I have black heli bars on my bike and still my wrists, at the end of a weekend camping trip to the Adirondack Mts in NY, were SORE AS HELL! Does anyone know, use and recommenda any other alternatives for straighter bars? I would prefer a much less angled approach.
I'm sure you have considered other solutions, but have you thought about sitting closer to the tank, crampbuster, cruise control, and other devices before you change the bars? Sorry, I cannot help you more than this, but I remember seeing threads about people switching for straighter bars on this site, so it can be done and it looked good too.
Good luck!
C
Do you really expect for nothing to ache or be sore after 1000 miles? I'm not sure it's going to get much better.
Check out the angle of your bars compared to your arm, I suspect that ergonomically you'd want your wrist to be neutrally in line with your arm in your standard seating position. Also have you looked into wrist stretches or wrist exercises?
1000 miles in a weekend is a pretty good amount of time in the saddle each day but it isn't insane. I've a crampbuster (or a copy of the same) and it made a *world* of difference for me. Also everything killbam, consider stretches, don't stay in a constant position.
I have the same set up and often have trouble with my wrists. Doctor says I could actually benefit from surgery so I guess I have other issues than just bar angle.
I bought a V-strom (not that I need an excuse to buy a new bike) and have found that, so far, my wrist problems do not manifest. After years and years of 'sport bikes' I am finally coming to the conclusion that I need to adjust for my age. (as much as it hurts to say that.)
I know that does not help or answer your situation, but thought I would let you know you are not alone.
I have the same set up and often have trouble with my wrists. Doctor says I could actually benefit from surgery so I guess I have other issues than just bar angle.
I bought a V-strom (not that I need an excuse to buy a new bike) and have found that, so far, my wrist problems do not manifest. After years and years of 'sport bikes' I am finally coming to the conclusion that I need to adjust for my age. (as much as it hurts to say that.)
I know that does not help or answer your situation, but thought I would let you know you are not alone.
Take a picture of your two bikes together, so the difference of the two handlebars can help the OP see what he needs to do to his bike to make it more wrist friendly.
Sounds like you may be putting too much weight on your hands. Took me a long time to teach myself to keep my hands loose and light. I have put in a 500 mile day without too much of an issue. Strengthening my core with sit ups has helped a ton. I use my knees and core to support my upper body.
I'm still using stock bars and pegs. I have been considering lowering the pegs as I'm now starting to have hip issues.
Here's what I have on my bike, and don't have any problem on long rides. The only time I find my hand hurting is when my sphincter
has crabbed hold of my seat.
There are advantages to the angled forward approach but there are some techniques that have to be learned to distribute weight. The advantage is as you lean forward less weight is on the seat which is the weak link in the upright position. To make the forward position work one must use less of the arms to support the upper body. Unlock and bend the elbows, relax arms,
this will relieve the wrists. If hands get numb lift the heal of the palm from the grips for better blood flow. Another key to long distance is moving around occasionally, keeping the blood moving, relieving tension periodically.
I had trouble when I first went from an upright Nighthawk to the VFR. Learned some better technique and now more comfortable long distance on the stock VFR. I have survived up to 700 miles in a day and I am an old guy.
I have an NEC throttle lock, and Kuryakyn ISO grips w/ a throttle boss- and yes, after 1000 miles (300+ a day) my thigh were cramping a bit too! I constantly sit in various positions, and have recently also installed the Peg Blocks which lower the foot pegs an inch or so (sold by a member here).
I used to own a Vstrom for about a year - and I'm seriously considering, down the pike, of swapping back to an upright position - I have the kawasaki nomad cruiser for that as well.
I have found great relief by strengthing my core to the point I can hold myself up w/o using my hands for support. Sitting up straight as possible, with a curve in your spine and using your feet on the pegs and knees against the tank to anchor your body. While I ride occasionally during the winter, I find it takes some mileage to build up my strength in the spring. At this point in the year "back to full strength". (pun intended). From my point of view it is a physical strength issue.
As a side benefit, my lower back has become stronger and I back goes out much less often. It used to go out more often than I did. Now the score is in my favor.
I have the same set up and often have trouble with my wrists. Doctor says I could actually benefit from surgery so I guess I have other issues than just bar angle.
I bought a V-strom (not that I need an excuse to buy a new bike) and have found that, so far, my wrist problems do not manifest. After years and years of 'sport bikes' I am finally coming to the conclusion that I need to adjust for my age. (as much as it hurts to say that.)
I know that does not help or answer your situation, but thought I would let you know you are not alone.
I guess, I am in trouble, I just sold my V-Strom to get the VFR!!!!
Sit-ups, crunches, and leg lifts. Seriously. Your riding posture is is off and you are supporting the weight of your upper body with your arms and wrists. The only way to correct that is to strengthen your core and improve your riding posture. You should be able to sit comfortably on the bike with your hands lightly resting on the bars and your elbows slightly bent.
I frequently have the same problem because I tend to get lazy in the saddle during long rides and start leaning on my wrists. I have to consciously work on my riding posture to prevent wrist discomfort. I like to set my throttle lock on a nice straight stretch of road and hover my hands a fraction of an inch over the bars. I will also occasionally just rest one finger on the bars. While doing this I concentrate on sitting comfortably, relaxed, and upright using my core as support. I also concentrate on a proper level of support from my legs with foot placement. Once I reach a point where I am comfortable and have no weight on the bars I relax a little but just try to hold that posture. If I do that exercise frequently toward the start of long rides it helps me to "learn" or become accustomed to that better riding posture and I fight off the bad habit of leaning on the hands longer.
I have done several 1200 and 1300 mile days and concentrating on posture is the only thing that helped me stay pain free all day. Side benefit is if you work on your riding posture and develop that core support when you hit the nice twisty bits of road you will find yourself in better control of the bike, lighter on the controls, and more relaxed. As a result you will feel less like you just had a hard workout after dancing around on the bike through the curves.
I just scheduled a doctor's appt for tomorrow because of a 10-hour ride on June 10th. Have done my own research (see below), but since I pay for the insurance . . .
First, the biggest culprit was the angle of my wrist necessary to have my fingertips on the levers and wrist on the bars (NOT STRAIGHT AT ALL). Basically if I take my tips off the levers and ensure NO angle in my wrists, it's much better, but I consider this a safety issue. 5th Gens can't move the angle of the levers down without metal work (I believe), but 6th Gens can. Search the forum for a post on this and the ergo calculator and ergo video or someone provide the link.
Second, I guess I'm short because there is substantially less arm bend on this bike compared to my VF500F (or I'm just getting old). Find the ergo calculator and see how much more upright Heli's and a lowered seat help. After that, it's situps and discipline to create the arch in your back that keeps you upright. The added benefit is more weight goes low into the pegs which helps in the twisties. I'm still learning, but this is helping.
Stomach muscles are pretty key to holding yourself up instead of putting all your weight on the bars. Takes a while to get used to, but makes a world of difference.
Sit as close to the tank as possible to help keep yourself upright
STRETCH! If you aren't young and/or able to just hop on the bike and go all day, take a few minutes to stretch out everything before starting the day.
Since you mentioned camping, how you sleep makes a big difference. Sleeping flat on your back helps out.
Thanks everyone! I'm thinkingmy prob is not the abs or muscles or posture, but the bars, so I'm looking into switching out to convertibars -it appears that there are not alot of experience w/ this product on this site, I'll seek VFR World advice. Thanks again!
Here's what I have on my bike, and don't have any problem on long rides. The only time I find my hand hurting is when my sphincter has crabbed hold of my seat.
I think I recognize the Vista cruise, but what's that thing on the end of the bar?
Thanks everyone! I'm thinkingmy prob is not the abs or muscles or posture, but the bars, so I'm looking into switching out to convertibars -it appears that there are not alot of experience w/ this product on this site, I'll seek VFR World advice. Thanks again!
Keep in mind, if you use the Convertibars to an effective height, you will need to purchase new replacement (longer throttle cables and brake-clutch lines)
I did not, just went for a wider 'slightly' higher ego. Will bother if grip adjustments are not used during a long ride..
You didn't mention your gloves. I find with nice gloves I don't have to grip the bars as tight. Also, Grip Puppies can help cut down vibes a little, lessening fatigue.
End of thread · 20 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 21 Feb 2016