Hi all. I'd love to hear from someone who has resolved handlebar vibration problems. My hands get numb after riding for about three hours. Any suggestions, either mechanical or physical would be appreciated. I've already tried ibuprophen.

Hi, I suspect that you're holding the grips too hard. You only need a light touch to steer.

Grip Puppies will solve your vibration problem. They are under $10, free shipping, easy to install, and they absorb vibration. One of my favorite modifications and by far the cheapest!

http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=GPSMALL&Category_Code=grips

Thanks, Gene. I have heated grips, so I'll have to do some research to see whether they can be used together.

I don't think I'm holding the grips too tightly. I did when I first started riding, but that was a while ago. Do you know anything about the handlebar weights?

Someone else wrote about using pieces of gel foot pad - like Dr. Scholl's - in their gloves for this reason. I went ahead and bought the cheapest regular cushion insole I could find, cut roughly palm-sized pieces, stuck them in my gloves and VOILA, a fantastic difference. I'd say 85%-90% of the troubling vibration sensation is gone. A much more comfortable ride. After trying this out for a few hundred miles, I went ahead and glued these pieces into the glove with some craft glue stick I had laying around.

For me, this insert has no interference with gripping or riding in any way, just adds a little cushioning on the hand.

The inner soles inside the gloves sound like a really good thing to try. I see that you have foam grips as well. Do you this that makes a difference also? Do you know anything about the weights?

I haven't tried new bar end weights, so I can't speak to that. Others seem to think it can help.

The foam grips are an inexpensive aid for both vibration reduction and grip widening. The stock grips are pretty narrow, so many people like to add some thickness. Makes for a more relaxed hand, in my opinion. JC Whitney sells a pair for about $7, but you'll pay another $7 for shipping unless you buy other stuff, etc. California Sport Touring sells the Grip Puppies that a lot of folks seem to like. I haven't tried these myself, but I intend to when mine need replacing. They're now selling for $9.20 with free shipping. Absolutely worth it, if you ask me. Oh! You did!

I have seen gloves that a rider was wearing that already have the 'gel' pads built right in. You may want to see if you can find them at one of the rider apparel stores. The guy I talked to said his hands aren't bothered at all now.

Oh....! and welcome to the "forumotion"..

I solved my numbness and cramping with a set of these. ISO Grips

I found these several years ago and thought they would work quite well as they were designed to prevent numbness. I have a too many gloves types and only two hands so these never made it to my collection QwiTM Nerve Protection Motorcycle Glove

You might also try adjusting your handle bars either higher or lower. I did that and it seemed to lessen the numbness I would get at times. Just a suggestion though.

I just got my grip puppies in the mail late today. I haven't had time to install them. I will soon.
Gary

Jeff,

JeffR wrote:

You might also try adjusting your handle bars either higher or lower. I did that and it seemed to lessen the numbness I would get at times. Just a suggestion though.

Do you suggest raising or lowering. I have the book at home to tell me how to do this.

M-

Emeskay,

Thats great news. It's always nice to be able to ask others for advice that works. I know I have learned a lot from other SWingers.

I was reading up on grip puppies, though more for my bike than my S'wing... I note that you can even put them over heated grips.... Surely they would act as insulators and stop the heat from reaching your hands? Has anyone tried them over heated grips?

Cheers Bernardo

Can't help but think of food when I hear the word "puppies".
I installed the Grip Puppies this morning and made a little ride of 90 miles round trip just to try them out. Wow... this is looking good. Felt wonderful. How can something this cheap be so good. Unless something turns up later, I may apply for a distributorship for these little puppies. Great value and great aid in riding.
Gary

Thanks for all of the help...you guys rock! :Not Worthy:

Hi guys.

I got my manic salamander bar ends installed, and they are absolutely terrific. Thanks for all of your help!

Mandy

Mandy,
Did you purchase the 6MM ones or the 7/8 inch ones??

Dennis,

I got the 7/8" weights. My husband was off, and he installed them before I even knew they had arrived! Great guy! Since I have heated grips, he had to go to the hardware store for different (longer) screws to hold them on, but they are great. The only negative I've noticed is when I back into a parking spot at an extreme angle, b/c the handlebars are longer. However, it not really a problem, just something to be careful with.

Another unexpected bonus is that my mirrors are clearer b/c they don't vibrate anymore.

I would completely recommend them!

Mandy

Where did you get them? Thanks.

Thanks.

I bought gel padded gloves (found them on E-Bay), and I also added a Universal throttleboss (Kuryakin). I wanted the soft rubber one (my son has one of these on his sport bike), not the hard plastic "paddle" version, as I didn't want to become distracted by accidentally pressing the paddle and goosing the throttle without meaning to. So far this combination works well.

I think "Throttlemeister" offers a throttle lock that you can get in the heavy which will help with the viberation and still work as a cruise lock. Does anyone know about this?