A few things I've learned in the last month.

I've owned my 97 VFR750 (offically named Scarlett since she's a redhead) for about a month now, and here are a few observations that I've noticed in that time.

1. There is just something about the way she sounds when the engine is revved. I have a hard time seeing it ever get old.
2. I've been caught off guard at how much my hands feel like they fall asleep after about 20 minutes of riding. Constantly shaking them out to get the blood flowing again.
3. Riding in strong wind can be scary. It was so bad the other night that I felt very unstable.
4. Take the MSF class. I am constantly reverting back to it's teachings while I ride. Money and time well spent.
5. There's nothing wrong with your bike when it dies after putting it in to gear, no matter how many times you have to restart it. Just put your side-stand up, dummy.
6. It doesn't matter how long you have been riding, you're automatically part of the 2-Wheeled Fraternity. The biking community is so much friendlier than the rest of the general population.
7. Fogged/smudged visors are hell when riding the highway at night.
8. I love my VFR. To quote Ferris Bueller: "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

 

Something I do when programming for hours or when trying to revive the hands while riding, and that is an isometric: press your left and right palms together hard, and roll your shoulders while doing it. This provides a brief relaxation for the entire arm and can get blood flowing. I find sometimes that the hands come back to life immediately after doing this.

Another one is, at the stoplight, twist 180°, grab the passenger handle, and gently stretch.

Wow A+, absolutely these folks are. Hrm, if bikers are friendlier, then we should put all of humanity through the MSF as a mandatory course! Which would be good to get their awareness up as well.

This one remains a killer for me! I like the one member's solution of adding a breathing snorkel to the helmet. That seems the only way to avoid this, by controlling the flow of the breath.

 

"1. There is just something about the way she sounds when the engine is revved. I have a hard time seeing it ever get old."

Apparently, they don't have to. Check out my ride. Good blog. Bruce

 

One word. Pinlock.

 

Numbers 2 & 3 are most likely because you aren't holding your upper body up with your knees and core, but rather leaning forward and putting all of that pressure on your wrists.
Get some tank grip and lightly squeeze your tank and use your body to keep light pressure on your arms and hands. The reason strong wind is affecting you is that you are too heavy on the bars and therefore transferring too much motion to your bike.
Take the pressure off and you'll find your bike naturally will help you due to centrifugal motion in the wheels. I've ridden in 40 mph side wind before and this really helped. Heavy pressure on the bars equals gross movements. Light pressure on the bars allows small corrections and lose comfortable wrists.

 

#2. You are gripping the throttle too tight. AKA, the grip of death.
Relax your wrists and shoulders, find a better angle to rest the palm of your hand.

 

Your on your way.....what Lint said about core strength is spot on, and for to much pressure on your hands and wrists. ..
These I have found in the last 5 years are phenomenal for what your experiencing.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/grip-buddies/grip-buddies-installed.jpg
Grip Puppies
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/grip-buddies/grip-buddies-installed.jpg

 

For tired neck, back, and hands...

Get a throttle lock, lock it, take your left hand off the grip and put it on the clutch res. Lay down on the tank and rest your chin on a tank bag. Just don't fall asleep like I did....

 

Especially the way you stretch out on the rear pegs ... lol ... I do it too, but my legs aren't nearly as stretched out.

 

Really Rob, you fell asleep? We have ta hear this one....

 

I mentioned it one time ducc. Went up for a ride with our illustrious neighbor to the north. It was a long day. Got lost on the way back. Didn't cross the border till 12:30 am. Assumed the aforementioned position and fell asleep at 75 on I-5 in Mount Vernon. Rudely awakened by a line of road tits.

 

Thank GOD FOR TITS

 

Back in mid-seventies, almost fell aslept on my Kaw Z1 900! Hot day on the NYS Thruway, had to pull off at service center and took an hour nap on the grass! No tits!

 

Back in 85 on my 750 Inteceptor riding through Utarville, well over 12 hrs on this glorious day after leaving Laguna, of course not hydrating as we know it now, think we drank beer to hydrate...but any whooooo.... was takin
No Dose
(No Blow left)and wicking it up to 120 ta get the blood pumping to stat awake. ...haven't thought about those days in a while....surprised I survived.