Modern Vespa

My biggest problem on long rides is my throttle hand going numb. Has anyone found a good exercise or whatever to fix this problem?

I recently bought a bigger bike and my #1 requirement when shopping was a cruise control. So when riding with the cruise control on, my hand doesn't go numb. Sure the cruise control doesn't work in the twisties but when the traffic and roads permit, I can turn it on temporarily to allow me to shake out my hand.

Several of the X9 crew swear by this:
http://www.throttlemeister.com/

Not ideal on a CVT bike when there are hills etc, but fine on highways apparently. I have no personal experience, but pass the clue on.

I as well as a few other fellow riders have the same issues from time to time. Mine is attributed to my carpal tunel. I do know that wrist angle has a bit to do with it to.

You may try bringing your thumb up over the top of the throttle grip on longer rides. It helps me a lot. you just kinda have to grip more with the fingers to hold the throttle.

You hit the nail on the head Curt. For me, 30 minutes or so of aerobic exercise every day or two helps my circulation enough that my hand rarely gets numb, even on long rides. Doesn't matter what, biking, running, a brisk walk, it just helps to get the heart pumping.

I added some Grip Puppies to my bike and they help minimize the onset of it...by masking the vibrations and making a larger surfacer to grip (not having to clamp your hands so hard around) I really like them.

I have a Cramp Buster, also referred to as a throttle rocker sometimes. It certainly helps relieve the strain. Frequent breaks on long rides would also be my recommendation.

I found that device a bit hard to use in town riding...how about you?
(BTW~I lived in Tanglewilde for 12+ years...hope the summer is all it can be up that way!)

I find that I'm clenching the throttle too hard when that happens

I accidentally found a cure because of the heat here in SC
During stretches of similar speed, you can role back on the throttle so that you are only using your fingers

This allow any glove vents on the palm of your hand to cool your hand
and it keeps your palm off the handlebars, so your hand doesn't go numb

Those Grip Puppies help eliminate that...

LfJ, you have hit the nail on the head. As so often said here - do not grip, just relax the grip and rest your palms on the grips when cruising. It's only when doing full-bore twisties that you might need some actual 'grip' and then only when 'doing the deed'.

I'm getting use to it, it can be a bit tricky, but it isn't too hard to readjust. The summer has been surprisingly fine so far although it is grey today. We had a sunny 4th though!

I find that a fatter grip makes it worse for me. I don't wear gloves most of the time when riding because they also make this problem worse for me.

Bobo, yes I need to get my fat ass out and walk for more reasons than my wrist.

Which fingers are going numb exactly, is it all of them except for the baby finger? Is there any tingling (pins and needles) in the same fingers? If so it could be carpal tunnel syndrome.

Altering your wrist position/angle might help you a bit. Working with a physiotherapist and using a wrist brace that keeps your wrist at 15 degrees of extension while riding might also help.

Oddly enough, my right wrist doesn't bug me at all these days and I've had a problem with repetitive strain injury with that one for a decade. It's my left wrist & arm that has been feeling achy lately - any ideas why?

I sometimes have the same problem with my hands, but more when riding bicycles.
I have used this cruise control on past motorcycles and now on my P and I really like it. It seems easy to engage with or without gloves, and once you use it a few times it gets to be natural and easy to engage/disengage without thinking about it. It is not that good around town except for straight long roads but at those times you can still use it to get off the throttle hand and relax or exercise your sore hand. For the long hauls I leave it on for extended periods. Even when engaged you can still retract the throttle when it is adjusted correctly.
this is not an exact fit to my vespa, this one made for a honda with dual throttle cables, (sold at the honda shop) but it works...
I recommend bringing your bike to the dealer to get an exact match to make sure it works for your bike.
I tried to put the picture here but I spent too much time trying it so here's the link.

http://www.casporttouring.com/thestore/Vista-Cruise.html

Best to try to relax the hands and arms while on long trips. Many people have a tendency to grip way too hard for way too long while riding. For longevity in the saddle try to learn to "relax" while riding.
Of course remain ever alert but "un-load" the tension in the muscles.
Does this make ANY sense?

This works for me:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2010126/p-2010126/N-111+10101+4294966212/c-10101

the throttle rocker works for me on the long runs and when I'm in town I just roll it over so the big tab is down at the bottom of the throttle.

only for the very very experienced riders try using the left hand cross over for a few min on the long stretches with no traffic around, gives the right hand a min to stretch and move to get the cirulation going again.

Wanker! Use your left hand.

That said, and if you are gripping too tight, your glove may be the culprit, creating a pressure point, squeezing on a nerve.

now thats funny. how many of you out there have a LEFT handed throttle?

You need them on both sides for aerodynamics... otherwise you will ride around in circles.

I got one of these and used it for the ride up to and back from Amerivespa. I really love it and may leave it on the scoot for in-town use. I wound up positioning it under where my palm would normally rest in the inside of the throttle and just using my thumb to push it. This let me use it when I needed it-otherwise it was out of the way. Once I got used to it, it was a real help.

+1 on the Grip Puppies. A cheap elegant solution that won't hurt and just might help.

Dont have that problem anymore with the Cramp buster. Wasnt a problem on my trip to SF and Back.

No pins and needles, just soar then numb. I do alter my wrist angle and my grip. I even put my thumb on top of the grip at times to change my grip. What is a physiotherapist? Is it similar to a psychiatrist as I already see one of them.

They might be called Physical Therapists down the US I'm not sure. Without the pins and needles it makes it a bit less likely to be carpal tunnel syndrome but I wouldn't rule it out without examining you. You didn't mention if your baby finger gets numb or not.

It starts with my finger closest to my thumb and then works it's way towards my little finge although I can't say that I ever remember my little finger going soar or numb. It is mainly in the two fingers closest to my thumb.

I use a cramp buster as well; anyone else notice you can use it as a primitive throttle lock by pushing it to the right, trapping the edge of the grip against the barend weight?

Regards
Harvey

I am lucky, my pillion has really long arms so I let her control the throttle...leaves my thumbs free for texting.

I have 2 of the Crampbuster products. One for the scoot and one for the motorcycle. They work great because they allow you to use your palm to control throttle on long rides.

The nice thing about these products is they can easily rotate out of the way when you don't need them.

http://www.crampbuster.com/



Another thing I've noticed is that the more frequently you ride, the less noticeable the numbness occurs.

Hope this helps!

Three main nerves control the fingers of the hand; radial nerve controls outer surface of thumb, index finger and middle finger; median nerve controls inner surface of thumb, index, middle and some of the ring finger (most commonly associated w/ carpal tunnel syndrome), and the ulnar nerve controls ring finger and pinky finger (the ulnar nerve is the one that gives you a good zing when you bang your elbow - funny bone). Squeezing and vibration are the two major causes of numbness. Relax your grip as light as you can comfortably do so to maintain control of the bike. If you are unable to do so, try to reposition your hand frequently on the throtte, by moving it around slightly. For example, control the throttle normally first, then move so that your fingertips are controlling the throttle, then control the throttle lightly with your ring finger & pinky, then control it with your index & middle finger. Moving the pressure points around allows your hand to relax and decreases tension on the nerves from tight muscles and lactic acid buildup from muscle fatigue.

Here's a good article related to cyclist's hands and numbness.
http://www.hughston.com/hha/a_15_3_2.htm

Actually the radial nerve innervates the back of the hand proximal to the index and thumb. The ulnar nerve innervates the baby finger and half of the ring finger on the side of the baby finger. Finally the median nerves innervates the thumb, index, middle and the other half of the ring finger. That is for sensation only.

Great illustrations by the way. You can see how keeping your wrist at about 15 degrees extension would place the least amount of pressure on any of the nerves.

Curt you certainly may have some Carpal Tunnel syndrome happening, you should get it checked out to confirm.

Otherwise it might just be a RSI or related to vibration.

I may be too late in the game (so many replies to read through)

Curt, this works every single time for me. (And people, please, I don't want to hear "Oh, that looks dangerous," "Oh, I'd never." "Oh..." Whatever. I've ridden with this rig for thousands of miles now. If you don't like it, then don't try it.)

From the thread: https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic44133

Rex that is so dangerous, riding scooters long distance and singing Vespa Vespa.

Doesn't that scratch the paint?

Manny, yes, that while operating a video camera!

Benny, it does scratch the paint (a little). Maybe if the rod was coated or something, it wouldn't. We tried on Gitta's GT and found out that the inner-workings of a GT throttle is not the same as a GTV's.

Ride Safe Rexy