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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and riding /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1092961248 Message started by Junkboy on 08/19/04 at 17:20:48 |
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Title: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and riding Post by Junkboy on 08/19/04 at 17:20:48 Hello. I just got my savage over a week ago and have put more than 300 miles on it around town. I am a heavy computer user; database entry by day, digital video editing by night. I also injured my right wrist last spring while doing Karate (my fist met with a lunging knee). Anyway, I noticed that since riding my hands and wrists hurt a lot more. The vibration, gripping, and lack or agronomics (is that the right word?) is adding stress to my already overused hands. The bike is now one of my main forms of transportation. The other is a 1963 Ford F100 in need of restoration. Besides, I would rather give up my job than the bike because I am hooked. I am wondering if anyone has some suggestions as to how to improve my riding so that my hands and wrists arent so negatively effected. thanks. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Watnys on 08/19/04 at 18:42:17 Had the same problem. I even tried wearing different types of gloves with gel palm insets. What finally worked for me are Kuryakyn ISO-grips. They are amazing. Now I can ride even without gloves. Also, the nuts on the handlebar riser stems were not properly torqued on my bike. Since the rubber bushings allow for some give, I didn’t notice right away that they were getting on the loose side except for the increasing vibration. Since then I have coated the stems with loc-tite. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Susan on 08/19/04 at 19:05:08 Junkboy wrote:
Grips will likely make the biggest difference. You could also look at the setting on your shocks but it is probably more a vibration than a suspension issue. One other thought is a massager. I actually have early arthritis in my hands and sometimes when I wake up in the morning they ache like the d-i-c-kens. We bought one of those back massagers (they sell them in lots of places) and I use it on my hands when they really hurt. It makes quite a difference. Of course I'd suggest starting with the grips as it is better to treat the problem than the symptoms if you can! Glad you are enjoying your new ride! Have you gotten used to the purple yet? ;D |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by sunny on 08/20/04 at 08:06:14 another help might be to give your hands a little more exercise. i am a musician so both my hands are equally stronger than the average person. when i go for long periods of not playing i use something called a grip master. it comes in different tensions and can be useful for increasing overall grip strength as well as individual finger strength. you should be able to find them at the larger music centers. just do not overdo as that can actually aggravate the problem. i occassionally have bouts of carpel tunnel syndrome and use a computer daily, but not doing data entry. the theory here is that exercise increases muscle strength and blood flow to an area. just my wooden nickel... |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Jon on 08/20/04 at 10:01:42 Your hands will strengthen with the miles and be less sensitive. In the interim, try moving the handlebar fore/aft to change the grip angle until you find a more comfortable position. Or, buy an S40, the bars have better ergos. ;-) Also, get a Throttle Rocker to lighten the load on the right wrist. It's a very worthwhile gadget, highly recommended. http://www.throttlerocker.com/ |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Greg_650 on 08/20/04 at 10:06:19 Junkboy wrote:
First of all, you are new to riding, and something like holding the clutch lever at a light might be a little tiring at first. It has also been my experience that new riders tend to grip the bars too tightly from nervousness....you'll get over the white knuckle tendency with time. Also, you might want to tinker with the bar and lever positions. They aren't always in the best positions coming off the showroom floor. The levers might be turned up or down too far, or the bars back or forward too much. As for the computer use and your wrists, I hope that you don't go through the same difficulties as my spouse who was sidelined for several months last year after having necessary carpal tunnel surgery. Her problem started with the computers and it caused a lot of pain when riding....and then through recovery she wasn't allowed to ride, either. She is fine now on both the computer and the bike. Check the bike ergonomics and try to relax. Maybe get into a MSF school to help your confidence, and then if all else fails go to a doctor for some help with the wrists. My Savage is my main transport too. Ride safe. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Jon on 08/20/04 at 10:06:27 p.s. IMO, the original Throttle Rocker is far superior to their new velcro strap job. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Junkboy on 08/20/04 at 15:24:01 thanks for the replies. I will try the new grips and repositioning the handle bars. I am gripping tighter then I will once I get used to it. I try to make myself aware of it and relax. I also put the bike in neutral a lot when at long lights. i am a big light watcher anyways, so i am pretty ready when it turns to punch it. Luckily my gf is an acupuncturist. She is going to give me a treatment soon. ;D I will also exersize my hands more. i have little wimpy hands anyways. they could beef up. btw, my bike is still purple. so far i have painted the fron fender silver. the purple is not staying although its not a bad color, just not my color. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Susan on 08/20/04 at 19:34:32 Junkboy wrote:
In my MSF course (love the MSF course ;D) they warned us not to use neutral at lights. The thinking is we should always be prepared to immediately get out of the way if something happens and that the extra second it takes to put the bike in gear could be the difference between getting out of the way and getting hit. They mentioned things like an accident at the intersection that spins out of control or a car that loses control and can't stop in time. On one of the other forums when this came up, someone mentioned that it had actually happened to them and if they hadn't been prepared and gotten out of the way, they would have been rear ended. Just food for thought. Glad to hear all is well with the bike. You'll have to post pics once you get her repainted. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by gitarzan on 08/20/04 at 20:27:02 Quote:
That hits home. About 2 weeks ago I was about to take my bike to work, but at the last minute decided to take the Mazda. On the way, sitting at a light some lady rear-ended me with a full sized van. It did $3k min damage to the car and I pulled some shoulder muscles. Not really that much, but it was intense at the moment. I had to really lay on the brakes to avoid hitting the truck in front of me. I think I did all the braking for me and the lady in the van behind me. I laid off riding the bike for 2 weeks until my shoulder felt better and to be honest I was a little shaken knowing that if I was on the bike I probably would have been just a wet spot between that van and the heavy duty pickup in front of me. So, THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL ME MAKES ME STRONGER. Or at least a little more cognizant of the possibility of getting nailed in traffic. And, Susan's tip, while it would not have helped me then, really sound's like a good idea. I think that I'll stop sitting in Neutral at intersections. FWIW, if you are a Jerry springer fan, I learned that the lady with the van had it given to her by The Jerry Springer Show. The episode reran just four days after I was hit! Here's a link... http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:of9C72ez0KkJ:www.snponline.com/NEWS4-9/SPRINGER.htm+jerry+springer+waffle+house+evelyn&hl=en |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Greg_650 on 08/21/04 at 04:41:39 Susan wrote:
Susan is quite right about the advice from the MSF course. There are also other instances when being in gear is important...What if the vehicle behind you is already stopped? This page that is posted on my web site comes from the AMA magazine. The article concerns road rage against bikers, and this picture concerns a dump truck that ran over a biker at a light in Pittsburg. Of particular interest (on the next page) is the fact that a witness saw the biker lift his left foot to the peg after the truck lurched forward....I can only assume that he was in nuetral and wanted to shift into gear. The biker was hurt very badly and lost a leg. http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/215/215131/folders/156326/1196104DumpTruck01web.jpg |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Roadie on 08/21/04 at 05:48:19 First gear is always the choice when at the intersection for exactly the reason's outlined above. Thank goodness I've never had to use it. The other advice to tack on to that is don't fiddle about down with the controls or looking at crap below the horizon as it's about useless at a light. Look in the mirrors, to your sides where traffic is comming and on comming. Nothing down below is going to help or even do anything. If you look down to make sure you're not in neutral, you've lost a second starin' at a light that lies to you sometimes anyways. And besides you'll know every time when you're in first because foot peddle can't go down anymore. The other thing that the writter mentions in the Indianapolis incident is that the cyclist was in the right to wait a sec. I don't know how many stale to red lights I've seen cagers blow through even in my car, let alone on the bike. Always check the intersection....... But then again I'm not prone to go all mad if someone honks at me or yells something stupid. As I'm the superior driver (and safest) to keep a cool head as it's my a$$ on the line out there. BTW: I lived in Indianapolis, and you couldn't pay me to drive down town on a motorcycle! Yikes! Not to mention how DENSE the traffic is! Stay safe, Roadie 8) |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Susan on 08/21/04 at 05:53:13 Gitarzan -- Sorry to hear about your accident. It sure does make me stop and think about driving defensively while on the motorcycle. I am always scanning for potential dangers but am going to be even more vigilant. Glad to hear you are o.k. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Junkboy on 08/21/04 at 22:04:27 OK. Bad habit fixed. Thanks for the wake up call on that one. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Mr 650 on 08/22/04 at 10:02:10 Quote:
'Tarzan, it sounds like you have a case against both of them, more power to you. ;) Quote:
Yeah, I will generally agree w/ that, but it is not a one-size-fits-all situations rule (and it helps sell a lot more clutch springs & cables) However on your return to the city after riding and if you are not 1st in line, and everyone is stopped behind traffic for a known long light. It's OK to give your hands, your butt, your legs a quick rest and a little exercise. (Just don't turn off your radar) Save wear on the clutch, stand up off the seat, shift weight to both feet, get some blood to the fanny and/or wiggle the hands & fingers sometimes, to get a little more circulation going to whatever weary body part(s) need attention. Then always try to be back in gear as the cross-light is yellow. Then you feel ready to 'fight traffic' again. I’m talking about a little help for your body, not rider fatigue. Rider fatigue is something to be avoided. If you’re beat, stop and take a break. I find traffic is something to be avoided at all costs, a Savage/40's 50/60 mpg allows you to route yourself to avoid as much of it as possible, even if it is much farther to use as many un-traveled/light traffic streets as you can! Find those streets w/o traffic and those irresponsible, speeding-while-cell-phone-talking idiots!! Someone once said, we should only be licensed for anything else, only after a year of being a licensed motorcycle rider. I agree, and one thing you can't do is ride and talk on the cursed cell phone. >:( |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by gitarzan on 08/22/04 at 16:58:01 I wasn't hurt as much as my car. I was just pointing out that sometimes you just can't do anything about what's going to get you. I'm not vindictive, I just want my car fixed and my shoulder's doing well so it's cool. Yesterday I went on a >100 mile poker run for the MDA. So all is cool... 8) AND I kept in mind the tidbit about not standing at intersections in neutral. There were about 250 HDs, 1 MotoGuzzi, 1 BigDog, a couple BMWs, a half dozen or so big metric cruisers, a couple old inline four UJMs from days of yore and 2 count'em two- Savages. A friend's wife rides a 2004 Sportster and keeps ragging about me not riding a HD. I finally told her that I can pay cold cash today for any Sportster in that Harley dealers's. That I can finance without a hitch any bike they sell. That I researched Harley, Honda, Kaws, Yahama's and Suzuki's, new and used. I never felt that the HD had anything to offer other than membership in self-congratulatory "fraternity" of suckers that are willing to way too much for way too little. That I was considering the Volusia, Ace or 800 Drifter until I found out about The Thumper. From that point on that is what I pursued until I found one, and I bought -it-. I got exactly what I wanted, rather than what someone else told me I should buy. I think she's pissed at me now. :-X |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Greg_650 on 08/23/04 at 02:15:52 I think that always pisses them off. Especially because most of them buy HDs simply because someone else suggested it. Not because they actually have experience with the bike. But did you have a good hand? |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Mr 650 on 08/23/04 at 05:53:09 Yup, I was in the grocery and someone had a 100th anniversery Sportster, used, asking $9100. ??? I imagine that she is mad cause she knows she still has to wrestle that boat anchor around, and I bet a Savage/40 w/ the same state of tune as Greg's and same size rider would go right by a stock Sporty and they would have a fat wad of $100s in their pocket from all the cash they saved when they did it too. ;D |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by gitarzan on 08/23/04 at 07:38:02 Quote:
Me? Heck no. Two 10 of hearts and and a handful of trash. That's the interesting thing about poker runs, due to the numbers of decks of cards, you can have creative hands, like five of a kind. I was shooting for a five of kind flush. But it was not to be. |
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Title: Re: Hand injuries, extensive computer use, and rid Post by Greg_650 on 08/24/04 at 02:38:00 gitarzan wrote:
You know, Harley is really just like any other bike. They have good models and bad ones. They have a distinction of being one of the oldest manufacturers and being American made once upon a time, the rest has become a self-serving marketing thing. Those really die hard HD riders don't know and don't like to think about other tidbits about HD. A few decades ago, HD employed consultants from Japan to learn how to make them not leak oil. In the 50's there were some 2-stroke Harleys made in Italy (Ducati?). Of course the V-rod is a collaboration with a German manufacturer. The bikes are filled with electronic devices made in Japan. Now Harley is having their road clothes "made in China". And to cap it off, from 1930 to about 1956 there was a Harley factory in Japan because it was cheaper to build them there.....that same factory was abandoned by HD during WWII, but the Japanese kept it in production and even built motorcycles for their military during the war. The made in America thing is just an inaccurate out-dated theme and most of those that shout "orange and black" don't even know. |
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