numb hand

[Markblox]

Just started riding again and am suffering from a numb right hand after about 20 mins riding. I thought I was gripping too tight at first but have relaxed quite a bit in the last week but the symptoms are just as bad. Could it be vibrations on the right side of the bar, or is it my hand? I am right handed and have noticed in the last few years when I pick up a paint brush I get the same problem. This is a real pain as I want to do some long tours and won't be able to if I don't sought this problem out. Anyone got any theories? Mark.

 

[Markblox]

Oh, just to add that I'm wearing winter gore-tex gloves.

 

[michael d]

mark i suffered the same problem for a while , it turned out to be a loose footpeg in the end , tightened the bolts and the vibes went away

cheers mike

 

[cookie]

make's a wank more interesting


um..apparently

 

[Dave Hall]

When I was riding for a living I had a lot of problems with the same thing...turned out to be carpal tunnel syndrome (inflamation of the nerves as they enter the wrist from the arm). I was contemplating surgery when an accident forced retirement and its not such a problem now as I only get it, occasionally, after an all day riding session.

 

[Colt]

as Dave says could be Carpal tunnel syndrome
get yourself a checkup
and check the footpegs and bar end weights

 

[Markblox]

as Dave says could be Carpal tunnel syndrome
get yourself a checkup
and check the footpegs and bar end weights

Yea thanks for all the replies. I might try one of the suggestions tonight!
Now I think about it the right bar does seem to vibrate quite a bit. I'll check everthing is tight.

 

[archaeo]

hi markblox,
if it is carpel tunnel get a referal from the dr to see a specialist to see how bad it is, i had it both wrists and it does get progressively worse without treatment................ had both mine operated on and now they are brilliant, only problem is though you could be looking at upto 3 months off the bike......


hopefully it will only be a loose something on the bike that is causing the problem....

actually if anyone finds a way to make their 650 vibrate more please send on the tips (sorry i 'll get my coat..... hee hee)

 

[Colt]

break the the subframe bolts, i found that helps it vibrate

 

[gerry wallbank]

Just started riding again and am suffering from a numb right hand after about 20 mins riding. I thought I was gripping too tight at first but have relaxed quite a bit in the last week but the symptoms are just as bad. Could it be vibrations on the right side of the bar, or is it my hand? I am right handed and have noticed in the last few years when I pick up a paint brush I get the same problem. This is a real pain as I want to do some long tours and won't be able to if I don't sought this problem out. Anyone got any theories? Mark.

hi make sure your chain isn't to tight this can set vibs up also make sure you dont over tighten your cuffs on your gloves/coat as this can press on the carpel nerve in your wrist

 

[Fanum]

Mark....sit on the bike in your normal riding position and see if there's an angle between the line of your fore-arm and the hand...IE is your wrist kinked a bit??

I'm 6'4" and foiund that the addition of some bar risers helped my riding position a lot, flattening out the line of arm>wrist>hand, and that helped with numbness on long rides.

Vibration is more likely to be the cause but let's face it, an 1150cc twin ain't ever gonna be smoooooooth is it, and sometimes just making the best of the ergonomics to deal with the vibrations that you can't cure can help a lot.

 

[Markblox]

Mark....sit on the bike in your normal riding position and see if there's an angle between the line of your fore-arm and the hand...IE is your wrist kinked a bit??

I'm 6'4" and foiund that the addition of some bar risers helped my riding position a lot, flattening out the line of arm>wrist>hand, and that helped with numbness on long rides.

Vibration is more likely to be the cause but let's face it, an 1150cc twin ain't ever gonna be smoooooooth is it, and sometimes just making the best of the ergonomics to deal with the vibrations that you can't cure can help a lot.

Hi Fanum, when I sit on the bike the brake lever is a little bit on the high side and would like to lower them a bit. I think I read in the handbook that this can't be done without allowing air in the brake system. Is this right? If so then I can see that the only way to get the angle perfect is to use a bar riser. I used to do a lot of mountain bike racing and would only ever set-up the brake levers so that they would be exactly in line with the arms because it would affect the riding performance big-time. I think it could help quite a bit now you mention it. Any idea how much? Mark

 

[Fanum]

Bar risers go from about 30 quid....the touratech ones for the 650 are £33 but there are various types......I'm sure there are many more out there but I've never looked for them for a 650.

I'd doubt that you can't turn the levers aropund the axis of the bars without causing problems with bleeding...the system should be sealed in the pipes and cylinder rather than anything to do with the angle of the lever but then again, I've only had an old Funduro 650 so I've no idea about the new ones....but I'm sure someone will be able to clarify that either here or on the 650 site.

I found them a really good add on.....made a big difference to my comfort and even if they don't, you're not going to lose more than a couple of quid by buying and trying then selling here if they don't work for you

The other aspect to look at is the spread of the bar and the angle that your wrist makes outwards to the grips from the arm.......some people swear by Pro-taper bars that change the angle but I was happy with mine so didn't bother.....if you want to do some reading on it though, do a search for Ricardo Khun, a bloody nice bloke from ADVRIDER who posted here a lot about his bars......the mutt's nuts but I don't think he's doing them any more.....he's a real expert on ergonomics though and he posted some interesting stuff on it here a few years back..it'll still be here

Good luck with it

Bill

 

[Markblox]

Bar risers go from about 30 quid....the touratech ones for the 650 are £33 but there are various types......I'm sure there are many more out there but I've never looked for them for a 650.

I'd doubt that you can't turn the levers aropund the axis of the bars without causing problems with bleeding...the system should be sealed in the pipes and cylinder rather than anything to do with the angle of the lever but then again, I've only had an old Funduro 650 so I've no idea about the new ones....but I'm sure someone will be able to clarify that either here or on the 650 site.

I found them a really good add on.....made a big difference to my comfort and even if they don't, you're not going to lose more than a couple of quid by buying and trying then selling here if they don't work for you

The other aspect to look at is the spread of the bar and the angle that your wrist makes outwards to the grips from the arm.......some people swear by Pro-taper bars that change the angle but I was happy with mine so didn't bother.....if you want to do some reading on it though, do a search for Ricardo Khun, a bloody nice bloke from ADVRIDER who posted here a lot about his bars......the mutt's nuts but I don't think he's doing them any more.....he's a real expert on ergonomics though and he posted some interesting stuff on it here a few years back..it'll still be here

Good luck with it

Bill

Thanks for all that Bill. Very useful.

 

[Colt]

mark, have read up on risers on the f650 site
there are some issues such as maybe needing longer brake hose etc depending on whether you have abs
touratech /wunderlich 35mm are the commonest risers i have seen,

have you checked out our Komatias and his handlebars?

not sure what you were reading in the handbook about moving the levers?
if you are only moving them a bit you can slacken the clampbolts to adjust.