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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: that_guy on January 21, 2006, 11:04:48 PM

Title: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 21, 2006, 11:04:48 PM
maybe it's because im a newer rider or maybe just not in shape yet but my right had wrist and hand start to hurt really bad after about 45-1hr of riding.  Is this a normal thing or am I just a p00n?
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: pandy on January 21, 2006, 11:10:36 PM
I tend to be heavy on my wrists, too. I consciously remind myself often to lighten up on my wrists and grip more with my thighs and use my stomach muscles to hold me up. It's pretty common when you're new and/or tense. Try flapping your elbows like a chicken. If you can't flap, you're too tight. (Yes, I'm used to looking like a poon when I ride, but it's better than sore wrists!!  :icon_mrgreen:)
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: annguyen1981 on January 21, 2006, 11:16:17 PM
Or maybe he needs to lighten up on the "extracurricular activities" :laugh:

j/k
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 21, 2006, 11:39:09 PM
I really think it's just from the rotation of the throttle.  I loosen my grip so much that i am basicaly just using my glove to turn the throttle but it still makes my wrist hurt after a while.  Proabably just my n00bness. 
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: mastrind on January 21, 2006, 11:40:46 PM
hmmm....sounds like classic death grip syndrome to me....remember to palm to throttle more then grip it...release the tension and relax the grip....let your fingers go along for the ride...you've probably done this (death grip) without noticing and now you're a little sore...perhaps more extra curricular activities are in order :oops: ...
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 21, 2006, 11:49:04 PM
Quote from: mastrind on January 21, 2006, 11:40:46 PM
hmmm....sounds like classic death grip syndrome to me....remember to palm to throttle more then grip it...release the tension and relax the grip....let your fingers go along for the ride...you've probably done this (death grip) without noticing and now you're a little sore...perhaps more extra curricular activities are in order :oops: ...
actually I just kinda said that my grip is so loose that i only use my glove alot of the time to turn the throttle.  But I will make a conscious effort to loosen my grip..
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: pandy on January 22, 2006, 12:03:30 AM
This thread was started regarding shoulder pain; however, it has good information on shoulder/arm/wrist position to reduce pain in all three of those places:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=17779.0
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: surlybruce on January 22, 2006, 09:30:21 AM
I had the same problem with wrist fatigue and solved the problem by installing a set of  GRAB-ON foam grips [ $10.00 ] snd took the  THROTTLE ROCKER ] off the HARLEY and it really made a difference.The foam grips absorb alot of the vibration and the throttle rocker lets the palm of your hand do all the work . Cheap fix but it works.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: mastrind on January 22, 2006, 10:10:29 AM
Quote from: that_guy on January 21, 2006, 11:49:04 PM

actually I just kinda said that my grip is so loose that i only use my glove alot of the time to turn the throttle.  But I will make a conscious effort to loosen my grip..

....actually...we were typing both our responses at the same time....when I posted mine, you had just posted yours...that's why I added the bit at the end about possibly being sore from doing this earlier and the muscle just not healed yet...

...also, what kind of handlebars are on your bike....stock, clip-ons, suburban machinery/srinath bars, etc ?....if not stock you may prefer stock until some of you other "riding" muscles break in.....if you have stock, maybe look at getting a pair of risers from Gen-Mar....so you sit up a bit more....
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: rtcpenguin on January 22, 2006, 10:29:42 AM
I've been riding for 6 months and 2,000 miles, but my right wrist still gets sore after a couple hours of riding.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: RedShift on January 22, 2006, 01:08:47 PM
Hummm.  If it's not grip, then it has to be posture.  Try "throwing your chest out" more so your spine is straighter.  Perhaps Pandy's suggestion of taking more of your weight off your arms by gripping the tank more (in conjunction with a straighter spine) is the way to go.

I used to have the same troubles, but diagnosed my problem to be a combination of squeezing and posture.  It's easier to sit tall when you've got wind to balance you -- harder in town when your speed doesn't generate the same effect.

Posture.  More Up-Down and less Front-Back positioning.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 22, 2006, 01:27:07 PM
I have vortex clip-ons.  I think it is just the current throttle requires too much rotation.  Im going to look into different throttles..  My wrist goes from being fully flexed downward to fully flexed backwards and still it's not quite at full throttle.  I need one that requires a little bit less rotation..  Any ideas?
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: annguyen1981 on January 22, 2006, 02:21:58 PM
I have the Throttle Rocker.  Very useful!
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: albertinhouston on January 22, 2006, 02:35:21 PM
1/4 throttle.
   try to keep two fingers on over the front brake lever. that SHOULD help with the death grip.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: pantablo on January 22, 2006, 02:55:11 PM
maybe you're putting too much weight on your hands? since you dont think its a death grip try to support your weight with your legs squeezing the tank.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: mp183 on January 22, 2006, 03:27:17 PM
It's just the seating position.  Not quite upright.
I can go 600 miles on my V-Strom and it's like I just got
off my couch.  The GS is fine if you are going over 65 mph.
The air pushes you back so you have no pressure on your wrists.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: chris in va on January 22, 2006, 07:40:12 PM
Mine does the same thing to me.  I've put only 80 miles on it, but dang does it make my wrist sore.  I don't remember the SV650 being this uncomfortable...

Hopefully it's not a chronic carpal tunnel thing.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: rangerbrown on January 23, 2006, 04:11:42 AM
its all about how you use the handles, i use to have a death grip on mine and as i got uses to riding i have gotten loose  so i have no problem with 200-400 mile trips, and the trottle locker is the best 35$ i think i ave ever spent yet.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: SmartDrug on January 23, 2006, 05:44:33 AM
I've never trusted those makeshift cruise control devices,  if I put my bike down, I dont want to have to worry about the wheel being stuck going 60 mph, that's a good way to lose a finger or worse.  I use the throttle rocker ($10 from Dennis Kirk) and like it, my one complaint would be that it takes some getting used to if you wear gloves as there is less space (I do have big hands though).  In any event, I do recommend it and besides, for $10, it's worth a shot.   ;)
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: jen_ on January 23, 2006, 10:21:37 AM
I was super jealous of the throttle lock I saw a few months ago on Dionysus' bike!  I forgot about it until I had to ride to San Diego and back a couple of weeks ago.  The 2+ hour ride back at night made my right hand tired, and cold, and stiff.  I tried holding on the trottle with my wrist so I could stretch my fingers.  Tried holding on with the left hand...eek! scary!

Put on the throttle lock on Sunday, haven't tested it yet (super windy here today and didn't feel like being pwned by a tumbleweed again).
I bought the one linked below.  Not sure if it's the right one, but it went on ok and seems like it will work.  $30.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family%5Fid=10408&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D425%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D%2CStreet%20Control&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D3283%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CCruise%20Control&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D2524%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CVista%20Cruise%20Control&mscssid=0008B24C97BC08749D9B3B8FB5F740A4
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: Alphamazing on January 23, 2006, 11:55:45 AM
My bet is that it's the 1/4 turn throttle. It requires a lot of wrist movement to get it to full open (or close to that point) and to hold it there requires an unnatural wrist position. When I do my more spirited rides I notice my wrist getting tired simply from keeping the throttle open so much for so long. Try regripping so that your wrist is at a better angle when you're at full throttle. Or you can try to do a 1/5 throttle conversion.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 23, 2006, 12:12:26 PM
how do I change throttles out?  Never even looked into it but I think it's what i need to do..
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: Alphamazing on January 23, 2006, 12:27:36 PM
Pablo has http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id33.html that on his website. The stock SV650 is a 1/4 turn as well, so that won't work alone. Yours is a single cable throttle though, isn't it? It might be a bit harder for you then, as not many bikes use single cable throttle now days.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: mastrind on January 23, 2006, 04:54:50 PM
....I run an 03 R6 throttle tube on my SV cause it's 1/5th turn..the only thing needed was to file down a little bit where the cables hook in....10 secs on the dremel and she was ready to go....it is a lot cheaper and more user-friendly then the BRG method....I don't know if it'll work on a GS....but it might just be cheap enough for someone here to attempt...
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: scratch on January 23, 2006, 05:45:21 PM
Since everything else has been suggested, the only other thing I can think of would be the positioning of the controls.  I suggest rotating the brake lever assembly down/mirror forward.  Also, try just palming the grips, not curling any fingers around them, except the thumb.  Keep all four fingers covering the levers (and this will really show you if you need to rotate the controls down; you can do this just sitting on the bike, if it feels like the levers are not allowing your fingers to curl naturally over them, and your wrists feel like you're doing push-ups, you need to rotate the levers down).  Just palming the grips while riding also helps learn counter-steering.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: that_guy on January 23, 2006, 08:57:30 PM
is there any aftermarket throttles I can buy?  i don't mind spending the money if it's going to be more comfortable..  I guess I'll just look myself actually.
Title: Re: hand/wrist fatigue?
Post by: ttsquirrel on January 26, 2006, 11:59:46 PM
I hae the Throttle Rocker. It works great for me but maybe not for everyone. I have a 30 minute commute on the freeway with a constant speed of 75. TR makes it very comfortable. For in town riding, not so good. The TR takes some getting used to. Now that I am used to it, I wouldn't ride without it.