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Ok I have been riding for about a year now. I just started out the new season here in sunny NH, on my smooth 81 maxim 650. The question I had was about my numb thumb. It seems that everytime I go on a ride of more than an hour or so my throttle thumb will start to go numb, and then eventually my fingers as well. Now I can keep it awake if I keep moving my thumb, but this is hardly the greatest thing since I am trying to enjoy the twisties. I was wondering if this is a normal occurance, is there something I can do about it, or what. Thanks.

SHAWN

Throttle Rocker , A little plastic device that clips over your throttle allowing you to control it without gripping it all the time. Available from most internet bike parts sources for about $10.00. Wouldn't be without mine!!

I've heard that a more complicated but surefire way to resolve handgrip vibrations is to fill the hollow handlebars with BBs or even larger lead shot. Although I haven't tried this, I'm inclined to believe it would work.

Gloves with gel pads?

either some thicker gloves, or gell grips helped he alot with vibration

My situation is similar. I hold my throttle arm goofy. The right arm gets slightly numb after about 45 mins, but never to the point I can't feel it. If yours is caused by vibration, pick up some glove liners. They're really thin (and inexpensive) stretchy gloves that go under your riding ones, and in addition to keeping out the cold they should help with the vibes.

Could possibly be grabbing the throttle too tight. I have heard of people having similar problems from gripping the bars too hard.

Yamathumb. Very common in the 90's due to the bend of the bars they used. A bar swap to a more comfortable bend (straighter with less pull-back is ussually what works for most people who suffer from it) is the answer. Some folks never notice it, depends on how your built, I spose.

I have the same bike as you, and don't think it is from vibration, as there really isn't very much through the bars that I can tell. It may be the bar angle as suggested. I know this style of buckhorn bars isn't popular with everyone.

Do you have carpel tunnel or repetitive stress injury to this hand? I do in my left which sometimes bothers me when riding... but it isn't caused by riding.

Not so tight a grip or new bars may be worth consideration too.

Yeah I really like the handle bars a lot and I would never replace them on this bike. Also I have the same problem on several bikes, a variety of older yamahas as well as an older Honda cb550 and a 71 Triumph so I think its more related to my wrist than anything else. The Honda had throttle rockers on it and I really disliked them and they didnt seem to help any how. I guess Ill just have deal with it, as there is much that I am willing to live with so long as I can ride.

Thanks guys.

Shawn