Ducati Monster Forum

So I've been off the bike for the longest period in my adult life.  I had a crash on April 30th, and due to repairs, distance to dealership, insurance problems, being unable to work for four months,  and an on going law suit, I'm just now about to get my bike back.  Either later this month, or mid Feb depending on how my money goes and when I can take a few days off and go pick it up.  Not to mention I don't have money to replace my gear, so God know when I'll actually get riding.

So none of that is really what I'm asking about, but I felt like complaining. 

I got my 07 S4R T in late 08, right as the 09's were rolling out.  And since it was new on a dealership floor, and about to be two years old, I got a great price for it.  I've put 1000 miles on it and I love it.  Problem is my hand kept falling asleep while riding.  Made it difficult to ride more then 15 minuets at a time.  Clutch killed my other hand making me long for stop lights.  So while it's away for repairs they are suppose to be adjusting the clutch, putting different grips and handlebars on it etc.  While in PT from the accident I asked my PT Doctor about it, as my hand just started falling asleep doing simple things like writing with a pen.  He says I have Carpel tunnel and that I should stop riding as the gripping position and vibration can make it worse.   I've been doing stretches and a lot of praying and its better (it seems to come and go).  So the point of this is, how have others of you addressed this issue?  Also if I can't manage to ride my bike comfortably, how is the seating/handlebar position on the Triumph triples?  (I had a cruiser before the S4R and though it turned up from time to time it wasn't a real issue). 

change the angle/height of the bars

i had that problem with the stock magura bars on my s2r

i swapped out for motowheels clipons -- (lower) and voila, my back stopped hurting too after a ride

You could try this:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=32336 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=32336)

Also - and this is not a joke - I used to suffer from major carple tunnel (I'm a computer programmer) until I got a set of these:

(http://www.chi-mo.com/images/productid-263.jpg)

Daily exercises with them and TADA numbness was gone.  Worth a shot.

there was a guy here in town with the same type of issues. (and an S4RT)
he is a career helicopter pilot and his wrists are pretty shot.
he added- clutch slave, adjustable CRG levers, and the Rizoma tapered bar...and is now happy with the setup and comfort.
might be worth looking into before getting a new bike (unless you want one that is  8))

Also worth a try is one of these Crampbuster throttle paddles:

(http://www.desmotimes.com/Images/product/crampbuster.jpg)

I've got them on both bikes, and it's really nice to be able to stretch out & wiggle your fingers periodically while maintaining the throttle. DesmoTimes carries them, as do most moto shops at $10 give or take.

I don't have any FHE, but I'm sure a Throttlemeister throttle lock is an even nicer (and considerably more expensive) solution that will allow you to flex your hand periodically on long stopless stretches.

There was a thread on this forum a while ago on this.  I can't remember the company (I tried looking through my favorites) but they made a device that sits on the end of your handlebar (where a bar end mirror would go).  It allowed you to turn your throttle to where you wanted and lock it in that position (with a quick disconnect of course!)  I can't find the thread though.....

Something like that may (or the device that triangleforge details) may help your hand.

Grunte, you are talking about a throttlemeister.

Thank you Wonked!

ClickJack:  http://www.throttlemeister.com/ (http://www.throttlemeister.com/)

I had a cramp buster, but it fell off when I was adjusting it on the highway one day. I went back to look for it, but could not find it; as it was a busy road. The manufacturer said they would send me a replacement, but they never did. I have since bought a throttle rocker ( http://www.google.com/products?q=throttle+rocker&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tXNOS-6rHYGXtgfllqThDA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg (http://www.google.com/products?q=throttle+rocker&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=tXNOS-6rHYGXtgfllqThDA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQrQQwAg) ) and I like it better than the cramp buster because it locks on with velcro. You can still adjust it; as long as you do not make it too tight, but with the velcro, it won't pop off like my cramp buster did.

At first, I thought the throttle rocker and cramp buster were odd, and that I would only use it for long rides on the interstate etc, but now I have gotten used to it and I use it all the time.

You need new handlebars that are angled back more.  Sit on your bike and reach out towards the bars.  The natural angle of your hands should match the angle of the handlebars.

I also have problems with my right hand going numb.  In fact, just a few days ago I did a 150 mile ride on my S2R1K which I haven't ridden in awhile due to weather, and I was fighting numb hand for the last half of the ride.  A few things I have noticed/done:

• Most gloves end up too short in the thumb and forefinger for me, so for my throttle hand, it puts pressure on my fingertip and thumbtip and that exacerbates the prob.  Properly sized gloves are key for me.
• I installed a lower effort clutch slave.  Helped that hand considerably.
• Covering the front brake with two fingers while riding really makes the problem worse for me (vs 4 finger hamfist grip which I don't like to do for numerous reasons).
• If the throttle spring wasn't as stiff, I don't think it would be as big a problem
• Angle of the bars/clip-ons seem key.  I tried bar risers on the stock bars and now am running Rizoma clip ons and have tried adjusting their angle.  So far I haven't found the magic position.  I am also running Rizoma grips which have no padding, so I am thinking of changing grips.
• I changed the bars and installed variable height bar risers on my other bike, and when using properly sized gloves, I don't have any numbness issues, so I think I can get there on the S2R eventually.

i would try the gloves first.  probably the cheapest route.  if your gloves are constricting at all, you might be cutting blood flow. 

try using a light liner if the gloves aren't too tight.  it will provide a uniform surface for the glove to sit on and make it less likely to bind.

I went with larger, softer grips and it helped the numbness in both hands.