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This setup is the best you will find to help/cure the issue. If that doesn't cure the issue then handlebars. (Truthfully I'd do both at the same time but for most folks grip change out helps)
Last will no doubt be a seat change with a backrest. No matter if I buy new or used bikes these are the first three things I always change out on any bike I get for myself or my wife. I've never once been satisfied with any OEM equipment.
Good luck
Do your wear gloves ? And if so how tight do you strap em down? I had my hands going numb out of nowhere after 45 minutes or so. Come to find out the way the gloves were made the Velcro strap I was cinching it too tight and it was reatricting circulation. Loosened em up and never had that problem again
No one answer that fits all. I can tell you about myself and what I've found to work, as well what did not work.
I'm very subject to my hands going numb from carpel tunnel syndrome. That's my thumbs to the ring finger. I'm also subject to the other nerve, which affects my little finger and the outside of my ring finger. Different nerves, different problems.
Biggest factors for me are squeezing and vibration.
If it feels like the grip is slipping under my hand, I tend to grip harder, squeezing the grip, which makes my hand go numb all the quicker. For me, leather grips work superbly, giving a tactile "stick" that I can feel, so I can better keep my hand relaxed. The leather grips also work well with *some* leather gloves. Some stick and I can feel it, so I can keep my hand relaxed. But suede types and such feel and are slippery, so I squeeze as I slip and my hands go numb very quickly.
Vibration is also a numbness inducing bugger. Not bar shake at idle, but that high speed buzz. Luckily, my RK doesn't do that. But on bikes that do, bar end dampers, lead shot in the bars, etc. All to reduce the vibration.
Handlebar angles and height play a factor, but less so than grips and vibration. Again, what works for me may not work for you. I find a more or less "dirt bike" positioning to work well for me.
I have also used a simple throttle locker to let my right hand relax. I have it set to barely hold the throttle open for a few miles. Of the ones on the market today, I rather like this type the best:
Things I have used and did not like:
Cramp Buster. Slips and gets in my way for using the front brake.
Ergonomic grips. They aren't.
Foam and other grips. I squeeze them.
Small diameter grips. I have small hands, so you'd think I'd like them. I don't. I like large diameter grips actually.
Electronic Cruise Control. My RK has it, and it can unnerve me in turns. I do not like the bike powering up as I go through a turn. I'd rather have a throttle lock actually.
I was experiencing the same problem. I had already given thought to the grips being to large, so I changed out to these 6 years ago and haven't had but one or two minor experiences with numbness since. I've riden with these for close to a hundred thousand miles now. http://avongrips-com.3dcartstores.co...ized_p_16.html
Helibar is yet another quality alternative. The couple people I know that have spent the coin, say it's worth every dime.
i had a 1997 sportster and with the vibration my hands would go numb within 15 minutes of a ride, it was awful. Never had a bike since that did that, had the stock bars on it i figured it was because it wasnt rubber mounted.
its because its a sportster,,,,, here we are talking about a street glide.....your hands should not be going numb...wrist angle ..
+1 for bad wrist angle. I'm experiencing that on my RGS with stock bars. I can find higher bars, shorter bars, apes, blah blah blah, but no bars that are the same height that just turn the grips slightly more outward. I get a lot of pressure on the smaller part of my palm on the pinkie side. I'll find them. I know it.
i went with the Carlinis ,,, i was lucky... my buddy had some on his bike , i was able to test ride it before i bought any more bars....for me they are great never had an issue since..and i checked,,, to make sure all the bars they sell have the same wrist angel orientation....
I have also used a simple throttle locker to let my right hand relax. I have it set to barely hold the throttle open for a few miles. Of the ones on the market today, I rather like this type the best:
I notice it earlier in the season. Once you get loose again it seems to go away. Check your butt, back and grip while you ride. If you have floor boards move your feet around. Do you have a death grip on the throttle or are you pushing on it harder than need be? Try releasing all the fingers you can while maintaining speed. Play with it, get some seat time. Those are free. No luck? Lots of things to spend money on that could help.
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