How do you keep your hand from going numb while riding a motorcycle long distances?

Answer 1

I purchased a product called ' cramp buster' it goes over your throttle and you end up using more of your palm to throttle up or down. I paid $20.00 on eBay then found the company at www.crampbuster.com will sell you it for $10.00 live and learn, but my hand doesn't go dead any more.

Answer 2

Throttle rocker. Basically, it allows you to twist the throttle by using palm pressure rather than by finger gripping. It is soooo comfortable on a long road trip. Buy it direct at www.Throttlerocker.com Lot's of bike stores sell it too. It's super easy to remove or adjust out of the way when you are in city traffic and then back again when you are on the highway.

Do not get a throttle lock. They are too dangerous on a vehicle that requires quick reflexes. Also, as you already know, it's much more dangerous to daydream while riding a bike than while driving a car. Not having to concentrate on your throttle at all might put you into that dangerous dreamstate when on a long road trip.

In addition to the throttle rocker, periodically take your hand off the grip and shake it around a bit to keep the blood circulating. Ditto for your clutch hand and your feet. I dumped my bike once when I stopped for gas on a long roadtrip and hadn't noticed that my lower legs had fallen asleep. They totally gave out when I put my feet down at the pump. (blush)

One other possible solution is to wear a carpal tunnel syndrome wrist brace. I've not done that, but I've seen other people who have.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Chances are that you suffer from carpal tunnel in one or both of your hands. Numbness occurs when the fist is clenched or the thumb and first two fingers are pressed together (as when eating or writing). I'd recommend trying to relax your grip alternately, first one hand and then the other. Take brief rest stops during which you should allow your hands to hang down and wiggle your fingers. A visit to a hand surgeon might confirm the "diagnosis" and some people are helped by wearing a splint on the hand at night. It didn't help me but did help my friend for a number of years.

Answer 4

The others have some good answers, relax, use your throttle brake, try the paddle.
I also find taking an aspirin when I know I'll be riding all day helps.

You may also want to consider adjusting or changing your bars ( I did a few times) as well as fatter or thinner grips.

Answer 5

Great answers above.

One more from me, though. I used to have this same problem, and I had the throttle lock, too. Come to find out that for me, it was two other things, putting too much weight onto the handlebars, and the wrong cut of shirt under my jacket.

I took off my windshield, and the wind blast on my chest helps keep some weight off my hands.

Started wearing shirts that did not bunch up in the front of my shoulder, decreasing circulation.

Good luck.

Answer 6

They sell a throttle lock that you can use on any bike. It allows you to lock the throttle in place so you can flex your hand. I have Kuryakyn grips with the Throttle Boss (a small extension that fits below the pad of your thumb) and it allows you to loosen your grip but keep the thottle steady, and the lock. Together I am able to change my hand position or let go all together to keep feeling in my fingers on a long ride.

Answer 7

In addition to all the other stuff, Ride on has a good point about bar position. You would be surprised how a little movement of the bars will change the angle of your elbow.
When you have done all the above, there is one thing left to do at the time you start feeling it: Take a break.

Answer 8

Jaird is right about his answer. Also ,is there a star screw ya can tighten up just enough to hold the throttle in position for steady level cruising/ I know Harleys have it on them and I use mine a lot on road trips cause you can tighten up just enough to hold the throttle and if need be ,easily back it off with your hand just resting on the grip

Answer 9

Every now and then stretch out your fingers to keep the blood flowing through the tips. Do mini-circulation exercises to get the feeling back if you start to feel tingling. Also keep them warm, cold hands tend to numb more easily.

Hope this helps! :-)

Answer 10

You can also get a throttle paddle it straps to your grip so you dont need to used a cleched fist all the time to keep the throttle up. I use one on my bike. I think it was under 10 bucks and can be picked up at any sport bikew shop