Hippo hands fit/use

[John S]

I was wondering if anybody can offer any info on hippo hands. Im looking to find a set for my bike but i have a few questions first. It seems there are two model and early one with flat seams and a later one with boxed sides. Is that correct? If so has anyone successfully used the earlier type on a bike with a front master brake cylinder?
I would especially be interested in hearing if anyone has used either model with harley controls, 82-96 style specifically.
I was also hoping that somebody with experience with hippo hands could tell me if they reliable stay open so you can get hands in and out while riding. I commute in an urban area with a lot of stop and go, so I’m concerned that i may have issues reaching down for the choke or petcock and not be able to get back to the clutch in a hurry.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer

 

[brianinpa]

I use a set of the later model: blue logo markings rather than gold, on my GoldWings and there is plenty of room for the master cylinders for both the brake and the clutch. They do stay open so getting your hand in and out is not a problem either, but I find that I rarely pull my hands out even in an urban setting. The biggest issue that I had to deal with is finding the right angle to mount them.

One of my GoldWings has handlebar mounted mirrors so that really determines how easy it is to get your hands in/out and on/off the handle bars. If you are going to ride in the cold, they are great. In addition to the hippo hands, I only ride with my normal summertime gloves and never have a problem with cold hands and I've ridden when outside temps were in the teens.

 

[John S]

Thanks for the info. My mirror mount from the hand controls so dont know how limiting that would be for mounting. I also remove my hands a lot more than i should, choke is mounted on the left side of motor, petcock, cigarette lighter/cigarettes, and messing with the radio.
I havent had much luck finding a pair anyway so ive ordered a similar product from a company named oxford so ill see how they work out while i keep an eye out for a real set.

 

[Kynan C.]

If anybody sees a pair in mint condition for sale I am looking!

 

[Dave Ireland]

I was wondering if anybody can offer any info on hippo hands. Im looking to find a set for my bike but i have a few questions first. It seems there are two model and early one with flat seams and a later one with boxed sides. Is that correct? If so has anyone successfully used the earlier type on a bike with a front master brake cylinder?
I would especially be interested in hearing if anyone has used either model with harley controls, 82-96 style specifically.
I was also hoping that somebody with experience with hippo hands could tell me if they reliable stay open so you can get hands in and out while riding. I commute in an urban area with a lot of stop and go, so I’m concerned that i may have issues reaching down for the choke or petcock and not be able to get back to the clutch in a hurry.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer

I have no experience of Hippo Hands, as they were very rare this side of the pond, but the corresponding bar muffs that were sold here by various makers are similar enough to give you some pointers.
In a short word - bar muffs are a total pain in the arris at speed. They continually get blown against the brake and clutch levers so that you have to extend a finger or two on each hand to make sure they're not touching. In icy conditions, this is not good, as despite the shielding of the muff, the cold will penetrate your fingertips eventually. No good on long journeys.
This can be avoided by either making a frame to hold them out and forward or by fitting a pair of brush guards first and then fitting the muffs over them. Once you do that, the experience is great - your hands actually feel much warmer (aided of course by heated bar grips) and the journey becomes relatively tolerable.
Bar muffs on their own are only really any good for short journeys in biting cold - to go further you really need the above mods and additions.

 

[John S]

Sorry, missed the notification for this. Appreciate the response. I got a pair of muffs by oxford shortly after i posted this question. Theyve been great. Have been riding in the low 30’s f with fingerless gloves. Havent had any issues with them hitting controls. Theyre fairly stiff to begin with but with the windjammer and lowers they dont really come back towards the controls anyway.
30 year old harleys being ridden on salty roads also dont have the sort of controls you press accidentally. Might be an issue on a bike with “two finger braking” or a light clutch.

 

[Alan F.]

If anybody sees a pair in mint condition for sale I am looking!

Try these!

https://westernmass.craigslist.org/mpo/d/brimfield-vetter-hippo-hands/7057183379.html

 

[Kynan C.]

Try these!

https://westernmass.craigslist.org/mpo/d/brimfield-vetter-hippo-hands/7057183379.html

Thanks!

 

[Alan F.]

Hey AVetterXS, I picked up the Hippo Hands from that Craigslist ad. I want to keep them but with all the current goings-on I may just need to part with them for the sake of bringing in a few dollars.
Have a look:

 

[exbrc1]

Thanks for the info. My mirror mount from the hand controls so dont know how limiting that would be for mounting. I also remove my hands a lot more than i should, choke is mounted on the left side of motor, petcock, cigarette lighter/cigarettes, and messing with the radio.
I havent had much luck finding a pair anyway so ive ordered a similar product from a company named oxford so ill see how they work out while i keep an eye out for a real set.

I HAVE A SET OF VETTER ORIGINAL HIPPO HANDS THAT ARE NEW .NEVER BEEN USED AM ASKING 75.00 chip9453@gmail.com

 

[Alan F.]

Nice deal. I wanted to keep mine anyway.

 

[limpy45]

I bought a set off ebay a couple years ago, Never used. As I recall I paid $75.00 US dollars for them. I don't know if they are original or not, but have all the emblems and stuff. Look brand new. First $75 takes them home. Sold the bike I was going to use them on. I live in Northeastern N. D.

 

[Kynan C.]

Thanks for the offer, I am in the scale down mode of all things I have too much of!!

 

[turbodog]

I mounted mine for the winter last night. First hippo hand ride of the year today. I had to cut an extra hole (sob!) for the reservoir of my 19mm master cylinder.

For those who have not yet mounted a set, I found that aerodynamic forces cased the hippo hands to push back on both my brake and clutch levers. I made a set of steel 'hand guards' that protect the levers from the hippo hands. They attach into the bar ends using standard bar-end adapters/anchors.