How to Replace Your Rubber BMW Handgrips DIY

[@grantdelaney9071]

This is a super video. The grip at the start of this video looks exactly like mine, and on my other bike I paid a shop I know $200 to install the new grips I bought for probably $250 on my 2002 R1150R a couple of years ago (and they did a crappy job putting all the wire back - loose tape which I had to fix)... I am confident I can follow this video and get this done, and so glad to do it myself like this rather than mess with the wires... and these grips look like an improvement over factory (they now sell them in a set that says both are 1"... so I need the left most, and I will hope that is right and by a second pair if I have to). Thank you!

[@mikek1187]

I've been looking for some good rubber grips for my 04 R1150rt...then this video appeared. Just bought two pairs, thank you for the link!

[@paidoluca]

Same here. I wonder about the best way to cut the rubber to install the bar weight either.

[@mikek1187]

@@paidoluca I'm going to measure my bar with calipers, then make the appropriate cut there. Of course, I'm going to leave a little excess so the rubber can "squish" into place. I'd rather have a bit too much than not enough rubber.

[@TheHumdinger00]

Thanks for another great do-it-yourself video! I will try the WD-40 next time I change grips. I usually just use a hand sanitizer for grip install & also works well.

[@harryohanson]

Generally I use compressed air to install grips with no lube or glue.

[@gotahaveaGSD]

I was worried about using air pressure to put them on because of the heated grips with wires.

[@christophermcnally8782]

Just bought them. Thanks for the tip. I have a 2002 1150r and my grips are totally melted. The grips in Canada are 175 dollars each. I bought 2 pairs . They feel great. Thanks again.

[@gotahaveaGSD]

Thanks again for a great video Kirk. It helped me a lot today when I replaced my grips on my 2002 K1200rs.

[@scottb3188]

I'm assuming that the author's example is on a BMW earlier than 2014. I've read (anecdotal/owner reports) that it's not possible to replace Wethead grips (R1200RT, 2014-2018, and probably GS models, too) because the rubber grip is integrated with the heating element. I'm working on mine now, and that appears to be the case, although, it's also possible that the heater element has welded itself to the rubber through normal use. In any case, I've cut diagonally, essentially "skinning" the grip working sideways to the bars, so that I don't cut through and damage the heated element wires. I've worked from both ends. Both ends have simply torn off in strips, before they begin pealing the old grips from the bar. I've cut into exposed wire at both ends, probably not through it, but it's shinny metal rather than covered with resin as I would have expected (from photos I've seen). There seems to be no separation at all between the rubber grips and heating element. I'm into this thing now, and will continue, but anticipate having to literally peel the old grips away in tiny rubber pieces, perhaps like skin from an orange. I still may be able to avoid damage. If I have scraped the resin covering the wire element and removed it, I'll coat the wire with something to replace it before I attempt to install the new grips (though exactly which product I'll use to do that, I'm not certain). Just FYI, and maybe a word of caution to other BMW owners. It might be better to leave the OEM grips in place, and over coat them (various ways described in forum posts, i.e. rubber washers, a tennis racket "shrink wrap" handle, grip puppies, etc.. (I'm just stubborn. I wanted mine to be an OEM style, and I may yet get my wish, by having to purchase an entire new heated grip assembly because I've ruined the originals.)

[@LTVoyager]

I installed Grip Puppies the year after I bought my 07. They are getting a little ratty, but I expect the OEM grips underneath to be like new. Probably will just get another set of Puppies if I keep the bike too many more years as the extra diameter helps me with comfort. The mai downside is some loss of grip heater effectiveness. Always a trade-off…

[@leehall11]

Great video. I replaced my grips on my R1150R and I can’t seem to tighten the throttle cap appropriately without the throttle sticking. What did I do wrong?

[@vinzbroc]

great video! helped me doing it on my K1200GT 2006 and saving couple of 100EURs!!! THANKS A LOT!!!

[@SsgtHolland]

I needed this, excellent explanation! Thank you, sir!

[@williamkterrell]

Great Video, wonderful and it really helps us manage our bikes. Thanks.

[@jomo5611]

You can also use Brakecleaner as lubricate.

[@ryanwebster2470]

Thanks, just got a 2006 k1200lt, and the grips are original, they are kind of gummy feeling, time for replacement

[@kirksmotorrad]

Be very careful removing them. They are not the same as the early models and can be easily damaged.

[@magicoddeffect]

Would you happen to know if the tubular grip section of cast handlebars for Oilheads (like my R850R or an R1100RT) are the same size as these?

[@bogusmyleene6989]

No end caps? My RT has these end caps or maybe they are call sliders. (I don’t know what they are called for sure). Didn’t see that (my bike) style on the link. Guess I’ll keep looking! Thanks Kirk for the tip! I was wondering how I was going to change them out.

[@kirksmotorrad]

They make open end grips as well

[@teddyroswall7371]

Good DIY videothat helped me a lot, thanks 👍

[@sickunit2096]

Isopropyl Alcohol works well. Id be concerned about the WD40 doing the same to the heated element wrap.

[@kevinmckenna5389]

Didn’t see this coming. Just picked up this 2002 LT, throttle is way different then in your video and what was on my ‘02 RT. Is this an OEM replacement?

[@kevinmckenna5389]

Is it not possible to add pictures? Well no Kapton tape on heated grip. Wire is in the grove of a plastic piece

[@NorceCodine]

Is there a quick fix if the gas-throttle doesn't want to snap back when you release it?

[@oscartew4225]

I have an 2004 RT with 121,000 miles. I noticed this last year that the throttle got very stiff. Almost dangerously so. It was in cold weather and I had the heated grip switch on. These are the original grips and have begun to split. I am guessing that the heated element has somehow buggered up the contact surface between the heater and the surface underneath. So unless I can fix the prob, I will not use the heated grips anymore. And may pull the fuse for it if it doesn't affect anything else.

[@Auxbeam]

Hi Do you interested in continue our sponsorship? We got more stuff looking for sponsoring this time!

[@commonclay0070]

HI Great video, I have a 2010 K1300gt, will these or others work for it?

[@kirksmotorrad]

I dont know... I doubt it

[@carstennn1300]

@@kirksmotorrad Why you doubt it, Kirk ? I have a k1200GT, and i'll go throuh the same process ;-)(

[@dayneeastman1316]

For clarification; why should I buy two sets of grips?

[@kirksmotorrad]

They are two different sizes in the package and you need the larger size

[@dayneeastman1316]

@illinoisBMWriders I see, thanks for this tutorial it has been very helpful

[@juanmaldonado3281]

SUPER. AWESOME. REALY. TNKS.BLESSED BE. SIR

[@younjooil]

thanks for your video ! i will try again ~

[@michaeleads9294]

Kirk any recommendations for grips on k1200rs with a throttlemeister bar ends. Thanks

[@kirksmotorrad]

They make open end grips as well

[@Roberto-tb7fj]

MUITO AGRADECIDO POR SUAS INFORMAÇÕES ! EXCELENTE E COMPETENTE PROFISSIONAL !!! POSSUO UMA K LT 1200 ANO 2006 COM 81.000 KMS. ROBERTO DO RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL. ( EXPEDIÇIONES DE MOTOS POR LATINO AMÉRICA )

[@dennishaselhuhn9870]

Will that grip work on a 2007 K1200LT?

[@kirksmotorrad]

yes. Just get two sets

[@raywilson2685]

Love your videos!

[@smartmobilehomes]

Ok. I tried this exactly as outlined. The old grips were virtually vulcanized to the bike. The heating element got broken. It is about the thickness of a thread. What is my way out of this?

[@kylekeller8861]

awesome thank you

[@numewsm]

Don't do it this way! Remove the whole switch gear unit first, 4 x 10torx screws, and 1 or 2 screws hold the grip onto the bar. unplug the electrical adaptors, and the grip assembly will separate. It will be easy easier to remove the old grip by cutting the ends carefully, and the centre section is not glued. Use a hot air gun to warm the grip up and it'll go straight on. Do not use wd40!

[@kevinmckenna5389]

Why not WD40?

[@kevinmckenna5389]

Can anyone answer why not to use WD40??