Sweet Dreams on a Pillow Top: Pro Taper’s Most Popular Grip
ATV Connection editors are just like you. We put our riding pants on one leg at a time and when we happen upon a mud pit that looks like it could swallow a Jeep, we pin it and hope the life insurance policy is paid up. So naturally the term “pillow top” immediately inspires images of cushy mattresses on which to dream about off-roading. However, thanks to Pro-Taper, we now associate the concept with a pair of grips and since we’re all so much alike, we think you’ll learn to do the same.
What Is It?
The Pillow Top is a tri-density ATV handlebar grip with an acoustically dampened palm area and an ultra tacky compound that virtually eliminates vibration. An “ANTI Rip Tip” ensures long grip life, and finally an ultra-bonding black inner core grabs that handlebar like a vise to keep the grips in place without relying upon safety wiring.
Instillation:
Getting the Pillow Tops installed is a fairly standard affair; one that found us relying upon a bit of hairspray on our bars to slide the grips into place. As fate would have it, we wisely ordered a bottle of Pro Taper Grip Glue when we purchased the grips and can state with certainty that the two work together so effectively, we’re already planning on needing a chainsaw when it comes time to replace the Pillow Tops.
Real World:
While it’s tricky to get overly excited about something as basic as a pair of grips, the truth of the matter is the Pillow Tops are pretty impressive in action. The Vibrasonix pillow top is quite comfortable to the touch, even at a standstill and virtually eliminates vibration (and cushions impact) once the machine is in motion.
A tacky gel-like surface compound means you can forget about slipping-off the bar concerns, even in the wettest of conditions.
The ANTI Rip Tip is essentially an end cap of much harder plastic to keep overhanging foliage from snagging/ tearing the exposed grip ends. Finally the Pillow Top knobs are situated so as to self-clean/ shed away mud from the grip.
Any Downsides?
Not many! In fact about our only complaint here comes from the simple reality that anything light in color on your ATV isn’t going to look clean for too long. As expected, it didn’t take long for our light gray colored Pillow Tops to become coated in dust and mud. We’ve been able to restore much of the original luster by soaking the grips in Simple Green then hosing them off.
Conclusion:
We picked up a pair of Pro Taper Pillow Top grips for $12 as the stockers on our 06 TRX450R had finally worn down to uselessness. Not only did the Pro Tapers cost less than any of the other grips we were considering, they managed to dazzle in terms of comfort and performance. Highly recommended!
