1st Ride Out - Strained Hands & Numb Bum!

[gsbiker]

Collected my new bike today and despite the dull day it was great to ride it. However after a couple of hours of continuos riding my hands were really sore - especially my thumb muscle - that was extremely sore! I've been off bikes for a while so I'm hoping the muscle strain will get better with time but has anyone else had similar? I bought new winter gloves today and they are slightly tight, the next size up were alittle too big and using the bike controls would have been difficult - not sure if they contributed! O and yes my bum was uncomfortable on the journey - got me thinking? - people buy new seats or airhawks but is this just a problem with me in that my bum just needs to get used to it - abit like riding a push bike or will I always have a numb bum with the original seat??

 

[Paul S]

With bit of look it should just go away as you get used to riding again. If not try changing the angle of the bar/levers to see if you can find a more comfortable position.

 

[patzx12]

Don’t worry, you are using muscles that you normal don’t exert.
Your body will adjust to suit. I am the opposite I get aches when I drive a car for a long distance.
Also your riding gear has to be comfortable and a nice fit.
Everything will bed in.

 

[BeemerBaz]

When I first got my GS I noticed how hard the grips appeared to be, not the same amount of 'give' that i had on previous bikes but I soon adjusted to it and can ride 400 miles and not be uncomfy, my arse however is another matter !

 

[Ringmaster999]

ph4824,
if you have only just returned to riding after a lay of it could be just down to the fact you have not rode for a while. It might be you are gripping the bars too tightly as I am not sure how long you have been off riding. Relax don't grip them too tightly and off course new gloves need to be broken in.
As for the seat their are lots of threads on here about this. Myself I found the standard seat on my 08 GSA a right pain in the arse and changed for a touratech Kahedo. But then again give yourself some time before paying out.
Enjoy the bike and welcome back to the brotherhood that is motorcycling

 

[gsbiker]

Thanks Ringmaster999

I returned to biking after 18 years July of this year when I bought a Yamaha RD350 YPVS. I had hand aches since riding the RD but it has slowly got better. However I started a process of restoration and since then I've been been off the road more than I wanted. That said I've never had the hand aches like I had today! I don't grip too hard, only to warm my hands on the heated grips. My right hand thumb muscle is by far the worse - maybe because of the stupid right hand indicator & cancel button - what were BMW thing??

 

[NYUK]

I had simlar thing when I got mine. It was a combination of different riding position, controls and being tense with a new bike. Once you get used to it and relax it will go!

Enjoy the ride!

 

[mr badger]

I get similar hand/thumb issues with certain gloves. It's when they don't have much grip on the palms/lower fingers. Too tight a grip to compensate makes your forearms and thus shoulders tight and fatigued.

Get comfy gloves and if they don't grip well, get some latex glue (fabric glue is ideal) and run a few 'strings' across the gloves. A bit like those 'goldfish' workgloves.

Allow to dry thoroughly (duh ) and try again. They grip like Spiderman they do.

 

[davem108]

I found the same!

I picked up my new GS1200 yesterday from Park Lane as well and found that my hand were aching like hell during the 75 mile journey home. I put it down to the grips being much narrower than my thick foam grips on my old bike or I could have been holding a bit too tight as suggested below. I will see how it goes and whether I get used to it after a few rides. I may look at ways of widening the GS grips a bit by using racket grip tape which works a treat.
I was not aware of the seat being too uncomfortable though? Im sure my missus will put me right on that one when she gets on the back! I cant believe the cost of replacement seats and will definately try to endure the BMW standard seat for a while!

 

[Janie]

in the winter my right thumb aches.............with turnin the indicator off and on, as well as the heaters grips on and off.........but i'm hunky and i can take it...as for the numb bum i got a tt seat..............

 

[Gruffalo]

i get the same thing with the thumbs, especially with my left hand, but this is prob more down to the fact that i have to grip the bars more with my left hand after a crash a few years back left me with a righ arm full of metal and nerve damage so cant grip as hard but can still ride,
ive only had the gs for about 3 months now and seems to be getting better the more i rid, guess its just getting used to a new bike and the narrow grips

as for the seat, on the longer jorneys, me bum goes numb after aboyt 150-160 miles, but then its time time to fill her up again so its an excuse to get off ond strtch the legs but since i fitted the fastwat footpegs, uit doesnt seem so bad, or maybe im just getting buns of steel!!!

and welcome back to the fold, just try and keep it shiney side up!

 

[gsbiker]

Yes I thought the narrower grips might be the cause and that my right thumb is doing more now! By the way, I filled the tank up, did about 100 miles and only dropped by one bar on the fuel gauge - pretty cool I think!

I know this information is scattered all over this site but could you list the different seat replacements you would recommend and where to get them from please!

 

[Wrinkly]

I've owned around 50 bikes,about 12 of them being bm's,in a 35 year riding career, i really,really,really dont see what the problem is that some people have with the indicators,it would be interesting to see what percentage of bm riders of say over 6 mnt's still prefer the more conventional switch gear.

Steve

- maybe because of the stupid right hand indicator & cancel button - what were BMW thing??[/QUOTE]

 

[gsbiker]

I've owned around 50 bikes,about 12 of them being bm's,in a 35 year riding career, i really,really,really dont see what the problem is that some people have with the indicators,it would be interesting to see what percentage of bm riders of say over 6 mnt's still prefer the more conventional switch gear.

Well it's what you get used to isn't it?? Why would BMW introduce an indicator system completely different to anyone else? - what's the advantage? What's the point of it? What was wrong with the conventional indictor system?

 

[MattW]

Well it's what you get used to isn't it?? Why would BMW introduce an indicator system completely different to anyone else? - what's the advantage? What's the point of it? What was wrong with the conventional indictor system?

I've also come back to biking after a several year layoff amd have just bought an 1100. I pretty soon got used to the indicator on each grip system, but found the upwards press required to cancel uncomfortable (I think 1200's are different in this respect? - more of a conventional 'straight' push of the button?...). I guess I'll get used to it though - still love the bike.

It's telling that BMW have gone back to 'conventional' indicators on their latest K bikes (although I believe for handlebar space issues - needed to cram more buttons in).

 

[magpie]

Yes I thought the narrower grips might be the cause and that my right thumb is doing more now! By the way, I filled the tank up, did about 100 miles and only dropped by one bar on the fuel gauge - pretty cool I think!

I know this information is scattered all over this site but could you list the different seat replacements you would recommend and where to get them from please!

i fitted these http://www.sportouring.com/main.php?group=grippuppies
and they have made a great improvement

 

[Dahoum]

Well it's what you get used to isn't it?? Why would BMW introduce an indicator system completely different to anyone else? - what's the advantage? What's the point of it? What was wrong with the conventional indictor system?

depends what 'conventional' is? Who had which first?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Well it's what you get used to isn't it?? Why would BMW introduce an indicator system completely different to anyone else? - what's the advantage? What's the point of it? What was wrong with the conventional indictor system?

You`ll soon get used to it and they are no problem unless you are a Motor Cycle News journo They make perfect sense after a while.

Before you buy another seat for squillions, try a sheepskin. They look stupid but do work and are as cheap as chips and are worth a go.

 

[mr badger]

i fitted these http://www.sportouring.com/main.php?group=grippuppies
and they have made a great improvement

Look interesting. Think I'll give them a go. Effects on heated grips?

 

[HeatedGrips]

Have you considered setting the adjustable lever spans to minimum? I've got stubby fingers and find it a pain when they're set on full out.