numb fingers
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: USA
Always thought it was vibration myself. Never had a bike where it didn't happen to some degree, I've just always drummed by fingers on the brake or clutch lever whenever I feel it coming on until it goes away.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
From: NC
Ensure you're grip isn't too tight. When I first started riding I found that I would white knuckle the grips on the highway and my hands would fall asleep. Over time as I became for more confident and relaxed a bit, the issues with my hands went away.
You don't have ape hangers do you? lol
You don't have ape hangers do you? lol
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 4
From: Victoria, Australia
You could google carpal tunnel syndrome and "white finger" and see if any symptoms there are the same as yours.
I think I have carpal tunnel issues as my hands go numb after a while. if I drop one arm (then the other) down to the side and wiggle/shake it the numbness goes away for a while.
I think I have carpal tunnel issues as my hands go numb after a while. if I drop one arm (then the other) down to the side and wiggle/shake it the numbness goes away for a while.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
You could google carpal tunnel syndrome and "white finger" and see if any symptoms there are the same as yours.
I think I have carpal tunnel issues as my hands go numb after a while. if I drop one arm (then the other) down to the side and wiggle/shake it the numbness goes away for a while.
I think I have carpal tunnel issues as my hands go numb after a while. if I drop one arm (then the other) down to the side and wiggle/shake it the numbness goes away for a while.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 806
Likes: 1
From: Carquinez Straights - Northern CA
What type grips do you have? I had some of the HD grips with injection molded rubber strip in them. They caused my hands to go numb, as the rubber strips applied pressure on my fingers.
Last edited by Mickey D; Jul 15, 2012 at 09:54 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Some of the causes were mentioned here, like the grips being too tight, but in other discussions another main cause is your sitting position relative to the bars. An improper set up can apply pressure on or pinch a nerve in your back or neck causing finger numbness. The solution lies in correctly positioned handlebars and the same can be said for the seat. Changing one or both and you will likely find a cure. If you consider doing something with your handlebars keep in mind the two grip positions that handlebars come with. Either what they call "fists to the wind" or "like holding wheel barrel handles". One or the other may fix or be a cause of finger numbness, depends on the rider. The fists to the wind are associated with riser bars like apes and the wheel barrel types are found on pull backs, especially like the ones I have which are around 14". The further the bars pull back the more exaggerated the wrist to hand angle is. I have a set of WO 517 or 518s that I like, but if I had to do it over again I would modify them by raising the height and reducing the pull back length some. I don't get any finger numbness personally, but hand fatigue is an issue on longer rides or rides where I have to use the clutch and brake a lot. Not bad, but needs improvement.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 18
From: Orange, VA,
Yes, get karpal tunnel surgery, or get tested for it, I did and they told me I had it bad, got the surgery and have never had a problem since.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 2
I've noticed if I brought my elbows in for a few seconds it helped with circulation and made the tingling go away. For me, no matter how loosely I held onto the grips I still got numbness. Dropping your hands isn't always an option, especially in traffic. I think a nerve might be getting pinched while my arms are in riding position.