Epoxy and polyester resins have been reinforced with methacrylamide (MAA) treated bamboo strip matting to develop bamboo fiber reinforced plastic composites. Bamboo mats were graft copolymerized with 1, 3, and 5% solution of MAA. The mechanical (tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus), thermal, and water absorption properties of the composites were determined. One percent treatment of bamboo with MAA gave optimum results with epoxy resin. The mechanical properties were improved. TGA results reveal that the degradation temperature of the composite has improved after grafting. The weight loss of 1% MAA treated bamboo-epoxy composite reached a value of 95.132% at 795 degrees C compared to 97.655% at 685 degrees C of untreated bamboo-epoxy composite. Water absorption in the composites was studied by long term immersion and 2 h boiling in distilled water. The process of water absorption indicates Fickian mode of diffusion. MAA treatment results in reduced water uptake. There was improvement in the properties of pretreated bamboo-polyester matrix composite as well. Three percent treatment of bamboo with MAA gave optimum results with polyester resin. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 1006-1013, 2010