Hands going numb!

[oneflag]

I have always had problems with my hands falling asleep or going numb while riding. I am 37 years old and have owned street bikes, dirt bikes and ATVs. I recently bought my first BMW, an (R1150R) and I absolutely love it. I want to ride more than ever but my hands go numb to the point I cant apply the turn signals.

[WooDmEn]

I think you need to see a doc. Sounds like carpal tunnel, or some other nerve issue.

[selil]

Me too.

Cruise control, wrist rest, and changing my grip has helped. I don't like surgery so carpal tunnel surgery is right out.

[knary]

I think you need to see a doc. Sounds like carpal tunnel, or some other nerve issue.

:nod
I experience numbing while riding when I've been putting in extra hours in front of the monitor.

[oneflag]

I bought some Gel Gloves and they help some. Changing riding style might help but after
awhile I tend to fall back into my comfort zone. I am going to the doctor soon for something else
but I will ask about my hands going numb.

[kbasa]

Are you locking your elbows when you ride? Are you clenching the grips tightly?

Have you had a careful valve adjustment lately?

Tina had the same problem and we changed her bars out to Ricky bars, which helped immensely. It allowed her to make the bike fit her instead of the other way around.

[Braddog]

I have 2 '77 R100's, one an RS with low RS bars, another that's actually an S in RS clothing. The "S" has RS bars but with risers. Here's what I've found helps:

- Relax your grip some, and don't lock your elbows. In fact, relax overall.

- My bike with the risers, absolutely no issues at all. You may wish to consider risers.

- My bike without the risers, right hand goes slightly numb after awhile. I compensate by moving my arm around, staying relaxed, and letting the friction screw do it's work and riding with only my left hand for awhile.

[Mr. Frank]

A Throttle Rocker may help. They now have them for both sides. Supporting more weight with your thighs might help. You can also avoid flexing your wrists as much as possible. Be sure the clutch and brake leves are adjusted properly and are not too high.

[wanderer]

I usually start to feel some tingle on the fourth or fifth day out at 500 or so miles a day. I completely believe the bike needs to fit you as well as a backpackers boots. I really like my throttle rocker and throttle lock to shake out the right hand on occasion. Wrists straight and elbows bent. If you can't get there, change your set up to achieve it or your trips will forever suffer.

I did about 150 miles on a friends ST 1100 last week and the body position was exactly between sitting up and weight on the wrists (it was hell.) I confirmed what he already thought. He got home from our trip (a little over 3K) and he ordered Heli-bars the same day. You have to dial your position into whats comfortable for you or you're going to have numb hands or a sore back or aching shoulders, or a sore butt, or, or, or.

An R has a pretty aggressive riding position and seems to me to put a lot of pressure on the wrists. Remember when you were a kid and watched TV for hours propping you're head on an elbow?? Hand would be numb for an eternity while you dance around shaking it. :thumb :thumb

[oneflag]

Thanks for all the info. I road to work this morning (42 miles one way) and after getting on the interstate my hands where numb in just a few minutes. I thought about it while riding and I am leaning forward a bit. I am 5' 10" and I don’t have short arms but when sitting up the bars feel like they need to be back a little. I would like to try moving them back a bit without making a bunch of changes, cables, and lines ect. I will find a remedy!

[MarkF]

I get some numbness in the first hour of riding but it goes away and I'm good for another 8-10 hours. Go figure!

[BobFV1]

1Flag -

I used to have an R1150R, and the stock setup made my hands numb within 30 minutes. I am 5'11" tall. I found that the RR pitched my weight forward on to my hands. I got a set of Gen-Mar X 102 handlebar risers which moved the bars up and back and it solved the problem. I still had issues with wind (guess I am not a Roadster guy) so I traded it in on an 04 RT. I immediately found that the upright riding position of the RT gave me none of the problems I had with the stock RR setup.

So I think it's about riding position in general. There are other issues besides numbness, like swelling and tenderness, which may indicate medical conditions like CTS or arthritis, but I would try the easier solutions related to ergonomics first. Good luck!

[dickhein]

I got numb fingers on my 1150R also. I got some Risers from Moto Techniques. (They advertise in ON.) I used the 1 inch rise and 1 1/4 setback. These change the riding position enough so some weight is shifted off the wrists. As an added benefit, they matched the handlebars in color perfectly. They look stock. Worth a try for about $40.00.

[Burnszilla]

Look at the bright side. It will feel like someone else. :evil

[username]

oneflag - sorry to hear youre having these issues. as other have said, the ergos are important.

first, i'd recommend seeing a doc and telling him about this. youve got two variables here - your body and your bike. knowing which is the most out of whack will help you focus your money and energy properly. also, when making changes or mods to the bike, make em one at a time, and see what the incremental improvement is. some people do multiple changes at once, and then they dont really know which one was the effective one.

i have the same bike. if my valves need luvin, i feel that vibration, so make sure theyre getting a good adjustment. currently my bike (02 r1150ra) is glass-like at 3500 rpm - it disappears out from under me it's so smooth. i look forward to that being the case at a wider RPM range as the engine wears in more. (17k miles now) it's improved in the 1.5 years that i've had it. how old is your bike and how many miles?

i'm 6' and i do a few things when i ride to make sure i'm not putting my weight on my hands. i learned these from mt. biking and road cycling and reading articles about guys riding dirt bikes.

- reverse situps - i use my torso/trunk muscles to pull myself back a little from the bars. in my minds eye, i picture myself hovering just over the bars, with light weight on the grips.

- i flap my arms. let me explain! :D i hold the grips, and i wiggle them, pumping my elbows up and down. kind of a modified "chicken dance" thing.

- i flap my legs. i keep my feet on the pegs and i widen my knees, then bring em back in to the bike. i wiggle them.

the goal of this is to check if i am loose enough on the bike. i do it often while riding, and especially on a longish trip. as i get tired, i find that it is harder to flap my arms in a really loosey-goosey fashion (dang, i'm getting all technical on you!) and that tells me i need a break. thankfully i usually need gasoline, or to pee, so i stop and get loose on the pavement.

keeping your torso muscles in good shape is really beneficial. doing sit ups, and then lying on your belly and without using your arms, lifting your head and feet will build those muscles up for you. being overweight can exacerbate any out of whack posture/ergo situations.

go here (http://tinyurl.com/7cvrn) to check out master yoda's riding position. it's helped me.

let us know how it turns out!

[BradfordBenn]

I also had numb hands, and I found a solution that goes against the MSF guidelines for how to hold the throttle. I simply rotate my grip so that while riding my wrist is straight, not curled. That has helped quite a bit. Also if you can find it, Motorcycle Consumer News last month or the month before about this exact issue.

[oneflag]

This is my first post, thanks for all the helpful info. My bike is a 2002 with 17k. I have owned it since February.
I started out as a kid with dirt bikes and 3 wheelers; I had a couple of street bikes in my twenties. After getting married a street bike wasn’t a priority anymore. Over the years I have had several ATVs and dirt bikes. Last year I bought an old Honda 750 and realized how much I missed a street bike. A couple of co-workers turned me on to Beemer's and helped me find and purchase my R1150R. Like I said I love it. With my hands going numb Im a bit confused. I'm going to chip away at the problem. So fare the Gel Gloves helped and the Bar Backs made a huge change. I bought the Motto Techniques from our local shop. A&S BMW has some that look nice but are $180 Wow!!!! I have scheduled a tune-up and I am going to ask the doctors opinion. I don’t consider myself old at 37 but I have to take a deep breath and realize I'm not 20. I also have loosened up a bit while riding. It helps knowing others have had the same problem.

[jacco]

I also had numb hands, and I found a solution that goes against the MSF guidelines for how to hold the throttle. I simply rotate my grip so that while riding my wrist is straight, not curled. That has helped quite a bit. Also if you can find it, Motorcycle Consumer News last month or the month before about this exact issue.

This did the trick for me as well! At the end of my first 350 mi trip my wrist was hurting like hell (I'm a newbie...). Thereafter I paid a lot of attention to not holding the grip to tightly and changing the angle of my wrist, and did a 1300-mile weekend without any hickups. But then, @ 33 I'm lagging a few years behind...

Have a good one,
jacco

[Blasttek]

For what it's worth, I had the same problem with the 1150RT I had. I ended up trading for an R12GS and have not had the problem since. I believe the counterbalance in the new engine was the answer, at least for me. Now, I'm strongly considering the new R12RT to enjoy the protection of the fairing and the performance of the new drive-train. Don't know if a trade is an option for you but you might want to test drive one to see if you still have that problem on a new bike.

[oneflag]

Well Blasttek I like BMWs so much now I want one of each. But really the newness of this bike to me is far from wearing off any time soon. Here is what worked that someone suggested (it's not a cure). The risers for the bars helped tremendously. Saturday I was on the Interstate cruising around 75mph and felt my hands going numb. I put a couple fingers on top the levers this helped loosen up my grip then I flapped my arms at the elbow a little and I immediately could feel my hands coming back into it. For now its just a work around!!

[username]

you sound like one happy flapper. :D

keep us posted on other mods.

[87797]

I had similar problems for a number of years. I tried therapy, braces and finally (during the winter) had my right hand operated on. While it was not fun, it worked! The left will have to be done in the late fall... after riding season and before ski season!

Think about it...

[PacWestGS]

OK, OK, SFDOC stands for Special Forces Medical Type One Each (DOC). Or, super sports medicine type, or trauma "God", whatever. :wave

Everybody is on the right tract except one area or another, "ERGOS". I doubt you have CTS, but you do have a circulatory problem. It starts with holding on to tight with your hands and not your legs. Sounds like the faster you go (highway speeds) the more numbness you get. Second, it could be a vibration (engine, road, etc.) coming through the bars that cause your numbness and that also is associated with griping tighter as you go faster.

How are your clothes, tight fitting around the shoulders when leaning forward? Waist too tight? Boots too tight? Any of the above can reduce your circulation and ultimately end up causing your hands to go numb. Everything is going numb you just notice your hands because they are controlling your life for the moment.

I ride/race motorcross and sometimes get arm-pump really bad, can't hold on to anything, then I tell myself to relax, breath, and grip with my legs. After a while the blood starts to move through my arms again and I can hold on to the bike again. It's all mental, but breathing and "TALKING TO YOURSELF OUTLOUD" helps.

Next time you go out, try wearing looser fitting clothing, take a couple of Aspirin an hour or so before the ride (thins the blood) and see if you reduce or eliminate the problem.

Other things too do is strengthen your forearms by rolling up a five pound weight on a broom handle size rod (Rope 3-4 feet, weight, stick: simple idea) roll it up and down with both hands equally.

Good luck, and try all the other mechanical changes you afford. :thumb

[jdcoffman]

My hands went numb ten minutes after riding away from the dealership, I had to return to dealership a little later just as they were closing I told the saleman about my hand being so numg appling the brake was a chore..He got me a throttle rocker that helped a lot on my 300 mile trip back home..I also purchased a throttle-miester trottle lock device so I can remove my hand shake it,slap it or whatever and I don't need to use strong grip pressure..I just didn't know I was 50 years old and bought an R1100RS should have maybe bought the RT.

[PacWestGS]

Another couple of ideas.

Before the season starts and after an extended break of any kind, start getting your hands, fingers, wrists, and arms in shape by any number of exercise tools on the market.

Tennis balls are cheap and work great.

Those spring-loaded squeezy handles.

The rope and weight devise I described earlier, they make one commercially but it's easy to make one at home.

Anything that works your grip, wrist and forearm for about 15-20 minutes a day, three to four days a week. Start early enough because your arms and grip will feel like a numb, wet noodle after a 20-minute workout. Don't forget the rest of the body, but few people target the extensory and retractory muscles in the forearm. Some people (visions of Mr. Atlas, will have you believe that big burly biceps will conquer all), but you use your triceps more for everyday riding. Any MSF guys out there? Anybody tell you to "PULL" your way into a turn, or "PUSH" your opposite handlebar into the turn. My point is: your not gorrilla gripping the bars to drive it; your pushing with your hands (palm) and leaning with your legs against the tank.

Remember, you are doing so many things with your hands to control a motorbike, clutch, brake, turn, twist, yadda yadda, you can't hold on to it too. Your legs have relatively few things to do, grip the tank with your thighs and let your hands rest on the controls. (That's why everyone is saying a wrist rest throttle bar helps relieve their pain. It's forcing you to relax).

Sheeze, I get smoked sometimes in traffic; clutch, brake, clutch, clutch clutch, brake,,,, and have to just pull off and rest.

Have fun and remember to "RELAX" even is you have to scream at yourself, inside your helmet "Relax, breath, grip with legs, let go of the death grip" no one else knows your talking to yourself and yes, you are crazy, you ride a motorcycle for Christs sake.

[rbertalotto]

Yup....I had that problem with my R1100RS with my hands and my feet........I solved it by making this modification...........

http://images8.fotki.com/v132/photos/3/36012/1569556/P1010003-vi.jpg


:p

[rgvilla]

this used to happen to me as well, I'm 55 years old and have been riding since I was 12. Iyengar yoga cured me. It took a while but after doing yoga for about a year the numbness in my hands went away. I was told it was a pinched nerve in my neck, carpal tunnel etc. I know the western docs couldn't do a thing about it. I learned in yoga that i had incrediblytight shoulders and had to get them working. It isn't a quick fix but it does work

[Hotspice]

Geez, at 37 I thought I was too young for these kinds of problems also but it's good to hear other have them..

FWIW I had it on my K11RS a few years back so I moved to a K12RS and still had the same problem... FINE, I'll get a bike with a more upright position.. Last year I got an 1150GS and still had the same problem.

I was dead set against it being ct but I did change a number of things. Different k/b & mouse setup at home and work, stretches, wrist rest w/ cruise, more padded gloves, yadayadayada..

Still had the same problem so I broke down and went to the doc.. Turns out that at 37yrs young carpel isn't that uncommon today because we aren't as young as we think :dunno .. The initial test showed something going on in the forearms and wrist but it can start all the way up to the neck/shoulders..

I had some crackopractor work done, some myofascial release and those helped a lot but I still had some tingling.. The next step from the doc was a cortizone shot at the tunnel.. Had that done one week before an 11day bike trip..

Hot-da$#, no numbness :drink ..

I guess I would suggest doing what you can on your own, see the doc, and see about a shot before any surgery...

[lorazepam]

I would not depend on cortisone shots as a means to stop the numbness. It is treating the symptoms, not the problem. Long term use of steroids is a bad thing.

[Hotspice]

I would not depend on cortisone shots as a means to stop the numbness. It is treating the symptoms, not the problem. Long term use of steroids is a bad thing.

I totally agree with you. It just masks the problem but it was a way of pinpointing exactly where the problem was. It was a one-and-done way of narrowing it down for me which is what *I* was looking for since all of the other tests were inconclusive. A person can only get stuck so many times with EMG needles :uhoh

[hwunger]

"...a friends ST 1100 ..."

I went from an R1150R to an ST1100 ... my Beemer had bar risers and peg lowers plus the aforementioned throttle rest (best $10 ever spent) ... but the ST1100 does have superior ergos ... still, no bike is Gold Wing smooth.

PS: had a Corbin on the Beemer and immediately bought one for the Honda.

[dans58]

I also have an R1150R and my hands will go numb sometimes. I find that if I just move my elbows in closer to my body (touch my ribs with my elbows) for about 30 seconds, the numbness and tingling goes away. I think that this "alternate" riding position takes some pressure off of my wrists. About every 15 minutes, I'll use this technique, and I can ride for a long period.

By the way, I had a 4 cylinder Jap bike last year and had the same problem...

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I just recently bought some bar-bax for my GS for the same reason from Bob's BMW...and they not only helped the numb hands but they helped the tightness in the shoulders too that I did not really pay attention too due to the more ominous numbing. I am still ugly though sadly it did not help that one iota..I think I will complain to Bob.

The bar-bax really help to make long rides effortless and comfortable...positive for everyone unless you are massachistic...lol

[98717]

The vibration which numbs the hands often eminates from an imbalance in gas mixture being fed to the two cylinders. There is a proceedure called a Throttle Body Syncronization ---which will eliminate most of this vibration. There is an article ---I have a copy of it before me now---called "OILHEAD THROTTLE BODY SYNCHING FOR DUMMIES" Which outlines the proceedure in great detail and with explanation that even a dummy like me can understand. I have done several of these sync jobs following instructions outlined in the article and have achieved great smoothness in my engine performance------to the point that my hands (which used to go numb every ride) no longer tingle. I cannot remember the address location where this article can be found on the web-----but I will look it up and reply to anyone who PM's me with that request. Also, there is a companion article "Oilhead valve adjustment for Dummies" ---which outlines how to do a valve adjustment yourself. Do the valve adjustment first if you are contemplating doing both. By following these proceedures exactly to the letter I have accomplished a greater precision than is usually obtained at the dealership shops simply because they do not have the time to spend achieving the exacting presion settings that I do at home working on my own bike.

[gened12]

I have been riding my new 1200GS for 3 months but suffer from a numb right hand after as little as 10 minutes on the bike. I installed a throttle rocker and it has helped a lot, however I suffer also from what seems like a pinched nerve in the top of my right shoulder. would a riser helP?

Thanks

Denis R1200GS 05 :brow

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I can speak from my own experience about the value of risers and bar-bax. Mine were from Bob's BMW, they are cheaper that Touratech and Wunderlich, and they still rise an inch and back an inch. No extra long cables or brake lines since I have an Adventure but check the requirement for the GS as some of them need longer hoses and cables depending upon the rise.

It was both the height and the set back that cured my numbness and pinch feeling...not the vibration from tuning in this case although maybe it is in others, I cannot comment on that. Bob's has an online catalogue as do the others. Wunderlich make a really nice adjustable riser but they are really proud of the cost. I was not sure how well they would work and so I did not want to spend the bucks, but I would now if I had to do over. I am very happy with the bar-bax, they are functional and they look much like OEM and require no mods. Great to stand on the pegs with them on trails too, easier to reach the bars...go figure...lol

[gened12]

Thanks for the valuable tip. I will look into this right away, If you are at the BMWOA rally later this month pop by our area and say hi our club banner is BMW Club Quebec.

thanks again

cheers

Denis R1200GS :thumb

[r1dinman]

Lots of good ideas here. Barbacks/risers solved my problem with tennis elbow and clumbsy steering. I tended to lock my elbows with the bars of my R1100GS in the stock location. Recently, my right hand started to go numb. I traced it down to a new pair of gloves that were too tight. They didn't feel tight, but they reduced circulation enough to numb my hand. Put my old gloves and the problem went away. :stick

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I used to windsurf a lot, but I always tired my right forearm before anything else. I tried to work through it many times but couldn't seem to find a solution. What I was doing wrong was that I was squeezing the boom with my right hand. The faster I went the thghter I squeezed that boom. Eventually I would fall in the water because my grip would slip off the boom and I would fall in.

Same thing on my R100/7 the faster I go the harder I squeeze the throttle. I bought a pair of mechanic's vibration absorbing gloves. That worked great at reminding me to not squeeze the throttle in a death grip when the swpeed climbs up.

Ergonomics are important, but that wasn't my problem. Another source of numbness was a sticky throttle cable. I lubed the bevel mechanism, and found a few chewed up teeth on the barrel, so I bought a new one. Now the throttle turns freely.

I have a Norton with a BSA bar on it. I can only ride for about a half hour before my right hand is numb. It's the angle that my wrists have to take that pinches off circulation, and causes the numbness. I have had that Norotn for over twenty years, but haven't changed the bar, I just use it for short hops.

[Eureka]

This may be too simple but it was causing a problem for me. I bought a pair of BMW leather gloves with the gaunlets that adjust. They also have a small strap that goes around the wrist and fastens with velcro. If I wear the wrist strap at all tight, I get numbness in my hands. Solution: wear the wrist strap with no tension on it at all.

All the other recommendations are right on track. Extending the arms with no break in the elbows puts tension on muscles and nerves in the shoulders that can cause numbness......

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

This is all good stuff and since we all have different physiologies etc I imagine that some of them apply to each at differnet times. The one about gloves is a good point. I bought a pair of gauntlets in 2001 that I love to wear because of the armour built in...but they have seams that eventually irritate.

I recently read a book called Going the Extra Mile by Ron Ayres...a great book overall, but there was a comment by another of the Iron Butt guys that said "find what makes you not want to stay on the bike...and change it". I have been thinking about this and that was what inspired me to get those Bar-Bax...I am almost out of reasons now to stay out of the saddle...lol... :clap

[pmdave]

Paul Kuhn has written a number of articles about ergonomics for Motorcycle Consumer News. (several years ago)

Paul points out that how your hands reach the grips is very important. One way to check the proper angle (for your arms/hands) is to take a pair of 12" long 3/4" plastic pipes in your hands. Sit on the bike and hold the pipes (or wood dowels) in the approximate position of your handlebar grips. Now, try changing the angles, say increasing pullback and rotating the ends down, until you feel the "bars" are in the middle of your comfort range. Now, figure out how to replicate that position with hardware.

I've noticed that stock BMW bars tend to be too straight, and too flat. That causes the hands to be rotated with the outside of the hands too high--stressing the muscles in the wrist. Many bars are also too straight, that is without enough angle in the bar ends. And I've noticed that the stock position of most BMW control levers is relatively horizontal, rather than tilted down to match the angle of the riders arms.

My '03 1150 GS exhibited all of the above. The GS bars are wide, which adds to the problem. It's very difficult to change the bars, unless the rubber mounting and handguards are changed. However, I was able to rotate the bars back a few degrees (limited by fuel tank clearance) and then rotate the control levers down slightly. That's not easy either, since the tiny clamp screws are buried inside the switch pods. Once I had figured out where the clamp screws were located, I drilled a small hole in each switch pod to allow an allen wrench to be inserted and the control levers rotated without disturbing the switches.

The bar ergos are still not ideal for me, but the adjusted position helps reduce hand/arm fatigue.

Jim Shaw wrote a great review of an electronic cruise control for oilheads, and I really like the idea. It takes a lot of throttle twisting to keep adjusting speed--which is probably why we get more trouble in the right hand, not the left. A cruise control would probably reduce a lot of hand/wrist tension and fatigue. See July ON, pp 82

pmdave

[username]

oneflag - any more updates for us on how youre doing?

[Tominator]

Try some Ape Hangers. taht way the rest of your arm will get numb as well. And your hands wont feel so bad! :dunno

Actually, I have heard this before and as the other members mentioned, changing your riding position and investing in a throttle locking device will help. That way you can rotate your hands off the bar for a while.

But if it's a real big problem, see a chiropractor. The simple test is to place you two hands in a clapping position, then point your elbows out. (Sort of like a child praying) If you feel pain in your wrist and forearm (Sharp Shooting pain) your have tunnel carp. This is how my docy checked me out. (So far so good)

He gave me some suggestions on exercising my wrist and forearms that helped reduce the cramping!

Cheers
Tomas :type

[PETDOC]

Oneflag-I have exactly the same problem as you describe, only difference is I'm 56 and, therefore, have had it longer (thru 8 motorcycles).Didn't really experience it so much when I was 18, but in mid 20's on it seemed to get progressively worse. I do have carpal tunnel syndrome bilaterally, which waxes and wanes in severity. Lots of manual labor, eg,digging postholes, hammering, etc... will make it worse and then long motorcycle rides only aggrevates situation. Got an '04 GS and decided to try Ricky bars. Fantastic bars, highly recommended, but they didn't cure my (our) problem. So I did 2 other things. First got Throttlemeister which is godsend as it allows me to periodically remove my right hand and exercise it which will minimize/resolve numbness, and second realized I was locking my elbows and leaning into my bars, which I have stopped doing. It took me a while to stop this as I would do it unconsciously, in part because the GS seat/bar position actually throws me forward a little. So I do 500-700 mile days now with minimal numbness; however, without Throttlemeister allowing me to periodically exercise hand I know I would still lose feeling in right hand on rides over 1 hour.

[dzimbric]

This has got to be the greatest thread I have seen on the forum. :clap :clap :clap :clap

Now I have an excuse for another bike. Honey my hands are starting to get numb, I need another bike to fix that instead of surgery. :stick :stick

[oneflag]

Hi All,
I never thought this thread would get so much attention. All the info is great.
It's safe to say that some problems are unique to the individual person. But if there is something you can improve on your bike give it a try.
I recently had the valves adjusted on my R1150R and it did help. I have been looking at the Throttlemeister. I went to the Rally Thursday and bought a set and they installed them for free. When I road home from the Rally, 250 miles, I could not believe the change. Throttlemeisters are great; they are well worth the money. I still have issues and I'm always thinking about a way to improve ridding style. You would think your hands would be an easy fix or it might be mental, just don’t think about it and it will go away. My problem has crossed over to exercise machines and lawn mowers. The people who can throw their leg over a bike and just go 500 miles should feel lucky. I like the idea of another bike, instead of a sport tour model, one sport bike and one touring. I have always been intrigued with side cars. I'm dreaming again!

[dano]

I have always had problems with my hands falling asleep or going numb while riding. I am 37 years old and have owned street bikes, dirt bikes and ATVs. I recently bought my first BMW, an (R1150R) and I absolutely love it. I want to ride more than ever but my hands go numb to the point I cant apply the turn signals.




From the sounds of it, you've had problems no matter what brand of bike you've ridden.

Gloves, handlebars, grips, whatever.....ain't gonna make a difference for you.

Go see a doctor! :thumb

[torags]

Thanks for all the info. I road to work this morning (42 miles one way) and after getting on the interstate my hands where numb in just a few minutes. I thought about it while riding and I am leaning forward a bit. I am 5' 10" and I don’t have short arms but when sitting up the bars feel like they need to be back a little. I would like to try moving them back a bit without making a bunch of changes, cables, and lines ect. I will find a remedy!

I got my R1150RS about 9mos ago. Previously, I had K75's for 13 yrs. Prior to that I had R75/5, R60 Earles Fork & R90RT. So I have a history.

My bike has more handle bar vibration than all of them. I believe its the multi valve setup. I don't like it (a lot). I bought it with 600 mi and the salesguy told me it was just carb syncr (i had that done), but didn't help that much. I had the valves done and it helped a lot - but still vibrates.

I just got foam grips. They are made for handlebars , but I cut them and glued (contact cement) them over my heated grip (throttle side). It adds a larger diameter but it reduces the vibration. I smile when chaps talk about feel in glove choices - I want to get far away from feel.

I also got at throttle rocker (velcrow strap) that can fit over. Haven't tried it yet, but I'm optimistic.

It's a cheap ugly attempt at a solution... Good luck.

[torags]

"You would think your hands would be an easy fix or it might be mental, just don’t think about it and it will go away"

I forgot the ergonomic part of my speech. BMW always HAD 3" bars prior to '75+/- (when they began putting fairings on their bikes). The bikes were naked and the wind offset the body weight on the bars (at speed). Americans didn't ride their bikes that way, they sat up. If you sit up on a naked bike at 80-90 you "hang on" to the bars and that can be dangerous.

To get some weight off my bars I squish up to the tank & sit sit higher. I also ride with one hand while "up". I keep my shield low. In twisties I butt back & tighten my knees. But use of muscle isn't good for long trips, they tire and sometimes cramp.

I never have back problems in the position. But I do have leg cramp issues with the acute angle of the hip/torso. I got lower pegs and I generally use passenger pegs to increase angle (but that's tight on this bike). Along with the standing on pegs, I must look like a real idiot..

[kbasa]

Dion,

Are you comfortable adjusting the valves and stuff on your airheads? Doing that stuff on an oilhead is about the same, to be honest with you.

These bikes are very, very sensitive to proper valve adjustment, even more so to proper TB balancing. If you've got the time to do it a bit more carefully than the dealership, you can make this bike really hum.

Have you read OVAD? http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/OVADv2.2.pdf

Probably the definitive oilhead valve adjustment article. Sort of pedantic, but funny and very clear.

[kneedown]

A little story;

The motorctclist goes to his doctor and says 'Doc,when I ride my bike my hands go numb"

The doctor asked if he has checked his gloves for inside seams etc, etc.


Then the doctor says 'It be something else..Tell me of your dreams'
The rider thinks and says 'I have the same dream all the time..I am walking to my bike and I see a Tee-Pee andthen another Tee-Pee right next to it' go on the doctor tells him. 'Then when I am riding I again see a Tee-Pee and then another'what do you think Doc?
The doctor thinks hard and long and says 'Too Tents my man,,too tense'

Long story short..Loosen up your grip and bend youe elbows.this take work and you mustbe aware of your riding habits.Its like when you first started to try countersteering,,open your hands and "push steer"

Try it and good luck

[Bumper]

Dear One flag,
As you can see, many have responded to your problem of numb hands with many solutions. All are great, but most all have to do with ergonomics, ie posture and position.
From a anatomical and physiological point of view I will offer the following. (as a physcian who works with structure-function relation I feel qualified)
There are 2 potential causes for your numbness. The first, and much more common, is a circulation problem, the second, and much less common is nerve entrapement or irritation. Usually if there is nerve involvement you will experience the numbness uni-laterlly. (dig the medical terminology!) The typical cause of nerve irritation is herniated cervical discs encroaching on the opening where the nerve exists the spine. You would have lots of other symptoms that would not quiet down when you stopped riding. They would include pain, weakness, tingling etc.
So, with that said, let us assume then that your numbness is a result of a circulation issue. As blood must reach every cell of your body on a very frequent basis, it is important that the blood vessels from the arteries and viens, right down to the miniscule cappillary beds be aslo free of impindgement. In other words, blood has to be able to flow continually and smoothly to all tissues all the time. When we ride there are numerous postural and biomechanical things we do that can potentially interfere with circulation.These include the following, and I limit these to the upper extremities. (The legs, hips etc are another chapter).
1.Tight muscles of the neck
2. Tight muscles of the upper back and upper shoulders.
3.Tight muscles of the shoulders.
4. Tight muscles of the forearms and hands.
5. Improper alignment of head,neck, upper, middle and lower back.
6. Paradoxic breathing. (breathing with the chest instead of the diagrpahm)

That should give you a good sense that there could be numerous issues contributing to the numbness. But, we will make it easier for you by explaning the most common and obvious.
Excessive gripping of either clutch hand or throttle hand. the numbness can and will occur with either. As you grasp anything you engage both the flexors and extensor muscles of the forearm. When we grip too long and too hard, the tightness of the muscles will begin to "crimp" the small blood vessels and capillaries suppling your hands. Numbness results.
Carpal Tunnel typically results from the above, and can also contribute to the numbness. CTSyndrome is similar in that the tendons, nerves, blood vessels all go through a small little area in the wrist. I have found that if I loosen up the muslces of the forearm the CT quiets.
Also, tightnes in and around the shoulder can do the same thing, but on larger blood vessels. The major blood vessels the supply the arms weave through little areas deep up in the shoulder and can easily be "crimped" with too tight of muscle.
And then there is another area at the base of the neck, on the side, where the major blood vessels loop over the first rib and can again easily be "crimped". This actually called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
I suspect you are catching my drift. And I suspect if I were to examine you we would find very tight muscles in many of these areas.
WHAT TO DO?
Stretch, Yoga, improve ciruclation by light use. NOT WEIGHTS. Lifting weights will only make the problem worse.
Walking or jogging while swinging the arms loosens and improves cirulation.
Place your palms together and bring your arms out and up as high as possible, while keeping the palms together. Then pull your hand down, with arm extended fully, so that you are trying to push your palm towards your arm pit.
Take Magnesium Citrate or Cirtramate at a dose of from 500 to 800 mg, in divided dose, with food. Magnesium relaxes muslces...greatly.
Also Vitamin B3 in Niacin form at a high dose of 200mg. This nutrient causes as spontaneous opening of cappillary beds and hence a FLUSH. Not to worry the flush is good for you and lasts only 15 mins. But stand forewarned.
Vitamin B-6 is also great for muscle metablolism.
I think that covers it for now but I will be glad to answer further questions from anyone interested.
In Health and Good Riding,
Bumper

[dzimbric]

Dear One flag,
As you can see, many have responded to your problem of numb hands with many solutions. All are great, but most all have to do with ergonomics, ie posture and position.
From a anatomical and physiological point of view I will offer the following. (as a physcian who works with structure-function relation I feel qualified)
There are 2 potential causes for your numbness. The first, and much more common, is a circulation problem, the second, and much less common is nerve entrapement or irritation. Usually if there is nerve involvement you will experience the numbness uni-laterlly. (dig the medical terminology!) The typical cause of nerve irritation is herniated cervical discs encroaching on the opening where the nerve exists the spine. You would have lots of other symptoms that would not quiet down when you stopped riding. They would include pain, weakness, tingling etc.
So, with that said, let us assume then that your numbness is a result of a circulation issue. As blood must reach every cell of your body on a very frequent basis, it is important that the blood vessels from the arteries and viens, right down to the miniscule cappillary beds be aslo free of impindgement. In other words, blood has to be able to flow continually and smoothly to all tissues all the time. When we ride there are numerous postural and biomechanical things we do that can potentially interfere with circulation.These include the following, and I limit these to the upper extremities. (The legs, hips etc are another chapter).
1.Tight muscles of the neck
2. Tight muscles of the upper back and upper shoulders.
3.Tight muscles of the shoulders.
4. Tight muscles of the forearms and hands.
5. Improper alignment of head,neck, upper, middle and lower back.
6. Paradoxic breathing. (breathing with the chest instead of the diagrpahm)

That should give you a good sense that there could be numerous issues contributing to the numbness. But, we will make it easier for you by explaning the most common and obvious.
Excessive gripping of either clutch hand or throttle hand. the numbness can and will occur with either. As you grasp anything you engage both the flexors and extensor muscles of the forearm. When we grip too long and too hard, the tightness of the muscles will begin to "crimp" the small blood vessels and capillaries suppling your hands. Numbness results.
Carpal Tunnel typically results from the above, and can also contribute to the numbness. CTSyndrome is similar in that the tendons, nerves, blood vessels all go through a small little area in the wrist. I have found that if I loosen up the muslces of the forearm the CT quiets.
Also, tightnes in and around the shoulder can do the same thing, but on larger blood vessels. The major blood vessels the supply the arms weave through little areas deep up in the shoulder and can easily be "crimped" with too tight of muscle.
And then there is another area at the base of the neck, on the side, where the major blood vessels loop over the first rib and can again easily be "crimped". This actually called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
I suspect you are catching my drift. And I suspect if I were to examine you we would find very tight muscles in many of these areas.
WHAT TO DO?
Stretch, Yoga, improve ciruclation by light use. NOT WEIGHTS. Lifting weights will only make the problem worse.
Walking or jogging while swinging the arms loosens and improves cirulation.
Place your palms together and bring your arms out and up as high as possible, while keeping the palms together. Then pull your hand down, with arm extended fully, so that you are trying to push your palm towards your arm pit.
Take Magnesium Citrate or Cirtramate at a dose of from 500 to 800 mg, in divided dose, with food. Magnesium relaxes muslces...greatly.
Also Vitamin B3 in Niacin form at a high dose of 200mg. This nutrient causes as spontaneous opening of cappillary beds and hence a FLUSH. Not to worry the flush is good for you and lasts only 15 mins. But stand forewarned.
Vitamin B-6 is also great for muscle metablolism.
I think that covers it for now but I will be glad to answer further questions from anyone interested.
In Health and Good Riding,
Bumper

PS Please send $60.00 to my paypal account for the above advice :stick

[barryg]

I ride a R1100RS with barbacks and I noticed that my hands would go numb from time to time. It seemed that the grips were a smaller diam.,than I was use to. And I seemed to be gripping them tighter than my K-bike grips. I was going to put bigger grips on but a run across a neat item called Noj neoprene comfort gripwraps, $13.99. They just fit around the grip and make the grip a little larger diam. Velcro fastens them on, so their easy on and off.Seemed to help me; cheaper than surgery. Dennis Kirk sells them, www. denniskirk.com

[r1dinman]

I never had a problem with numb hands until recently, then my hands would go numb quickly. The only change was new gloves. When I wore my old ones, no problem. I had the new gloves streched and the problem went away. The new gloves didn't feel that tight, but when gripping the bars they cut off just enough blood flow to cause a problem. Barbacks/risers also help me keep my elbows bent and my grip lighter.

Jay
R1100GS

[Bumper]

Dzimbric, Barryg and ridinman,
No need to bill PayPal Dzi, (you near ND?),we can all use good medical advice once in awhile, esp when useful for improving our riding. As we all discover, self included, there are many ways to keep the circulation going smoothly into the hands. The neoprene grips ridinguy refers to work well, but each rider eventually must find there proper riding position to optimize ergonamics and hence body mechanics. Then the physiology (blood flow) works better, and not to mention, more relaxed muslces. This improves over all awareness and energy as well.
Remind me sometime to begin a thread regarding hypoglycemia and all the problems that causes while riding.
Bumper

[PacWestGS]

Man, I'm glad it finally took a Doctor to confirm what I said way back in posts #23 and #25 that went totally un-responded to. :rolleyes

Anyway, like Bumper says, it's 90% circulatory and 10% body positioning. If you wear the wrong clothes, ride in the wrong position, hold on with a death grip, and are scared to death while riding, get a new hobby. The after- market world is waiting just around the corner to take your money and they are happy to respond with little gadgets and add-ons that will help, but never really relieve the problem of holding on to tight, failing to breath and wrapping your body head to tow with tight fitting race gear. :bottle

I've seen everything here, so if you are still complaining about your hands going numb after this thread, maybe you need to stop riding motorcycles or by a different bike. :dunno

[Bumper]

Hello SFDOC,
You are so right. What you have witnessed through this thread are numerous ways that riders have attempted to address the symptoms of numb hands with out considering cause. But no fault of theirs, as this is how we are conditioned to think. Unfortunately, the medical paradigm covers up the very symptoms that tell us something is out of balance or not working well.
Kind of like turning off the fire alarm while the fire rages just beyond.
Bumper

[einnar]

This has got to be the greatest thread I have seen on the forum. :clap :clap :clap :clap

Now I have an excuse for another bike. Honey my hands are starting to get numb, I need another bike to fix that instead of surgery. :stick :stick

Dibs on your GS if you talk her into it. :)

[seekerhiker]

I had the same problem on my 2003 Suzuki Burgman 650 - agonizing. I switched to Kurakyn grips and the pain was permanently gone! The diameter of stock grips is too small.

[ptero]

Just wanted to support the idea, mentioned earlier (much earlier!), regarding clothing fit in the shoulder area as a possible cause. My hands will sometimes become numb and usually it relates to circulation issues from snugness there. This is with a First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket. It only occurs occasionally. I am usually able to shrug and adjust it to relieve the pressure and the numbness will go away.

[Brownie]

I don't have a numbness problem...but I've read these gloves as being VERY good for the nerves in the hands........www.qwinerveprotector.com:clap