Your cockpit is where you direct a lot of your input into the bike, controlling what it does and when it does it. Just as important is your body position, which has a lot to do with how your bike reacts and moves too. But if your controls are in disarray, then you’re just making it hard on yourself from the get go.

Where your controls are actually positioned depends highly on the individual. How big are your hands? When do you like your clutch to engage? How tall are you? Are you an aggressive rider or laid back Larry? All these different combos mold together to decide what angle you like your bars and levers at, and how far in or out the setting needs to be.

This week in our Top-3-Tips we focus on control setup aspects that will work right across the board, whether you are a beginner or pro, boy or girl, Andre The Giant or Mini Me. (RIP)

1 - Grips

Super important. Have you ever tried riding without them? Probably not. That’s because it's just not the done thing. So don’t do it. Conversely, do these things and you should have trouble free grip experiences for the life of your rubbery friend.

• When installing a new grip, there are two things you really should do to make sure it stays in place. Glue and grip wire - minimum. If you can do more then sure, but at a minimum, use glue to install the grip as well as grip wire to aid that securing process.

• The glue keeps the grip in place in nearly all riding conditions. Some people use compressed air to slide the grip onto the bar and it will be pretty solid if you only ride in sunny places. But introduce moisture into the equation and that’s a recipe for two throttles. Not sexy. Use either a contact glue like Ados F2 or a grip glue from a dealer. Super glue works too but you gotta be quick AF when getting that thing on. The Flash quick!

• After that solid bond is made between grip and handle bar, really consummate that marriage with some grip wire. Three locations; a) about 15mm from the end - b) right in the middle - c) right by the flange.

• The wire acts as a wall against moisture, dirt and filth getting into your grip from the elements or a crash. Wet muddy glue can still come loose, where as the tight wire stops the stuff in its tracks. It also helps keep the grip in place if you crash and rip off the end of your grip. You’ll be happy you did it when that happens.

Some grips come with channels designed for your grip wire. If not. That’s no matter and just wrap it around in the three locations. Keep your grips safe and you will have keep premium attachment levels whenever you ride.

Another tip is to always run a grip with a half waffle. You get the smooth, soft feeling on your palm, but if you get mud on the grip, you still have the waffle ribs to grip with your fingers. Best of both worlds.

Another invention is the Lock-On grips from a number of companies. No glue or wire required as they simply lock on with a screw - Kinda cheating really ;-).

2 - Lever Perches

Often forgotten, the perch attached to your front brake lever and clutch lever are vital in ensuring your levers are working properly when you need them. Setting them up can also assist you in helping stop that dreaded lever braking during a crash. Which as I’m sure you know by now is a pain in the you know where. Tried riding back to the pits with broken front brake or clutch lever - especially in the wet? #badnews

• Initially, don’t tighten your levers perch up super tight. You should be able to grab them with two hands and rotate them up and down with a bit of force. This is so when the bike hits the ground the levers rotates around and don’t snap off. It’s not guaranteed the lever won’t break but highly likely it will survive the crash.

• A little Locktite on the perch bolts will help keep them in place seeing as they will be a little looser. You don’t want the lever flapping around and coming off the bars and you losing the bolts. Disaster.

• If you are dubious about leaving them a little loose, then get some thread tape and wrap it around the handlebar where you are going to install the lever. Then you can do the bolts up quite tight and the ability to rotate the perch on the bars will still be an option.

• The thread tap creates a lot less friction and assists in the rotation during a crash. You then just whack it back into place and carry on as if nothing happened.

If you want to go crazy hard out with keeping your levers from ever breaking, then you have options to install what they call ‘unbreakable’ levers which fold back in a crash. Some even fold up and down and round and round depending on how much you want to spend. But if you like what you have, then these are the DIY ways to keep your levers in tip top conditions

3 - Blisters

It’s a thing you know. Blisters are a son of a gun when all you want to do is ride your bike for hours and hours on end. They affect your grip and take your mind off the job of concentrating on what is ahead and putting in those fast lap times. But, things can be done here so have no fear.

• If you get those pesky blisters, then something like some palm savers might be the go for you. They are under-glove inserts that add an additional layer of protection and help stop the onset of blisters. They do make the grip area larger so there is that to watch out for.

• You can add what the industry call donuts. Not eatable at all but they help stop that thumb blister that happens from rubbing against the grip flange. You don't notice they are there and they can come in a range of different colours and brands to match your ride.

• If you are a single layer glove rider, you can switch to a double layer gloves that adds even more protection. You might need some adjustment time to get used to the new feeling but it might beat blistered hands - yeah?

Grips that stay on and don’t come loose. Leavers that don’t break in a crash. Hands that are daisy-fresh and blister-free. Whoa - what a combo. That three-pronged attack in the cockpit area will have you riding like a rad, bad dude or dudette all day long.

Keep an eye out for out next installment of Top 3 Tips and continue on that great journey of life behind bars. Handlebars that is.

If you have any questions, then email chris@thedirt.co.nz and I will get back to you when I’m not out cutting some laps.

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