Not sure if I like the idea of a throttle lock... Although I guess youcould just use the clutch to disconnect the engine and tranny in an emergency but still, I like to have complete control of everything.
Wrist pain from riding.
I searched the forum for this topic but I didn't see any threads on it, so if there is a thread I missed I apologize.
I went out riding with a buddy of mine today. We rode for two straight hours, but it was through towns so we were stopping frequently at stop lights. When I felt safe, I put the bike in neutral while at a stop to stretch a bit.
When I got home today I noticed the my wrists, and particularly my left one, are in quite a bit of pain. I'm a pretty small guy. I'm about 5'6 and I have a 29 inch inseam, so the Ninja puts me slightly more forward than it does for guys with longer arms.
I tried gripping the tank with my legs, and I tried moving close to the tank. Is this the correct way I should be positioned? I know riding pretty much any motorcycle for that long without a good rest will probably cause some sort of discomfort somewhere, but I want to make sure I positioned correctly. I have a pretty loose grip on the handlebars, and I also try to keep my hand in line with my forearm so I'm not bending my wrists too much.
Any tips?
I went out riding with a buddy of mine today. We rode for two straight hours, but it was through towns so we were stopping frequently at stop lights. When I felt safe, I put the bike in neutral while at a stop to stretch a bit.
When I got home today I noticed the my wrists, and particularly my left one, are in quite a bit of pain. I'm a pretty small guy. I'm about 5'6 and I have a 29 inch inseam, so the Ninja puts me slightly more forward than it does for guys with longer arms.
I tried gripping the tank with my legs, and I tried moving close to the tank. Is this the correct way I should be positioned? I know riding pretty much any motorcycle for that long without a good rest will probably cause some sort of discomfort somewhere, but I want to make sure I positioned correctly. I have a pretty loose grip on the handlebars, and I also try to keep my hand in line with my forearm so I'm not bending my wrists too much.
Any tips?
21 - 40 of 44 Posts
You can over ride it in a panic situation. I had a really expensive one on my last bike that would automatically release this one you would just have to flick a lever. Sort of like a cruise control on a car. I have been using them on my motorcycle's probably since the early 80's ( we never had them in the 60's ) and so far haven't run into any problems. I guess its just something you get use to. Sure does ease up on any wrist pain when your driving a long waysNot sure if I like the idea of a throttle lock... Although I guess youcould just use the clutch to disconnect the engine and tranny in an emergency but still, I like to have complete control of everything.
I ( 68years 5'9" ) has had problem with a left wrist joint a couple of weeks, Can't use screwdriver whithout pain. But a couple of hours riding my bike is no problem, even feels better afterwards.
So I think your problems will disappear when you has more miles riding and can relax better.
So I think your problems will disappear when you has more miles riding and can relax better.
Hey cabiker91,
Have you had any luck with taking pressure off your wrists? I skimmed through all the pages and didn't see any form of update so I figured I would ask. Also, it wasn't until owning my 636 that I realized how well balanced these bikes are. I can literally let go and the bike will just keep going. I also didn't tell you this the other day but when I bought my 300 I would grip SO HARD because I was new myself and didn't even realize how hard I was squeezing those grips.
I ended up giving myself tendonitis of the finger which is a inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon. It's hard to explain but if I closed my hand like a fist, and slowly opened it, that one finger with tendonitis would sort of skip like when extending past a certain point before being fully extended. Jesus, let me try to explain that a different way. Like, as I opened my hand and extended all my fingers, the one finger with the problem would feel like it was getting stuck for a split second and then like skipping to where the rest of the fingers were. It's wasn't really painful if you will but it was an uncomfortable feeling. I caused this to myself because of how hard I was gripping the grips. A matter of fact, I just stopped typing this and found the thread located here.
What I want you to try is next time you ride, as said before, grip the tank with your thighs and knees, have good posture with your torso, don't slouch or anything, and last but not least have a nice gentle soft grip on the bars. With me, I would be riding with a nice soft grip and then as I went over a bad road, or as I started riding faster than I was used to, I would realize that all of a sudden I was gripping on for dear life again without realizing I went from a gentle soft grip to a squeeze.
In conclusion, just relax, have fun, and you get it down pat very soon. All these proper habits and skills come with time and with hands on practice. The more you ride, the easier everything becomes. I remember the first time I rode my 636 coming from the 300. I remember how like sloppy I was rolling down the driveway because everything was so new to me. Engaging the clutch very slowly, babying the throttle, not leaning as much as I would on the 300, etc. Then about after a week, I was jumping on that thing like I owned it for 5 years. I forgot all about my worries with it and just starting riding it. Same thing with my Uncle's custom bike. Your feet go up like you're reclining on a sofa instead of downwards like on a sport bike so at first it was the same thing. I would take it very easily rolling it down the driveway and everything like the 636. Now when I take it out, it's like I've been riding it for a long time. Anyway, keep us updated!
Have you had any luck with taking pressure off your wrists? I skimmed through all the pages and didn't see any form of update so I figured I would ask. Also, it wasn't until owning my 636 that I realized how well balanced these bikes are. I can literally let go and the bike will just keep going. I also didn't tell you this the other day but when I bought my 300 I would grip SO HARD because I was new myself and didn't even realize how hard I was squeezing those grips.
I ended up giving myself tendonitis of the finger which is a inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon. It's hard to explain but if I closed my hand like a fist, and slowly opened it, that one finger with tendonitis would sort of skip like when extending past a certain point before being fully extended. Jesus, let me try to explain that a different way. Like, as I opened my hand and extended all my fingers, the one finger with the problem would feel like it was getting stuck for a split second and then like skipping to where the rest of the fingers were. It's wasn't really painful if you will but it was an uncomfortable feeling. I caused this to myself because of how hard I was gripping the grips. A matter of fact, I just stopped typing this and found the thread located here.
What I want you to try is next time you ride, as said before, grip the tank with your thighs and knees, have good posture with your torso, don't slouch or anything, and last but not least have a nice gentle soft grip on the bars. With me, I would be riding with a nice soft grip and then as I went over a bad road, or as I started riding faster than I was used to, I would realize that all of a sudden I was gripping on for dear life again without realizing I went from a gentle soft grip to a squeeze.
In conclusion, just relax, have fun, and you get it down pat very soon. All these proper habits and skills come with time and with hands on practice. The more you ride, the easier everything becomes. I remember the first time I rode my 636 coming from the 300. I remember how like sloppy I was rolling down the driveway because everything was so new to me. Engaging the clutch very slowly, babying the throttle, not leaning as much as I would on the 300, etc. Then about after a week, I was jumping on that thing like I owned it for 5 years. I forgot all about my worries with it and just starting riding it. Same thing with my Uncle's custom bike. Your feet go up like you're reclining on a sofa instead of downwards like on a sport bike so at first it was the same thing. I would take it very easily rolling it down the driveway and everything like the 636. Now when I take it out, it's like I've been riding it for a long time. Anyway, keep us updated!
I'm working pretty hard on reminding myself to ease up on the bars. My ride yesterday went really well and I had some discomfort after but it felt a lot better than it did the first day I got the Ninja. I'm going out again today to work on it some more. Now that I'm conscious of it, I catch myself tensing up every so often, especially while braking.
I think I just have to relearn riding again, especially on this bike. I started on a Honda Rebel which felt completely different, and after my wreck I haven't been on a bike for two months. I think I'm subconsciously tensing up because I'm still shaken about the accident. It really wasn't serious, but I did tear up my leg pretty bad and couldn't walk for weeks. So maybe that has something to do with it too?
I'll be ok though. I made progress on relaxing during yesterdays ride, and I think I'll feel even better today.
I think I just have to relearn riding again, especially on this bike. I started on a Honda Rebel which felt completely different, and after my wreck I haven't been on a bike for two months. I think I'm subconsciously tensing up because I'm still shaken about the accident. It really wasn't serious, but I did tear up my leg pretty bad and couldn't walk for weeks. So maybe that has something to do with it too?
I'll be ok though. I made progress on relaxing during yesterdays ride, and I think I'll feel even better today.
That reminded me one thing I wanted to ask other riders on this forum. How do you deal with braking? I can relax my arms, grip the tank with my thighs and don't put any weight in the handle bars while riding. But when I brake, the weight is still transferred forward and I find myself heavily leaning on the handle bars.I catch myself tensing up every so often, especially while braking.
I tried this and that and so far I found that if i ride "balls to the tank" then braking transfers less weight to my wrists, but that position is awkward. Any recommendations?
Thanks for the update.I'm working pretty hard on reminding myself to ease up on the bars. My ride yesterday went really well and I had some discomfort after but it felt a lot better than it did the first day I got the Ninja. I'm going out again today to work on it some more. Now that I'm conscious of it, I catch myself tensing up every so often, especially while braking.
I think I just have to relearn riding again, especially on this bike. I started on a Honda Rebel which felt completely different, and after my wreck I haven't been on a bike for two months. I think I'm subconsciously tensing up because I'm still shaken about the accident. It really wasn't serious, but I did tear up my leg pretty bad and couldn't walk for weeks. So maybe that has something to do with it too?
I'll be ok though. I made progress on relaxing during yesterdays ride, and I think I'll feel even better today.
Getting thrown forward a little when braking is going to happen regardless because of simple momentum. You're not going to be able to eliminate that feeling completely but it shouldn't necessarily cause you to put all your weight on the bars. You can always try pushing off of them as you brake. I'll let others chime in on this as I don't really recall ever having this issue but I'm sure it can be an issue for others.That reminded me one thing I wanted to ask other riders on this forum. How do you deal with braking? I can relax my arms, grip the tank with my thighs and don't put any weight in the handle bars while riding. But when I brake, the weight is still transferred forward and I find myself heavily leaning on the handle bars.
Another contributing factor to wrist pain, that over time will cause more and more discomfort is our use of computers and overall repetitive motion. I have worked on/with computers for almost 18 years, and for the last 8 years it has been a requirement of work. So for 8+ hours a day, I'm on a computer. With that being said, once I started riding, I noticed more soreness and discomfort from my wrists. After speaking to the family physician (mom) I was told that wrist and hand pain can be caused by many factors coming together. It may not be the case here, or maybe it is, but if you're using a computer a lot or have a lot of repetitive motion as a result of work or school involving your hands, you're probably more likely to feel discomfort while riding, especially since your hands and wrist are in a more flexed position for a longer period of time. Add on to that, poor posture/form and you've got a recipe for disaster. In the internet age in which we live, with more people using computers and smaller and smaller hand held devices, we'll have a much larger population of people suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and similar conditions.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
Tank pads for the knees provide leverage while braking.
When I first started riding last year I had a bad habit of leaving my knees wide and holding myself with my hands. This resulted in the pain in my hands and wrist like you are experiencing. One day I subconsciously started gripping the tank with my knees and all of a sudden my bad habit was broken and the pain in my hands were gone. Long story short, use your knees more to hold you up.
Here's something that can help you out cabiker91. Even though the video is meant for racing technique, it can still help you out in the real world.
Remember to focus on the instruction and advice given on the video...ok.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/1...ders-yamaha-champions-riding-school-video-13/
I don't know how to embed or post videos yet, so if someone can embed it here that would be great for everyone.
Remember to focus on the instruction and advice given on the video...ok.
http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/1...ders-yamaha-champions-riding-school-video-13/
I don't know how to embed or post videos yet, so if someone can embed it here that would be great for everyone.
Total Control, baby!!Not sure if I like the idea of a throttle lock...I like to have complete control of everything.
Laziness is for wimps.Sort of like a cruise control on a car.
People actually use this crap? I can reduce my car's unsprung weight (if this is correct usage..) on the front wheels by removing this 3-pound toy.
More "power" to ya (pun intended)!! That's how a person man's up when life deals a bad hand (no pun intended).But a couple of hours riding my bike is no problem, even feels better afterwards.
Ever tried "choking the chicken"? (totally joking...)
There's no reason to hold on for dear life with your hands when your legs are more powerful.I'm working pretty hard on reminding myself to ease up on the bars.
(1) Lower your center of gravity.But when I brake, the weight is still transferred forward and I find myself heavily leaning on the handle bars....Any recommendations?
(2) Purchase knee tank pads (otherwise, feel the wrath of sore gracius, semimembranosis, and semitendonis muscles).
Your bike appreciates you clearing obstructions towards your pussy. :wink:When I first started riding last year I had a bad habit of leaving my knees wide.
Werd!! :djsmilie:One day I subconsciously started gripping the tank with my knees and all of a sudden my bad habit was broken and the pain in my hands were gone. Long story short, use your knees more to hold you up.
This thread was interesting to read. I had wrist pain only for the first couple of days I guess until I got used to riding.
One thing that STILL bothers me though. My throttle hand starts to bother me a lot from holding the throttle after long rides. Usually after a few hours my hand starts cramping up and starts to make my hand kind of raw & sore.
I've only been riding a little over a week (800 miles) and I guess I still need to build up calices on my hands to help with that. Considering I don't do "anything else" quite as often as I ride my bike to build them up.
That or maybe some better gloves lol.
One thing that STILL bothers me though. My throttle hand starts to bother me a lot from holding the throttle after long rides. Usually after a few hours my hand starts cramping up and starts to make my hand kind of raw & sore.
I've only been riding a little over a week (800 miles) and I guess I still need to build up calices on my hands to help with that. Considering I don't do "anything else" quite as often as I ride my bike to build them up.
That or maybe some better gloves lol.
:emot-ughh:Total Control, baby!!
Laziness is for wimps.
People actually use this crap? I can reduce my car's unsprung weight (if this is correct usage..) on the front wheels by removing this 3-pound toy.
More "power" to ya (pun intended)!! That's how a person man's up when life deals a bad hand (no pun intended).
Ever tried "choking the chicken"? (totally joking...)
There's no reason to hold on for dear life with your hands when your legs are more powerful.
(1) Lower your center of gravity.
(2) Purchase knee tank pads (otherwise, feel the wrath of sore gracius, semimembranosis, and semitendonis muscles). *correct spelling- gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus*
Your bike appreciates you clearing obstructions towards your pussy. :wink:
Werd!! :djsmilie:
Seriously? How is this helpful in any manner? Are you 18?
I'm confused about "lowering your center of gravity." You can do that by either putting weights in your boots, or leaning forwards (which kind of defeats the purpose of trying to avoid shifting your weight forward). You either grip with your thighs while activating core strength as mentioned, or brake sooner.
Please, keep studying. Spell your tendons correctly, and remember that tendons are not what do the work and become sore. Those are called muscles.
Don't call wiser people wimps and then proceed to allude to how you are too weak to grip a tank without tank grips. Also, use your brain and some intuition to avoid embarrassing yourself. If you think a 68 year old man has never jerked it, then I just feel bad for you.
Lighten up, buddy. If you don't find this humorous at all, then I clearly did a poor job.:emot-ughh:
Seriously? How is this helpful in any manner? Are you 18?
I'm confused about "lowering your center of gravity." You can do that by either putting weights in your boots, or leaning forwards (which kind of defeats the purpose of trying to avoid shifting your weight forward). You either grip with your thighs while activating core strength as mentioned, or brake sooner.
Please, keep studying. Spell your tendons correctly, and remember that tendons are not what do the work and become sore. Those are called muscles.
Don't call wiser people wimps and then proceed to allude to how you are too weak to grip a tank without tank grips. Also, use your brain and some intuition to avoid embarrassing yourself. If you think a 68 year old man has never jerked it, then I just feel bad for you.
You don't seem to ride it hard enough to need knee pads, but to each his own.
By the way, I wasn't referring to tendons since all three are indeed muscles of the inner thighs.
This is the same problem. Lighten up on your grip. I've ridden for hours out of town without an issue.This thread was interesting to read. I had wrist pain only for the first couple of days I guess until I got used to riding.
One thing that STILL bothers me though. My throttle hand starts to bother me a lot from holding the throttle after long rides. Usually after a few hours my hand starts cramping up and starts to make my hand kind of raw & sore.
I've only been riding a little over a week (800 miles) and I guess I still need to build up calices on my hands to help with that. Considering I don't do "anything else" quite as often as I ride my bike to build them up.
That or maybe some better gloves lol.
I missed these two important points earlier while at a restaurant waiting for my food....Usually after a few hours my hand starts cramping up and starts to make my hand kind of raw & sore.
...
That or maybe some better gloves lol.
My thick Dainese gloves tend to crease up just a tad when holding the throttle in place. This crease holds the throttle and keeps me from applying pressure during long rides on the freeway. With fingers extended under the brake lever, it'll get some time to relax. The palm by the thumb can hold the throttle well.
A stop to stretch and gas every 90-120 minutes wouldn't be a bad idea. If I ride out of town, I make it a point not to be in a rush. There's nothing worse than feeling like crap after a long time.
Unfortunately, for rides in the twisties, I forget relax the grip at times since I'm constantly changing directions and grade.
Coming from New Orleans, I can understand thinner gloves in the summer . However, you'll need your hands more than anything in life so suck it up with thicker breathable glove if you can bear it. . With winter around the corner, you can find old stock of $100+ gloves for around $75.
Your bike appreciates you clearing obstructions towards your pussy. :wink:
Wow...just...wow.
Upon referencing my Trigger Point Therapy workbook, I confirmed your spelling is correct. In my haste between work duties, I did not search for proper spelling since I can be a little lazy with minor details. I'm from The Big Easy with ghetto education after all.*correct spelling- gracilis, semimembranosus, semitendinosus
Wow...just...wow.
He had that coming; he left himself wide open with that one. Seriously though, I meant no offense despite how it might appear. Even I have experienced all similar issues.
If a rider never experienced any issue, they're probably lying or very patient learning. I've put on 2,000 miles in the first two months alone despite a short 13 mile commute every other day. 7 months later, I only have 4,500 miles of experience and two 200 mile trips (each way) out of town.
Fair enough. In my foul mood earlier, I forgot what I learned in high school a decade ago. That's what I get for being a dick, but it just rubbed the wrong way earlier. I just hit a quick google search earlier in effort to be more of an ass. http://www.innerbody.com/anatomy/skeletal/semitendinosus-tendonUpon referencing my Trigger Point Therapy workbook, I confirmed your spelling is correct. In my haste between work duties, I did not search for proper spelling since I can be a little lazy with minor details. I'm from The Big Easy with ghetto education after all.
I'm trained to destroy mofos and survive. I got all of my knee-dragging and wiping out taken care of while racing the mountain bike in college. El Paso and all of its lovely desert doesn't make for great twisties anyways, especially considering the wind is always blowing large piles of sand over everything.
For all intent and purpose of the original post, grips work, gloves work, and time in saddle works. Adjust your equipment to fit you. Ride a road bicycle recreationally for 6+ hours. Your body will become acclimated to riding.
21 - 40 of 44 Posts
Kawasaki Ninja 300 Forums
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Ninja 300 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, and more!
Full Forum Listing
