Does your throttle hand get numb before your left hand?

[SIR REAL ED]

In exchange for the good info shared with me, here is a tip so old and obvious, it is easy for us old farts to forget it.  Apologies in advance if this has already been posted.

In my experience, a numb throttle hand is often caused by too much clearance between your throttle tube ID and your handle bar OD.  All the handlebar weights in the world, or rubber in your handlebar won't fix it, simply because the mass of the throttle tube is so small.

Fixing excess clearance between the throttle tube ID and your handle bar OD is very easy and cheap.

I have measured a couple bikes (on which I would get numb throttle hand) and found handle bar diameter = 0.870" and throttle tube ID = 0.910, or 0.04" of diametrical clearance.  Guzzi riding buddy complained of numb throttle hand, we did not measure it, but his bike had at least .060" of clearance!!

Get some UHMW bearing tape (McMaster.com, pn 76445A722, 0.005" thick) and in 3 equally spaced places, wrap your handle bar with a couple loops of tape. One wrap increases handle bar diameter/reduces clearance by 0.010". Wrap an extra turn more than you think you need. 

Slip the throttle tube over the tape, it should have virtually no clearance, but still turn freely enough to not bind so that the throttle return spring does not allow the throttle to stay open. If it is too tight unwind 1/2 to 1 turn at a time until you get little or no clearance, but no binding.

Re-assemble your throttle and test that the throttle returns by itself before riding.

[Rick in WNY]

Very good tip, thank you for sharing!

[wirespokes]

I don't recall ever having my hands go numb, but then I've been riding fairly smooth bikes forever. I've heard of guys having problems with the airheads and couldn't figure out how that could be unless the bike was really out of tune. Even my Guzzis are very smooth. The 87LM came to me with expensive bar end weights and I've left them on figuring they were needed. But my 'new' 85LM doesn't have any and doesn't seem to need them - it's really smooth and there's barely any vibration in the grips.

Maybe all of the bikes I've ridden over the last 30 years have had minimal throttle tube clearance, or perhaps it's something else. I used to prefer the large grips but somewhere along the line the normal ones that come on the bikes have been just fine. It might be when I got the info that we should have only a light grip on the bars. I don't know, but I sure don't have any problems with my hands going numb. It's an interesting idea that it's got something to do with throttle tube clearance, but kind of think it's deeper than that.

[Sasquatch Jim]

 No, both hands go numb at the same time due to my pernicious anemia.

[Guzzistajohn]

Nope. but my feet do : (

[drdwb]

Interesting timely for me topic. My wife right hand goes numb easily on every bike she’s owned, 78 Yamaha XS 400, 82 Yamaha XJ 650, 04 Guzzi Stone, and now the Baby Breva, we have put throttle locks and bar weights on all, and now she also uses a paddle that  she moves from bike to bike and slips over the grip to no avail, so I started looking into devices to modulate the vibrations and found many references to a device called a “Vibranator” which several members of ADV group swear by. Unfortunately this device is no longer available since the company is no longer in business. The OPs suggestion makes sense and seems like an easy cheap fix. Our riding season is coming to an end so I’ll probably do this as a winter project for her bikes. Just another example of the things I do keep her happy and riding. On a side note and probably too much information after 43 years of marriage and 40 years of riding together I still enjoy the view of her rear end going through twisties, so it’s worth the effort.

[StuCorpe]

I think I'll try this, it certainly can't make the vibration any worse.  I get a bad "buzz" vibration and have tried the heavier weights, filled the bars with birdshot and both helped slightly but did not stop it.

[JeffOlson]

Both of my hands tingle at times, but I never thought about it being due to vibrations.

I simply take my hands off the bars and shake them out (usually one at a time). I have cruise control on my RT and a throttle lock on my Norge, so I don't slow down when I do so. I also stand up regularly on both bikes to stretch out my cramped legs.

[Moto]

I've had a problem with my right hand going numb on my Italjet, I think, even after putting on humongous Breva bar end weights. (Or was it the left?)

That's a good tip. Thanks.

Moto

Guzzi content: Can't we make our shims out of beer cans?

[Gliderjohn]

My hands do not go numb but can get sore on long days. On the T-3 I use the simple "Twist Assist" and that helps quite a bit. On the Norge I generally put the grip heaters on low unless it is very hot out and that helps.
GliderJohn

[PJPR01]

Along with the above tip, I have found that using a Crampbuster has been key to avoiding any sort of tingling or numbness even on all day rides.  Makes a huge difference to take the tension out of the wrist and fingers and just use a light weight on the palm on the Crampbuster with 2 fingers on the throttle...all day comfort.

[Guzzistajohn]

I like to use my throttle lock and play like I have ape hangers

[LowRyter]

I agree with John, get off and rest your legs, ass, hands, wrists, neck, heat, dehydration, cold, headache. 

But I have throttle locks on my bikes. Rest the right wrist/hand for a minute or two and it might save an hour(s) of pain and fatigue.

[Rough Edge racing]

 I'm not a long distance rider for one reason, my butt goes numb after two hours..it takes me an hour to recover and it doesn't matter what type seat, even in cars I go numb after maybe 3 hours...

[Huzo]

My right hand goes numb sometimes and I didn’t like the feeling at all..
Until one day it happened so I stopped for a pee. I usually use my right hand to manipulate the wedding tackle and being a stickler for tradition stuck to old habits.
The upside of taking a pee with a numb hand cannot be overestimated...

[twowheeladdict]

Many people GRIP the grips instead of lightly resting their hands on the grips.  A quality pair of gloves with provide enough friction that you don't have to squeeze the throttle to keep it open.  Grip Puppies help for some people. 

Also, many people use incorrect wrist angle and don't adjust the brake and clutch levers to align with a correct wrist angle. 

[Huzo]

Using a standard Norge as an example, I’d like to point something out.
If you roll up your sleeves and sit on your bike while holding the grips with your palms resting evenly, you’ll notice your wrist adopts an angle relative to the straight line down your forearm.
This is less than ideal, and akin to doing push-ups with a kinked wrist..
Not good.
Now if you hold your wrist in line with the line of your forearm, you’ll then see that you are resting on the webbing between your thumb and index finger on both hands, I’m led to believe there’s a nerve there which contributes to the numbness we’re discussing.
I have changed my Norge so as to have my palm(s) resting evenly on the grips and use large diameter ones to reduce the effort required to operate the twist grip.
I have described the process that I employed to achieve this and if you want to read about it, search “Huzo’s Mods” in the search bar..Responses #24 & 25
Or don’t..

[ratguzzi]

Over the years i have picked up the knack of reaching over and using my left hand on the throttle for a bit. The first time I tried it, I almost veered off the road but now after doing it so long, I can even go through turns with the left hand on the right grip.
JB

[BobA]

No affiliation, just a great product that protects the nerves in your palm and thumb area. Helped me immensely. http://moto.gripswell.com/

[Huzo]

Here are a couple of shots of the modification I made to my Norge ‘bars.
I’m convinced that undue pressure is placed on the nerves at the base of your thumb when the grip does not sit evenly across your palm.
As is evident, rotating the grips so that an imaginary line square to the axis of the grip will point at your shoulder, so your wrists do not need to bend to allow your palm to rest evenly.
Anyway...
Take it or leave it.

[philwarner]

In exchange for the good info shared with me, here is a tip so old and obvious, it is easy for us old farts to forget it.  Apologies in advance if this has already been posted.  In my experience, a numb throttle hand is often caused by too much clearance between your throttle tube ID and your handle bar OD....Get some UHMW bearing tape (McMaster.com, pn 76445A722, 0.005" thick) and in 3 equally spaced places, wrap your handle bar with a couple loops of tape. One wrap increases handle bar diameter/reduces clearance by 0.010". Wrap an extra turn more than you think you need.  Slip the throttle tube over the tape, it should have virtually no clearance, but still turn freely enough to not bind so that the throttle return spring does not allow the throttle to stay open. If it is too tight unwind 1/2 to 1 turn at a time until you get little or no clearance, but no binding.  Re-assemble your throttle and test that the throttle returns by itself before riding.

This is interesting advice.  I experience a numb throttle hand on my Triumph America and now on my 96 California and have learned to wear a glove on that hand to help alleviate it.  Triumph came to me with Kuryakin grips with the palm lever and that helps as well, but the guzzi has soft rubber grips that are longer than the bars and small enough that they cramp my hand even with a glove on.

I would like to get some larger diameter grips but hesitate to pay $80+ for new Kuryakins.  I see a number of knock-offs on eBay but most say they do not fit a 96 California.  Would it be because of the end groove where the throttle cable fits?  I assume you have to remove the throttle assembly and slip the tube of the new grip into the housing.  Anyone recommend a set of grips for a Guzzi similar to these in the $25 to $30 range?


https://www.ebay.com/itm/ATV-7-8-Chrome-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Hand-Grips-Fit-for-Suzuki-Burgman-400-650/153244641930?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40718%26meid%3D345232e7a9d54489b78686d1ee93905b%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D143323295807%26itm%3D153244641930%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2481888&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Ac931bcb2-e13f-11e9-8cff-74dbd180c474%7Cparentrq%3A7372d51916d0a4b7fcbf8d6eff7b2655%7Ciid%3A1

This part is not compatible with 1996 Moto Guzzi California 1100.

[SIR REAL ED]

Very good tip, thank you for sharing!

You are welcome.  Let us know how it works for you.  Cost is less than $15 and time needed is well under an hour.

[SIR REAL ED]

I think I'll try this, it certainly can't make the vibration any worse.  I get a bad "buzz" vibration and have tried the heavier weights, filled the bars with birdshot and both helped slightly but did not stop it.

I think you will notice some improvement.  A very small gamble.

[Ncdan]

I like to use my throttle lock and play like I have ape hangers

Kind of like this John😂