If you’ve ever watched MotoGP, you’ve seen it: those hair-raising turns where some of the best riders in the world drop the knee and come inches away from laying down their literbikes at skin-shredding speeds. While we’re certainly not encouraging you to try anything like that outside of a track environment (and probably not even then unless you’re an extremely skilled rider), it’s certainly tempting to take curves a little more aggressively when you canyon carve—but how can you maintain the traction required to tackle those tight turns?
Staying in contact with your fuel tank helps you maintain more control when leaning your bike—and high-quality tank grips can help you do it. Below, we explain how getting a better grip with your knees can improve your motorcycle’s performance when cornering and why our tank grips are some of the best on the market.
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How Your Grip Affects Your Bike’s Cornering Ability
We know that most riders are less about theory and more about—shall we say, applied physics—but it still helps to understand some of the science behind cornering so you can see where tank grips fit in. Here are the cliff’s notes so you don’t have to ride out to the local library to get the gist.
Key Concepts
Simple enough, right? Unfortunately, now you have to learn a bit of science.
May the (Centripetal) Force Be with You
When you take a corner on your bike, you’ll experience two forces: centrifugal force and centripetal force.
In layman’s terms: you need to create enough centripetal force when you corner to counteract the centrifugal force you feel from your bike wanting to keep going forward. How do you do that? By leaning.
- Leaning moves a combination of cornering force and gravitational force from your centre of gravity through the contact patches of your tires.
- This generates friction and counteracts your bike’s inertia enough to maintain your stability in a turn.
Via datamc.org
There’s more to it than that (obviously), but what it comes down to is: the faster you’re going and the tighter your turn needs to be, the more you need to lean the bike. If you’re looking for extra credit, here’s a great video that dives a bit deeper into physics at play:
How Tank Grips Help You Lean Your Machine
Tank grips make it easier to maintain or adjust your body position when leaning. They do this by giving your legs extra traction with the fuel tank.
The stronger your connection to your motorcycle is, the more responsive your handling becomes. Tank grips allow for subtle body movements to have more precise effects on the bike's balance and trajectory—which is particularly important at higher speeds and in tighter turns.
Essentially, using tank grips makes it easier to hug the tank with your knees and maneuver your bike without slipping—which means more confidence and control for your canyon carving adventures.
Why Luimoto’s Tank Grips Lead the Pack
Our tank grips are:
- Made from the same marine-grade materials as our premium aftermarket seat covers, which means they hold up better in inclement weather than the materials you’ll find on most OEM seats.
- Made to fit the aesthetics of your specific make and model. Instead of a one-size-fits-all option that might look out of place on your motorcycle, you get tank grips that complement its design.
- Easy to install via super-secure 3M adhesive that won’t endanger your motorcycle’s finish.
Here’s a video showing exactly how easy the installation process is—and how good the results look on a Yamaha R1M:
Off to the Races: What Real Riders Say about Tank Grips
From MotoGP to World Superbikes, Pretty much all professional racers use tank grips on their bikes because of the additional control they provide. But everyday riders get plenty of use from these accessories as well—here’s what users are saying about ours:
The quality of the product is amazing. The left and right tank pads utilize a suede like material that feels like it will hold your grip well. There is a carbon fiber like band around each of these two pads...it is a nice touch. The center pad is the same carbon fiber material. The stitching seems very well done.
- User musicguyUSA on triumphrat.net
Five stars. A nice addition to my Panigale.
- Imran Ali, UK
Get the Control You Need to Ride with Confidence
It’s impossible to describe that feeling of being one with your bike, but every rider knows it—and when you use the right tank grips, you can experience it more often. Maybe you won’t be entering the Isle of Man TT anytime soon, but you’ll certainly get more from your motorcycle during your daily rides.
Find Luimoto tank grips for your motorcycle here, or browse the FAQ below to learn more. And as always, keep the rubber side down.
Frequently Asked Questions about Luimoto Tank Grips
What parts of my bike’s performance will tank grips improve?
Luimoto tank grips primarily enhance your ability to corner by making it easier to maintain your body position when leaning your bike. However, the traction they provide can also help you hug the tank when accelerating and braking—which makes these actions more efficient.
Can I remove my tank grips without damaging the paint?
Yes—you can use a hairdryer to warm up the grip and the adhesive holding it in place, then use a plastic card (like an old credit or debit card) to gently pry the grip off your tank without damaging the paint.
What materials are Luimoto’s tank grips made of?
Our tank grips use marine-grade vinyl (the same stuff fishing vessels use to protect equipment). It’s highly water-resistant and offers excellent protection against UV light and mildew as well.
