Review: Stomp Grip

So, the R6 has been back from the workshop for a week now. And it was time to 'decorate' it with goodies. First item on the list, tank grips!

As you know, I used TechSpec previously but I have decided to switch to Stomp Grip. Mainly because the R6 is going to be more of a track bike from now on. But why? Because I recently bought a used 2005 Honda Wave 125 R to be my commuter bike.

Installation
Alright, on to business! The Stomp Grip installation instructions recommend to use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat up the tank grips and fuel tank for easier installation. Unfortunately for me, I could not find a power socket in my car park, so the next best solution was leave my bike under the hot sun for a while.

The Stomp Grip tank grips are notorious for their difficult installation with minimal air bubbles, and I say minimal because it is almost damn near impossible to install with zero air bubbles! So before installation, I consulted the Internet's best resource for advice, YouTube.

And I found this.

Armed with expert advice, I tried my hand, or rather, thumb at the installation.

And that is the better side. As you can see, there are still tiny bubbles trapped underneath. I am too ashamed of myself to upload a photo of the left side, it is quite horrible. No thanks to my blistered thumb. If you can, take a one hour break to rest your sore thumb before you install the other side. I took about 20 minutes for each side.

Price
I could not find the clear version of Stomp Grip for my R6 in Singapore so I had to order online, and it cost me quite a bomb after shipping. Ideally, it should cost you about SGD$70 before shipping.

Conclusion
Actually, you can't really notice the air bubbles standing 2 metres away, you have to be really close to be able to see them. Track bikes don't need to look pretty anyway, no biggie.

Thumbs up to you if you noticed the new Akrapovic sticker on the exhaust.

Stomp Grip should be your first choice if you don't ride on the streets often, they are not as comfortable as TechSpec tank grips for daily street commuting. However, if you ride on the track, the feedback that they provide is just phenomenal against the TechSpec. There is no clear winner here, you have to decide which tank grip to get depending on your needs.

RB Rating: 8 / 10

Bonus photo of my Honda Wave 125 R.

Ride safe.

Elbow Grease

Elbow Grease
n. Informal
Strenuous physical labor and effort.

If you have been following my posts, you would know that I had a little excursion off the racetrack recently. I was unhurt, but I can't say the same for my Akrapovic slip-on exhaust.

Here's how it looked like after the crash.

The sight of that would turn all grown men to weeping little pansies. Not that I literally cried, just figuratively saying. The scratch marks did not looked salvageable, and the next step would be to either spend another SGD$1250 to get a new slip-on or just live with the ugly one.

But the good people at HKL did some magic, the magic that is elbow grease. I'm not sure how much effort they spent, but with their hardcore polishing skills, they restored my slip-on to what it looks like now.

Pretty damn impressive I must say! The R6 is ready by this week, more updates soon.

Till then, ride safe.