Numb fingers .... HAVS etc .....

[birdseye]

Don't laugh, but I put a similar problem down to tight armholes on my jacket pressing on a nerve. Changing my riding position eventually sorts it out, and it doesn't happen every trip. Sometimes I need to drop my shoulders, sometimes raise them, but there is usually some position that restores circulation and feeling.
I swear this is not a wind-up!

My experience is exactly the same. Numbness only ever appears in the throttle hand because the left one can be taken off the bars and waggled around to keep blood flowing. Changing riding position helps with the throttle hand but in my case gives back ache instead.

I use a Throttle Rocker and that definitely helps by allowing you not even top grip the bars on straight roads - just rest your hand on them.

You see a lot of riders on a lot of different bikes waggling hands to recover feeling - its isnt just a GS thing.

 

[Bendy toy]

Absolutely this is not only a GS thing. The bad thing about bikes is the fixed riding position. Human bodies have not evolved to today's level are by sitting still for hours.

I actually get fewer problems with my throttle hand than my clutch hand. But then I do have TOS on the left which on some bikes makes my arm go cold. I'm hoping it will improve now I have the the GS as the wind pressure and turbulence are reduced.

But a lot can be done.
I have been in email contact with Cole Townsend of Fasst Company in USA who make the shock absorbing off-road handlebars below
http://www.fasstco.com/shop/flexx-handlebars-mx

The Flexx were designed primarily to absorb chassis (vertical) vibration and shock that gets through to the rider on offroad bikes. But he says they do also work well on the high frequency buzz from the engine. I'm still not convinced because I dont know which direction the high frequency vibes are on the balance shaft boxer twins.

Cole has now come back to tell me that he's been in contact with Jimmy Lewis the BMW factory Dakar racer. Jimmy has used Flexx bars and Rox anti vibe risers. Both cope fine on the big GS. Jimmy however prefers the Flexx because they absorb knobbly tyre vibration the best and the boxer engine is fine for him. The Rox worked well on my Diversion 900 but I didnt expect them to cope with the forces on a GSA never mind a Dakar racer getting thrown about by a professional rider!

Cole's recommendation is to use the Rox risers with his lowest rise Flexx bars which are now made with rise and sweep angles to suit the GS Adventure.

As I already have the Rox, my first stage is to try them. When funds allow I'll go the full monty with some Flexx bars as well.

More to follow.

 

[hiup]

Since fitting my Rox Risers with anti vib built in (see my post in this thread) I no longer suffer from numb fingers. I'm happy

 

[Bendy toy]

The Rox anti vib risers worked well on my Yamaha, but for me the reach was too long and the bars too low so the risers were perfect. The GSA however feels about right. I def dont want the bars any higher.

For me, its either flat bars with risers or some mounting blocks to move the risers down and forwards. I have not found any flat bars wide enough or approaching the same rake and pull back as the GSA, so I'm having some alloy blocks made.

 

[mrjim130]

Have you thought of trying a pair of mountain bike gloves with gel pads?

 

[Jurassic Mark]

I've just read this with interest. On some of my bikes I've ridden, including but less so with GS'es, have caused my right wrist to cramp up in a death grip, causing my hand to wrap itself around the throttle and lock on. It becomes very difficult to control the throttle when this happens! I can normally tell it's about to happen but can't stop it, only try to control when it occurs. After a few seconds my hand relaxes and then it's normally fine. It only happens on my bike and normally with 15-20 minutes of starting to ride. Am I alone in this? I always put it down to vibration and holding a constant throttle position and have suffered on faster smother revving bikes as well as single cylinder trailies. Just wondering if anyone else has suffered this and if it can be cured by changing stuff on the bike or if its just a physiological reaction of my body / sitting position / vibes etc etc.

 

[JayC]

I've just read this with interest. On some of my bikes I've ridden, including but less so with GS'es, have caused my right wrist to cramp up in a death grip, causing my hand to wrap itself around the throttle and lock on. It becomes very difficult to control the throttle when this happens! I can normally tell it's about to happen but can't stop it, only try to control when it occurs. After a few seconds my hand relaxes and then it's normally fine. It only happens on my bike and normally with 15-20 minutes of starting to ride. Am I alone in this? I always put it down to vibration and holding a constant throttle position and have suffered on faster smother revving bikes as well as single cylinder trailies. Just wondering if anyone else has suffered this and if it can be cured by changing stuff on the bike or if its just a physiological reaction of my body / sitting position / vibes etc etc.

Mark , this is not solely down to vibration. I too suffer Raynauds , the white finger/s , and whilst it can be attributed to certain vibratory frequencies it is also brought on by cold temperatures.

The locking up of your hand can also be attributed to vibration but also how you grip and how tightly you grip. I have this problem in my fingers, predominantly the right hand whereby in certain positions they go into a temporary paralysis, which is quite unnerving to say the least!

I usually have the symptons when driving a car or in the workplace. As I have been a manual worker all my life I guess my hands have undergone quite a bit of abuse over the years and I no longer have the dexterity I once did. Whilst it is true to say I also suffer arthritis this is not linked to the 'locking' problem. Even a simple movement like crossing my fingers can start the locking in position symptons.

Best advise is to tell your GP of your symptons. Because of my symptons I shall be going in to hospital for the recommended injections in my fingers to hopefully alleviate me from this problem. Especially as it effects me on a daily basis now. I rarely have this problem on the bike but if you are locking on to the throttle I would get advise pdq!

The injections are for the flexor tendon sheath and this has been advised as the initial solution prior to considering surgical release.

This problem has generated from a previous bout of trigger finger which I was supposed to have had the injections for some 4 years ago but didn't ....don't ask!

Do get that professional advice but more importantly I hope that you get it sorted.

Your symptons seem very much like mine and possibly caused by nodular thickening of the flexor tendons and relevant pulley in your finger joints.

 

[Jurassic Mark]

Mark , this is not solely down to vibration. I too suffer Raynauds , the white finger/s , and whilst it can be attributed to certain vibratory frequencies it is also brought on by cold temperatures.

The locking up of your hand can also be attributed to vibration but also how you grip and how tightly you grip. I have this problem in my fingers, predominantly the right hand whereby in certain positions they go into a temporary paralysis, which is quite unnerving to say the least!

I usually have the symptons when driving a car or in the workplace. As I have been a manual worker all my life I guess my hands have undergone quite a bit of abuse over the years and I no longer have the dexterity I once did. Whilst it is true to say I also suffer arthritis this is not linked to the 'locking' problem. Even a simple movement like crossing my fingers can start the locking in position symptons.

Best advise is to tell your GP of your symptons. Because of my symptons I shall be going in to hospital for the recommended injections in my fingers to hopefully alleviate me from this problem. Especially as it effects me on a daily basis now. I rarely have this problem on the bike but if you are locking on to the throttle I would get advise pdq!

The injections are for the flexor tendon sheath and this has been advised as the initial solution prior to considering surgical release.

This problem has generated from a previous bout of trigger finger which I was supposed to have had the injections for some 4 years ago but didn't ....don't ask!

Do get that professional advice but more importantly I hope that you get it sorted.

Your symptons seem very much like mine and possibly caused by nodular thickening of the flexor tendons and relevant pulley in your finger joints.

Jay C - thanks for the info. Always nice to know others have had similar issues. Been to the doctors once and was given the explanation of 'dish washers sprain or vibration' nothing can be done etc. Best I get a second opinion. Appreciate your help