Just got back from a long tour around SE Washington into NE Oregon .. it was a blast but my right hand is now completely numb and my trigger finger has very little feeling. When I was riding and to try to help the problem, I would use my throttle lock and hang my right hand down to get some blood in there but it would only help for a few seconds.
Anyone had a similar problem and found a fix? I'm considering Heli bars but even when I was riding my friends VStrom my hand was still going numb, so not sure if that is the fix.
I use a throttle rocker. I have carpal tunnel from over 20 years of working with computers. Aside from the throttle rocker I really concentrate on NOT loading the bars. Between those two things I can pretty much ride as long as I want without any pain in my wrists.
rjstaaf, Aug 14 2006, 07:00 PM I use a throttle rocker. I have carpal tunnel from over 20 years of working with computers. Aside from the throttle rocker I really concentrate on NOT loading the bars. Between those two things I can pretty much ride as long as I want without any pain in my wrists.
mojopolo, Aug 14 2006, 09:55 PM Just got back from a long tour around SE Washington into NE Oregon .. it was a blast but my right hand is now completely numb and my trigger finger has very little feeling. When I was riding and to try to help the problem, I would use my throttle lock and hang my right hand down to get some blood in there but it would only help for a few seconds.
Anyone had a similar problem and found a fix? I'm considering Heli bars but even when I was riding my friends VStrom my hand was still going numb, so not sure if that is the fix.
Thanks, MP
You are supporting your upper body with your arms. This is wrong, it will lead to pain, numbness, and poor control of your motorcycle.
Use your legs and back muscles to support your upper body. You should be able to remove your hands from the bars at any time without losing balance. Your arms should only make forward and backward movements with the bars, keep your forearms close to parallel with the ground with your elbows bent and leaning forward at your waist. Grip the tank with your knees.
I've read about all of these things before and tried hard not to lean on my hands (loose arms, elbows down, etc) especially as the numbness got worse. I think it was a combination of still holding the throttle too hard (especially in some of those tight turns) and not being able to keep enough weight off my hands.
I have a throttle rocker but didn't take it on this trip using the throttle lock instead .. maybe I should have brought it ...
jeremy556, Aug 14 2006, 09:27 PM You are supporting your upper body with your arms. This is wrong, it will lead to pain, numbness, and poor control of your motorcycle.
Use your legs and back muscles to support your upper body. You should be able to remove your hands from the bars at any time without losing balance. Your arms should only make forward and backward movements with the bars, keep your forearms close to parallel with the ground with your elbows bent and leaning forward at your waist. Grip the tank with your knees.
+1.gif What jeremy556 said.
I also ride more and more with two fingers resting on the brake lever with the thumb and last two fingers on the throttle. This seems to take more pressure off the throttle for me. Just have to try it to see what I mean. It's especially good in the sharp twisties as I can brake and throttle on or off very quickly. Maybe it's just me but it works. fing02.gif
For about 10 years both my hands and forearms went numb every riding season and it got so bad I would wake up at night from the pain. Similar to you I would have to let each arm hang or message it as best as possible while riding to try to get some circulation back. Nothing worked and basically both hands and arms felt like they were burning 24/7 from about May until December.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome. Surgery was recommended and I had each hand done a year apart, at the end of the riding season. GREAT RESULTS! I don't even think about the problem until I meet someone or read of symptoms like what you have. There are conductivity test that can be done to determine if it really is carpel tunnel and there are none surgical treatments. They work for some and not for others.
All I can tell you for sure is that if you have carpel tunnel, it ain't self healing and getting a professional diagnosis and treatment is what you ought to be doing, everything else is stop gap.
mojopolo, Aug 14 2006, 10:48 PM I've read about all of these things before and tried hard not to lean on my hands (loose arms, elbows down, etc) especially as the numbness got worse. I think it was a combination of still holding the throttle too hard (especially in some of those tight turns) and not being able to keep enough weight off my hands.
I have a throttle rocker but didn't take it on this trip using the throttle lock instead .. maybe I should have brought it ...
Try riding using only the tips of 2 fingers on each bar, your thumb and index finger tip to control the throttle and left bar is more than enough for just about any riding and will force you to do ity correctly. It took me forever to stay loose in my arms at low speed turns and when stopping but this got me over it.
Cdn Arctic, Aug 14 2006, 08:24 PM For about 10 years both my hands and forearms went numb every riding season and it got so bad I would wake up at night from the pain. Similar to you I would have to let each arm hang or message it as best as possible while riding to try to get some circulation back. Nothing worked and basically both hands and arms felt like they were burning 24/7 from about May until December.
I was diagnosed with carpel tunnel syndrome. Surgery was recommended and I had each hand done a year apart, at the end of the riding season. GREAT RESULTS! I don't even think about the problem until I meet someone or read of symptoms like what you have. There are conductivity test that can be done to determine if it really is carpel tunnel and there are none surgical treatments. They work for some and not for others.
All I can tell you for sure is that if you have carpel tunnel, it ain't self healing and getting a professional diagnosis and treatment is what you ought to be doing, everything else is stop gap.
I'll denfitely keep an eye on it and get it checked out if it gets any worse .. I use a computer on average 10 hours per day and typing might be aggravating it too. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
jeremy556, Aug 14 2006, 08:30 PM Try riding using only the tips of 2 fingers on each bar, your thumb and index finger tip to control the throttle and left bar is more than enough for just about any riding and will force you to do ity correctly. It took me forever to stay loose in my arms at low speed turns and when stopping but this got me over it.
I've been trying that technique too .. it does make my hand feel better --- for a while anyways. Oh well, after a 11 hour day riding my whole body is aching and my hand is numb so thinking about supporting my body with it imy back when my legs, hips, toes, hands, etc are starting to cramp is tough!
Practice and core strengthening it is .. and maybe try a Heli bar?
Sorry mate, wouldn't have a clue, this was several years ago. I needed them as used to get numb right hand too - so I got the foamies, and a throttlemeister, which helped on superslab trips, and also damped a bit of vibration as they are heavier than stock bar-ends.
Now I've learnt to relax my arms, use my knees and gut muscles to hold me up, not my hands.
But I find if I've had a big night on the turps I still get a bit of numbness if riding the next day, mainly because if dehydration...
mojopolo, Aug 15 2006, 11:55 AM Just got back from a long tour around SE Washington into NE Oregon .. it was a blast but my right hand is now completely numb and my trigger finger has very little feeling.
As others have commented use legs & stomach to keep weight off your hands, have found my full length Daienese Back protector with built in Kidney belt helps my ABS, other thing is when on long slab tend to rest my hand / glove ontop of the throttle grip and change rest point occasionally rather than grip around.
mojopolo, Aug 14 2006, 09:55 PM Just got back from a long tour around SE Washington into NE Oregon .. it was a blast but my right hand is now completely numb and my trigger finger has very little feeling. When I was riding and to try to help the problem, I would use my throttle lock and hang my right hand down to get some blood in there but it would only help for a few seconds.
Anyone had a similar problem and found a fix? I'm considering Heli bars but even when I was riding my friends VStrom my hand was still going numb, so not sure if that is the fix.
Thanks, MP
Hey MP,
What you are describing is what some call "white finger." I had this problem when i first got my VFR.
I no longer have the problem. What did I do? Check out this thread that I started and read every suggestion found there... http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...c=22592&hl=
Everything that I learned about curing white finger I learned there BUT I found that a post made my Hispanic Slammer to be the most useful one to me. I followed those pointers and my problem was solved. Since then I have gotten softer grips and a Sargent seat BUT these have only made riding the bike more comfortable. Everything having to do with my numbness and white finger had to do with my riding position.
I found that it took me at least a week or two of adhering to a good riding discipline before it went away completely. Other parts of your body (muscles) will be sore as you adjust but it'll be worth it. On my last two long rides (360 miles in 4 hours and 170 miles on a FLAF ride) I had no problem with the numbness.
Throttle Rocker all the way. It's only $10 and worth every penny. You are basically cutting off the circulation and pinching the nerves in your right hand. I had the exact same problem, got a throttle rocker and numbness is no more. Throttle rockers should be standard equipment on road bikes. beer.gif
I'm sorry, I provided the wrong link and I couldn't find the correct one. Does anyone remember a fairly detailed post that HS made about riding position? If you can find that and post it up, that's be great.
Mojopolo,
Prior to spending money it is best to look for ways to improve your riding technique. There are two very good reasons for this (outside of spending money). The first is that by getting a proper riding position you are setting yourself up for being proper on any other bike of this type. The second, and probably most exciting, is that by teaching yourself the proper riding position you are actually setting yourself up to be faster in the coners. The correct riding position places your body weight closer to the middle of the bike (better and more even weight distribution) while it keeps pressure off of the hand grips (which unevens weight distribution.)
From what I have learned try these few things.
Keep your back arched forward a bit. It won't actually arch but by trying to arch it you are forcing your lower back to support your upper body weight thus releiveing weight from your arms. Keep your knees tucked into the tank for support. Try to keep your feet in towards the bike and your toes pointed straight forward.
If you try this you will experience a transfer of soreness from your wrists and hands to your lower back and inner thighs. As you progress in finding your "place" in this position you will notice that the soreness in the wrists/hands and the thighs/back go away sinultaneously (gardually but simultaneously.)
After you become accustomed to this style you will start to learn that pressure on your hands/wrists becomes a reminder for you to correct your position.
Since I modified my technique to this style I have given up my desire for bik clips, throttle rockers and other mods that get to the symptom and not the cause. If you still want these items later, that's fine. But it's usually best to learn the best riding position first and prior to looking for mechanical fixes.
In case I forget to mention, since finding my place in this style of riding I have noticed increased control over my bike and a feeling of being a lot faster in corners. And for long, long straight rides you may want them anyway BUT don't allow them to stop you from having a great riding position.
Dan, Aug 17 2006, 10:29 AM I'm sorry, I provided the wrong link and I couldn't find the correct one. Does anyone remember a fairly detailed post that HS made about riding position? If you can find that and post it up, that's be great.
Mojopolo,
Prior to spending money it is best to look for ways to improve your riding technique. There are two very good reasons for this (outside of spending money). The first is that by getting a proper riding position you are setting yourself up for being proper on any other bike of this type. The second, and probably most exciting, is that by teaching yourself the proper riding position you are actually setting yourself up to be faster in the coners. The correct riding position places your body weight closer to the middle of the bike (better and more even weight distribution) while it keeps pressure off of the hand grips (which unevens weight distribution.)
From what I have learned try these few things.
Keep your back arched forward a bit. It won't actually arch but by trying to arch it you are forcing your lower back to support your upper body weight thus releiveing weight from your arms. Keep your knees tucked into the tank for support. Try to keep your feet in towards the bike and your toes pointed straight forward.
If you try this you will experience a transfer of soreness from your wrists and hands to your lower back and inner thighs. As you progress in finding your "place" in this position you will notice that the soreness in the wrists/hands and the thighs/back go away sinultaneously (gardually but simultaneously.)
After you become accustomed to this style you will start to learn that pressure on your hands/wrists becomes a reminder for you to correct your position.
Since I modified my technique to this style I have given up my desire for bik clips, throttle rockers and other mods that get to the symptom and not the cause. If you still want these items later, that's fine. But it's usually best to learn the best riding position first and prior to looking for mechanical fixes.
In case I forget to mention, since finding my place in this style of riding I have noticed increased control over my bike and a feeling of being a lot faster in corners. And for long, long straight rides you may want them anyway BUT don't allow them to stop you from having a great riding position.
Best,
Dan
+1.gif Most people try to rearrange the bike to become comfortable without learning to be comfortable the way the bike was designed, they just need to take the time to learn proper technique and most if not all of their problems will be solved in most cases... Unless you have a 36" inseam, then your knees are going to hurt after 300+ miles.
I think we've all experienced the problem to some degree. Different grips can help, I've seen long distance riders wrap their grips with the same tape you wrap a tennis racquet handle with.
It hasn't been an issue for me since I bought a very expensive pair of insulated, waterproof riding gloves with padded palms. fing02.gif
Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. My finger is still a bit numb from my trip (I posted a video in a new thread). I'll keep working on my body position on the bike and strengthen my lower back .. I did find that my inner thighs get tired when I squeeze the tank to hold myself up.
Make sure you do no over tighten your gloves at the wrist, too! Some gloves give me numbness from binding. They can compress as you twist the throttle and cut off blood at the wrist. This was a big problem for me!
If you have carpel tunnel, you should see a doctor. But I'll let you in on one of my best finds ever. When I played basketball in college, we got a new strength coach my sophomore year. He bought everyone hand strengthening exercisers and asked us to do the exercises 3-4 week. They were good for strength and fine motor development.
Fast forward ten years. When I first bought the VFR, I had similar issues with my hands and wrist. I dug out and dusted off the ole' Gripmaster and started doing the exercises. Within a couple of weeks, I could tell a big difference in endurance and dexterity. My suggestion is to do ALL of the exercises. You may need to get the medium and the heavy version. I found when I first started that the heavy was too much for individual finger work.
I keep mine in the car and use it daily. If you do the exercises regularly, you will be impressed with how well it helps out your performance. It might even get rid of your hand numbness because you'll use less strength to operate the controls and have better feel. Not a magic formula for all hand/wrist problems, but worth a shot anyways.
VFRbar, Aug 17 2006, 10:48 AM If you have carpel tunnel, you should see a doctor. But I'll let you in on one of my best finds ever. When I played basketball in college, we got a new strength coach my sophomore year. He bought everyone hand strengthening exercisers and asked us to do the exercises 3-4 week. They were good for strength and fine motor development.
Fast forward ten years. When I first bought the VFR, I had similar issues with my hands and wrist. I dug out and dusted off the ole' Gripmaster and started doing the exercises. Within a couple of weeks, I could tell a big difference in endurance and dexterity. My suggestion is to do ALL of the exercises. You may need to get the medium and the heavy version. I found when I first started that the heavy was too much for individual finger work.
I keep mine in the car and use it daily. If you do the exercises regularly, you will be impressed with how well it helps out your performance. It might even get rid of your hand numbness because you'll use less strength to operate the controls and have better feel. Not a magic formula for all hand/wrist problems, but worth a shot anyways.
Here's a weird one for you... I get the same thing, but in my LEFT hand. I'm using the Progrip 719's and just about always ride leaning on the tank. I use my VFR to commute for about 2 hours a day (34 miles each way... lots of backroads and twisties.) I usually don't do the deathgrip as I am very aware when I do and it makes me nervous. Maybe I am putting weight on my hands (I'm 6' 2"), but it doesn't feel like it. After 2 months with a new '06, I can barely feel the last third of my left pinky.
BTW... I usually don't wear gloves for the commute... but maybe I should?
I haven't really been worried about it, but will be open to suggestions and will probably order the long, extra-heavy bar weights next week.
Anyone have a clue why I get this in the left hand? Thanks in advance...
wirelesswill, Aug 17 2006, 09:30 PM Here's a weird one for you... I get the same thing, but in my LEFT hand. I'm using the Progrip 719's and just about always ride leaning on the tank. I use my VFR to commute for about 2 hours a day (34 miles each way... lots of backroads and twisties.) I usually don't do the deathgrip as I am very aware when I do and it makes me nervous. Maybe I am putting weight on my hands (I'm 6' 2"), but it doesn't feel like it. After 2 months with a new '06, I can barely feel the last third of my left pinky.
BTW... I usually don't wear gloves for the commute... but maybe I should?
I haven't really been worried about it, but will be open to suggestions and will probably order the long, extra-heavy bar weights next week.
Anyone have a clue why I get this in the left hand? Thanks in advance...
Try resting your left hand down by your side or on the tank - not holding the grip for a bit.
wirelesswill, Aug 17 2006, 08:30 PM Here's a weird one for you... I get the same thing, but in my LEFT hand. I'm using the Progrip 719's and just about always ride leaning on the tank. I use my VFR to commute for about 2 hours a day (34 miles each way... lots of backroads and twisties.) I usually don't do the deathgrip as I am very aware when I do and it makes me nervous. Maybe I am putting weight on my hands (I'm 6' 2"), but it doesn't feel like it. After 2 months with a new '06, I can barely feel the last third of my left pinky.
BTW... I usually don't wear gloves for the commute... but maybe I should?
I haven't really been worried about it, but will be open to suggestions and will probably order the long, extra-heavy bar weights next week.
Anyone have a clue why I get this in the left hand? Thanks in advance...
I wear gloves but back when I had a street bike and didnt I hate thos foam grips. Gloves really isolate vibrations.
Your might try some offroad gloves they breathe very well, I only wear street gloves in the Cold. As far as leaning on the tank, I've never had the need to do that on my VFR. I'd fall asleep more than likely
I have these big super insulated gloves, I hate them, bu thtey are cheaper than heated grips.
I found that I would get cramps in my right wrist and forearm when I rode the VFR with the heavy gloves. The Throttle rocker certainly made a differnce for me for the longer rides. I took it off for a short rides around town. I think it is a great item and is cheap enough that it is no big deal to give it a try.
Good form is important! So always work for good body position.
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 19 Oct 2006