SM2 bars making my hands numb.

[500F-Rider]

My SM2 bars on my '04 F keep making my hands numb. Doesn't matter if it's a short ride or an all day thing. I knew the lower bars were going to put more weight on my wrists but what I'm experiencing seems to be more of a dramatic increase in weight on the palms of my hands.  I've search and read the posts about the gel grips, supporting my weight with my legs, and the dreaded "DEATH GRIP  "... but, I wanted to get someone's opinion, who has had the same problem, as to how they fixed the issue. Or, if it's even possible to without  switching back to another set of bars.

[bubba zanetti]

Have you got bar end weights on.

[500F-Rider]

Yes...I put the stock bar ends back on. Vibrations don't seem to be any worse than on the stock bar. The shorter SM2 bars are pretty solid.

[brett]

How long have you been riding with the SM2's? I've found that going to a more aggressive riding posture can take a couple weeks to fully adjust to.

[Jarrett]

Your positioning is probably off.  Make sure you're supporting your upper body weight with your abs rather than your wrist/hands.  That will help.  Consciously make an effort to use your abs more.  I often find my hands having slight spasms after long rides without using my abs properly.

[oramac]

+1 on supporting you weight with your knees and back.  Also, if you keep from locking your elbows, and keep your grip relaxed, you'll almost automatically support your weight more properly.  I have drag bars btw.

[500F-Rider]

I've been riding with the SM2 bars for about 5 months now. I'll try and make a conscious effort to use my back and abs more.  Relaxation for the Mind and a workout for the Body. Should make longer rides pretty interesting.


Keep the input coming...this is all good stuff

[blue05twin]

One thing I do on long rides is just ride with one hand.  Shake it a bit, open close it.  I also found I kept relaxing my legs and that would put more pressure on my hands / writs.   I have to always keep checking that I'm squezing the tank with my legs.

[pandy]

I've had the same problems with putting too much pressure on my hands and wrists. What helped me tremendously is scratch's advice: keep those arms loose. Do the chicken dance. If you can't flap your arms, they're too tight. I still flap my arms on occasion just to make sure I'm not tightening up! 

Edit: scratch can 'splain this much better than I 

[frankieG]

gel grips and gel palmed gloves did wonders for me.  i have 89 triple and bars on my gsf which is pretty much like my tlr or a gixxer position

[WREX]

I used to have drag bars on, and could ride for hours (6/7) without issue.  all the things mentioned (gel grips, weights, etc) so far here are good things to look into.  the sm's are good quality bars with good wrist angles so I'd rule the other stuff out first.  The weight distribution thing, seems to a popular one, as well. 

I'm now running 89 clipons without issue as well.

good luck and hope you sort that out soon.

[DrtRydr23]

I've got clubman bars on my GS and they provide a pretty aggresive riding position.  I find that when I'm riding I try to keep my hands relaxed on the bars.  When cruising I'll keep my left hand open, covering the clutch with my first two fingers while my thumb kind of hangs down without wrapping around the grip.  My throttle hand stays closed, but I still try to keep the tension about the same as my clutch hand.  My only tips would be to keep your elbows slightly bent and get a llittle closer to the tank with your trunk (by that I mean lean forward a little more).  Don't feel like you are putting any significant pressure through your hands, unless turning.  Other people's tips all sound like good advice to me.  I like the chicken dance thing.

John

[mattress]

if it turns out you still can't get comfortable with them, I'll take them off your hands for ya if you want to sell them 

[500F-Rider]

if it turns out you still can't get comfortable with them, I'll take them off your hands for ya if you want to sell them 

Noted