by Chris B. for webBikeWorld.com
Lever skins? You’re probably thinking the
same thoughts as I had when I first saw the Lever Skinz at Motovation
Accessories.
“Why in the world would I need padded clutch and
brake levers?"
I understand the need for softer handle
bar grips or perhaps some gel padding in the palms of riding gloves and
maybe having a seat redone to make it more comfortable, but come on -- have
we gotten so “soft” that we need to have more padding on everything?
Well, please read on...
I happened across Lever Skinz at Motovation
Accessories while researching frame sliders for my ’06 Yamaha FJR (wBW
review).
At first I didn’t pay much attention, but Lever
Skinz must have registered in my subconscious, because a couple of weeks
later I found myself wondering what it would be like to have a pair on the
FJR. I guessed that the idea was to give the levers a little more grip
along with some cushioned comfort for the fingers.
I was very pleased with the frame sliders I had
purchased from Motovation Accessories, so I returned to the website, took
another gander at the Skinz and decided, why not? Besides, at $4.99
per pair, how could I possibly go wrong?
As with the frame sliders, the package arrived
in just a couple of days. How is it I can order an item from one
vendor and it arrives in only a few days whereas a package of similar weight
takes 3 weeks from another? In the dealings I’ve had with Motovation
Accessories they have been prompt in both their shipping and responses to
any of my questions. They’ve been great to do business with thus far!
Also, the invoices always had a handwritten note of thanks, which is a nice
touch.
The “Skinz” are 4” (100mm) long and made of EVA
(Ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam rubber which is a common product used for
padding in equipment such as ski boots, hockey, boxing, and mixed martial
arts. Since EVA has excellent resistance to UV radiation and tolerates
low temperatures well, they should withstand the elements and they're made
to simply slide over the clutch and brake levers.
With four different colors available (Blue, Red,
Yellow and Grey) it should be easy to pick one that compliments any bike.
Cool! Although I have to wonder if it wasn’t a women’s influence here
to include them in colors, because most of guys would probably have just
made them all black or grey...
The Lever Skinz have molded contours for the
fingers, which are also where the color accents are located. I’m not
one for adding things to the bike just for looks, but I have to admit that
they do look slick. I’ve already had co-workers asking where I got
them because they’d like a pair too.
Lever Skinz are one of those items that are so
simple, yet functional; you wonder why you haven’t seen more riders using
them. Maybe they’re just not aware that the product exists?
That’s what we like to do here at webBikeWorld, discover interesting
products that we think are worthy of your attention .
Installation is a simple matter of sliding them
on to the brake and clutch levers, but when you see the size of the bulbous
ends that might be present on your levers and the tiny hole in the Lever
Skinz...you’re probably going to think the same thing I did.
“There’s no way this is going to go slide over
and not rip apart!” With the aid of some soapy water (do not use
anything other than soapy water) and just a little patience the “Skinz” will
expand enough to slide over the ends and once FULLY dry, they will stay
firmly in place (although a Lever Skinz that's half-way on the levers
reminds me of those pictures you see in the nature magazines where the snake
is swallowing something something larger than its width!).
One small item I did notice is that the Lever
Skinz will slightly affect the distance the fingers need to reach to fully
grip the levers. This can be easily remedied with adjustable levers.
Conclusion
I’m pleasantly pleased with the performance of the Lever Skinz.
They're simple to install and very inexpensive and I’ve had a pair of their
blue Lever Skinz (which blends in well with the blue on my FJR) now for a
month or so and have found them to be very comfortable.
They provide a soft but positive grip and it’s
not likely your fingers will slip on the levers with a pair of Lever Skinz
installed. The color accents add a nice subtle touch which catches the
eye, especially since padded brake or clutch levers are rather unusual.
It's hard to predict the life expectancy of the
Lever Skinz, but at $4.99 per pair, does it matter?
|
wBW Product
Review: Lever
Skins - Motovation Lever Skinz |
| Available
From: Motovation |
Suggested
Retail Price: $4.99 + S/H |
| Colors: Black with
Yellow, Red, Blue or Gray accents. |
Made
in: Unknown |
| Review Date:
April 2007 |
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From "E" (2/10): "Recently bought 5 pair - mostly as
replacements for the ORIGINAL LEVER SKINS. They are no longer made.
A shame, too, as they were rubber with thick ribs and would 'shrink' when
exposed to air for a very tight fit.
Like the newer product, they were a tight fit & needed to be installed
ONLY with WD-40 or Windex. I typically would get 3-4 years out of a
pair; but I had them on all four of my bikes. I ride year 'round in
Seattle."
From "F.F.": "I am excited to try the
lever skins product but not for the reasons you mentioned. I find that
the hardest part of my body to keep warm are my fingers because they are
continually touching bare metal. I currently have some plastic tubing
tie wrapped to my levers now. These ought to work better. I
might not know until next winter, well then again you never know.
Thanks for doing the
review."
