What Grips Do You Like?

hudson29 · Sep 17, 2011

As my long term Commando project nears completion I'm starting to think about little things that can make living with a Norton more pleasurable such as the grips. Right now I have a set of the Gran Turisimo grips installed that are padded and help absorb the vibration. They do tend to be slick and after tinkering with something and getting a light film of oil, could be hard to hold on to.

I'm thinking of changing out the bars and that would be a good time to get a better set of grips. What are you using that you like?

Vintage Paul

L.A.B. · Sep 17, 2011

The genuine Andover Norton "Gran Turismo" (marked "GRAND TOURING - made in Italy") grips appear to be made from a softer, tackier form of "rubber" rather than smooth, shiny "plastic" like the older Turismo grips.

The cheaper "Beston" type Turismo replica grips certainly don't feel or look as good as the genuine AN grips.

DogT · Sep 17, 2011

Once again I agree with L.A.B, I have 'Brevettata Granturismo' grips and they are real soft. I found a set on-line somewhere for about $20. This is my old beat up one.

Dave
69S

batrider · Sep 17, 2011

Have tried a number of grips over the years but decided I wanted to go back to stock grips. Was all set to order some but amazingly I found my old ones in one of the old mouse-dropping-ridden boxes. Hard to beat and they haven't deteriorated at all. Sometimes it pays to not throw things away.

Nice and firmly squishy like stripper boobs. Wait did I really say that out loud?

Russ

willh · Sep 17, 2011

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... Grips.aspx
Kills the vibes, comfortable for those with big hands, similar in size to the Granturismo.

debby · Sep 17, 2011

I like the Gran Turismo grips, still have the originals on my 750!

If you want to try something different, Pro Grip makes a wide variety of really nice grips.

Debby

BrianK · Sep 17, 2011

My favorite are called something like "Randakk's amazing grips." Randakk is a Gold Wing specialist who has a website that google should find easily. Really good grips.

I have GT grips like those in the photo above on my Guzzi; they're okay but not my favorite - a bit "big" in the hand (and I have relatively large hands). But many people do swear by them.

Matt Spencer · Sep 17, 2011

Chopped up those suckers are all Cells inside , like an orange or Grape Fruit . Firm Squahyness .

Used to be Ancient Rubber Grips about . About 10 in long , so needed a extended throttle where it rotates on the bar .
Quite usefull as the hands can slide out to get the ends off the levers with the fist two fingers , or slide in for the switches .
But not both art once .

There say 9 in . long .

The olde flying off twist grip syndrome ?

, washing it all with petrol and as a last resort binding the bar for the Grip .

An aside , used to be old gloves with white arm bits & red pipeing , and teardrop googles with Cr Adj. and white rubber
eye pads. Mustve been Ex Commie service issue or W.D. lend lease , as Ive seen pics of Rus. WW2 pilots with them .
:shock:

platinumsmith · Sep 18, 2011

I have the pro Grips on mine, they are too small diameter. I'll be going back to Tourismo when I change my bars next.

steveyacht · Sep 18, 2011

I stil have the original GR grips( made in Italy) on my 1973. On my other bike, I have a set or Grab On Grips. Had one set on that bike for over 25 years and love them. Cheap, easy to use and very comfortable. Just replaced them about 2 months ago with another set I found on Ebay.

platinumsmith · Sep 18, 2011

I need a new throttle under my new grips on my next set of bars on my '74 Commando. Where's a good throttle?

steveyacht · Sep 18, 2011

platinumsmith said:
I need a new throttle under my new grips on my next set of bars on my '74 Commando. Where's a good throttle?

If It were me I would find an original Amal throttle. You can also get a Magura or go with a 1/4 turn unit if you want to maximise throttle speed with less twist. Downside to this is that it makes certain slow speed and cold engine throttle control a bit of a challange until you get used to it.

Hobot · Sep 18, 2011

hudson29 · Sep 19, 2011

steveyacht said:
You can also get a Magura or go with a 1/4 turn unit if you want to maximise throttle speed with less twist. Downside to this is that it makes certain slow speed and cold engine throttle control a bit of a challange until you get used to it.

I have been thinking about one of these 1/4 turn jobs as my wrist doesn't seem to move far enough these days but had the same thoughts about the drawbacks you just mentioned. Also, there are times on rough roads (we have a lot of those here in Fullerton) where the throttle setting is being changed as I bounce along rather than by any input I am making deliberately. The 1/4 turn job could only make that worse. Do you get used to this even on rough roads?

Vintage Paul

steveyacht · Sep 19, 2011

Paul, I have gotton used to the 1/4 turn throttle but it does take time. The bouncing around on dirt/rough/potholed/uneven surfaced roads is not now, not has ever been an problem for me. The most challanging is applying throttle in Parking lot situations when cold..... Need to be gentle on the throttle, then all of a sudden it burps, needing more throttle application, next thing you know you are squirting along faster than you ought to be. Takes a practiced touch on the throttle along with good clutch control.

kingdaddyo · Sep 19, 2011

Anybody have the quarter turn throttle with the J& S Flatside Carbs? Any complaints about the preformance?

hudson29 · Sep 19, 2011

kingdaddyo said:
Anybody have the quarter turn throttle with the J& S Flatside Carbs? Any complaints about the preformance?

I have had my eye on those as well but do value smooth easy control and would be a bit concerned that the 1/4 turn throttle might be too brisk for that.

Vintage Paul

chapmanmd · Sep 19, 2011

Once again I agree with L.A.B, I have 'Brevettata Granturismo' grips and they are real soft. I found a set on-line somewhere for about $20. This is my old beat up one.

+1 and could not agree more. They look goofy as hell on a modern bike, but feel great on the Commando.

Bill G · Sep 19, 2011

Anybody have the quarter turn throttle with the J& S Flatside Carbs? Any complaints about the preformance?

I have them on my '71. I like the quarter turn much better than what I took off. I always felt it was awkward to go to full throttle. Now it feels like my '75, which is what I am most used to. Not too twitchy at low speeds but easy to grab a hand full when you need/want it.
Bill G

Randakk · Oct 21, 2014

My Grips were mentioned above.

To clarify - the improved GEN II grips I currently sell are actually designed by me and are now made in my own molds. The special synthetic rubber formulation is proprietary. In fact, we had to invent some new manufacturing processes to perfect the combination of resilience and "tacky" feel these grips deliver. These are exclusive to Randakk and not available from any other source.

These were developed as a by-product of my involvement in AHRMA road race competition. They are ideal for riders who seek comfort and fine feedback from the throttle and front wheel.

http://randakks.com/collections/grips/p ... zing-grips

What Grips Do You Like?

hudson29

L.A.B.

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DogT

batrider

willh

debby

BrianK

Matt Spencer

platinumsmith

steveyacht

platinumsmith

steveyacht

Hobot

hudson29

steveyacht

kingdaddyo

hudson29

chapmanmd

Bill G

Randakk

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