I want to replace my grips with chrome ones. A friend told me that it is very, very difficult to remove the old grips. Does anybody know of any "tricks" to make it easier?

All advice is appreciated.

Not sure if you've already done the replacement.

Removing the stock grips is not a difficult task. Just a bit irritating as far as the Left hand grip removal is concerned.

For the throttle side, open the throttle housing and remove the throttle cables and the grip should slide out.

For the clutch side, here's what you want to do. remove the clutch housing along with the mirror. This will make it easier to work. Use a thin long screw driver or a hacksaw blade. Gently slide the blade between the grip and the handle bar and lift it a bit. Spray some WD-40 into that gap. and slowly in a sawing motion slide the blade around the bar while you spray WD-40. After a couple of sprays and about 5 minutes of slow sawing motion that grip should come out without damaging the grip.

Well, if you really don't care about saving the OEM grips, you can always just cut/slit the grip and tear it out.

To install the new grips, very easy again on the throttle side. Attach the throttle cables and install the housing. If there is a plastic sleeve taht comes with the new grips, don't forget to use them.

For the LS side, use some sand paper and clean/scour the handlebar end to provide some 'sticking' surface. Be careful not to scour past the length of the grip. For adhesive, you could use a product called E6000 (available at craft stores, and my personal best choice of adhesive) or just use some spray paint. If using the E6000, you have to be quick as it sets pretty quick. Just put a thread (about 1" long) of E6000 at 12,3,6 and 9'o clock positions and in a circular motion 'thread' the grip onto the bar end. This way, the glue will spread well and all around the bar/grip. If using spray paint, just spray a bit inside the grip and again "thread' it in!!! In both cases, teh grip shoul dbe "well set" within a coupld of hours!!!

Getting them off is no big deal, if you don't plan on using them in the future. Just cut the clutch side off with a sharp blade. Prior to putting the new chrome clutch side grip on you would be wise to wrap the handle bar area with a tight application of electrical tape. It has to be very tight for the grips to go on. This will prevent the grips from comming loose and falling on the ground or even comming off in your hand while riding - very bad! The set screws can come loose. LOL