Numbness problem

Just bought me an '07 800 about 2 weeks ago and am having a problem. It's fine in the city though still not used to the grip position yet. When i get up to highway speeds I find that my right arm goes numb. I tried gloves and was looking for new grips but think that I have found the problem, just not sure what to do about it.

I have to wear button up shirts for work and I buy them up to one size too large. What I have found is the sitting position the bike puts me in along with the wind tugging at the shirt, it stretches the shirt to where the seam around the arm pit is applying pressure like a tourniquet and cutting off the blood flow. In city driving, in the same position, the wind does not creat as much of a force on the shirt and therefore the sleeve stays loose and I don't have any problems. Carrying the shirt and changing is not really an option for me.

I've thought about making something that slides into the sleeve/chest area of the shirt to prevent it from cutting off the circulation but not sure how I would accomplish this and have it stay in place and work effectively.

The bars are a little lower and forward of what would be most comfortable for me, I feel. I am thinking of putting on some heli bars and just came across convertibars today. I'm wondering if these will fix my problem. I never noticed the issue on cruiser styled bikes but then again I have had Interceptors since back in the 80's and never had an issue either. I just don't remember the bars feeling this low.

Anyone else had this issue? Advise on the 2 bars I mentioned? Pros and cons. I love the bike and would hate to get rid of it for a stupid issue like this but it is pretty darn uncomfortable for just a 15 minute highway ride and it sucks riding one handed with my left pulling the sleeve away from the arm pit to regain feeling.

Funny thing is the left sleeve doesn't get tight like that. I never lose circulation in the left arm. I've tried several shirts and they all give the same results. The sleeves are really loose and baggy off the bike.

 

You didn't mention wearing a jacket. That would probably make a difference, and you should wear one anyway for the protection.

 

No haven't gotten a jacket yet. Looking for something that is bearable in the Texas heat.

 

+1 Jacket

There are plenty of jackets with "airflo" technology and venting.

Or maybe you could try a leather vest like the harley boys

 

Dude, I live in Singapore. Hot and humid!

I usually don't like the feeling of stuffiness and the sweat, but let me tell you that I didn't like AT ALL the feeling of my skin rolling and scraping on the highway's pavement when I fell a year ago -while doing about 30mph during the morning commute.

I now ride in a t-shirt and -of course-; a jacket.
I also carry my shirt, a deodorant, and a pack of wet towels in my backpack.
A quick visit to the office restroom, and I get out clean, fresh, and without a wrinkle in my shirt.

 

Yep, that Texas heat and humidity is a bitch. IMO, the numbness is caused mostly since you seem to be feeling only in your right hand is you might be applying the infamous Vulcan Death Grip on the throttle. Think Dr. Spock rather than Mr. Spock.

 

Mo, I know for sure that it isn't the grip. I've just used my fingertips on the throttle to try but it stills seems to happen. It's effecting the entire arm, not just the hand. When I ride and put the shirt away from the armpit it relieves the pressure.

 

If no one comes up with a solution or you don't come up with an alternative. I will buy your bike for fifty bucks cash money to solve the problem.

 

Starting a bidding war on a bike that isn't for sale. 51.00 and I will throw in an old Cortech ventilated Jacket. Fix the jacket problem you have.

 

55, and a deodorant!

 

I have the same problem. Softened up the forks a little and it helped a ton. I didn't realize how bad I was getting pounded.... Forks are gonna need some work though because I can't get them dialed in where I want them. My numbness goes away on longer rides. The commute in the morning is the problem.
What about the throttle itself? Why is it so damn stiff? I dislike it's stiffness in my hand..... I also have vibranators (in the bars) and went with a softer grip.
I'm in TX and wear a alpinestars leather stunt jacket. It only gets really hot sitting at lights. Sweat pretty bad though in the afternoon commute home but it is like 100 so it's to be expected.

 

Well, think I am going to buy some convertibars and give them a try. Raising and bringing the grip back a bit will allow me to alter my riding position a little more and I think that will help.

As far as jackets, back in the day we only wore jackets when it was cold. I've done some researching all the hot weather jackets out there and am going to buy one and give it a try. That will also help keep the wind from ballooning out the shirt and applying pressure on the arm pit area I hope.

I had one of the original interceptors and have had a few over the years and never had an issue before. Maybe it's just my age catching up with me.

The throttle does feel much heavier than it did back in the day for sure. The vibrations are pretty mild to me compared to some other bikes that I have owned. The grips....doesn't feel like it has any, are probably the worst that I have ever felt so they'll be changed with the convertibars.

I thought about the superbike bars but have only found limited info on them and the convertibars seem to give alot of variety in positioning to let me choose what fits the best for me.

I expected some soreness issues until I got used to the riding position again but this issue has been a little bit worse than that. I dread getting onto a highway because of it and find that I am trying to use sideroads whenever possible.

I road a friends bike the other day and didn't have that issue but it wasn't nearly as fun to ride.

 

Plenty of writeups around here on both bars.

Maybe just try something to close the sleeve off, so wind doesn't go up it? Rubberband?

I wear an Icon mesh, and it's cool enough even on hot steamy days here, as long as you're moving.

 

Bought a jacket today and it seemed to have helped. Need more time to know for sure. May just leave the bars alone and add new grips now if the jacket solved the problem.

 

numbness problem, solution

Get weighted bar ends, and add adhesive wheel weights to your right foot peg if also a problem. This changes the vibration "frequency" which will take care of the numbness.

 

Won't doing that make the bike heavier and slower. Will it affect mileage?

 

Interestingly, after getting the Helibars on my Trumpet, although more comfy in that they are wider and "flatter", I have sense experienced the same numbness in my right hand I used to on Cap. When I had the stock bars on Emma, though less comfy, they made me use my core muscles more and arch my back more, because the angle was hard on my arms to support my upper body; with the Helibars, I now find myself relaxing my core and leaning on my arms, like I used to on my Viffer, and the numbness has returned...

Like before, I simply use my core/arch my back and take the weight off my arm, and shift my position of my right arm, and it goes away. If I forget or let it get too bad, I simply lower my arm and shake it out for a sec, and I'm all good.

In the end, still not sure if the Helibars are actually better than the stock were...

 

I experienced the same numbness due to countless rounds of Trap and Skeet shooting pounding my right shoulder over the years. My remedy , genmar risers and throttlemeister heavy bar ends with gel grips, it helped alot in my case.

 

numbness

i would actually wager that its a mild case of Carpal tunnel syndrome rather than your shirt acting like a tourniquet. even though the problem is in your wrist, the pain frequently radiates up the entire arm. happens to me on my road bicycle like that.