'14 R1200GS Hand Numbing Vibration Throttle

I've had this on several bikes over the years. Ride for a while you get that subtle vibration that causes numbing in your hands, (mostly throttle hand).
While I used to buy heavier weighed bar ends on other bikes, the GS had the brush guards attached to the end of the bars and I'm not sure who may make them then to work with it.
Are there other options even?

A few things to help. A crampbuster / wrist rest allows you to loosen your grip and is a relatively low cost fix.
Foam or neoprene grip covers help some. Padded gel gloves also in mix. A throttle lock like a Kaoko will work on a bike with handguards and allow you to lessen your need to grip as tight as well

there is a item called a snake,but will not fit inside bars with end weight threaded plugs.

On long days, I have to remind myself to ease up on the deathgrip. Someone posted a worn grip on a fairly new bike with nominal mileage and I had to wonder how darn tight that hand had to be to do that


Found a RT thread...the bar weights might work on a GS

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread...-Weighted-Bar-Ends&highlight=handlebar+weight

dm930 said:

I've had this on several bikes over the years. Ride for a while you get that subtle vibration that causes numbing in your hands, (mostly throttle hand).
While I used to buy heavier weighed bar ends on other bikes, the GS had the brush guards attached to the end of the bars and I'm not sure who may make them then to work with it.
Are there other options even?

Click to expand...

Cruise control

I know how the OP feels

I'm on a '15 1200RT and I've hesitated about posting my own situation on this topic because I knew most everyone would say "loosen your grip" or "relax and enjoy the ride" or something to that extent. While I do agree w/ that theory, my situation is different as I have had a problem with my throttle hand numbing and "falling asleep' since I started riding motorcycles and have unfortunately experienced it on every bike I've ridden. Specifically it starts with my thumb and moves through my hand into my pointer finger. This happens most frequently at higher RPM's when the bike becomes more buzzy....especially above 5,000 rpm's. When in town or riding through the countryside where I can't use cruise control I am constantly having to take my hand off the throttle and drop my arm straight down to get blood back into my hand and alleviate the pain. For highway riding cruise control is the only saving grace for me...without it I don't think I could ride

Lately I have focused on my grip pressure and seating position, but nothing seems to help. At this point I have given in to the fact that I just have poor circulation in my hands and the slight bar buzz exacerbates the problem
I am going to try the foam or neoprene grip covers as henzilla recommended to see if that helps. Hopefully they won't affect the heated grips.

AirBender said:

Lately I have focused on my grip pressure and seating position, but nothing seems to help.

Click to expand...

Sounds like carpal tunnel problem: get checked out by an appropriate doctor.

Harry

On certain bikes it seems more pronounced to me. Maybe wrist angle also affects it.

My RT was better after I installed risers, my GSA better when I flipped the stock risers 180 putting the bars forward.
The covers do work with the heated grips, the neoprene heat transfer quicker

As Harry points out...possible circulation issues. Aleve before a ride helps me. Repetive hammer use as well as impact tools for years did not help my grip issues.

This issue is purely related to vibration of handlebars. It's obvious. Grabbing the bars more lightly relieves it a bit. Bar end weights would be great, but can't find any.

I wonder if the position of the shoulders might also be an issue. Try twisting the bars up a bit and see if that helps for the shoulder positioning, and even the wrist position. I had to put risers on my bars. Then I started to notice my knees would ache after prolonged rides. I installed lowering pegs and it made a huge difference in that.

The bottom line is that you should adjust the ergonomics to your bike first. If that isn't done, all kinds of pains will crop up.

dm930 said:

I've had this on several bikes over the years. Ride for a while you get that subtle vibration that causes numbing in your hands, (mostly throttle hand).
While I used to buy heavier weighed bar ends on other bikes, the GS had the brush guards attached to the end of the bars and I'm not sure who may make them then to work with it.
Are there other options even?

Click to expand...

Do you think your bike has more vibration than it should? Since you've got dual O2 sensors you won't have a fuel imbalance at cruise. But if there is an air imbalance, there will be a power imbalance which would cause vibration.