Grips

Grips are the rubber, foam, or silicone sleeves that cover the handlebar ends where you place your hands. The throttle-side grip rotates with the throttle tube to control engine speed, while the clutch-side grip is fixed. Despite being one of the cheapest components on a motorcycle, grips are your primary physical connection to the machine and directly affect comfort, control, and fatigue levels on every ride.

Grip materials range from soft, tacky compounds that provide maximum feel in dry conditions to harder, more durable rubber that lasts longer but offers less vibration damping. Common patterns include waffle, diamond, pillow, and half-waffle designs — each offering different levels of traction and cushioning. Dual-compound grips use a softer outer layer for comfort over a firmer core for durability, combining the best of both approaches.

Replacing worn grips is one of the simplest and most impactful maintenance tasks you can perform. Signs you need new grips include visible hardening, cracking, smoothing of the tread pattern, or the grip spinning on the bar. Installation takes about 15 minutes: remove the old grips using compressed air or a razor blade, clean the bar with contact cleaner, apply grip glue, and slide the new grips on. Safety wire the throttle-side grip to prevent it from sliding off during aggressive riding.

Heated grips are an increasingly popular upgrade, especially for commuters and touring riders. Factory-installed heated grips draw power from the bike's electrical system and offer multiple heat settings controlled from the handlebar. Aftermarket heated grips or grip wraps provide similar warmth at lower cost. For long-distance comfort, foam grips absorb more vibration than rubber but wear faster and can become waterlogged in rain. Lock-on grips use a mechanical clamp instead of glue, making swaps tool-free and clean.