Dirt Bike Grip Donuts - Prevent Blisters & Improve Control

The Benefits of Dirt Bike Grip Donuts

Grip donuts have become an extremely popular accessory for dirt bike riders looking to enhance their riding experience. These simple yet clever devices slide onto the handlebars and provide a variety of benefits. Keep reading to learn more about what makes grip donuts such a useful upgrade for your dirt bike.

Protect Your Hands from Blisters

One of the main benefits of grip donuts is blister prevention. When you ride aggressively over rough terrain for extended periods of time, your hands are in constant contact with the handlebars. This can easily lead to painful blisters forming on your palms. Grip donuts add an extra cushioned layer of protection to prevent this uncomfortable riding side effect.

Improve Your Grip & Control

The soft, tactile surface of grip donuts improves your overall hold on the handlebars. You'll be able to grasp and turn with less effort. This leads to better bike control, helping you feel more precise and responsive on technical trails. The enhanced grip also reduces arm fatigue, allowing you to ride for longer without losing concentration.

Absorb Vibrations & Impacts

Anyone who has ridden dirt bikes knows that the experience is not always smooth. Jarring impacts are transmitted through the frame and handlebars from every rock, rut, and jump. Grip donuts dampen this vibration, leading to a more comfortable ride. Reducing hand and arm fatigue means you can keep attacking rough terrain all day.

Popular Brands of Dirt Bike Grip Donuts

While simple in design, quality grip donuts are precisely engineered using advanced proprietary mixes of rubber compounds and composite materials. Reputable brands such as ProTaper, Acerbis, and ODI have excellent reputations in the dirt biking world for their grip donuts. Such companies constantly innovate and refine their products for top performance.

ProTaper

ProTaper made a name for itself manufacturing industry-leading handlebars across motorcycling disciplines. Drawing on this expertise, the company developed an extremely grippy formula for its line of grip donuts ideal for aggressive riding. The donuts come in variable diameters allowing you to customize the fitment.

Acerbis

Trusted by pro riders for over 40 years, Acerbis brings race-tested quality to its X-Grip donuts. The supple compound adapts to the shape of your hands for uncompromising control. Acerbis offers these grip rings in a spectrum of vibrant colors to match the aesthetic of your machine.

ODI

Using advanced rubber compounds molded under extreme heat and pressure, ODI produces grip donuts with exceptional shock dampening properties. Their Rogue donuts provide excellent traction along with long-term durability to withstand hardcore riding conditions. These hand-made grips come professionally installed on the handlebars.

How to Choose the Right Size Dirt Bike Grip Donuts

While grip donut technology has improved drastically over the years, these accessories come in a range of sizes catering to different hand shapes and bike setups. Make sure you select the size properly for maximum comfort and control.

Step 1: Measure Your Handlebars

Use a measuring tape to determine the outer diameter of your handlebars where you will install the grip donuts. Precision here is essential for a proper fit. Even a few millimeters smaller or larger can greatly impact performance.

Step 2: Pick According to Hand Size

Those with smaller hands can size down for added leverage and control. Larger hands benefit from thicker options allowing fingers to sink into the material. Factor in the type of gloves you'll wear as well.

Step 3: Adjust Based On Suspension

Bikes with softer front suspension action require thicker grip donuts to prevent excessive hand fatigue. Stiffer cross country suspension can get away with slimmer units. It comes down to balancing comfort versus sensitivity.

Installing Your New Dirt Bike Grip Donuts

Installing grip donuts is a quick process requiring a minimum of tools and equipment. However, you'll want to make sure they are properly set for security and function.

Materials Needed

To install your new grip donuts, you'll need isopropyl alcohol, a rag, a heat gun or hair dryer, and optional grip glue. Common household items like hairspray or soap and water also work when heated.

Step 1: Clean The Handlebars

Use isopropyl alcohol and a rag to completely clean and degrease the handlebar surface. This helps the adhesive grip properly. Avoid any lubricants or debris under the grip donut.

Step 2: Warm The Rubber Compound

Heating up grip donuts makes the rubber pliable for stretching onto the bars easily. Be careful not to overheat which can damage the compound. Just 10 seconds with a heat gun does the trick.

Step 3: Install & Allow To Cool

Slide the grip donut into position and allow it to completely cool down to set the shape. Installing lock-on grip collars definitively prevents spinning and movement under acceleration and braking forces.

After getting familiar with the benefits of dirt bike grip donuts and selecting the right set, proper installation allows you to rip freely knowing your hands stay firmly in control. No more painful blisters or hand fatigue holding you back. Experience the confidence-inspiring feel of enhanced grip all ride long.

FAQs

Do grip donuts weaken my handlebar grip?

Not at all. Quality grip donuts are made of rubber compounds that increase friction and traction. The soft texture fills in space under your hand to enhance your hold. Models with adhesive backing or that stretch tightly onto bars will not spin or loosen your grip.

Can I put grip donuts on the throttle side?

Grip donuts work very well installed on both sides. For the throttle, choose thinner diameter rings to ensure you can still easily operate the full range of throttle motion. Heated installation allows the rubber to conform tightly around bar end weights.

Will sweat hurt grip donuts?

The hydrophobic rubber material is resistant to damage from sweat, oils, and dirt. Just rinse grit off with water to keep clean. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners which may degrade the compound over time. Replacement donuts are inexpensive when worn out.

Can I cut grip donuts to size?

It's possible but not ideal. Precise sizing is what ensures grip donuts stay put and function as intended. Cutting also exposes porous internal foam which traps grime affecting comfort and feel. Invest in the properly measured size for a secure hassle-free fit.