Numb hands

[idh959]

Guys,

I ride a 98 zx6r and my right hand get ver soar. At the end of a ride i dont have strength to do things with my right index and thumb. Even trunging the key I have to use 2 hands. I didnt have this trouble with the CBR. I dont think I holding the grip too tight or putting too much weight on the bars.

Any suggestions?

[red_dave]

Johnnie Walker and lots of it...

[Rossi]

In general I have found there are 2 things that cause this problem

Have the bar end weights been changed to non stock items ?
They are weighted for a purpose.....not to just to block the bar end.

OR

Have you set the levers to suit your hands natural position ?

The first ride away from the shop with my 9 I had the same thing (tingling fingers) after spinning the levers down a bit so that my hand was more or less in line with my forearm as opposed to horizontal (why do they insist on setting levers horizontal to the ground?) I have had no more problems

[Rossi]

I didnt have this trouble with the CBR.

BUT now you have a bike with real power

[Glennbo]

Hey,
A saw right hand hey? are you sure its only the accelarator your playing with?,.,........
Cheers, Glenn

[ty]

I get this sometimes too on my ZZR - alot of it is due to too much weight on the bars, but also to bad posture.
When they start feeling a bit numb just flex your fingers around a bit to restore circulation. Don't need to let go of the grip or change speed, just readjust you hands position on the bar so your can move your fingers a bit - or just squeeze the handle and loosen and repeat until circulation comes back. (now waiting for Mario to inappropriately edit this paragraph )
I've just learnt to live with it.
Mind you it only really started happening to me after I came off the GPX and dislocated my shoulder. So my problem may simply be related to that, but the way to bring circulation back should still help.
ty

[aardvark]

Want to know if you're squeezing the bars too tight? Try squeezing the bars. If you're already squeezing too tight, then you wont be able to squeeze them.

Want to loosen up on the bars? Try supporting your body weight with your stomach muscles rather than your arms. o this by contracting your stomach muscles lightly.

I also find that if you smile or sing whilst riding, you'll loosen your grip. It's very hard to smile AND maintain a strong grip on the bars.

Being too tight on the bars will effect your bikes handling and manouverability. So don't do it.

[Yankee]

very good advice there arrdvark..... Brett also told me once... always say "soft hands, soft hands......" over and over, for when in the rain or on unfamiliar roads that aren't exactly smooth.... let the bike do the work, that's what it's for.... it knows how to eat up those miles better than you ever will.....

[Nanna10r]

Your bike will have a sweet spot for cruising speed & you AINT found it , what i mean is that most bikes will have some Buzziness through the grips at certain RPM, as little as 200rpm higher or lower will normally get you off the Buzzy spot. Cruise at 105 instead of 100 for example see if thats any better. My fzr6 loves 100kph & Tiggr Buzzes at 90kph n prefers 110kph
Also as Marty said "soft hands", squeeze the tank with your knees take some weight on your stomache muscles(like Jas said) & bend your elbows. These will all help posture n get you to loosen your grip.
Other solutions could be the Bar ends being too light, a thumb or palm activated cruise control & you can also buy this Foam tubing that goes inside the handle bar(absorbs vibration).
Mate if that dont fix it just buy a ZX9R n be done with it.
Cheers Brett

[sp500]

Have you set the levers to suit your hands natural position ?

The first ride away from the shop with my 9 I had the same thing (tingling fingers) after spinning the levers down a bit so that my hand was more or less in line with my forearm as opposed to horizontal (why do they insist on setting levers horizontal to the ground?) I have had no more problems

Have just done his and went for a quick ride to check, i also moved mine in(both lever units) and now have to get use to a new setup, not bad so far, i would think the angle would also depend on the height of the person too, as far as numbness i dont know about the other models but the 10 is probably like the millions of other bikes and gets buzzy too, thinking about going to thicker grips, use to have foam grips on the old R1 but that still was buzzy.

[spekt-r]

There is a device that ive seen in magazines that slips over your grip an has a wrist rest type thing hanging off if which is supposed to reduce arm pump and hand fatigue though I cant remember the name of it. They sell em at my local dealer so ill find out what theyre called tomorrow.

[Nanna10r]

Thats a palm activated cruise control spek-t. I had one, the work pretty good get in the way a little (require constant pressure to work) cost @ $20.
Cheers Brett

[hammer]

Make sure ya elbows stay bent to

[YAPPA]

while ur hands numb, close ur eyes & have a pull, u can pretend sum1 else is doin' it 4 ya!!!!

[Barrabob]

Yappa do you speak from personal experiance ?