Ducati Monster Forum

I have an 06 S2R 1000 and having been bitten by the mod bug am currently looking at something like 45,000 different accessories and changes...well not really, but it sure seems like a never ending pursuit. One particular fix that would actually be useful would be something to do with bars. On rides of just about any length I find that my right hand goes numb. I figure it's not vibration otherwise both hands would be affected (I would think). So the question is: Should I just change grips or go with clip ons as well? If I go with clip ons should I get ones that are lower than the stock bars or higher? Are there any that let me adjust both ways if I want to try out different heights? I am currently looking at the Speedy Moto tall boys. I am pretty short at 5'4", so if any shorter riders have fixed the numb hand problem I would be very interested in learning how. I have tried to adjust the the levers and angles as best I can already so I don't think that's the issue.

I also could be the angle of the wrist as you turn the throttle.

a shorter throttle cam can reduce the turn of the throttle and therefore reduce the angle of your wrist

One of these may help.
http://www.crampbuster.com/ (http://www.crampbuster.com/)

Look into Apex clip-ons...very adjustable, but if you get the "tall" heights and lower them all the way it isn't the best look IMO

Those with a good set of grips (I just use pro-grips or spyder grips or the equivilant.  Billet grips look great but are horrible for function IMO) should do the trick

I have the same problem, and I think it's a combination of things contributing to the issue.  My short height (5'7" or 5'8") with much of that in my legs doesn't help, but the biggest issue seems to be the slight twisting action on the throttle causing my right glove to bunch a little which cuts off some circulation to my fingers.  I'm sure different bars would help.  I wish there was a way to try bar options without having to buy a set.

I said it beofre buts its worth restating
Get electrean short quick throttle cam
the shorter twist will help your wrist

 One other thing that helps is using your core muscles to support more of you upper body, instead of allowing your weight to rest on your hands.

Are you death gripping the bars?

In my own experience, numbness was a result of my positioning on the bike and not using my lower body to hold on securely to the bike..


Sound like you're putting a significant portion of you're upper body weight on the right wrist...

Clip-ons will only make it worse.

Could be even more innocent than that ... because lets face it ... a Monster doesn't naturally put a lot of weight onto the bars (relatively speaking). But you can 'rest' your left hand ... the right is always involved especially on those long boring bits. It is easy to grip harder without realising - but even a 'constant', but light grip can be troublesome.

Now that I have become more practiced at regulating the pressure on the throttle grip ... it is not so bad. But I still find myself occasionally requiring corrective action. Nowadays it is more likely to occur when 'getting on it' (such as at the track) or when stuck behind slow moving traffic. I put this down to the fact that I am not as relaxed and my focus is drawn to other aspects.

Conscious thought may be enough to fix the problem ... or any of the other solutions mentioned  [cheeky]

Think you hit the nail on the head there. These are the times mine gets sore. Also at the end of a long ride when I must be getting tired-er and using my wrists for support instead of my core. I have had both bars and clip ons with the same result. Even grip puppies didnt help but if I consciously make an effort not to grip it helps.

^That^
That will solve not only the wrist pain, but will also give you much more control on the bike.
Squeeze the tank with you inner thighs and use you back muscles to relieve pressure on the handlebar.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. Not sure what I am going to try..probably start cheap and move on from there. So since I'm sure everyone is real curious as to what my plan is :P

1. Re evaluate brake lever angle
2. Change Grips (have some gel ones from MP picked out)
3. Rotate the bars themselves for a slightly different angle (this suggestion from my brother, thanks man)
4. Bar risers
5. custom seat ( been thinking about this for a while anyway, wanting something a little lower and more comfy, or I'll finally make use of the extra seat I bought and try the low seat mod) I'm thinking that sitting lower may change things enough that it solves the problem.
6. Maybe the quick throttle thinga ma bob

Hopefully number 1 will fix everything:) I may be incorrect, but I don't think my body position is the issue, my first bike was a CBR 600 which puts more stress on wrists than the Duc. I have tried riding with just the thumb and forefinger to avoid deathgrip but that didn't help...oh there's also that junk to put inside the bars to help dull vibration..that will be number 2.1:)
Unfortunately I won't even be able to touch the bike until about Aug by which time I'll just want to ride and not mess with anything and just have numb hand [bang] and I will then fix that problem with  [drink]. But like I said hopefully a nice cheap and easy solution will lead to  [Dolph]

Quick, easy and effective junk to put in the bars to reduce vibration is silicone gel from the hardware store.

Good tip, I was thinking birdshot or  a product I saw on some site made for it..so just grab a tube and fill 'em up? Any personal experience?

I'd go with changing ergonomics first as that's most likely the culprit but for vibration I've used a product called barsnake that works well.

That's the site I went to, couldn't remember the name.

the right hand goes first because the throttle is connected directly to the engine (well the carbs) by 2 cables.

Yes. I put Tarozzi clip ons on my Intruder bobber build. Intruders can vibrate quite a bit. I just filled them with clear silicone and a caulk gun. When it was to the brim on both ends I just capped the ends off with plastic bar end plugs.
Vibration was significantly less and they were a bit heavier which was nice as I'm not too fond of bar end weights.
In case anyone is interested:
(http://i41.tinypic.com/2lvik2s.jpg)

+1 on losing the 'death grip'.

Also check how you take your grip when first placing your hands on the bars.  Try rolling your hand towards the front of the grip when placing...that is, don't just place your palm on top of the grip but move it a bit more towards the front of the grip.  That way, when you're riding and using the throttle, your hand will be in a more natural position with the back of your hand/wrist and top of your forearm more or less on the same plane (that is there is no kink or angle between the top of your forearm and the back of your hand).

No doubt your putting pressure on the nerves in your wrist.  For some of us the torque required to hold the throttle open on a long ride is enough to earn a numb hand.  In a chronic situation it's called carpal tunnel syndrome.  In your case it's not chronic but rather a cause-effect result of riding.

No doubt ergonomics can improve the situation but you still have to hold some torque just to keep the throttle position.  Short periods of rest ( like a red light) probably help tremendously but the effect is also short-lived.  Both of my bikes have a throttle lock and I have found if I can get a couple minutes of cruising in without holding the throttle the benefits last much longer.

I use these:  http://www.twistedthrottle.com/brand/kaoko (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/brand/kaoko)

They are made to match your existing bar end weight so they're basically invisible.

This has been great seeing everyone chime in:) I'm wondering if maybe it's just me. I took a BMW F650GS for a test ride over the weekend and both hands went numb.It was pretty buzzy, and while I get why people like those bikes, to me it just blah, didn't feel anything at all riding, not one smile:(
I will probably try a throttle lock of some sort since I am planning a long trip in August, what are the one's called that clamp to the grip and prevent the throttle from returning by bracing against the brake? I like the idea of those as they are easily removable and take no fiddling.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055QOKC8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3F85K2N3SOH2A (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055QOKC8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3F85K2N3SOH2A)

^^ +1   Love mine, just enough to shake it out once in a while.

Rizoma bar with 2" sweep and 5/8" rise. It's the wrist angle possibly. Tech Spec pads on the tank for knee grip at low speeds help too. Just my $0.02...
(http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/282951-1/Rt_-Above.jpg)

Did you have an issues with cable lengths with those bars?

No new cables required, just minor re-routing. The bike was delivered as you see it, so the dealer did it. No issues.