"Grip Puppies" - Cheap source dried up...now what?

[kwthom]

I thought at one time I bought "Grip Puppies" from one of the original sellers of these - California Sport Touring

I found out today via email that none are left from them for the GL1800.


So...any ideas on a replacement source?


As I recall, they went for around $8 or $9 for a set...

[orangecrate]

Shinhopples

[Gold-Winger]

Shinhopples

Yep, that's where I buy .....Much better quality than the grip puppies from California.

[Cruiseman]

Make sure to mention to Bulldog that you saw it here!

[biglefti]

Hey Ken, did you get some?

[jmohme]

I have always gotten mine from Shinhoppels too.

[kwthom]

Hey Ken, did you get some?

Not yet...thought I'd ask around first. The left side has about a 2" tear that will eventually drive me crazy, which is why I'm starting the search now. I've laced the spot for the moment, but it won't last long. I think I've been getting about a year and a half of use before they degrade, which really isn't too bad.

EDIT: I see there are options out there (I knew that...) but wanted to see what the gang here has been sourcing these from.

[Rocky]

Allow me to educate you on the name "Grip Puppies". There are two different varieties out there
1, Cal Sport/Cyclemax variety with "A round end"
2, Shinhopples variety that are thicker with a square end.

I had only got about a year from the cal sport style. they are much thinner than the other brand.

Here is the thin ones-Note the rounded ends.



Here is the Shinhopels variety.( I get about two years out of them,then again I like new foam under my hands, and change them just because they are so cheap.)

Note the square end. you can also see that they are thicker.




Get them from Bulldog here. http://www.shop.shinhopples.com/prod...categoryId=103

[biglefti]

Not yet...thought I'd ask around first. The left side has about a 2" tear that will eventually drive me crazy, which is why I'm starting the search now. I've laced the spot for the moment, but it won't last long. I think I've been getting about a year and a half of use before they degrade, which really isn't too bad.

EDIT: I see there are options out there (I knew that...) but wanted to see what the gang here has been sourcing these from.

I've got a few pair of the Shinhopples ones and you are welcome to a set if you like. If you happen to be coming up this way or partly this way, let me know.

[kwthom]

Ended up heading south today...appreciate the offer, Lanny.

[wingleader09]

I have always gotten mine from Shinhoppels too.

Ditto! Great product and retailer.

[kwthom]

Thanks for the info gents...

[HBarlow]

Are grip puppies different than the black foam pipe insulation tubes sold in hardware stores and big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes Home Improvement?

[TravelinLite]

Are grip puppies different than the black foam pipe insulation tubes sold in hardware stores and big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes Home Improvement?

They may not be exactly the same but a lot of people purchase that pipe insulation from the hardware stores and us it for the same purpose.

[Rocky]

Are grip puppies different than the black foam pipe insulation tubes sold in hardware stores and big box stores like Home Depot or Lowes Home Improvement?

Harvey. that's something I'd expect Greg to say. not you! so knock it off!

Pipe insulation is Waaaaaay thicker than grip puppies, and then you have the proper UV blocker in the foam to avoid premature deterioration in the puppies, then there is foam density that is most important.
Pipe insulation isn't designed to be abused like grips are. Insulation is a jacket not to be fussed with.

Get the puppies from Bulldog and save your time for riding happy.

[HBarlow]

I tried grip puppies for a short period of time a couple years ago. They were okay, no complaints, but I gave them up in favor of Kuryakyn Iso Grips.

http://www.kuryakyn.com/Goldwing/Handlebar-Controls

I'm on my second set of Kuryakyn grips now.

[wingleader09]

Harvey. that's something I'd expect Greg to say. not you! so knock it off!

Pipe insulation is Waaaaaay thicker than grip puppies, and then you have the proper UV blocker in the foam to avoid premature deterioration in the puppies, then there is foam density that is most important.
Pipe insulation isn't designed to be abused like grips are. Insulation is a jacket not to be fussed with.

Get the puppies from Bulldog and save your time for riding happy.

Right you are Rocky. I love my Shinhopples grip puppies. I am on my second pair now. The first pair lasted 4 years. At just a little over $6 per pair (without S&H) you get a lot of bang for the buck there.

[bikerbillone]

Thumbs up on the K Iso Grips, the only thing I ever bought of the K Brand that worked really well.

[kwthom]

For me, the Iso Grips are waaaaaay too thick!

[TravelinLite]

Interesting! It appears that approximately 30% of respondents to this post support the gl1800riders board to the point they make monetary donations to keep that operation afloat.

[kwthom]

Interesting! It appears that approximately 30% of respondents to this post support the gl1800riders board to the point they make monetary donations to keep that operation afloat.

Richard,

I know what you're trying to say (and to this point, I've purchased nothing...), but many of the major vendors that support that organization also support *other* places in the on-line universe. Keeping in line with what Chris has requested from the users of this forum, I'll not bore the class with the details, but it's readily available.

It's not that there's a LOT of major vendors out there with aftermarket sales that support this machine, anyway...

[wingleader09]

Richard, are you saying that we shouldn't buy from any vendor that advertises on any VerticalScope forum? That doesn't leave many vendors from which to choose. F4 Customs advertises on both this and "that other" forum. What should we do there?

[kwthom]

I can appreciate Richard's convictions in this - after all, see his .sig here for that - but most businesses in this discussion are fairly small entities in the grand scope of that organization and how they run their business.