Melting Grips

VetteRacer · 07-20-2005, 08:07 PM

Hey all. Loving it out here in Vegas, except for one thing. Since my bike sits outside in the sun when I ride to work, things get hot. Its been claimed 115, temp guages are showing 120+ though this week. I have noticed that even at lower temps (105-110) that the grips become gooey, its quite nasty. My gloves feel stuck to them and I have to peel my hand off. I made the mistake of pinching a bit of the rubber and it left a mark in it thats how bad it is..

What can I do? They are the stock 'Ribbed for her pleasure' grips. Would the other BMW grips be better? Will these bikes work with normal grips? Seems like they are fatter then on my K100RS.

Matt

wswartzwel · 07-20-2005, 08:30 PM

How old are they? Might just be time for replacement.

Rapid Dog · 07-20-2005, 08:42 PM

you got heated grips?

Steve Carlton · 07-20-2005, 08:45 PM

Maybe put a Geza Gear cover on it?

www.gezagear.com

Bike Cover While Touring?

VetteRacer · 07-20-2005, 09:14 PM

They came on the bike when I got it, so no idea. They are getting worn, but seems like that wouldnt matter as far as melting goes...

No heated grips. Doubt I will need them here like I wanted on the east coast.. Lol.. Especially not being my only transportation anymore.

I had looked at the Geza, might end up getting it, need something I can put in my backpack (goes with me all around town/base cause its my "reflector").
Matt

johnnydanger · 07-20-2005, 09:19 PM

I'd try just covering the grips when you're inside working. Use something white like some cutup white jogging pant legs or something. Since the grips are black they heat up A LOT more than a thermometer. The melting action is probably because the grips are more like 140-150 degrees from soaking up all that hot sun in the afternoon. I was at a track test once at Willow Springs and the tech guys pointed their heat sensor gun at the black leather interior of VW Golf... toasty, like 140 degrees toasty! Holy ****e. You could cook an egg on that upholstery! You could just get a reflective BMW bike cover too. That'd keep the grips from melting. I don't think the 110-115 exterior temp would be enough to melt the grips if they were covered. Good luck.

twodear · twodear's Garage

VR, once long ago I worked in Tulsa OK and the days would be long and hot although not to the levels you're talking about. The bike at the time was a '93 CBR-RR. I'd made a cover out of two old terry cloth towels which only covered the seat, gauges and grips and the Geza Gear looks nearly identical. (I should have gone into marketing, aye?) Anyway, the sun hurts everything it beats down on. The Geza seems the business and should also protect your paint and seat from the sun and bird poop, probably folds down to nothing by the looks of it.

repoe3 · 07-21-2005, 02:35 AM

i use the geza and let me tell you, it rocks for the pricey price tag. rolls up nicely in my bag, both courier or side bag and does the trick better than a dowco cover, etc. you need to consider more than just grips under that sun in that heat. a lot more sun damage can/is occurring while it sits outside...especially anything that is black, i.e. seat, grips, dash, signal pods, yada yada yada.

repoe3

roger albert · 07-21-2005, 04:28 AM

Which size Geeza are you guys using?

repoe3 · 07-21-2005, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by roger albert
Which size Geeza are you guys using?

large i believe. when i called the guys to order, they were familar enough with the bike to recommend the size and any other options.

repoe3

Rapid Dog · 07-21-2005, 06:12 AM

The smaller one works..
However, EZ-Tour useta make a real handy little nylon job that just fits over the top half of the bike and fits in a bag about the size f a canteen...check it out, it'd be perf for Vette's app.

repoe3 · 07-21-2005, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rapid Dog
The smaller one works..
However, EZ-Tour useta make a real handy little nylon job that just fits over the top half of the bike and fits in a bag about the size f a canteen...check it out, it'd be perf for Vette's app.

i dont think the small one would not fit...whatever size i have stretches perfectly and anything smaller would not fit. it rolls up not much bigger than a thermos bottle.

repoe3

Steve Carlton · 07-21-2005, 07:34 AM

I think mine is a medium, Pro-Series. (I'll check in a while to see if it's marked). I would think you could run a medium inboard of the hardbags if you had them on. It fits really well, nice and snug. Haven't used it much, but the quality is outstanding.

Geza size guide:

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

What a bunch of old Geezas!

Rapid Dog · 07-21-2005, 07:54 AM

The large is way to big and bulky. Get the Medium...good n' plenty...IMO

arbik · 07-21-2005, 08:23 AM

One thing to keep in mind...is that these covers WILL deteriorate in that kind of a temperature. I've seen it on covers that are about a couple of years old...
What I would do, and I know its not sexy, or good looking or what not..but I'd just get a dark colored cloth, Tarp, or anything of the sort, with 4 rubberbands..and just use that instead.
I usually like the "low cost" option, on things that arent very significant...and covers are definitely in that category to me.

Hell, old sweatshirts and such would work too...to cover up the front part. I'd say, all you need to cover is the grips, instruments, and the seat...the rest is fine.

-arbi

Flatbutt1 · 07-21-2005, 08:38 AM

I used to use a silver survival blanket. The kind backpackers use for emergency. The reflective surface is excellent for repelling the sun. I use one nowto cover my telescopes during the day. It ain't fancy but it is efective.

Steve Carlton · 07-21-2005, 08:42 AM

Astronomer? What sort of heavenly bodies do you like to observe?

John Lyon · 07-21-2005, 08:50 AM

Sort of off-topic, but has anyone seen a cover for just the handlebar area, maybe including the windshield?

I'm interested in covering my electronics during lunch, etc., but don't want to carry a full-size cover for just a day ride.

Steve Carlton · 07-21-2005, 09:09 AM

Get the custom-made, Geza XXXXS.