Author Topic: Weakness in throttle hand after long ride (Read 4511 times)

Scott S · « **on:** August 22, 2011, 05:06:00 AM »

I've been on a couple of ~250 mile rides in the last month or so and after each ride I've had weakness in my throttle hand. Specifically, the thumb and forefinger. After the first trip, I had trouble even pinching a pencil or performing delicate tasks. It lasted several days.

This last trip, same thing, but not as bad. There is no pain or tingling, just weakness.

I tried to ease up my grip on the throttle, use the palm of my hand on long stretches, etc. The bike doesn't vibrate excessively or anything. New, padded grips.
I've seen the "cramp buster" cruise control things, but I don't really get any cramps, just weakness in the hand afterwards.

Bike is a CB500 with 400F bars, genuine Honda throttle cable (no return cable), new waffle style MotoGP grips (the classic, fat grips seen on many old bikes).

Gordon · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2011, 06:42:15 AM »

Get a Throttle-Rocker/Cramp-Buster, or whatever brand you find. They're not just to prevent cramping. They allow you to relax your grip on the throttle and just use the weight of your arm resting on the heel of your hand to hold the throttle open. I've had one on my 750 for several years and I wouldn't go without it now.

MCRider · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2011, 06:48:31 AM »

Quote from: Gordon on August 22, 2011, 06:42:15 AM

Get a Throttle-Rocker/Cramp-Buster, or whatever brand you find. They're not just to prevent cramping. They allow you to relax your grip on the throttle and just use the weight of your arm resting on the heel of your hand to hold the throttle open. I've had one on my 750 for several years and I wouldn't go without it now.

Those are good. I have the TR with a throttle drag/lock. Click it on for a few moments to shake out my hand and all's well.

Coyote13 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2011, 07:01:11 AM »

Vista Cruise baby! It's out of the way (so you only use it when you need/want to) and installation is a breeze. Sounds like an infomercial but mine was the best $20 I've spent in the past few months.

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2011, 09:45:27 AM »

a throttle lock would help with some of the fatigue, but i suspect its more of a bar fitment, ergonomics issue than a twist fatigue issue.

the 'web' between your thumb and index finger, in the meat of your palm, are some pretty strong muscles along with nerves and arteries.
the combination of torso weight/pressure at your hands on your grips, along with needing to wrap your fingers around the grip, and twist, is over-fatiguing the thenar muscle (and 3-4 others), and compressing the radial artery and median nerve. this will give you much fatigue in grasping objects. you're basically starving these areas of blood and nutrients.
get pressure off these areas by re-positioning your bars, getting different ones or adding bar risers, that allow your torso weight to be better spread out over, or eliminated from your palm.
good luck.

...you may want to try tipping those 400f bars forward a bit, to get the bar end areas closer to your palms...

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2011, 01:44:59 PM »

The 400F bars are on the only place they'll fit...master cylinder, etc.

I worked in the yard today and ran the weed eater. Ow.
Total weakness in my trigger finger and I can feel the muscle running up my forearm, too.

You know, the stock CB500 bars were uber-comfortable, but the 400F bars just look so cool, man!!
I have a stock '75 XS650 and it's like a Cadillac, but the Honda handles better.

kirkn · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2011, 02:02:45 PM »

Quote from: Scott S on August 22, 2011, 01:44:59 PM

You know, the stock CB500 bars were uber-comfortable, but the 400F bars just look so cool, man!!

Oh, man, no sympathy from me! Choosing looks over function, then moaning about it? You better just toughen up, then...

demon78 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2011, 02:21:53 PM »

I get that all time and it's part of why I stopped driving a bike for a while because after a bit I couldn't hold the twist grip and eventually got a throttle lock which helps but there is another thing you can try what you do is figure out where your hand sits on the twist grip at cruise then figure out where the first joints of you fingers sit in relationship to the aforementioned then take a pencil and tape it to the twist grip so that your fingers lock on to the pencil, try it to see if it works, if it does then you tape it down securely and it will take some of the strain off your hand, not a cure but a help.
Bill the demon.

MCRider · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2011, 04:18:42 PM »

Demon: I had a pair of grips with a raised bump the length of the throttle grip, meant to fit in your knuckles. I've searched high and low and have never seen another set. Loved em.

The grips to which I refer also had a band of rubber around them to raise the pinky into a more comfortablew position. This picture shows the raised band but doesn't show the long rib down the throttle grip. (Scroll down)
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98346
Oh yeah, they were known as Donkey Dicks.

HondaMan · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2011, 04:24:06 PM »

I just stretch out the throttle spring a whole bunch...

Skonnie Boy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2011, 04:53:47 PM »

Might just be my experience, but foam grips used to make my hands very numb. Switched to stock grips and never had the problem again.

Gordon · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2011, 05:40:35 PM »

Might want to try some Euro-sport style bars. Look similar to the 400F bars but with a little more rise and pull-back. I've had them on my 750 for years and they're very comfortable.

trueblue · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2011, 08:56:42 PM »

http://www.dynaflex.com.au/flash_site/sportsgyros.html I have one of these, it helps improve grip and hand strength, they are a marvelous bit of kit and helps to condition your hands for longer rides. It has helped me a lot not only with riding but also with my job, I'm a diesel mechanic by trade.

demon78 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2011, 05:09:17 AM »

McRider the donkey dicks I've never seen before but yeah that's the idea I guess if you couldn't find them you could do the same with pencil and tape, not sure where I picked up that idea but it's one the ones I've known about for decades, the same as clutchless shifting with a "kill switch" and a couple of others.
Bill the demon.

Scott S · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2011, 05:19:25 AM »

Quote from: kirkn on August 22, 2011, 02:02:45 PM

Quote from: Scott S on August 22, 2011, 01:44:59 PM
You know, the stock CB500 bars were uber-comfortable, but the 400F bars just look so cool, man!!

Oh, man, no sympathy from me! Choosing looks over function, then moaning about it? You better just toughen up, then...

I know....that's why I added the "look so cool!" part. Hard to type sarcasm.

Tanqueracer · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:17:30 AM »

Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome or perhaps you have a benign cyst in your wrist. I'd see a doctor before I changed the bike around.

RustyJC · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:31:23 AM »

If I'm on the BMW out on the slab, it's pretty simple to avoid this. Just move the cruise control switch to ON and toggle the SET switch.

Sorry, but I haven't found a solution for the 750 - mine has drag bars, so it's even worse!

Rusty

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2011, 07:48:40 PM »

Obviously you have been masterbating with your left hand. Use your right hand from now on to build up strength.

kpier883 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:18:28 PM »

I had problems with over size grips. Try Randakk's amazing grips and see if you still experience the problem.

And what Hondaman said about the springs.

kpier883 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2011, 08:25:20 PM »

If you can get used to controlling the bike with your left hand on the right handlebar grip, then you can switch hands. I alternate this way on straight roads to give my right hand a rest. Use this tip at your own risk as control really is awkward to begin with.

Between the better grip and an occasional hand switch I have covered significant miles in a day's time

fastbroshi · « **Reply #20 on:** August 23, 2011, 10:23:17 PM »

Quote from: srust58 on August 23, 2011, 07:48:40 PM

Obviously you have been masterbating with your left hand. Use your right hand from now on to build up strength.

+1 haha! I wonder if a ShakeWeight would help?

seaweb11 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 23, 2011, 10:49:09 PM »

Sorry couldn't resist.

Shake Weight Commercial Spoof

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Author Topic: Weakness in throttle hand after long ride (Read 4511 times)