Hand going numb?

[RangerBrad]

Hey fellas, I'm a new rider with a new 2013 ST and have noticed that within 8 or 10 miles of riding my right hand goes almost completely numb. Within just a minute of getting off the bike my hand is fine agin. Do any of yal experience this and is there something that can be done? Thanks' Brad

 

[Vanderwho]

Every bike I've ever owned (and this is #15) has done this to me. That's why cruise control is critical for me.

 

[Arkyrider]

I use the "Go Cruise" when my hand goes numb. You can check out anti vibe risers & handle bars that may help cut down on the vibration.

 

[shrekonwheels]

I am not bad on the Tenere, but I have had bikes that my hand was numb pretty much the entire time I rode.

You can try different gloves, Ru Skin have thinner palms so that tends to help me, as does not gripping so hard, and of course as noted, Cruise control!

Welcome to another of hte joys of Motorcycling, did I mention you can fall over on it too? ::26::

 

[MurphCO]

Look into a set of grip puppies

It is likely the vibration in the bars causing it, and there are a number of things you can do, but grip puppies are the cheapest first step.


Different handlebars, thicker grips, heavier end weights etc etc.

 

[yukondood]

I am going to jump on the need for gloves with some cushion. Post to follow when my trip is done but currently on a Yukon to Arizona adventure and each time I put on my thin palmed gloves my hands go numb. I have this exact experience with the particular gloves on my yz 450 and snowmobile. Get better gloves and I need to stop using my shitty gloves.

Btw approx 9000 on trip and tenere has been flawless-more to cone

 

[groundhog]

I found for me it was down to tension and gripping the bars too tightly, even though you may not think you are tense ! I have had this and always right hand only. Try relaxing your grip. A good test when this happens is to grip the tank with your knees tightly for a few minutes and you will probably find the numbness will ease or go completely. It would seem that your brain concentrates the tension from your hand to your legs and subconsciously your hands relax !

I tried padded grips, heavier bar end weights etc to cut down vibration and nothing worked but when I was told to try this it worked. Hope it does for you, it's worth a try.........and it costs nothing ::008::

 

[Rasher]

I found for me it was down to tension and gripping the bars too tightly, even though you may not think you are tense ! I have had this and always right hand only. Try relaxing your grip.

I have had this on most bikes, and I think it was age related rather than model specific - my age that is, I do not remember it as a younger man, but in recent years even on 4 cylinder bikes I get this after a long ride.

The right hand issue I am sure is down to having to hold at least tight enough to hold the throttle open, but I now use a Go-Cruise thingy which helps a lot as I can let go of the right bar (or barely grip it) when cruising, and find this has pretty much resolved the issue, only extended riding on very twisty roads (and we don't have any of them where I live, there is always a few straights where I can rest my hand) will get my hands numb now.

I found it worse on my last Sports-Tourer as the forward slant meant the underside of my hands where always pressed against the bars even if my grip was relaxed

 

[tomatocity]

Agree with almost everything mentioned above.

Mechanical...
... Make sure the handlebars and barends are tightened properly.
... Check the triple clamp bolts.
... Check the headset for proper adjustment.
... Loosen and tighten the front axle properly.
... Check your tire pressures.

Accessories...
... Do you have Wind Wings. If not this could let the wind push you back and making you have a tight grip.
... Are you sliding on your seat?

Handlebars...
... Put your Tenere on the centerstand (do NOT start the engine).
... Sit on the seat comfortably.
... Extend your hands over the handlebar.
... Make sure your wrists are straight.
... The handlebar should be lined up with your knuckles.
... If not this will cause you to bend (left or right) your wrists to grip the handlebar grips.
... Bent wrists cause sore tired hands.

... Another ergo comfort is "bent elbows".
... If you are leaning on the handlebars your hands will hurt.
... Consider Up and Back handlebar risers.

I have never been totally comfortable on my 2012 Tenere but I can go to sleep on my 2005 KLR.

 

[Juan]

Numbness is usually caused by bad circulation. One cause of this could be that you're gripping the bars too tightly. As for the right hand, you can relieve the grip on the trottle by using a cramp buster (I think that's what they call it). A plastic bit that wraps round the trottle on the bar and lets you position it in such a way that you rest your wrist on it and this keps the trottle twisted. I would never go on a long trip without it. And it only costs a couple of bucks.

 

[2112]

I've never had this issue despite owning 3 Moto Guzzi's (if you've had one you'll understand...), perhaps you could be gripping the bars too tight ? Maybe just ease the grip off a little and see how that pans out ?

 

[Nig5]

Every bike I've ever owned (and this is #15) has done this to me. That's why cruise control is critical for me.

Same problem although S10 is a lot smoother than 800GS I had, that`s why cruise control was invented ::015::couldn`t live without it now and why haven`t Yamaha fitted it to new Tracer

 

[barkingllizard]

before you go spending money, RangerBrad, check your ergonomics...

Handlebars...
... Put your Tenere on the centerstand (do NOT start the engine).
... Sit on the seat comfortably.
... Extend your hands over the handlebar.
... Make sure your wrists are straight.
... The handlebar should be lined up with your knuckles.
... If not this will cause you to bend (left or right) your wrists to grip the handlebar grips.
... Bent wrists cause sore tired hands.

I had this issue and rotating my handle bars slightly forward made all the difference.....

 

[RangerBrad]

Thanks fellas, I may be very well holding to tight. I'm a new bike owner with only a week of ownership so I've been very cautous. Thanks for all of the advice .

 

[bikerdoc]

All valid responses and suggestions. I experienced some numbness with my right hand after riding a CB500X last year (Jan -Feb 2014). I rented the CB500X in northern Thailand for 7 weeks. After long days & high mileage in the saddle I'd experience the right handed numbness after the days riding. I'd never experienced this phenomenon previously despite multiple bike ownership over several + decades. The CB500X must have some high frequency vibration through the bars despite it not being obvious.
What was even more interesting was that I only experienced the numbness for the first week while the remaining six weeks -no numbness at all despite accumulating 15000km over the 7 weeks of bike hire.
I have several different twin cylinder bikes from 650cc to the XTs 1200cc..

OP hope it will work out for you

 

[HeliMark]

I had the same problem with my 2013. The clutch basket change took care of it. Nothing else prior worked.

Mark

 

[Texasten]

Dr. Texasten here....... Sounds like classic symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. I have fought cts for many years, due to repetitive use of hands for unloading boxes from 18 wheelers for years, and now using chain saw and other vibrating machines daily. Have managed to avoid the surgery, and it is pretty much under control. Some stretching at night and making sure hands are not curled up at night made the most difference.
I reccommend updating to a 2014 or 2015 asap, as the cruise control works so perfectly, it is a major help. Can take right hand off throttle, shake it out, give it a rest. Minimally I prescribe one of the various throttle locks to give hand a break, as others have noted.

Disclaimer: Please don't hold the "Dr." liable for any damages due to advice given here. The "Dr." might just be self given title. Some might wonder how a real doctor would be unloading 18 wheelers or using chainsaws. That is a little hint to not take the Dr. thing too seriously. ::013::

 

[Zepfan]

Crampbuster. Cheap, simple and works!

 

[Curt]

My money is on gripping too tight due to being a new rider. Fingers should be wrapped loosely, with a concentration on the thumb, forefinger and palm.

I would strongly advise a brand new rider against doing throttle modifications of any sort (even thumb rocker). It's one of the most dangerous things one can do, for experienced riders only.

 

[squarebore]

Grip puppies worked for me. All those fake cruise controls are dangerous and are mostly illegal modifications with a safety critical item, namely the throttle. I wonder if anyone has ever got approval from Yamaha.