Review: TechSpec C3 tank grips

CThunder-blue · September 19th, 2011, 08:38 AM

I think the C3 is supposed to be the 2nd generation of their snake skin line. It's advertised to be better than the snake skin. I'm only reviewing the C3 since I have no prior experience with other tank grips. Anyways, I followed the mounting directions to the letter. Wiped my side plastics with soap and water and dried them off. Then used purple power to make sure all grease was removed. Used my heat gun and IR thermometer to heat the part to 90+F (instructions said minimum of 80*F). Placed the grips on and waited 12 hrs before I rode.

First thing I noticed was the grips had come unglued from where the bend is on the plastic. It was not stuck on their very well, but I figured maybe some time in the sun would make the grip conform to the plastic. Rode it to work and it was still loose. Took it to lunch and then back. I came out of the office and one the grips had been blown off by the wind. That's right, it was so loose, the wind just blew it off the plastic. I think the problem is because they use a "reusable" adhesive and then expect us to use them on painted surfaces like the gas tank (although they precut them for our plastics). The reusable adhesive is a joke if you are going to use them on our bikes. I took the grips back off and sprayed them down with some adhesive I used for a sub box I built. It seems to have formed a much stronger bond, although the grip STILL pulled up where the bend is. I didn't take any pics, but it's the corner where the gas tank meets the seat. Although it pulled up, the rest of it seems to be glued pretty well. If it comes off again, I may try super glue.

They perform pretty well and do look nice.

gt_turbo · September 19th, 2011, 10:33 AM

how much did those run you? i hear ppl use liquid nails, works pretty good. besides the sucky adhesive, doesn't make a difference when you are hanging off in the corners and such?

CThunder-blue · September 19th, 2011, 11:09 AM

I don't recall, maybe $50? People are free to use whatever they want. I prefer my bike to look good as well as perform.

gt_turbo · September 19th, 2011, 12:02 PM

I meant they use liquid nails to help stick on the stomp grips.

Nemesis · September 19th, 2011, 12:17 PM

Did you warm the area (tank) before placing the tank grip? I have one of these on my race bike and though I prefer these over the other (1st gen-snake grip) I do have to agree with you that the adhesiveness (sp?) is not all that great compare to the snake-skin type. However, mine has not come off and stuck on there pretty good for the majority--edges are not completely glued to the tank.

CThunder-blue · September 19th, 2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Used my heat gun and IR thermometer to heat the part to 90+F (instructions said minimum of 80*F). Placed the grips on and waited 12 hrs before I rode.

Nemesis · September 19th, 2011, 12:46 PM

Oops...skimmed your post. Anything longer than 2 paragraphs my ADD kicks in.

What you can also do is get some 3M adhesive spray and spray a light coat over the adhesive (not on tank) side of the tank grip. It's worked for me on stubborn tank grips.

CThunder-blue · September 19th, 2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

I took the grips back off and sprayed them down with some adhesive I used for a sub box I built. It seems to have formed a much stronger bond, although the grip STILL pulled up where the bend is.

Nemesis · September 19th, 2011, 01:03 PM

Gad damn you!

Go buy a different tank grip!

CThunder-blue · September 19th, 2011, 01:43 PM

LOL

. See what happens when you don't bother to read past the 2nd sentence?

hackeron · February 6th, 2012, 08:20 PM

Pictures? - anyone else used the C3 on a 250R?

Nemesis · February 6th, 2012, 10:07 PM

I have them on mine. I actually like these better than their other skins (Snake/Fusion). The only problem I ran into was the edges don't stick so well. Sorta flap around. I think they need to place the adhesive glue a little closer to the edge.

Also, I call TechSpec and told them they have the location of the grips in the wrong area--s/b by the lower edge of the gas tank not on the side fairings.

EsrTek · February 7th, 2012, 06:14 AM

I got the C3's also on mine, didn't even look at instructions and just stuck it on my bike in about 40-50* weather.... SO far they stickin on just fine, although I do agree they are in wrong spot, they still make my knee grip ability MUCH better.

LoD575 · February 9th, 2012, 10:28 AM

I have the snake skin on mine and placed them in the area according to the instructions. I put them on last summer with temps in the mid 90's and bike sitting in the sun. I have had no problems with any kind of peeling.
The downside like Nemesis stated is the location is wrong.

I will probably remove the current ones and order the generic sheet then custom cut for better placement.

September 19th, 2011, 08:38 AM	#1
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	Review: TechSpec C3 tank grips I think the C3 is supposed to be the 2nd generation of their snake skin line. It's advertised to be better than the snake skin. I'm only reviewing the C3 since I have no prior experience with other tank grips. Anyways, I followed the mounting directions to the letter. Wiped my side plastics with soap and water and dried them off. Then used purple power to make sure all grease was removed. Used my heat gun and IR thermometer to heat the part to 90+F (instructions said minimum of 80*F). Placed the grips on and waited 12 hrs before I rode. First thing I noticed was the grips had come unglued from where the bend is on the plastic. It was not stuck on their very well, but I figured maybe some time in the sun would make the grip conform to the plastic. Rode it to work and it was still loose. Took it to lunch and then back. I came out of the office and one the grips had been blown off by the wind. That's right, it was so loose, the wind just blew it off the plastic. I think the problem is because they use a "reusable" adhesive and then expect us to use them on painted surfaces like the gas tank (although they precut them for our plastics). The reusable adhesive is a joke if you are going to use them on our bikes. I took the grips back off and sprayed them down with some adhesive I used for a sub box I built. It seems to have formed a much stronger bond, although the grip STILL pulled up where the bend is. I didn't take any pics, but it's the corner where the gas tank meets the seat. Although it pulled up, the rest of it seems to be glued pretty well. If it comes off again, I may try super glue. They perform pretty well and do look nice. __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 19th, 2011, 11:09 AM	#3
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	I don't recall, maybe $50? People are free to use whatever they want. I prefer my bike to look good as well as perform. __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

September 19th, 2011, 01:43 PM	#10
CThunder-blue ModMy250.com Name: Tri Location: St, Louis Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2005 R6 Posts: A lot.	LOL . See what happens when you don't bother to read past the 2nd sentence? __________________________________________________ The www.ModMy250.com guy

February 6th, 2012, 08:20 PM	#11
hackeron ninjette.org member Name: Roman Location: London, UK Join Date: Aug 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r (2009) Posts: 67	Pictures? - anyone else used the C3 on a 250R? __________________________________________________ http://www.fuelly.com/driver/hackeron/ninja-250r

February 6th, 2012, 10:07 PM	#12
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	I have them on mine. I actually like these better than their other skins (Snake/Fusion). The only problem I ran into was the edges don't stick so well. Sorta flap around. I think they need to place the adhesive glue a little closer to the edge. Also, I call TechSpec and told them they have the location of the grips in the wrong area--s/b by the lower edge of the gas tank not on the side fairings. __________________________________________________

September 19th, 2011, 10:33 AM	#2
gt_turbo ninjette.org sage Name: L Location: WI Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R, '13 CBR500R Posts: 709	how much did those run you? i hear ppl use liquid nails, works pretty good. besides the sucky adhesive, doesn't make a difference when you are hanging off in the corners and such?

September 19th, 2011, 12:02 PM	#4
gt_turbo ninjette.org sage Name: L Location: WI Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R, '13 CBR500R Posts: 709	I meant they use liquid nails to help stick on the stomp grips.

September 19th, 2011, 12:17 PM	#5
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	Did you warm the area (tank) before placing the tank grip? I have one of these on my race bike and though I prefer these over the other (1st gen-snake grip) I do have to agree with you that the adhesiveness (sp?) is not all that great compare to the snake-skin type. However, mine has not come off and stuck on there pretty good for the majority--edges are not completely glued to the tank.

September 19th, 2011, 12:46 PM	#7
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	Oops...skimmed your post. Anything longer than 2 paragraphs my ADD kicks in. What you can also do is get some 3M adhesive spray and spray a light coat over the adhesive (not on tank) side of the tank grip. It's worked for me on stubborn tank grips.

September 19th, 2011, 01:03 PM	#9
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	Gad damn you! Go buy a different tank grip!

February 7th, 2012, 06:14 AM	#13
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	I got the C3's also on mine, didn't even look at instructions and just stuck it on my bike in about 40-50* weather.... SO far they stickin on just fine, although I do agree they are in wrong spot, they still make my knee grip ability MUCH better.

February 9th, 2012, 10:28 AM	#14
LoD575 ninjette.org sage Name: Steve Location: Valdosta GA, US Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 2006 Ninja ZX6R-636 Posts: 661	I have the snake skin on mine and placed them in the area according to the instructions. I put them on last summer with temps in the mid 90's and bike sitting in the sun. I have had no problems with any kind of peeling. The downside like Nemesis stated is the location is wrong. I will probably remove the current ones and order the generic sheet then custom cut for better placement.

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