Originally Posted by
GeezyRider
If the shifter part of the grip is also tacky, it is probably toast. In that case, I would replace the grip shifter with a trigger shifter (with the same actuation ratio) which would make most any grips suitable.
I was screaming this from the start, until i reached your post.
What that bike wants is a nice pair of ergo grips, and a trigger shifter with display window. I'd be inclined to replace the cables on a used bike anyway, no knowing their history.