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Message started by RaleighGuy on 07/20/16 at 08:33:36

Title: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 07/20/16 at 08:33:36

While reading through many of the comments in the "Riding @ 10..." topic in the Café,
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1468498083/0

I realized that I've had some problems with my right hand becoming numb after riding interstate for 15 or 20 minutes or more. Could that be my stressed posture, tight grip or something different? Anybody else complain about this problem?

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by stewmills on 07/20/16 at 09:13:10

Not me. I have seen some people use a "crampbuster" but I have never tried one because I rarely ride steady speeds for any consistent length of time.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by verslagen1 on 07/20/16 at 09:16:57

Can be a number of issues, ergonomics, grip, etc.

so I assume you don't get this in your left hand, even after an hour.
you may need a different bar, more or less pull back.

do you have to maintain a seriously tighter grip to keep the throttle position?
a throttle boss or cramp buster could help.

You may try different grips too.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 07/20/16 at 09:36:02

Nope, not in the left hand at all. Right hand only. And no, I don't usually need to hold it very tight to ease up or down on the throttle. I thought I might try some different grips and if that doesn't work, I may have to invest in another bar entirely. Just curious...

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Dave on 07/20/16 at 09:57:28

When my hand goes numb, I find that I have started to lean my upper body weight on the handlebars too hard. If I concentrate on energizing my core to hold my weight off the bars, then my hand recovers pretty quickly.

I do use a Crampbuster on my Honda NT700 - but not on the Cafe' bike.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Ruttly on 07/20/16 at 10:00:04

Right handed ? Any vision problems ?

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by DavidP on 07/20/16 at 14:20:35

and it's Ruttly for the win.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by old.indian on 07/20/16 at 14:34:26

I was having a similar problem when holding a steady speed for any length of time. A "cramp buster" took care of that issue for me.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Steve H on 07/20/16 at 15:54:59

it only takes about 5 minutes for mine to start going numb. I've got carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists from so many years working with computers. Grip as loosely as you can. try moving your hand around to different positions. I find that many times putting my thumb on top with the rest of my fingers gets rid of it.

Vibration can cause numbness. you can probably correct that with some different grips if that's the culprit. If it's vibration, you might have to try some bar end weights. They'll change the harmonic frequency of the handlebars and either make it worse or better.

I found years ago that soft foam coke bottle grips work best for my hands.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/20/16 at 15:59:03

If you're not wearing gloves, you need to.If regular leather work gloves don't get it, get gel padded. Work on the lightest grip that keeps the gas on.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Ruttly on 07/20/16 at 20:06:41

Some light compression on wrists helps some. I use sports tape for long rides. That tape that sticks to itself , kinda like ace bandage but much thinner. With gloves too !

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Ruttly on 07/20/16 at 20:25:56

Yeah that's thumpers for ya , numb to the elbows , fillings falling out of your teeth, numb butt don't even fart, isn't it great !
Even worse on my sporty 10 miles out numb to elbows,20 out goes from numb to tingling pain,30 out its no longer pins & needles , it's knives & swords, maybe a pitchfork or 2, ride on , press on thru all the pain , by 50 out your brains endorphins are kicking in , it's all still there & you still feel it but , it doesn't bother you , time to ride , press on till you hit reserve !

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 07/21/16 at 04:35:25

Dave

When my hand goes numb, I find that I have started to lean my upper body weight on the handlebars too hard. If I concentrate on energizing my core to hold my weight off the bars, then my hand recovers pretty quickly.

I've thought that maybe you were right about leaning forward too much. I'll try to keep a more balanced posture and see if it makes a difference.

Steve H

... If it's vibration, you might have to try some bar end weights. They'll change the harmonic frequency of the handlebars and either make it worse or better.

Make it worse or better? You sure inspire plenty of confidence, don't you Steve?? ;D just kidding...

justin_o_guy2

If you're not wearing gloves, you need to. If regular leather work gloves don't get it, get gel padded. Work on the lightest grip that keeps the gas on.

Yes, thanks J.O.G. I was reviewing some of Revzilla's guide videos on summer gear and saw what they suggested so earlier this week, I picked up some Alpinestars SMX-1 gloves from Cycle Gear but I've only been able to use them once so far. Gel padded gloves are pretty awesome!!

Ruttly

... 10 miles out numb to elbows,20 out goes from numb to tingling pain,30 out its no longer pins & needles , it's knives & swords....

Ok, I get it. You're kinda saying "Take the bad with the good and ride on, Mr." Am I following you? 8-)

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 07/21/16 at 05:44:32

A death grip will turn your hands numb.

Grip the bars as if they are made of eggs and you don't want to crack them. That is the right amount of force.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/21/16 at 07:46:09

Since it's the Right hand,, tells me it's grip. I had to Consciously work on the grip . Once I discovered that I could lay my open hand on it and operate it by pushing or pulling, I owned it.
I even shifted without the clutch that way sometimes.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 07/21/16 at 10:06:51

Ok, I can try that for sure.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/21/16 at 10:09:23

Be gentle, flow, like water..

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 07/21/16 at 10:13:41

My cabbage is giving me the same type of lesson every time I decel coming towards a stop sign or red light. Nice and easy, very slow deceleration... good. Fast drop off with the gas, POP POP POP!! Backfire galore.

I need to learn some patience and how to treat her gentle. :-/

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 07/21/16 at 10:33:51

3A252324393E0F3F0F37252962500 wrote:
Since it's the Right hand,, tells me it's grip. I had to Consciously work on the grip . Once I discovered that I could lay my open hand on it and operate it by pushing or pulling, I owned it.

Good point. Another thought; if you ride with two fingers covering (touching) the brake lever you never have to worry about a tight grip.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by ero4444 on 07/21/16 at 15:14:35

Vista Cruise , universal-mount, is pretty easy to install and helps me relax the right hand on a longer ride.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 07/21/16 at 18:33:54

7F68752E2E2E2E1A0 wrote:
Vista Cruise , universal-mount, is pretty easy to install and helps me relax the right hand on a longer ride.

Not practical on a cafe racer.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by batman on 07/23/16 at 10:18:10

You mean café racers are practical? You might be able to use a vista on the interstate.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by JossCycle on 08/13/16 at 09:34:17

I'm curious if you decided on the cramp buster. I ride a 2005 S40 and just re-installed mine from off my old bike, as I also get numbing in my right hand (carpel tunnel, my reward for drumming for 30 years). It really helps, especially because I can relax my grip a lot more. I didn't find it got in the way of in-town rides but it's easy enough to slip on/off, and I'm really excited to have it for our trip through the White Mountains in a few days!

Joss

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Sonny on 08/14/16 at 12:25:58

The LS650 buckhorn bars strain my hands at speed, S40 drag bars not at all.

Crampbuster helps on the straightaway.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by RaleighGuy on 08/15/16 at 06:37:37

1B3E22221228323D34510 wrote:

--------------------------------------------------------

Actually, Joss, I used JOG's advice and use an open hand to throttle up and down. It pretty much took care of my problem. I still find my hand getting slightly numb occasionally but then I realize that I'm gripping it too tightly and just try to relax that hand again. Within a few minutes, the numbing sensation goes away.

I guess I was more nervous riding than I realized. (It's been 8-9 years since I'd last ridden on a regular basis) :'(

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by ohiomoto on 08/15/16 at 06:46:08

I have carpel tunnel and my right hand goes numb pretty quickly. One thing that I do is to spend a good deal of time riding with my wrist "broke down". (Basically a full throttle position without the full throttle.) This keeps the tendons stretched out.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by Dave on 08/15/16 at 07:11:21

I don't know what I have - but after a while my hands can go numb when I am gripping a handle for an extended period of time. Weedwacker, Spinning bike, bicycle or motorcycle all make my hands go to sleep after a while.

Changing the my hand position and loosening my grip all can help, and a "Crampbuster" on the motorcycle when on long rides can delay the onset and make it bearable when it does arrive - but I can never make it go away completely.

Title: Re: Throttle hand numb
Post by stewmills on 08/15/16 at 07:26:51

I tried MM's Crampbuster up at the Dragon and it was pretty good. I didn't get to use it for any length of time because of the nature of the riding we did up there, but if I ever plan a trip with a lot of straight highway riding I'll definitely invest on one. For the money and the fact that you can just slip it on and off as needed, you can't go wrong with one.