Topic: Riding Ergonomics

[Sprocket75]

Over the past couple of weeks while riding, I have noticed that my wrists and the outer edges of my thumbs/hand start to get really sore. I also notice that I seem to be placing a lot of my weight forward onto the handlebars without realizing it. So, as a new rider, is this normal or am I just not sitting properly? I have tried different positions (i.e. scooting further back on the seat, lower head position, etc) but still seem to have the same issue. I try to relax my grip somewhat as well, but I am wary of doing this as it seems like that is just asking for trouble. I have drag bars installed on my bike and I like the way they look, but if they are uncomfortable by nature, then I am willing to switch them out. Also, the grips that are on the bike have the raised palm area in the middle. Does this cause unnecessary fatigue? It seems like I am subconsciously pushing inward really hard on the grips up against the round rubber ring when I ride . Almost as if the grips are too far out? Maybe just nervousness and being a new rider? The grips are installed at the ends of the bars as they should be. Should I try cutting some off of each bar end and remounting them? How do you ride? Leaned over? Or with your back straight up? Is this normal and will subside as I ride more? Any advice or suggestions?

[flybox1]

Euro bars, CB400F bars, Norman Hyde M bars, will all allow a more upright position, but maintain that sporty look.
I had drag bars on my K8 when i bought it.  hated them.
too many bar styles to list, but you'll get a bunch of suggestions here.

[brandEn]

You could switch to superbike bars. Those are a bit higher than drags but much lower than stockers.

I would also like to suggest that you use your core to support your body and try squeezing the tank with your legs rather than lean on your bars. I thinks its a habit worth learning and it should really help with sore wrists. You really shouldn't be using your bars for supporting much of your weight. Give it a shot!

[Lostboy Steve]

You could switch to superbike bars. Those are a bit higher than drags but much lower than stockers.

I would also like to suggest that you use your core to support your body and try squeezing the tank with your legs rather than lean on your bars. I thinks its a habit worth learning and it should really help with sore wrists. You really shouldn't be using your bars for supporting much of your weight. Give it a shot!

+1 Superbike bars for the win. Had clubmans, will not look back.

[flybox1]

why continue to ride if its uncomfortable? bar swaps are easy.
check to see if the wiring for your controls (electrics, brake, throttle, clutch) are run on the OUTSIDE of your bars.
if they are, you can easily make the swap to any other bar.  a few beers and an hour or two.
if they are run internally, its still easy, but a little more time and beer consuming.

[nccb]

why continue to ride if its uncomfortable? bar swaps are easy.
check to see if the wiring for your controls (electrics, brake, throttle, clutch) are run on the OUTSIDE of your bars.
if they are, you can easily make the swap to any other bar.  a few beers and an hour or two.
if they are run internally, its still easy, but a little more time and beer consuming.

It is a rats nest behind the headlight bucket.  I haven't switched mine out just yet but on one attempt I couldn't get the bullet terminals unconnected unless I cut the plastic around them.  I was thinking of slicing it up one side to release the connectors and then maybe shrink wrapping it back or using electrical tape around the cut plastic.  Hopefully you'll have better luck than me at removing them.

[lucky]

Drag bars are just that. Mean't for drag racing, which only lasts for a few seconds.

Cycle-X sells Super Bike bars . Good price and available in black or chrome.

If you keep having to lean on your hands you are going to have serious problems.

[Imago]

You could switch to superbike bars. Those are a bit higher than drags but much lower than stockers.

Where's the best place, (read cheapest) to buy "superbike" bars?

[Deltarider]

and try squeezing the tank with your legs

Make it a habit to squeeze the tank with your legs all of the time. It is number one to control your bike under all circumstances! Even (or better: especially) in panic your thighs should be there! When we traveled the States we were suprised so many bikers had a wrong sitting position and often sat widelegged on their bikes.

[Sprocket75]

why continue to ride if its uncomfortable? bar swaps are easy.
check to see if the wiring for your controls (electrics, brake, throttle, clutch) are run on the OUTSIDE of your bars.
if they are, you can easily make the swap to any other bar.  a few beers and an hour or two.
if they are run internally, its still easy, but a little more time and beer consuming.

 The bars that the PO had on there were waaay too high, almost like ape hangers. I swapped the bars out myself to install the drag bars...I liked the way they looked. I loomed and ran the wires outside of the bars when I did this originally, so I am familiar with the process. My question was more about what other riders experience when they ride and was I doing something wrong. Sure, I could go and buy another set of XXX bars, but will that help the issue or is my position etc. the actual problem...THAT was my question. You asked why I continue to ride if it is uncomfortable...? Because I enjoy it...I would hate to park this bike after I have done all of this work and have gotten it running so well just because of the handlebars...lol.  Is it worth the discomfort? Yes, absolutely. Do I want to continue to be uncomfortable? Nope. So, I just thought I would ask what I might be doing wrong. After reading Lucky's suggestion, I took a look at the SuperBike bars. They seem like they would be comfortable, but again, taste is subjective. What about cutting some of the length off of the bars so that the grips will be closer together? Maybe I will dust off the old TIG welder, scrounge up some pipe, and make something custom. I will also try squeezing the tank with my legs to see if that helps. Maybe my wife can show me how its done. 

NCCB: The wires behind the headlight bucket were a rats nest! I resolved that however by tagging everything with a labeler and rewiring everything. Takes time and patience, but worth it.

[Retro Rocket]

You are doing nothing wrong, its the drag bars that are putting pressure on your wrists,

I try to relax my grip somewhat as well, but I am wary of doing this as it seems like that is just asking for trouble

You should not hang on hard to the bars, you should relax and grip the bars with medium pressure, just a firm grip, hanging on tight will restrict you greatly if you have to act quickly.... Hanging on tight will also cause hand cramps....

[BobbyR]

I had/have bad wrists so I understand what you are talking about. I have stock bars which are not bad. Two things come to mind from your description and what others have said:

1.  The drag bars have you intentionally leaning forward for rapid acceleration greater than a CB750 can deliver. You may also have large upper body development when makes it worse.  When you are holding the throttle those bars will probably keep your wrist at an odder angle with pressure on them.

2. You are probably gripping the bars harder than necessary, all new riders do it, and early in the season, I do it also, and my fingers and wrists remind me of that. If you experiment you will find a fairly light grip is all really need even at speeds of 70mph.

Adjusting the the tilt of the right hand controls slightly forward allows you to have a straighter wrist angle when you are maintaining a steady speed.  Not too far forward or all you will see are birds in the mirror. 

[seanbarney41]

don't lock your elbows, keep your arms loose...with drag bars you will have to lean forward more and that is why you have to use your knees to grip the tank and develop your stomach muscles to support your weight

[Retro Rocket]

don't lock your elbows, keep your arms loose...with drag bars you will have to lean forward more and that is why you have to use your knees to grip the tank and develop your stomach muscles to support your weight

Or ride fast enough for the wind to get under your chest and support your weight....

[bjbuchanan]

don't lock your elbows, keep your arms loose...with drag bars you will have to lean forward more and that is why you have to use your knees to grip the tank and develop your stomach muscles to support your weight

Or ride fast enough for the wind to get under your chest and support your weight....

I like your style. I remember the first time I hit like 75 and could actually feel that weight lift

[scottly]

Over the past couple of weeks while riding, I have noticed that my wrists and the outer edges of my thumbs/hand start to get really sore.

Try adjusting the angle of the bars. Your hands should fall naturally into alignment, with your wrists at a 90* angle to the bars. A couple of degrees can make a world of difference!! 

[Retro Rocket]

Over the past couple of weeks while riding, I have noticed that my wrists and the outer edges of my thumbs/hand start to get really sore.

Try adjusting the angle of the bars. Your hands should fall naturally into alignment, with your wrists at a 90* angle to the bars. A couple of degrees can make a world of difference!!

Unfortunately the standard peg position on the Honda's makes low bars feel extremely uncomfortable, the stock peg position has the feet too far forward to be comfortable, thats why i can never work out how people ride with clubmans with a stock bike and say it works ......

[scottly]

Hey Mick. I've found that pain in the hands and wrists is usually caused by improperly positioned bars, and improperly positioned pegs or too low of a seat caused pain in the legs and lower back...

[Retro Rocket]

Hey Mick. I've found that pain in the hands and wrists is usually caused by improperly positioned bars, and improperly positioned pegs or too low of a seat caused pain in the legs and lower back...

Yes, I agree 100%...

[Dream750]

A quality set of grips adds to comfort and is worth the investment. I’ve had good success with both of these brands. 
 
Oury: http://www.ourygrips.com/road-grips/
 
Randakk: http://randakks.com/collections/grips

[Sprocket75]

A quality set of grips adds to comfort and is worth the investment. I’ve had good success with both of these brands. 
 
Oury: http://www.ourygrips.com/road-grips/
 
Randakk: http://randakks.com/collections/grips

I was thinking on upgrading/changing my grips. The current grips that I have are rather thick and bulge in the middle and taper off on each side. I was thinking that maybe this was also causing some of the fatigue as well.

[Bankerdanny]

I used Bikemaster Euro bars on my 550, which are visually very similar to the superbike bars, but slightly lower and with a bit more pullback and width (http://www.bikemaster.com/handlebars.html.

I had a clubman on my Enfield. I found that when I first installed it that my wrists would get sore after 30 minutes or so of riding.

I was ready to remove them, but instead I decided to stick with them a little longer because I prefered the overall position and I found that after about a month of regular use my muscles adapted to the position and I didn't have any more issues with pain.

[lucky]

You could switch to superbike bars. Those are a bit higher than drags but much lower than stockers.

Where's the best place, (read cheapest) to buy "superbike" bars?

Cycle-x.

[bjbuchanan]

Sounds to me like you have the stock grips on there from your description of them. Any of the new gel type will seem world's better. See if you can rotate your controls too to fine tune the angle, helps the wrists

[K_Kalynuik]

ive had the same issue with my clip ons on my 550. Slightly new rider and I was not use to the forward lean on my wrists. My other bikes all have superbike bars and never thought about the pain once while riding. So I invested in a set of riser clip ons. They bring the grips 2" higher and make a world of difference on my wrists. I also moved my foot pegs back a few inches to help. But that's more work than a weekend job. The biggest thing that was mentioned earlier is to ride faster. With a leather jacket I get a lot of wind to pull me off the bars. I almost have to fight to stay on the bars let alone worry about leaning on my wrists.

Moral is, get higher bars or spend the winter working out your core, back, forearms and shoulders. I find that helps too.