Engine vibes causing hands to go numb : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

Joe88ZX10 · 08-17-2008, 05:12 PM

Here's the deal .

I need some suggestions or else I'm going to have to sell the ZX10 and look at a cruiser type ( NOOOOO ! ).
I have a problem with my right hand going numb and on fire / pain after more than a 1/2 hour of riding . I replaced the grips with gel grips and installed Gen Mar handlebar risers to take some pressure off the wrists . I found it made a great difference when I'm out riding for 30-40 minutes but today I went for an hour ride and had to shake it out numerous times and was in agony for most of the trip back home . I'm able to take the left hand off the grip and relieve the tingling/numbness but the right hand is really bad ( NO FEELING AND ON FIRE ).
I'm thinking of going to a bicycle shop and getting some thick foam handlebar grips , cutting them in half and cementing them on the gel grips . I get a real good engine buzz from 100 km/hr. and up .
I love the power and handling but this problem will have me out of the sportbike class for sure .
Any suggestions ( other than surgery ! ) ?

SLIDER · 08-17-2008, 05:41 PM

don't grip the handlebar so hard and pinch the tank with your knees so you can take some pressure off of your arms.

Joe88ZX10 · 08-17-2008, 05:49 PM

I'm sure that I'm only gripping enough to keep the throttle rolled on and the pressure has somewhat been relieved by the handlebar risers .
There is a product from www.crampbuster.com that looks promising and it's not expensive to try .
Thanks for your suggestion and I'll definitely concentrate on not gripping too hard and trying the tank squeezing .

JBearSVT · 08-17-2008, 07:24 PM

That's what I was going to suggest. The one at the local shop is marketed as the "throttle rocker", but it's essentially the same thing. I've thought about it myself, I was constantly shifting my right fingers around and gripping in different places to keep it from cramping up and it still would, usually within fifteen minutes. I do think most of it's psychological though, as far as how relaxed you are on the bike. Strangely enough, ever since I layed mine down, I'm far more relaxed on it and I've noticed my right hand almost never cramps up anymore. I don't think I was ever really gripping it that hard, but apparently I was. Relax, arch you back and let your abs take some of the weight.

Joe88ZX10 · 08-17-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBearSVT

That's what I was going to suggest. The one at the local shop is marketed as the "throttle rocker", but it's essentially the same thing. I've thought about it myself, I was constantly shifting my right fingers around and gripping in different places to keep it from cramping up and it still would, usually within fifteen minutes. I do think most of it's psychological though, as far as how relaxed you are on the bike. Strangely enough, ever since I layed mine down, I'm far more relaxed on it and I've noticed my right hand almost never cramps up anymore. I don't think I was ever really gripping it that hard, but apparently I was. Relax, arch you back and let your abs take some of the weight.

Thanks for your suggestions . I'll try it the next ride and keep you guys and gals posted as to what is helping the situation .

JBearSVT · 08-20-2008, 12:23 PM

So I finally broke down and bought this today. It looks gay and cost twelve bucks, but OMG what a difference! I should have got it months ago. It's unbelievable how much less strain is on your hand just by not having to grip the throttle to maintain speed, it's awesome.

InsideMan · 08-20-2008, 04:00 PM

I also have a throttle rocker strapped to my ZX7R and it definitely makes a noticeable difference.. worth the $13.00 bucks to try it out.

ryguysd21 · 08-20-2008, 04:46 PM

hey also check your balancer in your engine i have the same problem and am getting it fixed soon when the fourth and first piston are up the balancer should be faced down
ask someone about it

ajtmex · 08-21-2008, 12:13 AM

Also, get weighted bar ends, it cut's down on the bar vibes significantly, also, do the cruise control throttle mod, that way you don't have to grip it so hard when holding on, allowing for more blood flow and less pressure.

Joe88ZX10 · 08-22-2008, 06:29 PM

When I bought the bike , it had weighted bar ends already installed ( I wonder why ?!!! ) . I purchased the wide and thin model of the crampbuster and should have them in a week . By your comments , it looks like this will be a relief on the throttle hand . I will NEVER lower myself to riding a cruiser and I'm hooked on litrebike acceleration ! In fact , although it accelerates very quickly , I'm becoming quite used to it and could see MORE acceleration in my future .

JBearSVT · 08-22-2008, 08:01 PM

The more I get used to my "Throttle Rocker" the more I love it. It took some finaggling to find the right angle, it was either too low to maintain speed or too high and popping wheelies every time I sneezed; but once I got it in the right spot it's been a breeze ever since. No more gripping at all, acceleration is all in the wrist and you can just let your right hand rest on the bar like the left one. Wish I'd gotten it weeks ago!