Hand cramp and numbness

[cjs racing.]

Any other diabetic people on here, that suffer from numb hands, and hand cramping?

I'm starting to suffer after just 45 miles.

I'm thinking softer grips, thicker gloves, and heaviest bar end weights I can find.

Anyone able to suggest anything else please?

[MGZTV8]

Not personally but I’ve never had issues with neuropathy as a whole.

[bongtom]

Try adjusting your weight on your arms and relax your grip more.

[mak]

cjs racing. said:

Any other diabetic people on here, that suffer from numb hands, and hand cramping?

I'm starting to suffer after just 45 miles.

I'm thinking softer grips, thicker gloves, and heaviest bar end weights I can find.

Anyone able to suggest anything else please?

I'm not diabetic ( that i no of) but the last few rides I've done this year I've suffered with this mainly on the throttle hand, never suffered this before in all my years of riding. Numb fingers and hand pain regardless of bike, i just put it down to another one of old ages nails being hammered into my lid

[TommyBuoy]

Not sure if it would help, but tank grips help - can take the weight off your hands and grips so you can have a lighter grip.

Heavier bar ends will help a little with vibration.

Depends what's the cause - the vibration or the weight / grip on the hand grips

[rev-erend]

Foam grips help a lot if vibration is the cause.

[DirtyHarley]

Depending on bike a set of fork braces coupled with heavier bar ends might help if its vibration based.

I'm not diabetic but my stepdad is and he struggles with power tools after a short while - might be worth asking the doctor about any diabetes related meds that you take being linked to lactic acidosis.

Otherwise, just take the 45mile or so as an indicator of finding a coffee shop or roadside bacon butty for a break

[Bikerjon]

One of those clip on cramp buster things helps me a lot - I fit one to all my bikes.

I think numbness is mostly bike specific though and usually caused by vibrations or riding position, but the cramp buster might help a bit with that too.

[Speed addicted]

I find that angling the brake and clutch levers down helps, also how tight are you doing up your gloves? I find with some gloves the wrist strap presses on a nerve and I get hand/arm pain.
Lastly how tight are you holding the cars? Should be a fairly loose grip.

Worth a look before you start changing stuff on the bike.

[pmr01]

Bikerjon said:

One of those clip on cramp buster things helps me a lot - I fit one to all my bikes.

I think numbness is mostly bike specific though and usually caused by vibrations or riding position, but the cramp buster might help a bit with that too.

what is one of these then? i have suffered with pain / cramp / weakness for years due to carpal tunnel which forced me of sports bikes. i have made the decision to have surgery and got a referral letter the other day saying 'thanks, you are on the waiting list for surgery, but we have no frickin idea when that may be'

i find some gloves reduce the impact with one heated pair i had in particular so stiff / tight that they bring the pain on themselves even if i was sitting in the house watching the tele :-)

[cjs racing.]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Bike is an FZS1000, so pretty upright, I have been wearing summer gloves for the last month, levers were set up by myself when I bought the bike, I've started making a habit of shaking out my shoulders and arms occasionally as I was stiffening up.

I've no idea if it's vibrations, weight, too tight a grip, or what is causing it.

[markymarkthree]

Bikerjon said:

One of those clip on cramp buster things helps me a lot - I fit one to all my bikes.

I think numbness is mostly bike specific though and usually caused by vibrations or riding position, but the cramp buster might help a bit with that too.

Could you put a link up for these please Jon.
I get this on both my bikes, tried Grip Puppies, didn't work for me. Heated makes no difference.

[Bikerjon]

markymarkthree said:

Could you put a link up for these please Jon.
I get this on both my bikes, tried Grip Puppies, didn't work for me. Heated makes no difference.

If you search for crampbuster you'll find it. There's multiple brands offering essentially the same thing. Think the last one I bought was an Oxford products one. Just means you can use the palm of your hand for the the throttle.

[Onelastattempt]

cjs racing. said:

Thanks for the advice so far.

Bike is an FZS1000, so pretty upright, I have been wearing summer gloves for the last month, levers were set up by myself when I bought the bike, I've started making a habit of shaking out my shoulders and arms occasionally as I was stiffening up.

I've no idea if it's vibrations, weight, too tight a grip, or what is causing it.

I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel about 18 years ago, turned up for my last appointment with the consultant on my ZX6r, he had seen me arrive on it out of his office window, his suggestion was to try a more upright bike to see if it helped to alleviate the problem.Sold the ZX6r and bought a FZS1000, from the first day of riding it I had no cramp, pins and needles or numbness and kept the bike for six years, longest I have ever kept a bike, and I never had to have surgery for Carpal Tunnel.
I would suggest you see your doctor about getting a test done for Carpal Tunnnel , it affects a lot of people.
Also when on the bike try to relax more and not tense up, I know that is easier said than done.
Another thing that a lot of people miss is the action of the brake and clutch levers, make sure they are moving freely. If necessary remove them and clean up the pivot bolts and holes, then lightly lube them before refitting.

[Mr Squarekins]

l get terrible hand cramps on my bike. I can recommend cruise control, it's a god send. Means you can shake out, plus on motorways etc you can really lighten your grip.

[markymarkthree]

Mr Squarekins said:

l get terrible hand cramps on my bike. I can recommend cruise control, it's a god send. Means you can shake out, plus on motorways etc you can really lighten your grip.

For me i believe this is the only answer, however i will try one of the cramp buster thingy's mentioned earlier, as they could be a cheap winner.

Both my bikes (Triumph SS & Triumph night storm) are upright machines and i relax as much as poss but when on the mway i have to get in lane 1, pull in the clutch and shake out my right hand. This isn't so easy when riding the A & B roads.

[Mr Squarekins]

A quick shifter, auto blipper and cruise control all really help.

Good excuse to get another bike in your collection.

[Weso]

I suffer from white finger due to years of vibrating tools at work, and it can rear it's head when out on the bike.
The main thing I've found is to ensure your hands stay warm, not a problem in summer, but for instance I'd still wear winterish gloves up to about 15°
Wes

[OutInTheShed]

Clothing that's too tight can restrict circulation, it can be too subtle to be obvious.
Getting at all cold can also do the same.

I've heard people say lighter gloves for easier throttle control, plus heated grips works for them.

A jacket that's too loose and flaps around your arms can be incredibly tiring.

Heavy bar weights could affect handling. Low speed resonance?

If the problem is vibration, then try a V twin?

[cjs racing.]

I'll try going back to my winter vloves, and see what happens.

Will report back later this week.