Handle Bar Position
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 107
From: Santa Clarita, So. Cal. & Bullhead City, Az.
RE: Handle Bar Position
ORIGINAL: Hooper
I have carpel tunnel syndrom that wakes me in the middle of the night hurting like crazy. I have ISO KUY grips with throttle boss. I was wondering if I adjusted my handle bars it would help. Does anyone know the rule of thumb for bar placement? I may need a riser or may need to move the bars back. Anything besides surgery to get a little relief so I can keep riding.
I have carpel tunnel syndrom that wakes me in the middle of the night hurting like crazy. I have ISO KUY grips with throttle boss. I was wondering if I adjusted my handle bars it would help. Does anyone know the rule of thumb for bar placement? I may need a riser or may need to move the bars back. Anything besides surgery to get a little relief so I can keep riding.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Handle Bar Position
ORIGINAL: Hooper
Solo
Please ask if you don't mind.
Solo
Please ask if you don't mind.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,082
Likes: 8
RE: Handle Bar Position
Riding position is a personal thing. I can tell you this, my hands and shoulders are more comfortable with my hands slightly higher than the elbow when gripping the bars. You should be able to touch your elbow to your thigh, with feet on the pegs with a little dip in the shoulder. Aslo adjust your brake and clutch levers so the forearm and wrist are inline with fingers laying on top of the levers. This worked wonders for me. Slight adjusments in bar height make a world of difference. After making an adjustment ride the bike for several miles before deciding it isn't right.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Handle Bar Position
Everyone is probably a little different, but usually the best position for any joint is neutral. That is not bent forward or backward at all. Especially the wrist. The shoulder could also be involved. You will have to experiment to find out what works best for you. High rise seems wrong to me as it takes the shoulder out of the normal relaxed neutral position. But, as indicated above, it has helped in some cases. You might also try a good massage therapist before you do the surgery bit. It might help...definitely won't be invasive!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Handle Bar Position
ORIGINAL: Hooper
I have carpel tunnel syndrom that wakes me in the middle of the night hurting like crazy. I have ISO KUY grips with throttle boss. I was wondering if I adjusted my handle bars it would help. Does anyone know the rule of thumb for bar placement? I may need a riser or may need to move the bars back. Anything besides surgery to get a little relief so I can keep riding.
I have carpel tunnel syndrom that wakes me in the middle of the night hurting like crazy. I have ISO KUY grips with throttle boss. I was wondering if I adjusted my handle bars it would help. Does anyone know the rule of thumb for bar placement? I may need a riser or may need to move the bars back. Anything besides surgery to get a little relief so I can keep riding.
RE: Handle Bar Position
i got some drag bars after three other bars and i definatly wouldn't go back they are a lot more comfortable, i'd get some drag bars with built in risers and about 2" of pulback in them but thats my opinion something else could fit you better
Novice
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Handle Bar Position
I"m partial to ironheads reply...drag bars work for me.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
From: East Tennessee
RE: Handle Bar Position
I also had the operation. It wasn't done before I was tested with electric shock signals through my elbow to my fingers to measure the time it took to travel the distance. On a scale of 1 to 10 I was a 7 (6 and over are considered candidates for the operation). It was quick and easy, with 100% back to normal. That was 10 years ago. DO IT AND ENJOY LIFE MORE!!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Handle Bar Position
ORIGINAL: Hooper
Solo
Please ask if you don't mind.
Solo
Please ask if you don't mind.
Hooper,
OK, here's the scoop...and this is from the physical therapist that specializes in hand rehabilitation. Her advice for anyone suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome while riding would be to have your wrists in a "neutral" position. More specifically, without any bend up or down or right to left, with the up and down being the most crucial. As she explained, that is why you will have problems while sleeping because most of us tend to bend our wrists while we snooze. She also recommended the wrist braces for sleeping and suggested that you could try them while riding but she couldn't promise that they would help under those circumstances. Finally, she highly recommended the surgery, or at the very least seeing a physical therapist for a consultation.
Hope this helps!!
