit the bullet and ordered a set of Grip Puppies. Likewise mine were here in only a day or two - really quick. Got to say I love them. I tend to allow the palm of my hand to sit on the end rubber lip of the throttle and found it aches after a while. Try to keep the hand right up tight on the throttle but after a while it moves out. So with the Grip Puppies on, I can ride with my hand that bit further out and not get that lip pushing in (too much anyway!).
I also like the feel of the larger grips.

Conclusion - I love them!