Ebay Rizoma Sportline Grip and Oberon Mirror Clone Review

[Artful]

So I'm a cheap bastard.

It isn't by choice, but the motorcycle falls behind superfluous things like my house and bills when it comes to spending. I know, scandalous. So I'm always looking for cheaper alternatives to the expensive shiny bits that we all to toss at our bikes.

Here's the current dash after installing these parts, review below.





I've always liked the simplicity of the Oberon bar end mirrors. I didn't like the price. At $72.00 each I started looking for an alternative. Sure enough, Fleabay to the rescue. They have a clone here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300446122122&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

The finish is great, very solid color with no light spots. Only time will tell how light fast it is. The mirrors came configured for being placed on the ends of the bar, not on the side of the bar end which is where I wanted them. They are designed to be used in either position, I find that they give a much better view mounted in the side position. That's when the problems started. The nub on the end of the mirror stalk was too large to go through the threaded hole in the side. A little work with a file to slim it down worked like a charm. Then when I went to tighten the bar end into the bar using the expanding collar, it just wanted to spin. I used a little bit of electric tape to give it enough friction to grab, which allowed me to tighten it down completely. Once installed they look great, perform VERY well, and I couldn't be happier. They DID require some modification to be installed in the up position though, they were not completely plug and play.

Grades
Quality: A-
Install: C+
Savings over Oberon mirror: $110

Next up are the Rizoma Sportline Grip clones. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270606890908&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

Again, finish is great and the anondizing looks solid. The rubber is grippy and the aluminum is flawless. Install on these though... let's just say it took some creativity. Grips are always a bit of a pain to get on, but a little hairspray or soapy water makes the task fairly simple. This was NOT the case with these grips. In the area where the aluminum overlaps the rubber it is nearly impossible to slide these grips on. I tried every lubricant I had handy that wouldn't stay greasy. Hairspray, soapy water, even yes... AstroGlide. Eventually I knew that if sex jelly wasn't helping, it was time to try something different. What ended up working was to actually cut the grips.

I removed the thicker aluminum sleeve and used a razor blade to precisely cut the rubber sleeve.



I then used AstroGlide (the stuff has lots of uses.... honest) to slide the rubber piece onto the bar, then slid the aluminum over that piece once it was already on the bar. Then I slid the rubber grippy part and the small aluminum ring over as I would a traditional grip.

Once installed I loved them, but the install was a real PITA. Many a swear word was used, and more AstroGlide was consumed than Ron Jeremy's Halloween Bash.

Grades
Quality: A-
Install: F
Savings over Rizoma Sportline Grips: $40

In hindsight I WOULD pay the extra money for the Rizoma grips, but would NOT pay the premium for the Oberon mirrors. Hope this helps with a few decisions.

[dennisd]

Yes, China.  Cheapskates the world over love the Chinese worker...

[ungeheuer]

The quality of the soft plastic throttle cam supplied with the genuine Rizoma sportline grips is absolute shite anyway, so why not try a less expensive variation.  Might even be more durable than the shabby excuse for a premium product which Rizoma has the bare-face cheek to charge top dollar for.

I'll be watching with interest to see how these uns last the distance  .

[scduc]

I thought that the cheap-o mirrors do no thave a convex/concave (I foget which one) lens. This may/will hinder vision.

[Artful]

I thought that the cheap-o mirrors do no thave a convex/concave (I foget which one) lens. This may/will hinder vision.

I assure you that these (and every eBay mirror I've purchased) have convex lenses that work beautifully.

[muffinman]

Awesome, thanks for the write-up.. I actually purchased the exact same ones; the confirmed convex lenses sealed the deal for me.   Emailed the seller and he was kind enough to give me an extra 10% off as well

I was fully intending on setting mine up like yours.. thought it'd be plug and play and designed to be configured in different ways.. crap.

[Artful]

Awesome, thanks for the write-up.. I actually purchased the exact same ones; the confirmed convex lenses sealed the deal for me.   Emailed the seller and he was kind enough to give me an extra 10% off as well

I was fully intending on setting mine up like yours.. thought it'd be plug and play and designed to be configured in different ways.. crap.

It is designed to be configured in both positions, but the ones I received were milled incorrectly and the nub on the bottom of the mirror stalk was too large of a diameter to slide into the threaded hole on the side of the bar end. A few minutes with a bastard file and they fit like a glove.

[leungevity]

thanks for the review on the mirrors   i'm in the market for new ones, and these are the right price point

do they vibrate at all when riding?

[Artful]

Nope, no vibration and they don't shift even if bumped.

[leungevity]

thanks so much for the info!  i am definitely going to order a set, just need to figure out what color to go for, black, silver or gold...

mostly stock yellow monster, black renthal bars, any opinions?

[leungevity]

ordered a black set...

[Artful]

So an update!

The grips turned brown in a few months, which on a garage kept bike is pretty ludicrous. It didn't bother me though, as the aluminum grips were a bit uncomfortable on rides over three or four hours. I intended to replace them regardless. I went with a set of Progrip 719s and couldn't be happier.

The mirrors are the bee's knees. Still black with maybe a sliiiiight fade on the top rim but no worse than any other anodized part I've ever seen. I've never used a more solid mirror, they really are set it and forget it.

[2-Skinny]

You could still have everything powder coated and still have saved a ton...

[Slide Panda]

You could still have everything powder coated and still have saved a ton...

Or just stick with the Pro-Grips... which are a lot cheaper and way more comfy and effective for riding than the real or clone Rizoma stuff. Love me some Rizoma.. and their grips look great. But this is one case where you can't really form over function.

[NateNewThread]

Let's remember that China includes good stuff like Galium and Cadmium in their metals.