personalizing my bike to fit
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Stage II
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: california
personalizing my bike to fit
Hello, I had a Fatboy with 18inch apes and my hands always went numb pretty bad about every 30 - 40 minutes.... Guessing this is normal.... Now I have a 2000 Road King with beach bars and same problem.... I am getting worries about my ability to go on a long trip.... Anyone have any suggestions or any likeley reasons to what is wrong with my hands? Getting a Doc Appt incase it is something physical but it really takes the joy away form riding. I do now know what kind of bars I like nor where to find out cant keep buying bikes, and bars to figure it out lol. I am about 5'4 and am barely flatfooted on my RK no problems less on gravel or uneven ground. I will likely get the "REACH" Seat. I am not to worried about the hieght of the bike as Its been ok for me... Just dont have a CLUE what to do about my hands, bars. I also found a KING TOUR PACK for 250 bucks Would love to set that up for solo, but then again I am worried about my hands. I love Riding but what to do about numb hands.... Its the only time i experience it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,615
Likes: 9
From: Escondido, CA
Doc visit is a good idea. Also, go out to your bike and sit on it. Close your eyes and put your hands out if front of you as if they were on the grips. Put them in the most comfortable position for your arms and shoulders. Now open your eyes and get a set of bars that put your hands in that position.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Well you are not alone. I can assure you that others, including myself, had our hands go numb. I am gripping the bars too tight. I do plan on buying a BrakeAway cruise control to give my throttle hand some relief from time to time. My bars are set up correctly. The problem is the rider (me). Wait for more responses before going to see the doctor. IMHO
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
Try releasing your death grip on the bars!! Really, not trying to be funny, but some people hang on to the bars like it was a wheelbarrel or something, try a light grip. I bet it works wonders, and doesn't cost a penny! People spends hundreds of dollars trying to fix something that could be corrected by your riding posture, and proper grip grab.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
Doc visit is a good idea. Also, go out to your bike and sit on it. Close your eyes and put your hands out if front of you as if they were on the grips. Put them in the most comfortable position for your arms and shoulders. Now open your eyes and get a set of bars that put your hands in that position.
Before going to the doc, ride over to your HD dealer. Get them to fit a set of bars that would have your hands at just under the height of your shoulders and with enough pullback to have a bend in your elbows.
You might even consider changing your seat for one that pushes you a bit more forward.
.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 284
Likes: 24
From: Kansas
My hands where also going numb while riding and then I would wake up at night with the same problem. Went to a chiropractor on the advice of a doctor and found I had vertebraes in my neck that where out of whack, a few months of treatment and I don't have the problem at all anymore. Good luck hope you get the issue figured out soon.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Try releasing your death grip on the bars!! Really, not trying to be funny, but some people hang on to the bars like it was a wheelbarrel or something, try a light grip. I bet it works wonders, and doesn't cost a penny! People spends hundreds of dollars trying to fix something that could be corrected by your riding posture, and proper grip grab.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 1
From: Louisville, CO
I'm about your height and never rode an RK but had a Heritage. I really like the stock bars on the Heritage. I pulled them back about as much as they'd go and it was great. Rode the bike 1,000 miles from SoCal to Denver and was very comfortable. I've heard a lot of members use Heritage bars on different models.
I had a set of Wildone Chubby 560s which is basically a Streetslammer with about 4 more inches of pullback which was really comfy. In fact, for the 2nd time I'm replacing Streetslammers with the 560s. On the '07 Streetbob I just got and my 1st '07 Streetbob. And, I've always had to get seats that lower me. I also like small diameter grips. Have you ever tried those?
I had a set of Wildone Chubby 560s which is basically a Streetslammer with about 4 more inches of pullback which was really comfy. In fact, for the 2nd time I'm replacing Streetslammers with the 560s. On the '07 Streetbob I just got and my 1st '07 Streetbob. And, I've always had to get seats that lower me. I also like small diameter grips. Have you ever tried those?
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