Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Well i believe i've done what i can to make myself more comfortable on this ride but after about 50 miles my hands are numb and my wrists are killing me. I added the up and back risers as well as the grip puppies but the problem just keeps getting worse - any ideas or am i not meant for a "kinda" sport bike. I'm 5'10 190lbs 34 years old and in decent shape, i came off a 2002 klr650 which i loved but had trouble keeping up on the highway with traffic. Any advice or am i going to take a bath on the trade-in.

I'm not an expert, but I would just reassess your posture and how you are sitting on the bike.

Grip the tank with your knees firmly at all times to give yourself a base, and try to hold yourself upright with your abs and your lower back muscles. There really shouldn't be that much pressure on your wrists - relax your shoulders, relax your hands, don't grip too tight. Make sure your wrists are straight.

Maybe sit a little bit closer to the tank as well?

Not sure if any of this helps (maybe you are already doing it), but personally I don't have any comfort issues on the bike.

Compared to when I rode an SV650 for about 10 hours two days in a row, and then couldn't use my hands or arms for about the next four weeks.

What AED said ...there shoud be no pressure on your hands .

If your still having trouble with arms and wrists and you have risers ,your just holding on to tight.

Or try new handle bars ,thats not as sweeped back ,they keep your wrists straighter ,also a bit higher ..{all shapes and sizes } will set you back about $100 .

See here....
http://www.renthal.com/File/apps1.asp?t ... &bikedate=

+1 on riding posture and approach. 90% of the time, wrist and arm pain while riding comes from having too tight a grip on the bars and not supporting ones weight using the legs and mid section. The hands should rest very lightly on the grips most of the time, with the steering being controlled mostly through balance, lean, and weight shift, and upright position handled by other parts of the body besides the hands and arms. Perhaps next ride, note whether or not you are supporting yourself with your arms, as one should be able to remove the hands from the bars with no change in posture.

Just my 2-cents after 35 years licensed street riding, not that I'm an expert or anything, I've just noticed some stuff while teaching numerous folks how to ride and enjoy motorcycles.

I wasn't having wrist issues, but more like pressure to the outsides of my palms (pinky finger side) I got new bars that where more strait and it helped fix the issue. I still get hand numbness, but it's because I tend to grip te bars too tight. once I realize I am doing it, and ease up it gets better.

I added a numb buster and for highway driving it's great. around town I find it a little annoying, and turn it so that it's not in the way.

Or get a set of 12 inch risers.
The guy that owns this bike ,loves them.

Here's a trick I learned years ago to show how poor your posture can be on a sport bike. Ride the bike just like you usually do down a quiet road at say 45-55mph, after about 5-8 miles get comfortable and take your left hand off the handlebar, you will immediately notice a lessoning of pressure on your throttle wrist, this is because you loosen up on the grip and the arm to keep from over steering and you draw your abs up to take the place of your left hand. Once you realize this it will be easy to train yourself to ride in the right position. I am fixing to turn 46 next week and I ride mine 46 miles 1 way to work, my butt , wrists nor my privates ever hurt with the factory seating even after 150 miles. I don't agree with keeping your legs tight around the tank but the abs definitely need to learn to carry there weight.

Thanks for the help guys posture seems to be good and i ride with just throttle hand sometimes (advice from a friend) and still feel this pain don't think i'm holding on too tight because that has never been issue in all the years i've been riding. Coolaid i think my pain is similiar to what your describing almost like my palm near the pinky hits the bars first and to make my grip straight i would almost have to touch my elbows together. Could be the long torso and monkey like arms are not my friends with this set up. I will check out some other bars that sit a little straighter. Thanks for the help.

Does anyone have the stock numbers for the handlebars the bike came with? Here is an example of the Bikemaster Drag Bar

Bikemaster Drag Bar Handlebar

Measurements:
Width = 28"
Rise = 3.84"
Pullback = 0"
Center = 5.6"
Sizing Information:
Rise = how high the bars are from top to bottom
Width = end to end measurement
Pullback = how far bars come back toward rider
Center = length of center between first bends

I have discovered, quite by accident, that while my right hand gets tingly and numb, and I do keep a light touch on the handle bar, I discovered, it just goes away after a few hours. I'm not doing anything different a few hours later than when I started out. I have no clue why that happens.

Of course, when I ride for only and hour or two, my hand never overcomes being numb and tingly.

I plan to experiment with hand limbering up prior to the next time I ride somewhere and see what transpires. Maybe my right hand, and I am right handed, maybe the muscles are just too tight to begin with, and it takes time for them to relax.

I did see one review of the F that mentioned discomfort due to the angle of the handlebars being too much vee versus more straight across. Bummer that it's irritating to ride for you, hopefully you find the answer.

Short answer: no.

Long answer: I once found a cruiser website for handlebars that had a table for all the stats of pretty much every bike ever built. I have been trying to find that website ever since with no luck. I will let you know if I find anything useful, as I am also looking for new handlebars.

I had the same problem. I now have softer grips and some summer gloves with gel pads in the palm.
one thing i do if i'm riding under 40 mph (only with plenty of clearance [like a football field]) is just sit straight up and only have my right fingertips on the throttle, helps you stretch and find it easier to look behind you if you're switching lanes.

if i'm going over 45 for any distance, (i have armored jacket on), i'll lay my left forearm across the tank and put my chin down on it to alleviate the weight of the helmet from your neck (i get rubber neck after riding too long) and to get a comfortable posture below the windscreen, making for a much queiter comfortable ride at highway speeds. Also, take the scenic route and just take frequent breaks.

I hear you ,I sold my SV650s with the clip ons and bought the F mostly because the Sv was killing my hands and wrists..as compared to the Sv
the F is way better for me personally but Here are several different thoughts

1)I agree with others that bars would be the next logical step since you have tried risers
2)I added "hot grips brand" heated grips to my bike
the heat helps with circulation and they have the added bonus of being
(3)larger diamater..my fingers dont go numb nearly as fast ..obviously not much help in the warmer months
(4) you can get a paddle type arrangement which velcros onto your throttle side,, in effect giving you more leverage reducing strain ...my buddy got one at a honda dealership..I dont know if its a stock accesory I will ask It might be the numb buster
5) I bought pazzo levers they are contoured to be closer to the bars and sure save strain on my hands ..look for my post "blue pazzo levers"
6) does it seem like you have excessive bar vibration? maybe some bigger bar weights
7) access your foot peg position maybe they could be moved to change your geometry...I dont know if thats practical my bike is across town..
I bought a pair of fingerless anti vibration gloves to wear under my gloves when I had my sv ..I just got them before I sold the bike so havent had much a chance to try them I will post a picture of them if I get a chance.They help distribute the weight across your palm evenly

I feel for you..and hope you get it figured out

Not sure on the measurments.

But here is a before and after so you can see the difference with my new bars...notice the extra distance between the bar ends and the tank ,its quiet a major change .