I was out on the bike for a couple of hours on the interstate riding and my right hand kept going numb. It's been a while since I've driven a motorcycle for distance on the highway and looking for some solutions.
When I got out of the navy in '92 I drove a motorcycle from Newport, RI to Chattanooga, TN without a lot of difficulty. I had a throttle lock on there that I would use to lock the throttle so I could shake my hand a bit to keep that from happening. I have no idea where I got that thing or what it was called.
Do you guys think that's a good item or is there another solution?
Sometimes I have the same issue, I find that if your wrist is making more of a 45 degree angle (bent) then you don't get as much blood flow... If you try and keep your wrist straight the pressure from your weight on the handle bars shouldn't be as bad keeping your blood flowing. Kind of works for me... give it a try.
Relax your grip...a trick I use is to make sure your grip is loose enough that you can touch your thumb tip to your index finger tip. Basically, practice using as light a grip as possible.
It sure sucks! I had it bad yesterday to were I could apply the front brake, lucky I was on the country roads. Sorry to hijack your post, but anyone know if you can use that palm rest thingy with bar-end mirrors on?
I was thinking about using a palm rest. I can't see why it would interfere with bar-end mirrors. The reason I'm looking around for a throttle lock is to be able to let go of the handle and shake my arm around.
It's mostly been due to wrist position for me, not 100% effective but works most of the time.
Your '01 M900ie has the fast idle setup, if adjusted to the maximum, you can use that for a 'cruise control'.
Quote from: Speeddog on September 26, 2011, 10:29:36 AM
It's mostly been due to wrist position for me, not 100% effective but works most of the time.
Your '01 M900ie has the fast idle setup, if adjusted to the maximum, you can use that for a 'cruise control'.
i'm not the only one?
i adjusted the cable so it goes up to 5000 rpm at max. for starting, i put hold it around the middle of the lever range. feels good man
I find that these really work.(http://throttlerocker.com/media/models/original.jpg)
I toyed around with the fast idle start in town at lower speeds and it worked!!
It's not something I want to use as cruise control per say but just enough to readjust my hand without releasing the throttle. Thanks for the tip, I think this will solve my problem.
Yes, it happens, and it's more about your grip than anything (duh).
A technique I use is 1) grip the handlebar like you were holding a Twinkie. You have it in your hand, but you aren't clenching it. Also, for more precise throttle actuation, lay your index finger on the top of the brake pivot like you were pointing. This allows a 'base' and your throttle control is easier in turns and at low revs where the bike is snatchy.
Last detail is if you have racing gloves, don't 'over-tighten' the velcro, especially the one at the wrist. I've found that leaving more room helps me avoid numb hands when riding.
If you want a throttle lock these are nice http://throttlemeister.com/ (http://throttlemeister.com/)
I used one on the bandit when I rode it to San Diego.
Agree - you have to lose the death-grip on the throttle.
I tried the Throttle Rocker but it didn't work for me...any weight on the bars (and, hence on the rocker) meant having to fine-tune the wrist position, which is the same PIA as w/o the TR. Because of the way it works I found myself controlling the throttle by bending my wrist up and down instead of using my fingers to 'roll' the throttle....result was more, not less, wrist pain.
Throttle Meister better as it locks throttle in a set position; but don't expect it to work like cruise control....it won't hold a set speed on roads with varying grades, just a set throttle position.
Best fix is lots of ab/core exercises.....not that I do any ;D
I think the frequent combination of reasons for this are:
wrist is bent unnaturally, and
lots of weight is being applied to wrists, so
blood is limited to hand, and it goes numb.
There are solutions!
- Adjust brake lever so that hand is in straight line, instead of bent at wrist.
- Reduce weight on wrists by sitting more upright (perhaps add bar risers and enhance overall comfort), and squeeze tank with knees to support body.
- Stop smoking and do not get "excited" while riding (so blood flows better to hands!) [laugh]
Also, I have noticed I have never gotten numb hands while on the track, but I am not riding passively, unlike when stuck in traffic.
Best luck in finding comfort while riding!
I still have some bad hand numbing problems (carpal tunnel), but bar end weights...can't remember the proper term...helped me some. They soak up some of the bar vibrations that were causing me problems. Something to think about
I get it too. I'm getting old, that's what it is.
+1 on the 'twinky' theory, it works a treat.
Only other piece of advice is to actually focus on a completely different body area. Use your mid-section more, with your abbs taking most of your upper body weight, there's much less pressure on your wrists.
Good luck [thumbsup]
Quote from: bikepilot on November 19, 2011, 11:38:46 AM
If you want a throttle lock these are nice http://throttlemeister.com/ (http://throttlemeister.com/)
I used one on the bandit when I rode it to San Diego.
I have not been able to get throttlemeister to respond for fitment on a Ducati. I use kaoko instead. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/758/ (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/758/) They're expensive for what they are but work okay. Nothing less helps me for more than a couple minutes once the numb set in.
If you use a kaoko I recommend using some blue locktite on the bolt to prevent inadvertently loosening it. It happens easy and I lost one that way. Ouch!
Quote from: akmnstr on September 26, 2011, 12:09:10 PM
I find that these really work.(http://throttlerocker.com/media/models/original.jpg)
For long trips on the freeway I never leave home without one. If you need to get it out of the way quickly simply rotate up and out of the way.
I'd like to post here with some bad news. I commute to work 100 miles a day (weekdays only) and about once a day, my right arm/hand will get numb. I'll adjust my grip a bit and everything would go back to normal. I think after a year of doing this, I got some nerve damage. I'm headed to the orthopedic/bone doctor later this week for confirmation.
I realized something was wrong at the gym. I go almost every day and recently my right arm has trouble extending to lock. Any exercise involving extension of the arm (benchpress, tricep extension, shoulder press, etc) I would have a hard time pushing that last inch. My left arm would be totally normal, while my right arm would just appear to be "weaker". ZERO pain or discomfort which is strange.
Anyway, I've been pretty cranky these past few weeks. Skipped the gym for about a month to see if got better. It did...marginally, but it's still there. Hopefully the damage isn't permanent.
I'm still riding to work, but I am constantly adjusting my grip as to not give my arm/hand a chance to get numb. Not sure if it's working.
:(
Get the weight off your hands via risers and/ taller bars. Resolved most of it for me.
Quote from: shamoo on September 12, 2012, 04:46:50 PM
I'd like to post here with some bad news. I commute to work 100 miles a day (weekdays only) and about once a day, my right arm/hand will get numb. I'll adjust my grip a bit and everything would go back to normal. I think after a year of doing this, I got some nerve damage. I'm headed to the orthopedic/bone doctor later this week for confirmation. (snip)
shamoo, what did the doctor say about your wrist? I hope it's nothing serious.
I also have numb right hand every now and then when I ride. When the bike had the stock seat, I never had any hand numbness, but after I change the stock seat with DP comfort touring seat (about two weeks ago), the seating position is slightly changed ... I have to lean more to reach the handlebar than when I had the stock seat... and I started to have a slight numbness every now and then. Usually during or after a ride in slow crawling traffic jam.
But I don't have this numbness when I remember to ride with what you guys termed as using the core muscle and grip the tank with my knees to support my body... and BTW I never had this problem during the 10 years riding my sportster. Anyway, I placed an order for techspec tank grip to make gripping the tank easier. If it doesn't work then I will have to consider getting a different handlebar.
Quote from: bob795 on September 22, 2012, 12:46:39 AM
shamoo, what did the doctor say about your wrist? I hope it's nothing serious.
I also have numb right hand every now and then when I ride. When the bike had the stock seat, I never had any hand numbness, but after I change the stock seat with DP comfort touring seat (about two weeks ago), the seating position is slightly changed ... I have to lean more to reach the handlebar than when I had the stock seat... and I started to have a slight numbness every now and then. Usually during or after a ride in slow crawling traffic jam.
But I don't have this numbness when I remember to ride with what you guys termed as using the core muscle and grip the tank with my knees to support my body... and BTW I never had this problem during the 10 years riding my sportster. Anyway, I placed an order for techspec tank grip to make gripping the tank easier. If it doesn't work then I will have to consider getting a different handlebar.
The numbness might be from the angle of your brake lever. When in riding position your fingers should line up with your wrist.
Thanks howie, fingers already line up with the wrist and with the forearm too, more or less form a straight line, but I just adjusted (lowered) the lever a bit lower.
I have this problem on many different bikes. Harley ,Kawasaki,enduro,bmw,and my monster. It seems to be worse with more aggressive riding positions. I suppose for me it's just a muscle thing. I'm also a guitar player and a machinist so I use my hands and my wrists on constant basis. I just got my monster so it's all basically stock. Normally I have to do about $600 worth of ergonomics or custom-made parts to make my bike really comfortable for me. But I got long legs and short arms. I've heard people say it can have to do with having gloves that are too tight. I still get it with fingerless, regular gloves, gauntlets, or without gloves. I would assume in that situation you have the problem in both hands and not just throttle hand.
So I have this problem too. I sometimes keep my elbows cocked out and have to adjust to keep them down. That seems to help me. I also noticed that when I rented a Ninja 250 for a day I rode it all day without this problem. The Ninja's bars are way lower...I wonder if lowering them could help? I see people say raise them, but I wonder...
Right hand only numbness = Wrist position/death grip.
Both hand numbness = to much weight forward.
Everything goes numb well, that's just poor conditioning or age. I keep telling myself it is poor conditioning ;D
I started to get this when I bought the Ducati. When I had my Vulcan I didn't experience any numbness in my right hand. While I'm sure the squeeze is the culprit I also noticed the grips are significantly smaller diameter than on the Vulcan. Because of the smaller diameter I felt I had to hold on tighter.
After 4 strokes in last ten years, have some hand problems when riding.
Bar end weights will alter the frequency of any vibes, and are well worth a try.
Worked for me, worth a try, and reversible, and low cost.