Am I doing something wrong?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
Great advice.I prefer a throttle lock to shake out the hand and get the circulation going again. But that's the only reason I use a throttle lock. I don't use it for cruise control often,and I don't use it around town. Way too dangerous in traffic, IMO. I haven't had the privilege of using them yet, but Kuryakyn ISO grips are larger around and provide more "leverage", thus reducing the effort to keep the throttle open. They are also more comfortable for most people, and Ithink quite a fewriders say they reduce vibration, too. They even have an ISO grip with a throttle bossalready integrated into the grip, as DaveJ suggested. A throttle boss (rocker)IS a lever, allowing the palm of the hand to keep the throttle open rather than a "closed fist", as already described by moondog99. I also have gel-palm gloves, so that helps even more, along with a relaxed grip.
Teek
Teek
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
All good advice. Try having extreme Carpal Tunnel in both hands. There are days when my hands go numb after about 5 to 10 minutes of riding. I'm always using that throttle lock, so I can shake out my hands. Another way to make sure you're not death gripping your grips is to rest your pointer and/or middle fingers on your clutch/brake levers as you ride.
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 512
Likes: 1
From: Escondido, CA
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
Apparently, I was gripping too tightly. I followed your advice to relax my grip, and today's ride was much better.
Oh, and I used the throttle lock to shake it out for a few seconds, too.
Oh, and I used the throttle lock to shake it out for a few seconds, too.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
This sometimes happens to me. Usually on a longer ride and without the winnie shield installed. At higher speeds without the benefit of the shield, I sometimes gradually tighten my grip in an effort to help "hold on" to the bike. Just be aware of this and loosen your grip, that will most likely solve the problem.
I've just about worn out my throttle grip, so I'm also looking to replace them with larger grips,and have some vibration absorbing characteristics. I'll probably add the throttle boss at the same time.
I've just about worn out my throttle grip, so I'm also looking to replace them with larger grips,and have some vibration absorbing characteristics. I'll probably add the throttle boss at the same time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
Likes: 394
From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
ORIGINAL: WVHogRider
Another way to make sure you're not death gripping your grips is to rest your pointer and/or middle fingers on your clutch/brake levers as you ride.
Another way to make sure you're not death gripping your grips is to rest your pointer and/or middle fingers on your clutch/brake levers as you ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 1
From: St. Albans, West Virginia
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
ORIGINAL: Teek
Great advice.I prefer a throttle lock to shake out the hand and get the circulation going again. But that's the only reason I use a throttle lock. I don't use it for cruise control often,and I don't use it around town. Way too dangerous in traffic, IMO. I haven't had the privilege of using them yet, but Kuryakyn ISO grips are larger around and provide more "leverage", thus reducing the effort to keep the throttle open. They are also more comfortable for most people, and Ithink quite a fewriders say they reduce vibration, too. They even have an ISO grip with a throttle bossalready integrated into the grip, as DaveJ suggested. A throttle boss (rocker)IS a lever, allowing the palm of the hand to keep the throttle open rather than a "closed fist", as already described by moondog99. I also have gel-palm gloves, so that helps even more, along with a relaxed grip.
Teek
Great advice.I prefer a throttle lock to shake out the hand and get the circulation going again. But that's the only reason I use a throttle lock. I don't use it for cruise control often,and I don't use it around town. Way too dangerous in traffic, IMO. I haven't had the privilege of using them yet, but Kuryakyn ISO grips are larger around and provide more "leverage", thus reducing the effort to keep the throttle open. They are also more comfortable for most people, and Ithink quite a fewriders say they reduce vibration, too. They even have an ISO grip with a throttle bossalready integrated into the grip, as DaveJ suggested. A throttle boss (rocker)IS a lever, allowing the palm of the hand to keep the throttle open rather than a "closed fist", as already described by moondog99. I also have gel-palm gloves, so that helps even more, along with a relaxed grip.
Teek
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Rock Hill, SC
RE: Am I doing something wrong?
You hit the nail on the head Dale. You are a fairly new rider from reading your previous posts. This is normal. I know the same thing happened to me and I have those ISO grips and wear some gloves with some gel pads in them, yada yada yada. Not the issue 95% of the time when you are a new rider. The death grip syndrome kicks in. Especially on highway riding with no windshield. When you hit 70 for the first time and you are not used to it you feel you must hang on for the fear of the wind pushing you off the back. Well after a few months you will realize this isn't going to happen and you will loosen your grip, and not have the numbing anymore. I know that was the case for me.