Hand Cramping

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dlewis0802

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I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on preventing hands from cramping. I am new to riding 4+ weeks but it seems to be the same thing every time I go out after about 10min or so my hands start to cramp up. Am I gripping too tight or is this someting that goes away with time? Are there gloves that can help with this?

Thanks
 
I have/had the same issue. For me when holding the grips if I feel a cramp I just point my thumbs down. Also I find the more I ride the less the cramping occurs. I would blame mine on gripping to tightly.
 
You're gripping too tight. Try to relax your grip.
 
Cramping after only 10 minutes? Normally cramping is a function of time and vibration, but cramping after only 10 minutes is probably a matter of putting too much of a death grip on the bars. Easing up a bit on the grip should help.
 
I see you're on a cbr600rr, it's probably a combination of death grip and leaning on the bars too hard. Your hand and wrists won't be able to tolerate leaning on a bike like this, you'll have to learn to support you upper body weight with your lower body to avoid this.
 
Also, if your gloves have wrist straps & you have them on too tight, it can cause the problem.
 
mikcbr said:
I see you're on a cbr600rr, it's probably a combination of death grip and leaning on the bars too hard. Your hand and wrists won't be able to tolerate leaning on a bike like this, you'll have to learn to support you upper body weight with your lower body to avoid this.
Click to expand...

+1 just starting to do this now... oh how my hands hurt on long trips. Also if you wear gauntlet gloves they don't have with the cbr600rr.
 
I have had same issue at times, depending on the bike, initialy when I started riding 30 years ago it was because of the death grip. Recently while riding my buddy's KTM LC4 (paint shaker) a I noticed how comfortable my hands were after several hours of riding, my Suzuki is much more comfortable (for me) But my hands still cramp at times.
His solution was that he increase the diameter of his grips- works like a charm.
Now his solution is not pretty, but it works and this is a work horse of a machine and is not ever going to be in a beauty pageant.
I'm sure you can by thicker diameter grips at your fav' bike shop.
 
Try this for your throttle hand:

original-throttle-rocker_2.jpg


http://throttlerocker.com/

They make one for the left handlebar as well.
 
mikcbr said:
I see you're on a cbr600rr, it's probably a combination of death grip and leaning on the bars too hard. Your hand and wrists won't be able to tolerate leaning on a bike like this, you'll have to learn to support you upper body weight with your lower body to avoid this.
Click to expand...

+1 You have to relax more, I find I tend to do this more in town, sit a little more upright, and focus on not leaning hard on your bars. Unfortunately you might feel it in your lower back for a bit on long rides, but your body will adjust. Death grip on the handles can be bad if you hit bumps in the road causing you to jerk the throttle. Nice light grip and your body absorbs the shock, not your arms and wrist.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Try to visualize your throttle as a door knob.

Don’t reach out and grab it like an orangutan (with all four fingers lined up across the barrel).

Instead, tilt your elbow up and slide your hand down the throttle grip as though you were reaching for a door knob. Your hand will be positioned at an angle, with your index finger closer to your body than your pinky finger.

Once you have mastered the door knob grip, you will turn the throttle with a twisting motion of the wrist, instead of an up-and-down motion of your arm.

You can use the same grip on the left bar with similar results.

This will make a HUGE difference.
 
When I first started my hands cramped more from working the clutch and brake lever than from actually gripping the bars hard.

By mid season I was good to go, your body gets used to it. I can pull in the clutch for extended stopped periods with no fatigue or cramping now.

RIDE MORE!
 
mikcbr said:
I see you're on a cbr600rr, it's probably a combination of death grip and leaning on the bars too hard. Your hand and wrists won't be able to tolerate leaning on a bike like this, you'll have to learn to support you upper body weight with your lower body to avoid this.
Click to expand...

Another one that agrees this is the issue.

Some tell-tale signs that you're putting too much weight on your arms:
  • your arms are straight
  • if you take your hands off the grips your body sags (or you fall forward onto the tank)
  • riding with one hand is difficult
You need to be supporting your weight with your core muscles in your abdomen. If you have a belly, rest it on the tank. Grip the tank with your knees. Anytime you're wondering if you're doing it right just take your hands off the bars and you should feel planted and comfortable. Your hands should just drop onto the bars.

Almost everyone that I've seen that gets on a sport bike and complains about the ergos is putting all their weight on their arms.
 
Griffin said:
Almost everyone that I've seen that gets on a sport bike and complains about the ergos is putting all their weight on their arms.
Click to expand...

I've noticed this myself and I'm working to get better with the core support. Takes time and practice though.
 
Thanks for all the tips. I have made a effort to go light on the hands the last couple of times out and cramping was not as noticable. I will try and and use the core more, put some good to all the hours I spend at the gym working it.
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