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My hands fall asleep

I'm just wondering if any of you lady's here have the same problem as me. My hands fall asleep. And it is scarring the heck out of me. I don't feel my hands. I have to always take my hands off the throttle and grip and let my arm dangle a few moments to wake them up. Is it just me?

Comments for My hands fall asleep

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Oct 01, 2012

heated grips
by: paw

hmmm ive been riding for 30 yrs and have never had them fall asleep, tho i do have raynauds syndrome so they go completely numb and waxy - no feeling or control. i use heated grips and a throttle rocker to combat this.

Aug 27, 2012

My hands fall asleep
by: Anonymous

I suffer the same issue. I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel in 2006 and decided to live with it, fearing surgery. Even holding a steering wheel or a phone can bring it on. Throttle hand worse than clutch hand. I also suspect some cubital tunnel symdrome as my pinky and ring finger sometimes tingle as well.

I was a little concerned when I got my bike endorsement this year that it may be a problem. I have found that it's gotten so bad after about 20 minutes riding that I'm throttle & braking with my ring & pinky finger because I can't feel the others. Very dangerous and scary, because I'm not able to feel if I'm throttling when I'm trying to stop or slow roll.

I don't wear rings when I ride, but have been wearing fingerless gloves, because if I do dump the bike I don't want to tear up my hands. One 100 degree day I opted to wear no gloves. I found that I lasted longer before the tingling started. Yay! But I also notice that sometimes when I'm not having a good riding skills day I get nervous and anxiety kicks in and I know I have a death grip because then both hands go numb. People have suggested adding a wrist rest, but I'm not too sure that's going to help. I've decided that when the season is done I'm going to look into having the surgery so next year won't be a repeat of this year.

Sounds like, if you don't have issues with numbness any other time, doing other things, that you may have a mild carpel tunnel issue. If that's so, trust me, it's only going to get worse. See your doctor, and get tested. Winter is coming, you can get it taken care of in the off season, unless you're lucky enough to live in a warm part of the country, then you'll have to decide when you can take three weeks off to recoup. Don't put it off, it's you're safty at risk!

Ride safe :)

Aug 13, 2012

Grips can make the difference
by: Sharon455

I had the same problem. Like many others said, you are probably gripping too tight. I bought some grips that were just a little elongated; it makes you hold them in a looser grip. I also added the cramp buster and now I can control my speed with the heel of my hand and that allows me to wiggle my fingers if I start to feel any tingling sensation.

I also plan to have my handlebars pulled back about an inch to see if that allows me to relax my neck and shoulders a little.

Aug 11, 2012

response to my hands fall asleep
by: mimirunzz

Also, are you wearing any rings? I figured out my problem was gripping too tight AND wearing rings casued extra pressure on my fingers cutting off the circulation. I took them off and did much better. Also, since I have been in training, I have to use the clutch and brake alot.

Aug 06, 2012

Numbness in Hands
by: Anonymous

Hello ...

You are probably reaching just a little "too far" for your bars. One inch pull-back risers got rid of my hands going numb. Even then it took a little bit to get the positioning of the bars just right; too far forward and my hands start to tingle again, too far back and my elbow starts to tweak.

Carpal tunnel syndrome probably plays a role, but this is where customizing your bike to fit you comes in. We all have our physical issues to adjust for (I also have two compressed discs in my lower back, so I keep my feet on really high road pegs ... bumps no longer = pain!).

The ergonomics of a bike aren't going to be the same for someone who is 5'3" as for someone who is 6' ... You'll know you have it right when you can ride all day long, and be ready to do it again the next day!

Listen to your body. Don't let it scare you, it's just telling you what adjustments you need to make.

Ride safe!

Aug 04, 2012

Sleepy Hands
by: Turtle

You are gripping the controlls to tight. I had the same problem when I started riding. Loosen-up on the grips and make sure you have gloves that do not constrict your hands.

Aug 03, 2012

Carpal Tunnel
by: Sproket

Get checked for Carpal Tunnel. Google it. I used to lose complete feeling and was starting to use my little fingers from both hands to drive because it was the only part of my hands left that I could feel. Dangerous!

I had orthoscopic Carpal Tunnel surgery...in/out in one day, off the bike for 3 weeks, all better. Now I feel everything and the problem is COMPLETELY gone.

I highly recommend you have yourself checked because if you have it, the problem only gets worse.

Aug 03, 2012

Cramp Buster
by: Fenix

I had this problem in the past but the installation of a cramp buster fixed everything. I was afraid that I would not be able to take trips and now I am comfortable no matter how long I ride.

Aug 03, 2012

relax
by: robin

someone told me to change my riding posture. do all this at once: relax your hand grip, relax your arms, straighten your back, tighten up your core and hold the bike tight with your legs. this position takes the weight of your body off your wrists and hands. sometimes, i think, my posture gets slouchy while riding and i just need to get realigned. it works for me!

Aug 03, 2012

HANDS FALLING ASLEEP
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem, Throttle rockers help some
Just take my hands off a wiggle my fingers and the numbness goes away.

Aug 03, 2012

get some QWI gloves
by: Kristi

http://www.qwinerveprotector.com/index.html

Same problem here, I purchased different risers to move the position of the handlebars and also purchased a pair of QWI gloves. Once in while I get some tingling but not nearly as much as before. It used to be so bad I had even considered not riding anymore, it is scary to not feel your fingers on the brake lever.

Aug 03, 2012

Numb hands
by: Patti

It's a common annoyance. It used to bother me, too. Your fingers are probably numb due to lack of circulation (like when you sit funny and your foot "falls asleep"). Try not to hold your grips too tightly. Loosen your fingers so that they're not clinging, but are lightly holding the grips. Rely on your thumb and pointer for the throttle.

Aug 03, 2012

NUMBNESS IN HANDS
by: deb fullerlavell

this happens to me and it's attributed to neck issues..sit up straighter and tuck your chin back a bit..PT for this.
ALSO a throttle paddle helps with this issue. Hope this helps..I ride a Stella Scooter..looking forward to purchasing a motorcyle in the not so distant future.
deb

Aug 03, 2012

Hands
by: Anonymous

Nope...it's not just you. Mine do the same, especially the throttle hand. I've tried gloves with gel padding, didn't really help. Hope someone makes a comment that will help us all. Don't let it stop ya...KEEP ON RIDIN'!

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