Right hand cramps after bout half hour?

[Guest]

I'm almost 60 and Arthur is attacking my hands.
After half hour or so my right hand cramps, I stop and stretch and take 5, then ride more.
Benn looking at those palm throttle assist things, cheep on ebay 4-5$
Any Advise?
I'm ordering larger Dai foam grips so I don't have to squeeze so tight?
I don't think I can soften the return spring on the carbs, 34s, or can I?
The cold air hurts, the hands cramp, but I ant giving up riding yet?
Any ideas on lessening the stress on right hand,[I broke it a year ago in a car wreck]

[sam000lee]

How old are your throttle cables? Old ones often bind in the sleeve making the twisting a lot harder/tiresome on your hands. When I replaced my GS750 throttle cables it was a world of difference.

[Deuce]

I'm 60 and my right hand goes numb sometimes too. I've thought about those palm rest things and might go ahead and get one.

[mmattockx]

I'm almost 60 and Arthur is attacking my hands.
After half hour or so my right hand cramps, I stop and stretch and take 5, then ride more.
Benn looking at those palm throttle assist things, cheep on ebay 4-5$

I have one acquaintance who uses the throttle lever thingy on long rides. He says it helps a lot on boring stretches because he can hold a very loose grip and just rest the heel of his palm on it to hold throttle. He also says it took some practice to get used to it and he recommends practicing some quick stops and so on with it on, as it can get in the way at first. I also second the new throttle cables or at least lubing the ones you have. They get old over time and can sneak up on you.

Grips can make a difference, but they seem to be a personal preference more than any right answer for everybody. I use Progrip #724's for most of my bikes and find they are gummy enough that I don't have to hold on very tight and they seem to suck up some of the vibration making for a more comfortable ride.

I feel your pain on getting old, I'm not at your age yet but I find my right shoulder gets tight and painful from riding some days. Getting old ain't for sissies...


Mark

[Gorminrider]

got low bars? Maybe take the weight off wrists with taller ones. This will change wrist angle (carpal tunnel Syndrome?) Or maybe just a periodic shift in adjustment to your present bars might help..


The palm throttle thingies...well they are worth trying ! but as your friend said, need getting used to. They are best on longer rides but won't seem as controlled as the grip you might be used to now....,if they are fine for idling, they are not good for higher speed- the subtle change of hand position you make in traffic mode versus long run isn't available..

ONE important thing is, they MIGHT hit the tank when steering is to stop/lock if your bars are low so remember to check this once you do get them set right to ride with... I only noticed when I went to lock the forks that I will need to lock them the other way or take the thingie off.

On the original suzuki grips that are quite thin,hard and have longitudinal ribs they are sort of limited as to where they will stay as to setting the paddle to your palm but they are infinitely adjustable on fatter gummier Progrips or the like.

[Boriqua]

Some good advice posted already but I too was having my wrist go numb on shortish rides when I first got my bike. The previous owner had put the fork tubes up into the trees about 20 mm and so I was leaning forward and the bike came with large diameter soft grips. I hated those grips. I have smallish hands so I found I was more leaning on the grips rather than holding them since I couldn't wrap my hands around them.

I put the fork tubes back to where the factory had them more or less, I swapped my throttle cable and I put on new rubber regular diameter grips. I can now ride for hours even on the highway with no numbness.

Perhaps you can pull your bars back some to get a more comfortable reach.

[Wingsconsin]

I found the foam grip puppies (go over the existing grip) seemed to help my grip considerably
The larger diameter was easier to grab and hold (for me) and made a world of difference.
I also have the throttle rocker wrist rest thing too..
I find it a PIA when riding the twistys, or in traffic because it always seems to be in the wrong place and causes me to over-rev a bit.
However - on a long highway run - it is very helpful - just set it and relax --
Pick your places with that device I think ...

[posplayr]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?135697-1-Quick-Turn-Throttle-Mod&highlight=1%2F4+throttle

[gsrick]

Get a Crampbuster. You can rotate it out of the way when you don't want it or easily remove it and put it in a bag. It has a small nub or hook underneath that grabs the grip. I've used one for years on many different bikes. They come in different shapes and sizes.

[81gs7501166]

I've got a newish cable, it's free of snags.
The spring on the 34s seem stiff,I know it's for safety but is their any way to lessen It?
When pulling the carbs,I un boot them first, then unhook the cable ,by holding the linkage wot, to get to the end of the cable, damned it's Strong? Stock as far as I know. If I could lessen it a little it would help?
Where my hand was broke, I can't grip completely around small Dia things. So lge foam grips are a must for me.
Thanks uall,least I'm not the only old cramping old biker?..
I have another set of carbs, ones off 81 gs750, I'm going to look at them and c if spring is different?

[Gorminrider]

yes, those Crampbusters^^^ are the ones I (and mmattockx I think) was describing...on the old ribbed grips seen here where posplayer shows in his WideOpenThrottle mod, they have limited location

or in traffic because it always seems to be in the wrong place and causes me to over-rev a bit.

exactly.

as noted you can rotate em around( in one direction) easily or just take em off.

[81gs7501166]

cramp buster ordered.
I like the quicker raito cable but until I get it easier to twist, I cant do anything to make it harder.
thanks

[posplayr]

There are various cruse controls that will lock throttle, but can be released at the flip of a switch. This takes all load off of your wrist.

http://mycruisemate.com/index.html

http://www.aerostich.com/universal-vista-cruise-control.html

[Dogma]

I had a Throttle Rocker brand things for a while. It was too long and interfered with the cuff on my jacket, so I trimmed it. I've made more radical alterations since. Bottom line, though. I don't ride without one anymore. It reduces how tightly I need to grip the grip, and it also provides a reference for throttle position if I take my hand off the grip for some reason.

Some riders prefer the throttle lock, but I don't care for it. I'd like to add a proper cruise control for those long highway trips, so I don't have to monitor my speed so closely. Uh oh. I wonder if anybody sells aftermarket adaptive cruise hardware. Radar modules are getting a lot cheaper.

[wymple]

Sound Off Recreational Vista Cruise Control/Throttle Lock For Honda Motorcycles


When you get tired of that POS cramp buster get one similar to this. On or off with the flick of the thumb, doesn't require you to constantly pressure it. Fully adjustable with a small allen wrench. Comes with it. I tried the cramp buster type and hated it. Me & Arthur old old enemies