Best Glues for Motorcycle Grips: Prevent Your Hands from Slipping

When it comes to motorcycles, a good grip glue is not optional

byJason Collins, Linsay Thomas, Nikola Petrovski|
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BYJason Collins, Linsay Thomas, Nikola Petrovski/ LAST UPDATED ON July 30, 2020

Motorcycle grips are a very important part of your bike and can be crucial to your safety. As a competitive or recreational rider, it is important to make sure your motorcycle grips are secured in place so you arrive at your destination safely. When replacing or readjusting handle grips, grip glue is often the most popular method. Here is a buying guide for some of the top-rated grip glues on the market.

Best Overall
Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue

Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue

Summary
The Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue is formulated specifically for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other motor vehicles.
Pros
This glue holds great against the heat and will not melt under the sun or after multiple uses after reapplying grips. In terms of application, it allows time for minor adjustments before it sets to cure.
Cons
The consistency of the glue is made so that when squeezed out of the tube, a lot comes out at a time, which needs to be cleaned up right away.
Best Value

Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive

Summary
The Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive is a strong, clear permanent bond that holds in just a second, and it is a 100 percent waterproof formula.
Pros
This glue is clear. It is paired with a cone-shaped nozzle, which allows for less mess and a cleaner-looking application. Holds together the toughest metal. This glue is water and weatherproof. It’s also a fast-drying agent.
Cons
The glue attaches within seconds, but it takes about 24 hours before it can be considered fully cured. Since it activates so fast, it leaves little room to fix mistakes.
Honorable Mention

Renthal Grip Glue

Summary
Renthal Grip Glue is another widely popular glue among motorcyclists that works to prevent handle grips from slipping in the heat of the moment. Works best when paired with Renthal brand grips.
Pros
It comes in a big size. You can get about a dozen uses out of one tube. A runnier consistency allows the grips to be adjusted before curing.
Cons
Fully cures within 6-10 hours but is not very adhesive on the spot. More effective when applied on rubber to rubber, not metal to rubber. More prone to deactivate with heat.

Benefits of Glue for Motorcycle Grips

  • Promotes safety. The adhesive on your motorcycle handlebar grips can start to wear down over time. This can be hazardous because your grips can slip, which can affect your control of the bike.
  • Easy to use. Glue for motorcycle grips is very simple to apply. As long as you follow the instructions, you can easily spread the glue yourself without paying someone else to do it.
  • Affordable. Even the best glue for motorcycle hand grips is not very expensive. It only costs a few dollars to purchase the glue, and it's a worthwhile investment because of the benefits it provides, whether you ride a Harley-Davidson, Honda, or Kawasaki.

Types of Glue for Motorcycle Grips

Grip-Specific Glue

Some types of glue for motorcycle grips are designed especially for motorcycles. For example, the Renthal brand says its product is "a must" if you plan on installing medium or soft-compound Renthal grips on your bike. There are a handful of brands of adhesive that are specifically made to be used on motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles, etc.

Generic Contact Adhesive

Other types of glue, including brands such as Gorilla, are multipurpose. They work on motorcycle grips but can also be used in a variety of other applications, such as on glass, ceramic, concrete, and wood. The benefit is that if you have any of this type of glue left over, you can use it for other projects.

Top Brands

The Gorilla Glue Company

This company is based in Sharonville, Ohio, and it's been selling its famous Gorilla Glue since 1999. In addition to its flagship product, the company also sells other adhesives, tapes, and epoxies. One of its top products is the Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive.

Three Bond

Three Bond International produces industrial adhesives, sealants, and coatings as well as cleaners and engineered dispense solutions. Its North American headquarters were established in 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of the company's most popular glues is the Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue.

Renthal

Renthal, based in Stockport, United Kingdom, and Valencia, California, was founded in 1969. The company produces handlebars, chain wheels, grips, and other motorcycle accessories geared towards the off-road, street, and ATV markets. One of its top products is the Renthal Grip Glue.

Glue for Motorcycle Grips Pricing

  • $5-$12: The best glue for motorcycle handlebar grips is typically not very expensive. Generic brands not geared specifically towards grips tend to be less expensive than brands that are designed for motorcycles, ATVs, and watercraft.

Key Features

Staying Power

The most important feature to look for when shopping for grip glue is how well and how long it adheres to the surface area. This is particularly important if you live in an area where there's a lot of sun and heat, which can cause glue to degrade over time. It’s also important that the grips stay strong for long periods of time if you ride a sportbike, do a lot of off-roading, or ride a cruiser.

Curing Time

When you install new grips on your bike’s handlebars, some glue products work faster than others to adhere. The curing time is how long it takes for the glue to set before you can safely ride your motorcycle or ATV. Many grips adhere to the bar ends within 24 hours, but some take even less time than that.

Application

Motorcycle grip glue has a different consistency, depending on the brand. Some are thick, while others are runny. This can make application tricky. Also, some types of glue activate very quickly, so you don't have a lot of time to make adjustments to the right or left grip before the glue sets.

Other Considerations

  • Toxicity: It goes without saying that most glues are toxic. For example, Three Bond glue is flammable and harmful if swallowed. The vapor from the glue is unhealthy, and it can be dangerous if it gets into your eyes. Gorilla Glue is also flammable and shouldn't be used around flames, heat, or cigarettes.
  • Tube Size: Glue for motorcycle hand grips comes in a variety of sizes. Many tubes are an ounce or less, but some such as Gorilla Glue come in 3-ounce containers. If you want to use the glue for more than one application, you may want a product that provides a larger quantity.

Best Glue for Motorcycle Grips Reviews & Recommendations 2020

The Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue is a high-strength adhesive that is formulated especially for motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other types of motor vehicles. It's designed to work without damaging the rubber on the grips.


The glue makes your grips feel rock solid. Another good quality is how much comes in the tube. This glue holds great even in the heat and will not melt under the sun or after multiple uses after reapplying your grips. When it comes to application, it lets you make minor adjustments before it cures. Overall, it's easy to use and comes with good instructions.


However, the product isn't without its drawbacks. First, the consistency of the glue is made so that when it's squeezed out of the tube, a lot comes out at a time, which you need to wipe up right away because it's difficult to remove once it sets. Also, the glue is a little thick and it has an odor.

The Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive is made in America and comes in a 3-ounce tube. It is a strong, permanent bond that holds in just seconds and is 100 percent waterproof. In addition to adhering to motorcycle grips, the glue bonds to metal, glass, ceramic, plastic, wood, and more.


This glue is clear, so it's practically invisible. It also has a great rub-off quality: While the glue is still soft enough, you can rub off the part that oozes out of the sides to clean it up. Another nice feature is the adhesive is paired with a cone-shaped nozzle, which means less mess and a cleaner-looking application. Overall, it holds together the toughest metal, is weatherproof, and is a fast-drying agent.


While this glue is very effective, it does have some issues. One problem is that even though the glue attaches within seconds, it takes about 24 hours before it is fully cured. Also, since it activates so quickly, it leaves little room to fix mistakes.

The Renthal Grip Glue comes in a 0.85-ounce tube and is very popular among motorcyclists. It works to prevent handle grips from slipping in the heat of the moment and is widely used on sportbikes where torque, heat, and moisture can be an issue. The adhesive works best when paired with medium- or soft-compound Renthal-branded grips.


This glue works great, and there's no movement after a few hundred miles of riding off-road. It is specially formulated to create a secure bond without damaging the grip. You can get about a dozen uses out of one tube, and the glue also has a runny consistency, which allows the grips to be adjusted before curing.


One problem with this glue is that it fully cures within 6-10 hours, but it is not very adhesive on the spot. Also, it's more effective when it's applied on rubber to rubber versus metal to rubber. In addition, there have been some complaints that the glue is too runny.

This multi-purpose adhesive from Motion Pro comes in a small tube of 0.71 ounces or 20 grams. The set time is slow to give you time to adjust your new grips. It doesn’t take forever to set, either, so you won’t be sidelined from riding for too long. At room temperature, it becomes tacky after about 15 minutes. This glue is also waterproof. 


You’ll find this glue very easy to use. The small tube feels comfortable in your hand. Simply pop off the yellow cap and squeeze some glue onto the inside of your motorcycle grips. If you ever want to remove your grips, you’ll find this glue will easily release from the throttle tube. 


Unfortunately, while the tube is large enough for multiple applications, you probably won’t be able to actually get that. The small tube is easily lost. If you don’t lose it, the cap isn’t very secure, so after some time, the glue will harden and become tacky in the tube.

You can use this clear super glue on metal, rubber, and fiberglass. This makes it compatible with your new rubber motorcycle grips and metal handlebars. It’s from Bob Smith Industries and comes in a 1-ounce bottle. It comes with an additional pointed tip for more precise application. The bottle is designed so well that you don’t need the additional tip, but it’s a nice touch. 


It fully cures in five minutes to allow you to work faster. This glue is waterproof, so once you apply it, whatever you glued isn’t moving—ever. 


Unfortunately, the five-minute cure time is the usable time; it actually develops quite a strong grip after just 20 seconds. This means it will likely cure too fast for you to install. You’ll also find it a challenge to get your grips off if you ever want to change them.

If you need to glue a lot, then you’ll appreciate these two packs of mini glue tubes. Each pack comes with six tubes, for a total of 12. Each tube is 0.17 ounces, for a total of 2.04 ounces glue between the two packs. This glue dries fast, is waterproof, flexible, and paintable. The dried glue is clear. 


These mini packs are perfect because you don’t have to worry about saving your Super Glue tube for several uses. Just when the tube is starting to get old or messy, you’re out of glue and on to a fresh tube. This ensures you always have a fresh and clean application. 


Unfortunately, you have to keep track of 12 mini tubes. These little things get lost even easier than an average-sized tube. If you’re doing a larger project, you may need more than one tube, which can get annoying. 

This multi-grip glue is multi-purpose and can be used on household, marine, and hardware applications. It will effectively bond leather, fabric, plaster, wood, tile, brick, concrete, metal, and plastic. You’ll get 4 ounces of glue in each bottle. There are no intense and unpleasant fumes from this glue. 


This glue is strong and resilient, so it will be durable in holding your grips. It’s also not solvent-resistant, so when you’re ready for a change, you can easily get this glue off. You’ll appreciate that it’s non-toxic and safe for use in your home. 


Unfortunately, this isn’t specifically designed grip glue. This is more of a general adhesive. It also doesn’t specifically state that it’s waterproof, which can be a problem when riding in the rain. The glue also stays flexible after it’s dry, which can result in a slight movement in your grips.

This large tube of quick-grip glue contains 2 ounces. This squeeze-style tube will collapse as you use it to eliminate the glue’s exposure to air. The adhesive is all-purpose and permanent. It dries fast and clear. Once dry, it’s waterproof and weatherproof. You can effectively glue wood, glass, metal, plastic, leather, and ceramics with it. 


The clear finish of this glue means that if you’re a little sloppy in your application, that’s OK. The weather and waterproof nature of this glue make it durable enough to use on your motorcycle. The large size of this tube means you’ll get plenty of use out of it. 


Unfortunately, you may find that this glue dries too fast to be able to set your grips where you want. The glue also remains a bit flexible after it dries, which means you’ll feel this flex through your grips while riding. The cap on the tube isn’t very secure and could cause your glue to dry out before you use the entire tube.

This motorcycle grip glue from Scott Motorcycle is sold in a tube of 0.14 ounces. You can use it on motorcycles, jet skis, ATVs, and bicycles. It comes in a soft foil tube that collapses as you use the glue to eliminate air in the tube. It’s impervious to moisture, which helps it to stay secure in the water or other wet environments. 


Once you apply this glue, your grips are never moving. The secure hold of this glue gives you a solid and secure feel through your grips. It’s also formulated to work especially well with rubber grips. 


Unfortunately, if you use it in a warm climate, it could take up to eight hours for the glue to be dried enough for you to be able to use your bike. In colder and less humid climates, the glue dries too fast. There’s also a high fail rate where it won’t hold the grip at all, and you’ll have to redo it. 

This 3-ounce tube of grip glue is designed to work on any vehicle that requires grips. This includes bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, PWC, and snowmobiles. It comes with a secure cap that screws down tight. The foil style tube collapses as you use it. 


This grip glue is strong and works as intended. Its versatility is helpful since you can use it for a wide range of grips. It’s waterproof and weatherproof, so don’t worry about getting your glued-on grips wet after they’re installed. 


Unfortunately, this glue dries rather quickly, which can make it a challenge to get your grips into place before the glue cures. You will also find it challenging to get the grips off when you’re ready for a change.

Tips

  • Think about whether you are looking for a quick fix or long-lasting grip glue. This will help you decide on what size glue you need to buy as well. 
  • Consider how much time you have in terms of waiting for the glue to dry. Do you need a fast-acting glue, or are you willing to wait at least 24 hours for it to dry?
  • Be aware of the time and spacing between each re-application. A lot can go a long way, so there’s no need to overuse the product. Plan accordingly.
  • A great way to keep motorcycle grips from slipping and sliding on the handlebar is by using hairspray. Simply spray the inside of the grips and on the handlebar, slide the grips on when they're still wet, and they should stick after you leave them on overnight.
  • Motorcycle grips tend to be of different sizes. Ones with larger internal diameters fit over the throttle tube. 
  • Another way to keep your grips from moving is by using safety wire. First, apply the glue, and then wind the safety wire around the grip so they do not spin.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of motorcycle grip glue?

A: Over time, the original adhesive on handle grips on motorcycles may start to wear down, which can be dangerous. Grip glue reinforces the seal and keeps handle grips in place.

Q: Will any type of glue work on my motorcycle grips?

A: Ideally, grip glue should be permanent and weatherproof. Most normal glues melt off under the sun or in extreme heat or wear down with frequent use. It is important that motorcycle grips are secured properly. 

Q: Is there a difference between motorcycle grip glue and normal branded superglue?

A: Most grip glues are made to be activated with heat or act more as rubber cement. Normal superglues are just really strong adhesives and will not always get the job done. 

Final Thoughts

Our pick for the best glue for motorcycle grips is the Three Bond 3-Bond Grip Glue. This glue is the best in terms of price, quality, and convenience as it can be found in just about any hardware store and online.

 For a more budget-friendly option or a quick fix, we also recommend the Gorilla Clear Grip Contact Adhesive

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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