Handlebar Thoughts

[mpgscott]

Folks,

I have a 2011 R1200GS basic model is that the TU, anyway i was suffering from white fingers after around 50miles ride. I bought Rox Risers vibration ones and these have improved things. I have a sargent seat and have been using this on the high setting as i am 6"3, yesterday for the run home from Inverness to Aberdeen i decided to try the seat on the low setting, this is great for the screen buffeting reducing however both hands suffered from the middle fingers going white after the 100mile run, this was occuring pretty early on the run say around 40-50 miles in. So it must be with the seat being on the low setting but cant belive that subtle difference in height would effect it so much, with the high setting i have never had white finger on left hand but do get it a wee bit on right.

So question is what do you reckon is the optimal setting of the bars for trying to reduce this elevation of my arms as this must be causing the problem. I am thinking that i should maybe move the bars forward as this would reduce the height of the bars but want to see what the thoughts are on effecting the balance? Dont want to lean it back as i think this will move weight back especially when two up. So whats everyone been finding as a good setup.

Oh i will put the seat back up to the high setting as i can live with a bit of buffeting over white finger, but if i can make it even better then perfect.

Thanks as normal for the input.

Cheers
Mark

 

[Bendy toy]

On my GSA with standard bars and low seat I find the bars are way too high. This has to affect blood flow to the hands.

Collar bone to first rib clearance can also crimp the neuro-vascular bundle into the arm in a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Symptoms are tingling and cold feeling into little finger and ring finger (Ulnar nerve) but can also cause carpal tunnel symptoms (Median Nerve) and cramps in foream (Radial Nerve).

Poor posture habits such as head forwards and round shoulders aggravate the problem. Bike riding doesnt help because wind pressure builds up the anterior neck muscles aggravating poor posture and further crimping the arm nerves.

Try a taller seat and turn the handlebar mounts 180 degrees to move the bars forwards. Also avoid the bars tipped too far back as this causes the rider to steer more with his abs rather than shoulders.

I tried Rox anti vibe risers on my GSA but they put the bars too high for me. When tipped back towards flat, they put the bars too close to me and were then ineffective on the horizontal vibes the engine creates.

 

[mpgscott]

Thanks for the input much appretiated, i will try mounts 180 round didnt think of that als will try the bars forward slightly as well.

Will report how i get on...

 

[big pete]

also has been said before ,try the seat on high at the front and low at the rear,i find this much better cheers

 

[paintman]

I use these.

http://www.grip-puppy.co.uk/

One other thought are you holding on too tight ? I believe the correct pressure is similar to holding a pint in your hand.

 

[Ogmios]

I use these.

http://www.grip-puppy.co.uk/

One other thought are you holding on too tight ? I believe the correct pressure is similar to holding a pint in your hand.

What an excellent description.
Seriously.
Another thought along similar lines to the grip puppies - choice of gloves / palm padding, or lack of, can affect blood flow.
Does a different pair make it better / worse?

 

[Popell]

I find that I get a bit of pins/needles in right hand, not found a cure(other than engage throttle lock and shake hand) but have found that it is worse if I mistakenly over tighten clothing/gloves round wrist.

HTH

 

[Bendy toy]

I have a layer of 3mm sorbothane wrapped around the left hand grip. It's held on by heat shrink sleeve as used on snooker cues.
Mine is 70 Duro but 50 is softer an likely to be better for absorbing handlebar vibration.
The GS grips are quite small diameter so the grip isn't massively fat.
I've also considered Fasst anti vibe handlebars. But they move vertically more or less in line with the suspension forks so I suspect might not do much for the horizontal movement of the bike. Someone with lots of cash might want to try some.
The only other option I can see is anti vibe mounts on the top steering yoke. But all my ideas have been complicated so it's never happened.
The best idea is rule out shoulder nerve and blood vessel compression. UK trained chiropractors and osteopaths are trained to find these things and a good physio should have some ideas with it.
I adjust the first rib and lower cervical vertebrae to free up hypomobile joints and prescribe scalene muscle stretches along with postural training.


Sent from a widget that can't spell.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Suffered with constant numb right hand when riding it got that bad my hand was numb within a couple of miles and sometimes had problems during the night I would wake up with pins and needles tried all the above to cure the vibrations on the bike.

It turned out to be carpal tunnel just had the surgery last weekend so not riding yet but noticed the difference already not had any numb fingers at all since so looking good will update this thread when back on the bike hopefully I will be fixed and the bike was not the problem.

If your suffering the same get a test done its a simple electric pulse test and measures the delay the signal takes and the doctor compares the delay between your hands the surgery is a quick 10 minute job under a local and just sore for a few days.

I waited for about 10 years before doing anything as I though carpal tunnel symptoms was always present and though it was my bike should have sorted it years ago.

 

[mpgscott]

Cheers for all the good information, will deffinetly give the seat high at front low at rear a go. Gloves its Alpinestar 365's that i have but am going to give my old HG gloves a try tomorrow and see what like. Yep the 365's are tight.

Already got the grip puppies fitted these do help.

I dont suffer the same with the seat on high setting, i have tried the rox risers set forward and then rolled the handle bars back to hopefully drop the height a bit.

Will see how it goes..

 

[Pukmeister]

Are you otherwise fit and healthy? Do you take regular exercise? I have improved my own comfort and endurance on the bike (plus many other things) just by losing weight and working out, I used to struggle with lower back pain. I wouldn't be too quick to jump at surgical procedures if there is a simpler way. Maybe some light weight training or stretching might be of benefit? It worked for me.

 

[mpgscott]

I cycle to work each day 4.5miles each way, i try to keep in good shape but there is always room for improvment.

 

[Bendy toy]

Don't go surgical until the considerably safer and often just as effective options have ruled out. It's not uncommon for decompression surgery on collar bone / first rib to result in permanent nerve damage. It's worth the risk only as absolute last resort.

Nerve conduction tests are prone to false outcomes. Arm nerves can be impinged at various points from spinal roots to the wrist. The top end is especially hard to test with nerve conduction.
In addition there are many orthopaedic tests which done properly will build a picture of what is or is not going on. They don't have the (admittedly small) risks of needle insertions.
Options
Pay for a non surgical orthopaedic specialist to examine what is going on. No risk.
Visit the GP and get pain killers nerve conduction tests and surgery with all the risks of permanent many side effects that still may not solve the problem.
To me it's common sense to close out the non invasive options before digging deeper.



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[Deleted account 181015003]

Suffered with constant numb right hand when riding it got that bad my hand was numb within a couple of miles and sometimes had problems during the night I would wake up with pins and needles tried all the above to cure the vibrations on the bike.

It turned out to be carpal tunnel just had the surgery last weekend so not riding yet but noticed the difference already not had any numb fingers at all since so looking good will update this thread when back on the bike hopefully I will be fixed and the bike was not the problem.

If your suffering the same get a test done its a simple electric pulse test and measures the delay the signal takes and the doctor compares the delay between your hands the surgery is a quick 10 minute job under a local and just sore for a few days.

I waited for about 10 years before doing anything as I though carpal tunnel symptoms was always present and though it was my bike should have sorted it years ago.

Just a update on the surgery I was back on my bike for the first time yesterday and no more numb fingers my wrist was aching a bit after a full day out on my bike and doing a test ride on a F800GS but this was not unexpected my hand is still quite weak.

Tried about 10 miles riding at a reasonable speed on a dual carriageway deliberately not taking my hand off to see if it went numb and all was well no numbness at all after suffering for so long its a strange feeling been fixed

So the throttle lock will be for sale

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Just a update on the surgery I was back on my bike for the first time yesterday and no more numb fingers my wrist was aching a bit after a full day out on my bike and doing a test ride on a F800GS but this was not unexpected my hand is still quite weak.

Tried about 10 miles riding at a reasonable speed on a dual carriageway deliberately not taking my hand off to see if it went numb and all was well no numbness at all after suffering for so long its a strange feeling been fixed

So the throttle lock will be for sale

Glad it has all worked out for you. Keep the throttle lock though, it's still nice to have on the long treks.

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

Glad it has all worked out for you. Keep the throttle lock though, it's still nice to have on the long treks.

Changing to a F800GS I dont think it will fit without buying hand guards and to be honest I cant see me needing it now been stripping of all the bling today so will be listing it all on here soon found using tools is not easy I cant put any pressure on my palm

 

[Bendy toy]

Glad you got it sorted. Sometimes surgery is the best option.

 

[lkyphl]

Somewhat related, I've always thought the handgrip sections of GS handlebars were too horizontal ; if you hang your relaxed arms by your sides, and lift 'em up to mimic handlebars in front of you, a line through your palm is nowhere near horizontal ; in my case it's about 45°, so I reckon having to twist one's wrists to this horizontal angle must increase tension in the forearms, which may in turn exacerbate other muscular and circulatory issues.

Oh for RT-angled 'bars !

Phil

 

[NZRalphy]

Your wheels could be out of round causing vibration. Your throttles could be slightly out of sync causing vibration. Just a thought.

 

[mpgscott]

Changed bike that sorted it, swapped over to a year newer GSA and its spot on. Had to have been something with the bike before.