I need to get a grip or 2

CBRVFR · 06-17-2003, 11:02 PM

After the last 2 track days, my hands have swollen up at night, with numbness and lotsa pain. Makes sleeping pretty much impossible without Aleve. *

I KNOW I'm not as relaxed on the bike as I should be, as I'm always reminding myself, though I don't get 'pump' in my forearms. So I'll work on not grabbin' on for dear life.

I need to know if there's a sorbathane or gel or some other kind of grip out there that will transfer less vibration? I have gel (fingerless) gloves for my bicycles, but I've never heard of a protective MC glove with that feature.

So *can anyone help?
Thanks. I'm going to keep riding track days even if I have to go through this every time.

2OHOH2 · 06-17-2003, 11:13 PM

Obvious suggestions: force yourself to relax your hands (drill this, and it will become habit), ride when you can just using your throttle hand, grip the throttle lightly with just the thumb and forefinger when cruising, get weighted bar ends (like the ones that, uhh, jester?, sold; my throttlemeisters work great, but are $$$ if all you want is less vibes), get a forearm exerciser...

G-Force Junkie · 06-17-2003, 11:22 PM

I like the Gel grips from Pro Grip.

2OHOH2 · 06-17-2003, 11:25 PM

Quote:

G-Force Junkie : I like the Gel grips from Pro Grip.

Oh yeah, me too, forgot to mention those

dB · 06-18-2003, 12:12 AM

Without forearm pump it sounds a lot like a carpal tunnel related problem. The gel grips are better than stock. Anything you can do to increase the diameter of your grips will help even more by opening your hands a bit...maybe go so far as to find some thin foam sheets and tape them securely around your grips. Find some stretching exercises for CPS on the web and use them before and after each session. Use Aleve or ibuprofen as you're doing. Put a serious effort into concentrating on being light handed on the bars and if it hurts while you're riding, think about calling it a day early. I pushed myself through a race day once and was sorry for about 9 months afterward.

edit: ...and stay hydrated!

thebackdraft · 06-18-2003, 1:06 AM

Mechanix wear makes several models, including fingerless, that have gel padded palms. *There are some motorcycle specific gloves, Olympia, that also have gel padded palms. *I just got some Pro-Grip dual compound grips for my '29. *They make the two-tone. *I have the black on black but they also have yellow on black and red on black, not sure about other colors.

Almost forgot. Practice your exercises. Fully extend one arm and hold your hand flat, as if it were on a flat surfice, with your fingers pointing up. With your other hand reach out and grab your fingers. Pull you fingers back towards your body while keeping your arm extended. You should feel the the pull on your muscles at and just above your wrist. Hold for ten seconds. Do a few reps with each hand/arm. I think Sportrider done a write-up on that exercise, maybe a couple of years ago though. I had heard about it before that. It is suppose to help/prevent carpal tunnel sysndrome. Worth a shot I guess.

CBRVFR · 06-18-2003, 10:36 AM

Quote:

dB : I pushed myself through a race day once and was sorry for about 9 months afterward.

That's very sobering info. I thought it was just going to be a matter of putting up with this for a few nights. I guess it wasn't a good idea to go to my go-cart arrive and drive league last night, then.

Well, at least I got a trophy that cost somebody $5.00......

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm printing all of it so I can put it into practice.

dB · 06-18-2003, 11:54 AM

Quote:

CBRVFR : Quote (dB @ June 17 2003, 11:12pm)I pushed myself through a race day once and was sorry for about 9 months afterward.

That's very sobering info. I thought it was just going to be a matter of putting up with this for a few nights. I guess it wasn't a good idea to go to my go-cart arrive and drive league last night, then.

Well, at least I got a trophy that cost somebody $5.00......

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm printing all of it so I can put it into practice.
Remember that I'm not in any way qualified to make a medical diagnosis here , it just sounds similar to what happened to me. The good news is that mine eventually cleared up. It sure made me focus on some bad hand habits, though.

CBRVFR · 06-18-2003, 1:19 PM

I appreciate that, dB. Your input makes me take it more seriously. If it persists, I'm at the Dr. Meanwhile, ProGrips is supposed to recommend a grip for me and I'm stretching.

CBRVFR · 06-18-2003, 3:57 PM

Postscript:

At backdraft's suggestion, I downloaded some exercises at Http://www.orthohelp.com/exercts.htm

I did a few reps, and the pain diminished quickly and significantly.

I had always thought that Carpal tunnel was either a scam or something one would have to live with unless an operation was performed. I had no idea it was preventable or treatable in this manner.

Like earplugs for my wrists. Thanks again.

thebackdraft · 06-18-2003, 4:06 PM

Glad I could be of some kind of help. I think last year or the year before Curtis Roberts went into surgery for his so it can get bad. Really hope you don't encounter this though. Best of luck.

Denny · 06-19-2003, 5:25 PM

My wrists also hurt after a long ride. If the grips don't help, try some Heli bars to take some weight off the hands.

CBRVFR · 06-19-2003, 6:47 PM

I've been wondering how Heli's would affect the 954's handling while riding aggressively in twisties and on track days. I'm making the supposition that the stock bars are supposed to get you in the 'right' position.

In the meantime, Denny, if it's a choice between that compromise (if there is one) and not riding, there's no choice. Have you noticed a difference?