Solution for Rider fatigue

Have you ever had that wierd "burnout" feeling after a long ride? Or tingling in your fingers? Or aches in your neck or back after a ride? I have experienced all of these things and just put it down to getting beat up by the wind, being in a "hunched over" position, etc. Recently I had some friends talking about having these things called "Vibranators" installed and what a difference they made. No, they are not a sex toy!!! LOL!! They said they dampen the vibration in your handlebars. I told them, my V-Four doesn't vibrate, and they told me every bike does in different degrees. It was over the last few weeks that I've noticed, yeah... my mirrors vibrate a little, so the bike must vibrate some. Then, I also realized a couple fingers on my right hand get tingly and numb after a long ride. So... in preparation for my Iron Butt ride in a couple weeks, I figured I'd try them... anything to cut down on fatigue when riding for approximately 24 hours. They are made by a company here in Vegas, called Ricor, so I called up, went over, and he made them and installed them right there for me. In the first minute on the bike, I noticed that I was tensed for certain aches and pains in my arms... and yet, I wasn't feeling those aches and pains, so I relaxed. Also, my hands felt a definite difference... much more solid. Matter of fact, the whole bike felt more solid. They guy told me they have them in various racers' bikes and once a racer is on a bike with them, they won't ride without them, and they end up on the podium alot more often with them than without them.

Anyway, it's really interesting stuff... check out the link here...

Vibranator.com

I think I would be doing all of you a disservice if I didn't tell you about these things. They are awesome and I've just had them one day. I'll let you know how a longer trip is with them!! Any questions, ask me!! If there's enough interest, I'll ask the guy if he'll workout a discount program for VFRWorld members.... no, I'm not getting a kickback or anything, I REALLY feel a big difference in my bike!!

 

Cool, I want to get my pops a set for his KTM 990.:wink:

 

I've seen similar devices installed on large compressor skids at strategic spots, then tuned by techs to specific wavelength of that particular machine, and they work. Not surprised they're available for bikes. Thanks Chickie.

 

Not to knock the product at all, I'm sure they help, but a lot of fatigue issues can be addressed with a change in habits or posture.

The numb fingers can often be linked not to the vibes but the angle which you rest your hand on the throttle, relative to your arm position. Keep the back of your hand parallel to your forearm. You don't want your knuckles pointing up with your wrist bent backwards/up.

Another great and cheap product that can help on long trips is called the Throttle Rocker - Throttle Rocker LINKY This thing is only ~$10 and just slips on the throttle grip, it really allows you to ease your grip on the throttle while on the highway. I am also able to take it off while riding and toss it in a tankbag pocket once off the highway or entering a town, as it can be a little dangerous if you in stop-and-go traffic. Alternatively you can rotate it so the palm piece is down and out of the way. Putting it on while moving is a lot harder...

Making sure you have your head out of the turbulent air is a must. On my VFR, the wind screen blocks my torso, and the boundary between that air bubble and the smooth flowing air is right about at my neck. If I slouch a bit, the lower edge of my helmet gets into that "in-between" air and it gets buffeted, and gets noisy as well. Sitting up straight puts my whole helmet in the clear airstream above the bike and although you feel that a bit, its less bumpy and quieter. You can also quiet things down nicely with a neck warmer or a head band pulled down around your neck.

And finally, WEAR EARPLUGS. Being exposed to that constant wind noise is not only damaging to your hearing long-term, it contributes quite a bit to your fatigue. If you are a non-believer, trust me, you can still hear everything you need to just fine while riding. I can't believe the difference it makes in how I feel after riding all day, and now I won't ride any distance without earplugs. My ears are still quite sharp too.
BTW I was also told this by a WWII vet who showed up at a fly-in meet on his bike, like me. He said his ears were shot from riding in B-17's though.

FYI - I suffer from a compressed disc in my neck, and on long trips I notice that my shoulder in the trapezoid area feels achy. No matter how much I massage it it doesn't go away. That's because it is referred pain; it is actually my spine compressing the nerve root near the spinal cord, and it manifests itself as a "phantom" pain in my neck & shoulder. Not much I can do in this case, while riding at least. Stretching my neck out at night or at rest stops helps. The way I discovered this was after a huge 7-day bike trip, after I got home I had to go to the chiropractor, where the disc compression was confirmed by xray. With treatment and stretching I got a lot of relief. Hope this helps someone else.

 

Yup, I agree with all you say, except the throttle rocker. That thing was more of a pain in the neck than anything, and actually put my hand in an even MORE awkward position. If anybody wants to try one, PM me your address, I'll send mine to ya free!! Seriously. First PM I get, gets the throttle rocker.

I constantly am changing seating position as well as moving my hands and I have custom made earplugs that I wear on the longer trips. This past weekend I had a 500+ mile day and a couple weekends ago was 780+ miles, and all of those things help alot. It's always a combination of things, but even with all of the things I'm doing already, these things made a bid difference on my arm, shoulder, neck pain, in just the one day I've been using them.

 

I've noticed that if I move around some, like going from sitting straight up to laying on the tank bag also makes a world of difference. Just getting the weight off my wrists help tremendously, even just on sort 1/2 hour or two hour rides. I just try to take a short break every 100 miles or so (fill up, walk around, get back on and go stops). I'm sure an aftermarket seat would help as well, but the stock one is so much better than the last bikes that I've had, I can't see spending the $$, yet.

I will maybe look into this some time in the future, along with a cruise control of some kind as well.

 

If you're serious, and if anyone wants a set, see what they can do for you on price, or let me know. They have a "locals" deal. I went right to the shop and they installed them for me for a flat $80.00. Maybe he'll do a deal for guys I've referred or something and you can get them for $80.00 instead of paying the full price advertised on the site...???

 

Chicky, I might be interested if the price is right. Let me know if you get a group buy together.. Thanks for the link and the great info! :thumb:

 

SS, why don't you drive up there when Y2K is in town. Then a whole bunch of us can drive over to the place and get them.

 

WHY?? Because it's a 9 hour trip at over 550 miles, that's why. I'm not in Socal I'm near San Francisco.

 

Hey Marrib, if you and Drewl want them we can head over while you're here. Let me know if you do because I'll include yours in a group. Yours just won't have to be shipped, that's all.... you get free installation.

 

They sound like they are the bomb. I can't speak for Drewl but if you're still 'high' on them in April, sure. I'll do that.

 

Okay, talk about customer service!! I called the owner, Don Richardson, to find out what he can do for VFRWorld inhabitants to provide a discount of sorts. He said we will have our own coupon code upon checkout. They also had them listed only for CBR, but they just added VFR on there so it's clear which ones to buy. The coupon code will ONLY work on the model of vibranators for the VFR so you will know if you picked the right one because you'll see the discount taken. They did that just in the last hour and called me back to tell me it's done!!

So, here's what you do. Go to Vibranator.com. Select "Street" for the type of motorcycle. You will see the various types of vibranators. Currently, the VFR ones are on the second page, so make sure you go to the second page, and select the "CBR, VFR" ones. Checkout and enter "VFRWorld" in the coupon code. You will get 25% off. They are 119.95, and you will get them for $89-ish... not quite as sweet as my $80.00 with installation, but still a pretty good deal. They are very easy to install.

They also created their own tool for pulling out the stock inserts and that tool will be included with the package. My bike was the first VFR they tested it on and it worked like a charm. Those inserts came out like buttah, I tell you!!

If you have any questions about ordering or installation once you get them, you can call the number on the website or you can email Don directly at Don@Vibranator.com. I'm sure they'd love to hear your impressions of them once you get them installed. Please post up here too, so we all know what you think of them.

 

>

I'm about ready to ride to Vegas today and get them installed. Nice work Chick.

>

 

Oh hell yes!!! Thank you thank you thank you VFRCHICK!! I'd seen these before and thought the price was a bit steep especially with no feedback. Now they sound just right, I shall be ordering myself a set before the week is out. I owe you some sort of beverage if we ever get to ride together!!!

 

For longer rides I also like to get off the bike when I get gas, instead of just filling up while on the bike, or I fill up on the bike then park off to the side and get off and walk around a little. A couple of jumping jacks and some stretching excercises, roll the neck around a bit, all help a lot to extend my comfort time in the saddle. I don't take a long time, maybe 5-8 minutes is all. Some hand excercises too if I am on a bike without cruise control or throttle lock where I can rest my right hand and flex the fingers a bit.

 

There are also the Hunter Flat bars that are supposed to help with hand comfort issues.

Oh and for vibration issues a heavier bar end can help or filling up the handlebar with shot can all help, maybe not as much as this product, but also cheaper and easier, so it is a matter of how much help you need. There are also gloves with gel in the palm area to dampen vibration, I tried them once and did't like them, just felt weird to me. But they must work for some people because they have been around for years. It maybe one of those things they feel weird at first, but after a while you don't even notice it anymore.

 

I'm glad to see your enthusiasm about these... I hope more of you order them... you will definitely be very happy with the difference in your bike. I had also posted them on my Facebook, Tori saw it and he already ordered a set, so we'll get his feedback when he gets them.

As an aside... anybody know about Ricor Racing Shocks? RICOR SHOCKS Racing Shocks

This is the same guy. Don Richardson developed the technology for the shocks and now the Vibranators. He's the one that actually installed them on my bike! It's funny the way he explained it to me. He said they were just trying to come up with something that eliminates the vibration in the handlebars and now they are finding all of the health benefits that come from them. Apparently the vibration affects the nervous system, so affects our brains, our heart rates, etc. Eliminate the vibration and our bodies operate much more efficiently for longer periods of time. I'll be doing an iron butt ride in two weeks, and am glad I put these on now!! I'll be the one with the iron hands!!! LOL!!

 

BTW, for Reggie and anyone else who wants them for a dirtbike or any bike other than a VFR/CBR, let me know. I'm sure Don will work out a discount for you too. Or, I'm sure you can just call the number on the website, tell him you're from VFRWorld, that I, Karen, recommended them, and ask what he can do for you on other bikes. He may not do a global discount code, but a phone call might get you a one-time discount for your bike...