Serious hand, wrist and arm pain

[Dunk43]

I'm new to FJR but not riding once did a one day ride from my home to the Tail of the Dragon and back(700 miles)

but have never felt this pain before......

I'm talking can I keep riding this bike kind of pain.

Help cause I love this bike.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here is some links that will give you some solutions:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s=&showtopic=13136&view=findpost&p=172547

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=13136&st=0

Here is the link to the handlebar adjustment:

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=23737&st=0&p=278743entry278743

 

[TomInPA]

I'm new to FJR but not riding once did a one day ride from my home to the Tail of the Dragon and back(700 miles)

but have never felt this pain before......

I'm talking can I keep riding this bike kind of pain.

Help cause I love this bike.

Start at the beginning. What have you done so far to change your riding position, handlebar position or angles, throttle lock, etc.? The master Yoda ride position threads linked above are valuable reading.

 

[azitlies]

Well another starting point is ...

you just got this bike? what did u ride before?

what type of bike (style) were u comfortable doing 700 miles a day on?

 

[Dunk43]

Well another starting point is ...

you just got this bike? what did u ride before?

what type of bike (style) were u comfortable doing 700 miles a day on?

I was riding a cruiser when I did the 700 mile day and it hurt but not like this.

I have risers similar to gen mars and they aer angled back as far as they will go.

I also have the Gocruise throttle lock and used it as much as possible.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I'll almost guarantee that if you modify your riding position (a la Master Yoda) you'll see a big improvement. For me, and after using it for years, I just have a quick fix based on it. If I notice myself leaning on my wrists at all, I grip the tank with my knees and sit up straighter. Takes ALL the pressure off immediately. Bet it'll work for you too.

 

[Surly]

Well another starting point is ...

you just got this bike? what did u ride before?

what type of bike (style) were u comfortable doing 700 miles a day on?

I was riding a cruiser when I did the 700 mile day and it hurt but not like this.

I have risers similar to gen mars and they aer angled back as far as they will go.

I also have the Gocruise throttle lock and used it as much as possible.

search

Throttle spring release

Grip Puppies

Throttlemeister with heavy bar ends

Master Yoda ride position

and

Loosen your grip

I am sure that these are part of the answer.

Best regards

Surly

h34r:

 

[Road_Runner]

You really should consider if you are using a "death grip." That was my Dad's problem when he started riding again after many years away from it. Also if you are leaning on your wrists at all, it is going to be a problem.

 

[Fly Bye]

You really should consider if you are using a "death grip." That was my Dad's problem when he started riding again after many years away from it. Also if you are leaning on your wrists at all, it is going to be a problem.

I agree, going from a cruiser to the FJR takes some adjustment on your part.

You are probably putting your upper body weight on your wrists by leaning too far forward. That and the death grip will do you in.

The stock seat on the FJR really sucks and can contribute to your problem.

Try sitting close to the tank, that will help put you in more of an upright position.

Be patient and you will sort these matters out. Once you do you will be comfortable on the FJR.

I hope this helps.

 

[azitlies]

Well another starting point is ...

you just got this bike? what did u ride before?

what type of bike (style) were u comfortable doing 700 miles a day on?

I was riding a cruiser when I did the 700 mile day and it hurt but not like this.

I have risers similar to gen mars and they aer angled back as far as they will go.

I also have the Gocruise throttle lock and used it as much as possible.

That's a good starting point Dunk.

2 things come to mind immediately. 1st, the fjr has a much wider torque band than a cruiser does. So u don't have to shift anywhere(!!!) near as often!!

What does that mean practically speaking? It means on the Feej we can put it in 3rd gear and keep it there. Keep it there. We don't have to shift. We can be anywhere between 3k rpm and up to what? 8 or 9k rpm? Thats!!! a very wide torque ban

How else does that help? Well, we don't have to be sitting on the bike with our feet out in front of us, constantly shifting.

We don't have to shift as often (see above). So now we can slide our feet back on the pegs and use our leg muscles to keep the weight off our wrists (Master Yoda - as has been said). This allows us to keep our head forward (aggressively) but our elbows relaxed and bent.

Now the input into the clip ons (handle bars) isn't being fought by the other hand. It's very precise. It's very quick. I's a lot of fun!!!!

It's not a cruiser bro. It doesn't handle like one, and you don't ride it like one...

If you're doing everything you can to set your feej up like a cruiser... you should go back to a cruiser... just sayin...

 

[Goodman4]

See my similar issue in the parts section titled "Russell Seats and GenMar riser" topic I am getting advice on. Mine is complicated by ankle pain, but I'll bet the Yoda position will help you. Touring bikes sit totally different than crusiers. I feel like I'm sitting on a couch on my VTX. But the vibration starts getting to you after a lot of miles on most twins. I found I am also gripping the bars tighter on the FJR just cause I am sitting on a rocket. It's learning to ride all over again in some ways. And I even used to have a sport bike. But that was many years ago and it sat different too.

Good luck!

 

[Dunk43]

I'll almost guarantee that if you modify your riding position (a la Master Yoda) you'll see a big improvement. For me, and after using it for years, I just have a quick fix based on it. If I notice myself leaning on my wrists at all, I grip the tank with my knees and sit up straighter. Takes ALL the pressure off immediately. Bet it'll work for you too.

Thanks I'm going to start this Yoda thing with my next ride.

 

[Dunk43]

Well another starting point is ...

you just got this bike? what did u ride before?

what type of bike (style) were u comfortable doing 700 miles a day on?

I was riding a cruiser when I did the 700 mile day and it hurt but not like this.

I have risers similar to gen mars and they aer angled back as far as they will go.

I also have the Gocruise throttle lock and used it as much as possible.

That's a good starting point Dunk.

2 things come to mind immediately. 1st, the fjr has a much wider torque band than a cruiser does. So u don't have to shift anywhere(!!!) near as often!!

What does that mean practically speaking? It means on the Feej we can put it in 3rd gear and keep it there. Keep it there. We don't have to shift. We can be anywhere between 3k rpm and up to what? 8 or 9k rpm? Thats!!! a very wide torque ban

How else does that help? Well, we don't have to be sitting on the bike with our feet out in front of us, constantly shifting.

We don't have to shift as often (see above). So now we can slide our feet back on the pegs and use our leg muscles to keep the weight off our wrists (Master Yoda - as has been said). This allows us to keep our head forward (aggressively) but our elbows relaxed and bent.

Now the input into the clip ons (handle bars) isn't being fought by the other hand. It's very precise. It's very quick. I's a lot of fun!!!!

It's not a cruiser bro. It doesn't handle like one, and you don't ride it like one...

If you're doing everything you can to set your feej up like a cruiser... you should go back to a cruiser... just sayin...

No plans for a cruiser or to set this bike as one .....

You are right about 3rd got it to 125 mph in 3rd the other day

 

[Dunk43]

You really should consider if you are using a "death grip." That was my Dad's problem when he started riding again after many years away from it. Also if you are leaning on your wrists at all, it is going to be a problem.

I agree, going from a cruiser to the FJR takes some adjustment on your part.

You are probably putting your upper body weight on your wrists by leaning too far forward. That and the death grip will do you in.

The stock seat on the FJR really sucks and can contribute to your problem.

Try sitting close to the tank, that will help put you in more of an upright position.

Be patient and you will sort these matters out. Once you do you will be comfortable on the FJR.

I hope this helps.

Pretty sure I'm not death gripping it but have noticed when my wife rides with me and she is not a big woman but I fell kinda pushed forward and I'm probably putting to much weight on my hands.

 

[escapefjrtist]

First big ride on the bike?

If so, you'll need time to adapt and work up to long road trips.

Take your time and be patient, it'll come.

--G

 

[wfooshee]

Yoda position is the key. Don't lean forward with your back, roll forward at the hips, keeping your back straight or even slightly arched.

As you're tooling along, let go of the bars momentarily. If you had to shift your weight to do so, then you're not sitting correctly. NO weight on the hands!!!!!

 

[FJR Bill]

Went thru the same thing my first trip (3000 miles) on my FJR. Back pain between the shoulders, wrist, and elbow pain. Read some threads here and adjusted my sitting position to keep weight off the wrists, dropped my elbows to not stiff arm the bike and whaalaa I just completed a 5600 mile trip with no pain issues at all despite my arthritis.

Good luck in any case. Bill

 

[Pepperell]

And don't forget windshield position. With it down I get the pain between the shoulxerblades.

 

[majicmaker]

My initial problem with numbness was due to the Death Grip. I adopted the Master Yoda Position, installed a ThrottleMiester to loosen my grip and wiggle my fingers on long trips. Installed the Cramp Buster for cruising around town and now, all of that is History.