Hands going numb
Stage IV
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Is it vibration problem or a circulation problem. Putting your arms up it might just be your hands are going numb because of them being over the height of your heart. If you put your hand down by your side and the blood returns to them you'll have your answer.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 1,754
From: New Bern NC
The thumb, pointer, and middle finger share a common nerve bundle. Carpal tunnel issues at the risk could be the reason but a more likely culprit is the height of the bars. All Harley handle bars vibrate but it may be the height change is affecting your neck and shoulder position and pinching that nerve bundle where it exits your cervical area.
Ask me how I know
Ask me how I know
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 7
From: Shaconage
I had a similar issue after installing 12" bars on mine. Someone here suggested that I might have my new bars pushed too far forward and I was riding with my arms almost straight out. I rolled the bars back a couple of inches so my arms are more relaxed with a slight bend in my elbows. This more relaxed position also allowed me to relax my grip on the bars. I haven't had the numbness problem since.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
Try loosening your grip! Anytime I find my hands going numb regardless what bike I am on I just open my hands for a while using my palms only to hold onto the bars for a few miles and then I'm good again. A throttle rocker/throttle boss on the throttle grip helps greatly with doing this
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Altamonte Springs, Florida
Thinking how I ride, I remembered my arms are extended straight out with locked elbows. Started on the bars last night and finished early this morning loosening the bars and dropped about 3" and repositioned the controls. Got everything put back together and went for a ride. Wow! What do you know. It feels great. Thanks to everyone for all the help. No thanks to the people at Harley.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,989
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
Secondary Raynaud's Syndrome (ie Vibration Syndrome)
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/83-110/
Bothered me for decades. Nothing you can take for it (went to doc and tried a couple medications - nothing worked). Best advice I can offer is to loosen your hold on the handgrips and try not to PUSH the grips while riding - lightly PULL grips with fingers not palms. For me the numbness exacerbates when I push the bars with the web of my thumb - I consciously try NOT to do that. It seems there is a nerve pathway there that effects thumb, index and middle fingers. Pressure and vibration there somehow acts to shut down blood circulation to those areas.
ETA different bars may change your grip angle and make problem go away. Drag bars work best for me but my motor is a SGS so...
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/83-110/
Bothered me for decades. Nothing you can take for it (went to doc and tried a couple medications - nothing worked). Best advice I can offer is to loosen your hold on the handgrips and try not to PUSH the grips while riding - lightly PULL grips with fingers not palms. For me the numbness exacerbates when I push the bars with the web of my thumb - I consciously try NOT to do that. It seems there is a nerve pathway there that effects thumb, index and middle fingers. Pressure and vibration there somehow acts to shut down blood circulation to those areas.
ETA different bars may change your grip angle and make problem go away. Drag bars work best for me but my motor is a SGS so...
Last edited by Sierra977; Apr 29, 2016 at 09:52 AM.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Handlebar position is an individual thing. Apes or shorts, the position has to be correct for the individual or there will be issues. Glad you were able to adjust it to suit you.
