Impressions after 900 mile trip.

[donkey rider]

I have recently traveled from Chicago to New York on my new FJR AE - that's a little under 900 miles. Since I've only had the bike for a few days then, and before it I owned a cruiser (Suzuki Boulevard C50T if anyone cares ), I didn't really know how to ride a sport-touring bike. So I ended up having a mild form of carpal-tunnel syndrome (my right hand thumb and index finger went numb).

I think I've since figured out a way to not put so much strain on the hands (and on the right hand specifically), but not sure if I can maintain this control over a long period of time in one go.

Are there any tricks? The only way I know so far is to simply hold the body up, putting more force on the feet.

As far as the seat is concerned - I used my Airhawk I bought initially for my Suzuki - it worked fine, except it's really designed more for a cruiser seat, so it's not as comfortable on the FJR seat as it is on a cruiser.

Thanks!

 

[101stpathfinder]

I have recently traveled from Chicago to New York on my new FJR AE - that's a little under 900 miles. Since I've only had the bike for a few days then, and before it I owned a cruiser (Suzuki Boulevard C50T if anyone cares ), I didn't really know how to ride a sport-touring bike. So I ended up having a mild form of carpal-tunnel syndrome (my right hand thumb and index finger went numb).
I think I've since figured out a way to not put so much strain on the hands (and on the right hand specifically), but not sure if I can maintain this control over a long period of time in one go.

Are there any tricks? The only way I know so far is to simply hold the body up, putting more force on the feet.

As far as the seat is concerned - I used my Airhawk I bought initially for my Suzuki - it worked fine, except it's really designed more for a cruiser seat, so it's not as comfortable on the FJR seat as it is on a cruiser.

Thanks!

donkey rider,

Do you have a CRAMP BUSTER? If you don't... it is a $10 fix for your hand problems.

I came over to the FJR from a 1400 Suzuki Intruder myself. The FJR and I are "Soul mates" now!

Google the FJR forum "Yoda position" for proper sitting position... that and ALEVE or ADVIL &

B-a-n-a-n-a-s

 

[Beamer Reamer]

Well...there are lots of options and it kind of depends on what you diagnose the problem to be. Several things you could search this forum on that could very well help are:

Master Yoda Riding Position

Upgraded triple clamp. Moves the bars up and back. Heli Bar is one, but there are others.

Grips. There are many styles but grip puppy is a favorite - it takes much less hand strength/pressure to hold it securely.

Throttle - some folks have changed the tube, others have reduced spring pressure.

Cruise control - real cruise controls, cramp busters, throttlemeisters, and many more

PCIII - helps smoothness a lot which could translate to less stress/tension on the grip. My AE was much better behaved with one of these.

Best of luck,

 

[user 213]

Throttle rocker/Cramp Buster device allows you to use your palm to maintain throttle position instead of grabbing the throttle.

Vista Cruise/NEP/other type of throttle lock - gives you the ability to take a break for short periods and shake out the hand.

Have you played with the stock bar adjustments yet? Some find different angles help a lot in the wrist/hand numbness area.

Riding position will help too, but the main issue here is circulation. Some tend to grip too tight at first, the FJR having a lot of pull when you accelerate hard. Some find the throttle spring unwind helps too, though the throttle rocker is quicker to do.

 

[Fred W]

+1 to what said above. Plus, the Airhawk, while helping your butt, raises your torso up by its thickness, which makes you have to reach down that much for the bars. If you are going to continue to use the Airhawk you may need some sort of bar risers to compensate for that.

My advice is to work out your seat position first and then work on the bars, as the results on the former will effect the needs of the latter.

 

[JimNtexas]

I'm not sure that a cramp buster is a good idea on an AE. I used mine before I got a throttlemiester, but it always made me nervous.

There is no question that the stock FJR will wear your right hand out on a long trip.

 

[S76]

Keeping the windshield down puts air on your chest relieving the pressure on your hands.

 

[canucklehead-biker]

I'm not sure that a cramp buster is a good idea on an AE. I used mine before I got a throttlemiester, but it always made me nervous.
There is no question that the stock FJR will wear your right hand out on a long trip.

I have a Cramp Buster AND a Throttlemeister on my AE, and it is a combination I've rally come to appreciate. Can't think of any reason why a Crampbuster shouldn't be used in an AE, but now I'm intrigued...

For the OP, the Airhawk with a small amount of inflation shouldn't raise you up very much. Agree with another reply that you need to get the seat position sorted before worrying about bars etc, since the one will affect the other.

Crampbuster is the cheapest and probably best single accessory I've added to my bike.

Griff

 

[Shane]

Audiovox! :assassin:

Shane