BMW R100/T Handlebar Grip Questions

[nevadaslim]

I'd like to replace my OEM BMW handlebar grips with something a little more comfortable and stylish, I'm not a purist.

From what I understand BMW Airhead grips are 22mm and the rest of the world is 7/8". The selection of 22mm grips seems to be very limited. Is it possible to make a 7/8" grip work on BMW bars and throttles?

I saw these grips on e-bay(see photo below). They're on a 1978 bike. Not only do they look comfortable, I think they look pretty cool. I emailed the seller, but he refused to answer my questions about his grips. So... does anyone recognize them? I'm thinking' they must be 22mm since they're on a R100.

PS: I've done a lot of google searches trying to find these grips, w/o any luck.

 

[20774]

I think you may be able to increase the diameter of the 22mm bars by using some bicycle bars wrapping tape...I think they have something like that. A couple of wraps might take up the slack.

As far as the grips, they remind me of the gran turismo style of grips...that's pretty easy to google. But as for those exact manufacturer, I know I've seen them but can't put a name on them.

 

[SCBuckeye]

I have the BMW factory grips on mine, and I do like them as they provide several diameter (OD) choices as I am riding which helps me avoid fatigue at one diameter. However, the ones shown in the pic above, look great, and I, too, would like to find out what they are.

I may purchase a set to try them out.

 

[nevadaslim]

I think you may be able to increase the diameter of the 22mm bars by using some bicycle bars wrapping tape...I think they have something like that. A couple of wraps might take up the slack.

As far as the grips, they remind me of the gran turismo style of grips...that's pretty easy to google. But as for those exact manufacturer, I know I've seen them but can't put a name on them.

I'm familiar with the Gran Turismo grips, had them on my 1971 Triumph back in '72'. They were great at the time having either air or gel cells to soak-up the vibrations, can't remember. Here's a photo(below) of a pair I found on the internet.



While similar, style-wise these are a little 'dated' compared to the ones on the e-bay bike above. That's why I'd love to
find-out who makes those cool sporty grips. Surely someone recognizes them.

 

[SCBuckeye]

I'm familiar with the Gran Turismo grips, had them on my 1971 Triumph back in '72'. They were great at the time having either air or gel cells to soak-up the vibrations, can't remember. Here's a photo(below) of a pair I found on the internet.

View attachment 46455

While similar, style-wise these are a little 'dated' compared to the ones on the e-bay bike above. That's why I'd love to
find-out who makes those cool sporty grips. Surely someone recognizes them.

I had these grips (pictured) at an earlier time - around 30 years ago, and I would not recommend them. They will get finger "imprints" as that is where the fingers squeeze the most. These are not the same as original post's pictured.

I would like to find those grips that were pictured on the bike in the comment that started this thread though.

 

[lmo1131]

Over the forty years I've owned my /5 I can't remember how many different grips I've gone through (Gran Turismo included), Magura, Tommiselli, Ritchey; straight and "ergo".

eBay lists over 9,000 items under the heading of motorcycle hand grips. I stopped at fifteen pages (192 items/page). From what I can tell they are design de jour, in for a season and then a new design. So it looks like you are going to have to narrow it down by broadening your search

, that is to say look for a barrel/bulged shape in general, not a specific brand. 22mm isn't going to be easy to find in much more than a "standard" shaped grip, i.e. Magura, etc. If you search using "ergonomic" you're going to find all the weird stuff*; they're comfortable, for a while, but not too practical for the throttle side.

From our friends in Milwaukee

http://www.corsaspeedshop.com/Grey-Brit-Style-Handlebar-Grip

http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc026.htm

A'ME (heated)

Biltwell

* weird stuff (IMO)

 

[SCBuckeye]

Over the forty years I've owned my /5 I can't remember how many different grips I've gone through (Gran Turismo included), Magura, Tommiselli, Ritchey; straight and "ergo".

eBay lists over 9,000 items under the heading of motorcycle hand grips. I stopped at fifteen pages (192 items/page). From what I can tell they are design de jour, in for a season and then a new design. So it looks like you are going to have to narrow it down by broadening your search

, that is to say look for a barrel/bulged shape in general, not a specific brand. 22mm isn't going to be easy to find in much more than a "standard" shaped grip, i.e. Magura, etc. If you search using "ergonomic" you're going to find all the weird stuff*; they're comfortable, for a while, but not too practical for the throttle side.

I kind of liked the 1st & 2nd sets shown in pics. But I like the set shown in the first posting best. I'm hoping someone will recognize and let us all know what they are!

 

[nevadaslim]

Over the forty years I've owned my /5 I can't remember how many different grips I've gone through (Gran Turismo included), Magura, Tommiselli, Ritchey; straight and "ergo".

eBay lists over 9,000 items under the heading of motorcycle hand grips. I stopped at fifteen pages (192 items/page). From what I can tell they are design de jour, in for a season and then a new design. So it looks like you are going to have to narrow it down by broadening your search

, that is to say look for a barrel/bulged shape in general, not a specific brand. 22mm isn't going to be easy to find in much more than a "standard" shaped grip, i.e. Magura, etc. If you search using "ergonomic" you're going to find all the weird stuff*; they're comfortable, for a while, but not too practical for the throttle side.

Thanks for the reply IMO. I agree there's a lot of grips out there and a lot of crap. I've spent hours going through pages of grips on e-bay while watching TV. The closest I got was using the term "touring grips" in my searches, but still nothing.

 

[lmo1131]

They are Sunline Grand Touring Grips

But they're 7/8" not 22mm.

Kinda pricey though...but they're on sale for $11.95 > http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/16201/i/sunline-grand-touring-grips

Thanks to site:bmwmoa.org hand grips search > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?56317-Looking-for-Grand-Touring-Grips

And don't call me Shirley!

 

[20774]

Nice one, Lew!

 

[barron_williams]

The Grand Touring grips in your picture (correctly identified by Lew) have been around for a long time. Every once in awhile, they are not available, then they come back.

I like them a lot. They look good, are comfortable, and last a long time.

My #2 choice is here -

http://randakks.com/products/randakks-amazing-grips

Barron

 

[71243]

They are Sunline Grand Touring Grips

But they're 7/8" not 22mm.

Kinda pricey though...but they're on sale for $11.95 > http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/16201/i/sunline-grand-touring-grips

Thanks to site:bmwmoa.org hand grips search > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?56317-Looking-for-Grand-Touring-Grips

And don't call me Shirley!

7/8 = 22.225mm...it shouldn't be that hard to get a fit ???

 

[jad01]

I have a pair- they fit fine.

 

[SCBuckeye]

They are Sunline Grand Touring Grips

But they're 7/8" not 22mm.

Kinda pricey though...but they're on sale for $11.95 > http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/16201/i/sunline-grand-touring-grips

Thanks to site:bmwmoa.org hand grips search > http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?56317-Looking-for-Grand-Touring-Grips

And don't call me Shirley!

Went to first suggested listing and they say that they are NLA - No Longer Available!

 

[nevadaslim]

Went to first suggested listing and they say that they are NLA - No Longer Available!

How unfortunate, all the reviews I've read about these grips were excellent.

Thanks to everyone for their detective work and replies.

 

[barron_williams]

Well, keep looking. Like i said, they seem to be NLA for a bit and then come back.

Barron