Low speed issues
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 17
From: Ontario Canada
OK so I am an old fart but I love to ride and I have a real issue:
As I am leaving the highway into tight narrow roads/parking lots is where it occurs. I have bad shoulders(bursitis), I have a arthritic left hand from injury sustained at 15 years old, I have carpal tunnel to a minimal(doc says too little issue to cut into) and as I get into slow speeds where I need to turn the fork much as riding a bicycle in tight right corners I lose it. Generally have to stop(really sucks in traffic), left hand gets iffy as to clutch apply, fingers get a little less than responsive as does the left arm as stretch it out. Feel the need to lean to get the turn and yet feels unbalanced. I do get out and practice on this after being off the bike a while but fatigue catches up on the longer rides.
Any suggestions beyond the doc hacking on me some more? Nothing to date seems to have helped.
As I am leaving the highway into tight narrow roads/parking lots is where it occurs. I have bad shoulders(bursitis), I have a arthritic left hand from injury sustained at 15 years old, I have carpal tunnel to a minimal(doc says too little issue to cut into) and as I get into slow speeds where I need to turn the fork much as riding a bicycle in tight right corners I lose it. Generally have to stop(really sucks in traffic), left hand gets iffy as to clutch apply, fingers get a little less than responsive as does the left arm as stretch it out. Feel the need to lean to get the turn and yet feels unbalanced. I do get out and practice on this after being off the bike a while but fatigue catches up on the longer rides.
Any suggestions beyond the doc hacking on me some more? Nothing to date seems to have helped.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Thanks guys, just a little heads up, the practice does make it better for a while so I continue there, had not considered rider training, sounded silly at first but has its plusses will look into that come spring.
As to timing, it isn't that I get to the controls too slowly but I am into them and the fingers don't want to release the grip, have to force the left hand to open and by the time I get it to work again, too slow speed.
I may also look into the gym, have not been in one for years, been a wrench for a long time and not really out of shape just the shape is in the wrong places. All good advice, need to sort thru, find what works and go from there. Two docs have already determined nerve influence from carpal too minimal to attack with a knife, have exercises and the wrist cuffs to use as needed already.
As to timing, it isn't that I get to the controls too slowly but I am into them and the fingers don't want to release the grip, have to force the left hand to open and by the time I get it to work again, too slow speed.
I may also look into the gym, have not been in one for years, been a wrench for a long time and not really out of shape just the shape is in the wrong places. All good advice, need to sort thru, find what works and go from there. Two docs have already determined nerve influence from carpal too minimal to attack with a knife, have exercises and the wrist cuffs to use as needed already.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
I also have carpal tunnel and have been working with a chiropractor. He has made a significant difference in my hand strength.
One thing I do is take self grip tape and wrap my wrists tightly. You would not believe how much this helps. Not only does it increase your hand strength, but also helps correct the problem. My fingers and thumb were numb on both hands. WIth the tape therapy and seeing the chiropractor, my hands are almost 100% bank to normal.
I would never consider surgery.
Best of luck.
Jeff
One thing I do is take self grip tape and wrap my wrists tightly. You would not believe how much this helps. Not only does it increase your hand strength, but also helps correct the problem. My fingers and thumb were numb on both hands. WIth the tape therapy and seeing the chiropractor, my hands are almost 100% bank to normal.
I would never consider surgery.
Best of luck.
Jeff
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I'm only 45' but my left wrist had to be reassembled after I got hit, and I'm going back for another surgery in 2 weeks. The best thing you can do is exercise it. It's truly amazing what the body can do when it's physically fit. If I stop doing my daily exercises for even a single day, I feel it when I ride. People may make fun of me when I stretch before getting on the bike, but it freaking works.
Novice
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: jacksonville fl.
A very dear friend of mine (75yrs young) was just about to sell his heritage softail saying he was getting too old to ride. Was breaking his heart. Then he went to a bike night a saw a woman with a ultra classic and a voyager kit installed. She was a little thing but with the voyager kit she could ride this big ole bike. He said he really loved to ride and went and had a voyager kit installed on his bike. Its been over a year and he is still riding even when some of us young pups (I'm 62) aren't. They are on the web and reasonably priced, cheaper than a trike kit with many of the same benefits. I just love seeing Pappy pull up to church on sunday mornings on his bike and parking next to mine.
My neighbor lost the use of his right hand after he got ran over by a dump truck about 5 years ago. After all the hip replacements and other surgeries were done, he wanted to try riding again. I installed an EMF auto clutch in his FatBoy and he's been on the road ever since (about 3 years now). Last year he bought a new Ultra Limited and I have to say, for a guy with artificial hips, a left hand that does not work at all, and all his other disabilities he really handles the bike well. EMF autoclutch is a company here in Ohio and they are great to deal with, very reasonable in price and pretty straight forward to install. No need to use the clutch lever anymore with this set up. If nothing else helps you might want to look into it. I know he has a pretty nice web site.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
The hydraulic clutch on my CVO is much heavier than the cable clutch was on my Limited.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
This or something like it would be part of *my* solution to what was described. Having to stop making a tight right turn is a disaster waiting to happen so you HAVE to do something but lets not go jumping to "is it time to give it up" yet. That's crazy talk.