Gloves or grips: what gives??

Good morning, all. Today's n00b question involves gloves and grips. Gotta ask everybody I know....

I took out my shiny new '07 yesterday for a 20mile-ish ride. My hands were more tired after that ride than they are after a ride on my 599. In fact, it only took about five miles for me to say, "gee, my hands don't like this." On the way home I stopped at the local Suzuki shop (it's very close to my house, and I like the guy who runs it) and picked up a new pair of Alpinestars. These are better padded in the palms than my old Alpinestars, so I thought I'd give 'em a shot.

After taking care of some of the responsibilities, I took about a 30-mile ride with the new gloves. My hands were not impressed. The new gloves didn't help as much as I had expected. Later in the evening I took another short ride (6 miles or so) and wore my old gloves. 'Bout the same feeling as the new ones.
Nearly ten hours after the last ride, my hands are still pretty sore. What gives?

I love my new VFR, but if it only takes a few miles for the hands to start hurting, then I'm going be a bit upset.

Suggestions, please! Thanks so much.

 

There is usually no "one answer fits all" response to this type of question but if I had to guess I would say you are putting too much weight on your hands/wrists and/or you are gripping too tightly (perhaps because it's your new bike and you aren't fully relaxed on it yet?)

There is nothing inherent in the VFR that would make it worse than your other bike, with the possible exception of perhaps a more aggressive, forward-tilting riding position. So, if this is the case, you have a couple of remedies available. One, take a mental check and consciously try relaxing your hand grip while supporting your upper body more by gripping the tank with your thighs. Two, if this doesn't offer enough relief, then perhaps it's time for a set of GenMar risers or Heli-bars to raise the clipons up higher and more towards the rider. I've got the GenMars and for me the 3/4 inch rise was enough to create comfort; the heli-bars raise it more but are more expensive.

Lastly, don't give up on the VFR; it's a great bike and this issue is a sportbike issue not a VFR-specific issue. Good luck.
Joe

 

Thanks, Joe. I'm hoping it's just an issue of "it's new to me" non-relaxation.
I did tinker around yesterday with trying to get weight off my wrists (honestly, I thought before buying the bike that the wrists would be an issue -- I didn't think the hands would be the issue), loosening the grip, and so forth. The Heli-Bars were mentioned in discussions I had before the purchase, and I think they're definitely on my Santa List. I just need to find a solution for the time between now and then... soon! I'll look at GenMar, too.

I can't give up on it. I've wanted VFR for far too long (and wrestled far too much in the process of actually acquiring it) to think of letting it go. :biggrin:

 

I find that a throttle lock such as vista cruise helps, at least in the straight stretches of the road. I don't need to maintain a constant grip on the throttle for hours on end, and that relieves a lot of stress on my right wrist.

 

I would just reiterate that the GenMar risers really made a big difference for me; a 3/4 inch change doesn't sound like much but it is. Some people swear by the higher-raising Heli-bars but I think that for most folks the GenMars are a sufficient adjustment; plus, they are much less expensive and easier to install.

 

Have you adjusted your levers to suit you? The position of the controls can have a lot to do with rider comfort. If your wrists are angled up to accomodate the levers, then you'll be uncomfortable. I've had several new bikes that were assembled with the levers sticking straight out. When your hands are on the levers your arms and wrists should be aligned.
You may have already done this, but it is something that many people overlook. VFRs are usually one of the more comfortable bikes out there.

Cheers!

Craig :smile:

 

GenMar is about a third the price of Heli-bars -- I'll certainly try that first. Ten-minute install? I'm there! Did you do your own installation? Anything in particular to watch out for?

I wondered about moving the controls. Can they simply be rotated about the bar's axis? That'd make a difference, I'm sure.

Hey, I notice the "hand effort" necessary to hold the clutch lever inward is significantly more than that of other bikes I've ridden. Am I correct, or is it just my screwed-up perception?

 

Good post.

Plasma.

 

Me thinks it is neither. I think you are leaning on more that holding onto your grips. Also it is the way you hold them. Try and consciously hold the grips with your pinky and ring fingers then relax your index and middle fingers. use the index and middle fingers to operate the brake and clutch levers. check while you are riding and see if your elbows are locked stiff. If so, bend them a slightly.

See if this doesn't help.

 

mine did it too, change your grips get a gel grip and try not to push on the bars just rest on them.....