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 Ok,
I had to admit when I met the folks at StompGrip at
the Powersports show in Indianapolis, I was a bit skeptical about their
claims. Who could blame me? It looks so simple and yet
I was told riders went almost 1 second faster around
racetracks when they used it. It was supposed to reduce
fatigue and give you 30 horsepower (
just kidding about the hp). The folks at Stomp
Design provided a set of their universal sportbike kit
for us to test.
I had
to cut the pads on the side to height, since the 675
was a new bike at, since then they have a 675 specific
application. To install them on the bike,
:
- Line the pads up to their location on the tank. I measured
and used tap to mark the spot.
- Wash the tank to make sure none of what the scientists
call crud is left on the tank. Make sure there is
no residue on the tank from the cleaner.
- Heat the tank up with a blow dryer
- Heat the StompGrip up.
- Slowly peel back the backing as you apply it to the
tank, make sure to push bubbles out as they develop.
- Repeat on the other side and top.
- Let the bike sit for 24 hours before you ride it.
Before
anyone writes in, I know the pads are at different heights.
I lost a half inch of bone in my left leg, hence the
lower height on the left.
So, when I went to Road America with it on the tank I was
totally shocked. You can feel the outside leg gripping
the tank better. It was much easier to hang off the
bike and the steering seemed almost too quick. I had
to adjust my turn in points and pressure on the tank
to turn the bike in with less force. On the straight-aways,
there was a lot less pressure when braking time came
around. Just tighten your grip on the tank with your
knees and the grip allows less pressure on your wrists.
This also stops unwanted bar inputs while braking.
All in all, I would rate StompGrip a must buy for
anyone going to a track day and a very nice to have
for the street. For the cost of it, this mod gives you
a great return on a small investment.
You can contact the good folks at Stomp
Design through their website, http://www.stompdesign.com or buy them at their many distributors.
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