Vibration problem = pins & needles

[xjrjason]

OK, been riding my '08 Adventure for a good few month now.

Something I have noticed is vibration, and a lot of it. Mainly at high end revs/speed.

I've come from high powered in-line fours, know theres going to be a difference, but I'm getting pins & needles in my hands.

A bit more info : I'm a short ar*e so have had to have the BMW low seat, lowered. There's quite a deep dip in the seat now, so was wondering if I was subconsciously putting more weight on my hands/ leaning harder on the bars.

Anyone else get excessive vibration?

Or is it me, and should I get longer legs?

 

[snerkler]

They do vibrate, but I don't think they vibrate anymore than my Gixxer I had. Could be a bit of carpal tunnel setting in

 

[xjrjason]

LOL, great!

 

[snerkler]

Seriously, 1st thing I would consider would be addressing your riding position, and how hard you grip on the bars. A lot of people tend too grip to hard, especially when getting used to a new bike.

How long do the pins and needles last, and do you get them at any other time than riding?

 

[RickG]

It's been a long time since we've had a vibration thread, there were loads of them a couple of years ago. The normal reply goes something like:

check everything is spot-on: valve clearances, rocker end float and especially throttle sync'.

They all do that until they have done more than 20,000 miles.

Worth a search to check out all the other posts

 

[thor1340]

You could try a set of Grip Puppies, if you do a search on here you should find them, I think Sport touring sell them. I used them on my LT and they were great, not got round to putting them on the GSA though - yet!

 

[Slowdown]

What RickG said - I managed to reduce the numb fingers feeling by balancing my wheels myself - the local tyre places did a shocking job on mine.

 

[humfreybumfy]

You could try a set of Grip Puppies, if you do a search on here you should find them, I think Sport touring sell them. I used them on my LT and they were great, not got round to putting them on the GSA though - yet!

My words exactly...+ 1 They are GGGGGGGreat!!!!!!

 

[smartbear]

softness

i have the previously mentioned "puppies" and its just like riding along with your hands full of silicone loveliness!
or is it only me who thinks that way?

 

[Balders1450]

i have the previously mentioned "puppies" and its just like riding along with your hands full of silicone loveliness!
or is it only me who thinks that way?

+1

 

[greggs]

pins and needles

Get yer wheels balanced.
My 1200GS was smooooth, until I fitted new rubber. Then my hands went numb up to my elbows ! I used my pocket knife and got rid of quite a few weights off the rims and most of the problem stopped

Get someone who knows what they are about to balance the wheels properly.

greg GS

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Numb hands is very often due to the grip on the bars, especially on a bike like the GS where you are sitting up.

Sportier bikes have you leaning forward but on the GS it is easy to slouch back and have to hold yourself upright by hanging on to the bars rather than using your back/legs.

 

[andyshooter]

pins and needles

I have the same problem I'm going to try a normal seat instead of the low one but I do find different gloves help, I will get a set of those grippes as i live up the road from sport touring I'm sure they will make a difference

 

[andyclift]

On the right side a Throttle Rocker helps. Instead of having to grip the throttle you can just rest your hand on it and adjust by palm pressure. The best 6 quid you can spend on the bike. My experience is that when you stop gripping so hard with the right hand you also tend to relax more with the left as well.

 

[xjrjason]

Thanks for the replies guys

I'll have a look at the puppies


Just tried a mates bike. Put the two next to each other, held the revs at 3k, and then back, repeat sort of thing, again etc.

Mine deffo has more vibration, so i guess a trip to BMW to see if things need balancing up.

Thanks again.

 

[D6]

i get this too on the 1150, just got a set of grip puppies,
has anyone ever tried fillin the bars with lead shot like they used to do?

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

Don't know about lead shot but I read somewhere on Advrider that people fill them with sand.

 

[luckylucian]

Pull clutch in, if vibration disappears its the engine, if it stays your wheels are out of balance.

Bar risers worked for me changed wrist angle and no more numbness

 

[wheeledwidewebb]

I reckon it is often to do with things like wrist angle, glove or jacket arm tightness, posture etc.

 

[xjrjason]

LuckL

I like the test to see if it's wheels or engine ..... simple ..... my sort of testing.



As for posture, it could well be ... I've got the lowered seat lowered and wondered if it's that. I'll also give the normal seat a go again, and just make sure I check my footing when stopping.