Sore left hand

nsgirl · July 9th, 2010, 08:10 PM

I've been finding that my thumb is really sore and my pinkie is numb (and stays numb for weeks) after riding and not even that far. I've tried changing the postion of my arms, elbow, hand (relaxing my grip), fingers, new gloves with extra palm padding, etc., but nothing helps. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and had luck with gel grips or have any other solutions.

2WheelGuy · July 9th, 2010, 08:27 PM

Sorry...couldn't help myself

kkim · July 9th, 2010, 08:28 PM

I've found not cinching up the gloves tight at the wrists has helped prevent my fingers from tingling/falling asleep. In fact, I now keep the velcro closures as loose as possible when I put the gloves on.

2WheelGuy · July 9th, 2010, 08:41 PM

Try adjusting your levers. I've found that most people have them too high causing an unnatural bend at the wrist.

Ramen · July 9th, 2010, 09:24 PM

I find relaxing my arms will naturally relax my grip as well. Also, concentrate on proper posture and straddle to keep the weight off your wrists.

Postiez · July 9th, 2010, 10:59 PM

On an 848 its soooooo much worse

nsgirl · July 10th, 2010, 09:17 AM

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will try them all.

noche_caliente · July 10th, 2010, 09:44 AM

Kari - that is exactly why I switched to the Pazzo levers - as soon as I did, it made everything better

ally99 · July 12th, 2010, 04:22 AM

I used to have sore, tingly, numb hands too. Read Keith Code's, "A Twist of the Wrist". A common rider error is gripping the bars too tightly. It's a survival reaction and you really have to practice being as loose as possible, even though it feels really weird. the bike doesn't need us to grip it. it actually hinders its physical ability to work with the grooves in the road, so just barely holding on will really help that pain in your wrist/hands PLUS it has the added benefit of making the bike happier too!

TenaciousD · July 12th, 2010, 05:30 AM

nsgirl,
I am having the exact same issue, except it's my right hand and it's my thumb that's gone numb. I've ruled out the levers because 98% of the time I'm not covering the brake lever. It definitely gets better if I make myself relax and keep a loose grip on the bars. I also think my gloves may be too small, so that is something else you can look at. I think mostly I just have to train my body to do this new activity that it finds very unnatural. Good luck!

tabogon · July 12th, 2010, 06:13 AM

Relax your grip and adjust your levers. I was getting pain in my hands when I first got the 250, tried everything as well except the levers. Just lossen the bolt and rotate the levers until they feel comfortable. And if you tried loosening your grip and it doesn't help, you aren't as loose as you think.

LuxMundi · July 12th, 2010, 09:46 AM

I've had problems with my heels being numb, so I feel ya.
If it's your left hand, maybe just ride right hand only unless you need to shift?
Posted via Mobile Device

SCREEM · July 12th, 2010, 01:53 PM

great suggestions above, also try taking your hand off the bar and shake it out once in a while. You should build up some tolerance after a while. gl

bdavison · July 12th, 2010, 02:05 PM

Im betting its your gloves, and not your grasp...

If the tip of the finger on the glove is applying pressure to the tip of your finger IN the glove...it will make it go numb really quick.

Im willing to bet that this is your problem, try riding minus gloves for the same distance, and see if it still goes numb....if it doesnt....its your gloves.

Many times people try on the gloves in the store, with their hand out flat...but when you wrap your hand around a handlebar, it trys to compress your fingers.

Look for gloves that have still have space left in the fingertips when you grasp a handlebar.

DRivero · July 14th, 2010, 01:18 PM

I have pretty poor circulation in general, but my right hand while riding goes numb: first the fingers, then the whole hand, eventually workikng its way up my arm until it's useless and feels like a toothache, and I absolutely have to let go of the grip. It was so bad that I couldn't take the highway at all, because there's no way, really, to let off the throttle. I finally wised up and bought a (mechanical) cruise control apparatus. It was like 25 bucks, and I put it on myself. I don't use it steady.....I flip it on when I need to shake the feeling back into my hand.

Nsgirl, I don't know if the above will work for you (maybe the occasional shake-out will keep your problem in check? IDK), but for me it was a great and inexpensive solution.

DRivero · July 14th, 2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsgirl

Sore left hand

Never mind, I'm a moron. Wrong hand. Damn, and my right hand fell asleep typing all of that, too! (JK)

July 9th, 2010, 08:10 PM	#1
nsgirl ninjette.org newbie Name: Kari Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Sore left hand I've been finding that my thumb is really sore and my pinkie is numb (and stays numb for weeks) after riding and not even that far. I've tried changing the postion of my arms, elbow, hand (relaxing my grip), fingers, new gloves with extra palm padding, etc., but nothing helps. I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and had luck with gel grips or have any other solutions.

July 9th, 2010, 08:27 PM	#2
2WheelGuy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Craig Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.	Sorry...couldn't help myself __________________________________________________ CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278

July 9th, 2010, 08:41 PM	#4
2WheelGuy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Craig Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.	Try adjusting your levers. I've found that most people have them too high causing an unnatural bend at the wrist. __________________________________________________ CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278

July 10th, 2010, 09:44 AM	#8
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	Kari - that is exactly why I switched to the Pazzo levers - as soon as I did, it made everything better __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

July 12th, 2010, 04:22 AM	#9
ally99 Ninja chick Name: Allyson Location: Athens, GA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 4 MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15	I used to have sore, tingly, numb hands too. Read Keith Code's, "A Twist of the Wrist". A common rider error is gripping the bars too tightly. It's a survival reaction and you really have to practice being as loose as possible, even though it feels really weird. the bike doesn't need us to grip it. it actually hinders its physical ability to work with the grooves in the road, so just barely holding on will really help that pain in your wrist/hands PLUS it has the added benefit of making the bike happier too! __________________________________________________ Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson

July 9th, 2010, 08:28 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I've found not cinching up the gloves tight at the wrists has helped prevent my fingers from tingling/falling asleep. In fact, I now keep the velcro closures as loose as possible when I put the gloves on.

July 9th, 2010, 09:24 PM	#5
Ramen Frak It Name: Sean Location: SWFL Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 199	I find relaxing my arms will naturally relax my grip as well. Also, concentrate on proper posture and straddle to keep the weight off your wrists.

July 9th, 2010, 10:59 PM	#6
Postiez ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: SALT LAKE CITY, UT Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red '08 250 Posts: 233	On an 848 its soooooo much worse

July 10th, 2010, 09:17 AM	#7
nsgirl ninjette.org newbie Name: Kari Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: 7	Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will try them all.

July 12th, 2010, 05:30 AM	#10
TenaciousD ninjette.org member Name: Kevin Location: Tampa Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Posts: 230	nsgirl, I am having the exact same issue, except it's my right hand and it's my thumb that's gone numb. I've ruled out the levers because 98% of the time I'm not covering the brake lever. It definitely gets better if I make myself relax and keep a loose grip on the bars. I also think my gloves may be too small, so that is something else you can look at. I think mostly I just have to train my body to do this new activity that it finds very unnatural. Good luck! __________________________________________________ Kevin 2009 Ninja 250R

July 12th, 2010, 06:13 AM	#11
tabogon ninjette.org guru Name: Josh Location: CT Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (Metallic Island Blue) Posts: 262	Relax your grip and adjust your levers. I was getting pain in my hands when I first got the 250, tried everything as well except the levers. Just lossen the bolt and rotate the levers until they feel comfortable. And if you tried loosening your grip and it doesn't help, you aren't as loose as you think. __________________________________________________ http://dudetravel.blogspot.com/

July 12th, 2010, 09:46 AM	#12
LuxMundi ninjette.org member Name: Josh Location: Atlanta, GA Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 250R Black Posts: 45	I've had problems with my heels being numb, so I feel ya. If it's your left hand, maybe just ride right hand only unless you need to shift? Posted via Mobile Device

July 12th, 2010, 01:53 PM	#13
SCREEM ninjette.org member Name: Marc Location: Montreal Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 09 250R, 08 connie 14, 08 honda ruckus(gave to mom) Posts: 92	great suggestions above, also try taking your hand off the bar and shake it out once in a while. You should build up some tolerance after a while. gl

July 12th, 2010, 02:05 PM	#14
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	Im betting its your gloves, and not your grasp... If the tip of the finger on the glove is applying pressure to the tip of your finger IN the glove...it will make it go numb really quick. Im willing to bet that this is your problem, try riding minus gloves for the same distance, and see if it still goes numb....if it doesnt....its your gloves. Many times people try on the gloves in the store, with their hand out flat...but when you wrap your hand around a handlebar, it trys to compress your fingers. Look for gloves that have still have space left in the fingertips when you grasp a handlebar.

July 14th, 2010, 01:18 PM	#15
DRivero ninjette.org guru Name: Debbi Location: South Florida Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250 (Sold); 2008 Ninja EX500 Posts: 273	I have pretty poor circulation in general, but my right hand while riding goes numb: first the fingers, then the whole hand, eventually workikng its way up my arm until it's useless and feels like a toothache, and I absolutely have to let go of the grip. It was so bad that I couldn't take the highway at all, because there's no way, really, to let off the throttle. I finally wised up and bought a (mechanical) cruise control apparatus. It was like 25 bucks, and I put it on myself. I don't use it steady.....I flip it on when I need to shake the feeling back into my hand. Nsgirl, I don't know if the above will work for you (maybe the occasional shake-out will keep your problem in check? IDK), but for me it was a great and inexpensive solution. __________________________________________________ www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1568567524

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