Nope they still preach against it. My son got grumped at by his instructors for it. He picked the habit up watching me. Too many years on sport bikes for me to break that habit.

 

As an RC, we are trained to watch hand movements while students ride. One the first range day, I do "correct" mostly dirtbike riders of "2 fingers on the levers."

On the 2nd range day, I don't mention it at all, (unless I see a safety issue with it.)

Yes, I know 2 fingers on the levers equals a shorter stop. As long as the rider has the finger strength to put the bike on it's nostrils, I'm good with it.

Some riders find it easier to modulate during inclement weather. (i.e.. reduced traction/friction.)

OP~ now back to the subject...

Do your grips vibrate a lot?

Some riders subconsciously "squeeze" the grips to quell the vibration. This causes hand fatigue and "arm pump."

 

You have the death grip going on your subconscious mind isn't comfortable with what you are doing, for whatever reason riding is stressing you and you don't realize it.

 

Iso grips are prolly the most comfortable grips there are. Not familiar with apes, but when I had my NightTrain, I had the same problem with the drag bars. Installing pullback risers helped a bit, but I would get off the interstate & my hands would feel the way my leg does when I sit on the terlet too long, like if I am engrossed in a good read.

 

Nope, never had that problem. Sure my hands have gone numb on and off over the years but it was from riding Shovel and Panhead choppers with apes and solid handlebar mounts.


If you're holding the grips too tight you may be experiencing some doubt about being able to keep your seat when you ride. You should only have to hold the grips tight enough to keep the wind from blowing you off.

 

Big yes !

Started riding late and my 2013 BO was my first motorcycle. Never mind the grip,,, during the first few weeks of riding, I literally lost weight,, like about 10 pounds, just from riding !

As to grips & grip, hand fatigue was a lingering issue even as I became more comfortable riding, (I've put the pounds back on and then some ). By incorporating "grip" into my mental checklist ritual, I find its no longer really an issue. As you intermittently repeat, assuming you do, scan left, right, mirrors, gauges, weave, "grip",, in an almost autonomic fashion, you solve most tension issues. When tension builds nonetheless, its time for a short break. In other words, your bladder is full.

 

I also still user the "golf" grip, thumbs extended outwards like a hitchhiker parallel to the grips in the middle of the grip which puts the outer edge of my palms a a little off the edge of the grip. A good deliberate test for excessive grip is the chicken dance. You should be able to flap your elbows like a chicken and not affect the bikes steering. That includes mid turn on a high speed corner. When I was first learning to go fast I'm sure it was a weird site to see me hanging off the side of a bike flapping my elbows in a turn.

 

After 50 years of two wheels and a motor I can testify that the TwiZted Biker is correct. i can feel the difference in my hands, after returning home from work, whether I've had a really good non stressful day, or a very stressful "boss on my ***" work day.

 

I commend you for being rational about it.

 

I rode to work this morning, and I made an effort to rest my thumbs on top of the grips while cruising on the highway (about 25 miles) as some suggested. When it came time to throttle down, down shift, then brake I noticed my hands were much more at ease and did not cramp up at all.

Along with it being mental, I think this where my problem was. I was just constantly squeezing the grips to hard when I didn't have to. So I'll keep resting the thumb on top on the highway, and of course around town and in traffic I will use my whole hand around the grip in case I need to react suddenly.

TwiZted Biker, you're right in that some work days are more stressful than others, and my subconscious was probably reacting to it, and without me realizing it, was causing me to grip too tightly. Thanks for the tip.

Dickey, the ISO grips are very comfortable as you said, but I may try a smaller diameter grip. Maybe PM Renthals? Do you or anybody have any else have any experience with these grips?

I am probably making too much out of this, but it was bugging me so I threw it out here on the forum. And you all sure came through! Thanks again.