My hands are killing me ...

[Capt_Gruuvy]

As I have stated prior I just purchased a 2005 ST1300 for my new company vehicle. This is good as my gear, gas, insurance and maintenance is paid for by the company. OK, I'm lucky.

That out of the way when I outfitted for the bike I purchased Joe Rocket Gel Palm gloves which when I put them on felt very good.

My hands hurt like crazy by the time I get to work. Even when I use my winter gloves my hands hurt. This is not good.

Now I didn't put this together until I made a couple runs between shops at work and left my gloves off that my hands are so much happier without gloves. I rode home last night without gloves and wow what a difference. No finger pain, no strange ache.

Now I always ride with gloves and I have always had some sort of ache in my hands (I have chronic pain issues also) but this is the first time I've tried riding so far without gloves.

Has anyone else had such problems with gloves? Is there some type of glove that is so completely superior for riding?

I have had deerskins in the past and they too hurt, that was when I had my Yamaha 650 and my K100. I had used mechanics gloves with my RS80 and my FZR, which also caused an attitude problem, that's another thread.

Anyone ride glove free? Any drop dead reasons for not wearing gloves?

I was passed the other day by an old timer on a big Harley who didn't wear gloves but it also looked like he could eat barbed wire and kittens for breakfast so I didn't ask him about his hands.

Ideas? Thoughts?
:mw1:

[killerST6]

Capt,
Have you tried trying to change your sitting position?
I know when I first got my ST I would have my hands go to sleep, mostly my right one on a long rides.
I purchased MCL risers, but I have them still in my PC room, not on the bike......
because? Well I can't explain it, but I have two ways I set on the bike....


When I first start off and pull the shield up to say 2" below my eyes then I will adjust myself again, ball of my feet on the pegs, I slide my put back to the crack, tighten my knee grip and lean just a tad forward with my torso.
Now the odd thing for me is after I do this I am sitting higher and have to raise the shield a bit again, but in the latter position I don't have hand issues as my abs are holding me up.

What I can't figure out is what I am doing wrong before I adjust myself haha.

[MNwing]

I have had the same problem if I tighten the velcro strap too tight. It doesn't feel tight when I start out, but after 30 minutes or so, I can feel it. Also have found if the gloves are too tight on my fingers the same thing happens

[Raven]

Gloves beat skin grafts in the event of a get-off.

I've found plain ELK SKIN roper or driver style gloves from the feed and seed to be the best. A lot of the "motorcycle" gloves (like joe rocket, icon, etc) actually have too much stuff in the palms and backs and cause pressure points that end up causing pain.

YMMV

[RFMike]

Here's what I have done for summer gloves. I buy a good pair of fairly tight fitting leather gloves. My last pair was a pair of white deerskin gloves from Fleet Farm. Soak them in water, then wear them while shovelling dirt, or weeding, anything that forces you to grip and use them. As they dry, they will stretch to the shape and size of your hands. When completely dry, treat them with mink oil. This way, you will avoid pressure points. This is also a good way to break in a pair of boots- wet them, walk in them until dry.

I'm with Raven. If I could only wear two pieces of protective gear, it would be gloves and helmet. Both have saved me from greater injury.

Mike

[t-bone]

I,ve found mechanix gloves work great for warm weather, dont grip to tight, As I ride I assess myself on what I,m tensing up, wether it by my shoulders or leg,s or what, just remember to do a self check while riding, also try to audiovox ccs-100 electronic cruise, best farkle I have on the 08

[ChipSTer]

Are you allergic to the gloves or something in the gloves? Maybe the dye? :confused: Try wearing the gloves around the house for the same amount of time that it would take to ride to work..... ???
:cool:

[Capt_Gruuvy]

All good advise.

I feel like I am covered in Velcro. My gloves and summer jacket are velcro trimmed. So something I can try right away is to loosen the velcro on the Joe Rockets. I purchased XLs so they should be loose enough on my fingers.

I monitor my sitting position often and move the shield accordingly. When I know I am slouching I put the shield up more to force myself to look over it. I move my butt from right next to the tank to the seat gap.

When I head to Mexico to go to see the other plant I stop twice and sit every which way I can think up. I use both sets of pegs during this trip also. I will have my Corbin seat next week and am hoping to have that in place by the next long ride.

I don't want to deal with skin grafts so if these things don't work I'll pick up some leather roping gloves in Mexico.

Another thing I know is that I went from a Chrysler to riding and in two weeks have put in 1,400 miles. So pain is going to be normal as my hands are not gripping a coffee cup but the throttle instead.

The Audiovox is first on the list. Where for art thou Great Tax Check Man ?

Thanks guys.

[Geoff]

I have found that scuba diver gloves from STEARNS work real well..they let air through but allow you to get a good grip on things..they are light and look fine.
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=807

[Rob Hephner]

Are you certain you are getting the right size gloves?

Both too large or too small can yield pain.

[BigTom]

I have some limitations in gloves. I have 3x hands:) I have found that "plain is gain" for me. 2 pair of summer gloves ( it's always summer, here) one is perforated leather, the other just light weight deer skin. Doubled in the knuckles for the perforated, not in the others. I can ride in comfort with both...

I had a pair of 'vented' gloves. Padding with spandex between. Not only did they hurt, but I burned the first two fingers out smoking:) I no longer smoke, but am not tempted to go back.

I have seen hands that have survived a glovless get off. Not pretty, in fact, I know it is really painful and the most disabling part of a get off. I'll ride with the gloves, thanks. I'd rather ride with no helmet. I mean, you are either going to die or not, with out helmet. If you don't have gloves on when you get off, you ARE going to bugger up your hands.

Feel free to flame, but note that was not, repeat not, a call to riding helmetless...

[jbaker940]

Capt Gruuvy, my hands also go numb and cramp up when using gel gloves (Olympia gel leather gloves), but not with any other type unless the palm has folds/wrinkles in it when I grip the throttle. For me, it was that the gel added thickness in unfavorable spots on my palm pressing tendons & cartilage into the nerves and stretching my hand in unusual ways around the gel pads. I wondered if I was gripping too hard, so I put on a throttle rocker and throttled by wrist...same result even with very pressure on the grip. Body posture, wrist angle, grip tightness...each influenced the problem, but there was no fix for me other than to change gloves.

As others have mentioned, tightness of the velco wrist strap on the glove influences comfort, no matter the glove. I try to make the strap loose, but not loose enough that the glove slips off easily--its a balance between comfort and ease that the glove will slip off during a getoff.

-John
ATGATT

[Texas]

Gruuvy,

You are on the right path. Don't mess around with other solutions to this problem. The Electronic CC is the only way to go. I use mine on a daily basis. Due to a motorcycle accident in '98, I have all kinds of problems in my hands. The CC has totally eliminated any problems with ridding long distances. At just $100, it is the best solution.

Texas

[TRICKYRIC5474]

I had two different pairs of really nice leather mc gloves with gel palms, one summer perf. leather, one solid leather. They were always very comfortable on my 2001 Goldwing. When I sold the Wing and got the new 2007 ST13 I immediately had pain in my hands. Did go with BMW grips, and eventually the Heli risers. Both helped with my shoulder blade pain and hand numbness but not the pain in the palm of my hands. Then while riding in the rain in my waterproof (rain use only) gloves I dscovered that my hands did not hurt. Thses gloves were not even overly comfortable, but no gel in the palms. On the ST I don't tolerate gel palms.
I bought a new pair of of Cortech GX-Air gloves. No gel, but really nice, soft high quality leather palms. Perfect for me. Something you might want to try.

[tdeboeser]

I really like the scuba glove idea... I might give that a try.

Tom de

[Blrfl]

I really like the scuba glove idea... I might give that a try.

I wouldn't. Neoprene isn't famed for its abrasion resistance.

--Mark

[RickGrey]

Chiming in here as I suffer from the exact same thing.

First two things .. I am 6'4" and am used to sitting on top of a PC800 which has a much more upright position naturally. Secondly I had big foam grips on my PC800.

Ok now for the ST1300 I am not as upright as I was used to ... and yet I try to sit as upright which puts more strain on my throttle hand as my arms are more straight then they used to be.. Secondly no big foam grips on this bike, stock grips with Honda Heated elements beneath.

I bought a pair of cold weather gauntlets for the late night ride home here in so. Cal and they just drove me to distraction. I stumbled on a pair of really good ski gloves which double as rain guards as well, lol yes it does occasionally drop water from the sky here in So. Cal especially this last year more then normal... and I have to tell you they are exceptionally comfortable I don't get near the hand fatigue and when I do I know for a fact it's because I have adjusted back to trying to sit more upright.

I am going to get the bar risers for myself some time in the near future, but the SO would kill me if I bought anything else right now, lol farkles are killer when you have already paid a handsome price for a bike... lol

Also I am working hard at the slighter more leaned over rider position that this bike wants me to have normally.

But then thats me but sure sounds a great deal like what I suffer from and yeah it's freakishly painfull... kinda like the back of my thighs .. Spencer LD mod incomming as soon as I convince myself I can do without my bike for a week to send it to him... lol ...

Good luck with it, but I agree with the above poster don't go scuba neoprene gloves, would probably amount to not wearing them if you go down. The ski gloves I know for a fact have really good abraison resistance where it count's as I have eaten plenty of extremely hard icy slopes in Mammoth in the winter wearing them... =)

[mjhenne]

I have summer and winter gloves. Neither have gel palms. I've noticed my hands get fatigued faster in the winter gloves. Seems that the insulation in the palms 'moves' just a bit causing me to grip the grips tighter. I like the unpadded summer gloves much better. I'd think I would not like gel gloves at all. I did put BMW grips (and symtec heaters) on the bike right away when I bought it. I'd not like smaller diameter grips.

[tdeboeser]

I wouldn't. Neoprene isn't famed for its abrasion resistance.

--Mark

Yeah, but thats the back of the hand. Sharkskin - way cool, and probably pretty tough. And there are kevlar palmed ones too, kinda cool. $15 to $30... cheaper than a mesh backed, deerskin glove.

Tom de

[BruceP]

Proper fitting gloves with the mink oil and ride as much as possible with your thumbs on top of the grips. Stops the death grip and leaves you flexible.

[BikemanKZ]

Perhaps you should try some bar risers, Gen-Mar for me. Then go to your local feed store and buy some real elkskin gloves in a size larger than you normally would. They have a much wider temp range than cowhide and even better than deerskin, with the added benefit of great abrasion resistance. Once they are broke in, they look really cool and and perform really well. I'm guessing you'll love 'em.
KZ

[kanem]

Just bought a set of Alpinstars SP2's. They were a littel snug at first but the more I wear them the better they feel.

[tdeboeser]

Proper fitting gloves with the mink oil and ride as much as possible with your thumbs on top of the grips. Stops the death grip and leaves you flexible.

+1 this is how I ride. Quite often you grip too hard, this can lead to locking your elbows and straighting the arms. All of which is a "no no" when riding. But I will also say I've had gel palmed gloves, seems like the gel pushes against your hand too much.

Tom de

[scooter78666]

Gruuvy,

You are on the right path. Don't mess around with other solutions to this problem. The Electronic CC is the only way to go. I use mine on a daily basis. Due to a motorcycle accident in '98, I have all kinds of problems in my hands. The CC has totally eliminated any problems with ridding long distances. At just $100, it is the best solution.

Texas

Texas, thanks first of all, for your warm welcome to this forum. I was reading your welcome to me, when I decided to check out your posts. That is why I am writing to you here. I noticed immediately your reference to Electronic CC. I presume that is electronic cruise control. I AM very interested in getting an electronic cruise control on my Yamaha FJR1300. I have taken one long trip only with it, just having bought the cycle. I do love the cycle, yes, and the electric clutch is a dream. My interest in cruise control stems from my experience with my year 2000 Harley FLHT cruise control, which is marvelous. It has spoiled me for wanting it on my Yamaha too. Can you tell me more about your electronic cruise control? When I ask my Yamaha dealer about it, he acts like he never heard of such a thing. Then when I persist in asking him about it, he admits he is afraid to install them in his shop, for "liability issues". He has been ZERO help to me.

Can you tell me more about yours? I am not picky about the cost. I WANT IT BADLY! Did you install it yourself, or have someone to install it for you? Etc, etc, etc. Please let me know.

Thanks, scooter78666, San Marcos, Texas

[Capt_Gruuvy]

I went back to the store where I bought the Joe Rockets and explained that I did not like them at all. They let me try on everything hey had there so I did.

I ended up with a new pair of Shift gloves. These feel very good and do not have the Gel Palm action.

The shop gave me a great deal on these to keep me happy.

I will shop for the deerskin and the Elkskin gloves when I am in Mexico this weekend.

Thank you for all of your tips and help.

Talk to you soon,

Mark

[Byron]

What is it about gloves that cause the pain? Is it seams, sized to small or what? The only way to solve the problem is to determine the cause.

[Capt_Gruuvy]

Bryon,

It seems the Gel Palm portion makes the ball of my hand very uncomfortable. Also to offset the lack of feeling of the throttle handle due to the Gell I ended up gripping the handle too tightly for too long.

The issue here appeared to be the Gel Palm inserts.

I will try the leather types also as I have used these in the past also.

[OldBlue]

I've experienced similar pain, and it almost seems to me if the grips were a larger diameter, it may help. Any ideas around that, and how to accomplish it?

[Buzz]

I've experienced similar pain, and it almost seems to me if the grips were a larger diameter, it may help. Any ideas around that, and how to accomplish it?

Easy to try foam grips to see if they will help you. A set of bicycle foam grips (under $5) got me through 30,000 Km last summer. They will increase grip diameter and cushion your palms. Work fine with heated grips. Replacement needed this year..few small chunks of foam missing now...but simple to slip on (KY gel), cheap, and stay put. Foam soaks up water so give them a squeeze with your microfiber cloth before heading off after rain. Do a search...there are a few threads on grips.

My experience was that my hand pain only went away after I improved my riding position to take weight off my hands and got rid of the "death grip" I had when first getting used to the ST.

My gloves include air mesh/synthetic for hot weather, regular leather for everyday, and insulated winter leather (get lots of use here in Newfoundland, along with the heated grips:) ). I don't like the bulk of the winter gloves (reduced throttle feel) but my hands stay warm and you don't feel much with numb fingers from cold. No hand pain, though, with any of the gloves.

After a comfortable grip diameter, I found good riding position (including changing position frequently on long days, but keeping weight off hands), a light grip, and more time in the saddle to develop muscle groups not only got rid of hand pain, but also back, shoulder, and neck pain I had when I first started riding the ST. I'm fine with stock bars and stock seat (with Alaska Sheepskin) set in the mid position. I'm 6 foot with 31 in. inseam. Can get in a painless 1000 Km day.

[John Anthony]

I'm also very finicky when it comes to gloves and hand comfort. Chalk it up to old age and crankiness. I've found RevIt gloves work very well for me. BMW stores in my neck of the woods stock 'em.

Good luck getting a solution that works for you.

John

[Slider]

I've experienced similar pain, and it almost seems to me if the grips were a larger diameter, it may help. Any ideas around that, and how to accomplish it?
I just installed a set of "Grip Puppies". I had a Venture a number of years ago and liked the foam grips and the larger diameter. The Grip Puppies accomplished the same thing. They were $6.00! Well worth a shot for the money. Just soap them up and slip them over the stock grips. (30 seconds per side).

[Larry Ramel]

Capt,
Have you tried trying to change your sitting position?
I know when I first got my ST I would have my hands go to sleep, mostly my right one on a long rides.
I purchased MCL risers, but I have them still in my PC room, not on the bike......
because? Well I can't explain it, but I have two ways I set on the bike....


When I first start off and pull the shield up to say 2" below my eyes then I will adjust myself again, ball of my feet on the pegs, I slide my put back to the crack, tighten my knee grip and lean just a tad forward with my torso.
Now the odd thing for me is after I do this I am sitting higher and have to raise the shield a bit again, but in the latter position I don't have hand issues as my abs are holding me up.

What I can't figure out is what I am doing wrong before I adjust myself haha.

I also sit on the crack, I would find it very uncomfortable to do it any other way.

Just couldn`t let that one get by.

[OldBlue]

I just installed a set of "Grip Puppies". I had a Venture a number of years ago and liked the foam grips and the larger diameter. The Grip Puppies accomplished the same thing. They were $6.00! Well worth a shot for the money. Just soap them up and slip them over the stock grips. (30 seconds per side).

Grip Puppies huh? I'll have to check 'em out. Thanks!

[Byron]

Bryon,

It seems the Gel Palm portion makes the ball of my hand very uncomfortable. Also to offset the lack of feeling of the throttle handle due to the Gell I ended up gripping the handle too tightly for too long.

The issue here appeared to be the Gel Palm inserts.

I will try the leather types also as I have used these in the past also.

I had a similar problem when I tried to make my grips bigger with some foam. I ended up going with the BMW grips for the change in shape and feel. I went through about a half-dozen different gloves before I found a pair that really felt good.