Old fart with sore thumbs

[Freddyfruitba...]

Having returned to bikes last autumn after a layoff of 30 years, and totally loving it, my major concern at the moment (in terms of possibly putting the kibosh on my touring plans this year) is the fact that I start to get sore hands after riding for any length of time.

It's mainly the balls of my thumbs that hurt. I think I may be gripping the bars too tightly; I consciously keep trying to ease off, but seemingly after any bend, unless I catch myself I find I've tightened up again. If this is the root of the problem then hopefully it will improve as I regain confidence on the bike (but to be honest I do already feel pretty relaxed, I think).

The handlebars don't vibrate noticeably (they have bar-ends fitted) so I don't think that's the issue.

I think my right hand may be a bit worse? Wondered about trying one of those crampbuster/throttle aids - are they any good? Any difference between cheap and expensive types (eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192076943366 at 99p or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181606476518 at £11.29)? Trying to work out whether they are generic enough to use on the left bar as well?

Any thoughts on this from other old farts would be much appreciated
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[hellkat]

I think its lack of use, and will improve with time.

I quite often get similar when I change bikes, for a week or two, till my hands get used to being in a different position/using levers from a different angle.

hellkat
officially old and, unsurprisingly, farty
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Azoth]

I think it's the wrong handlebar type that's to blame. Handlebars usually make the forefinger and thumb track to some point in front and below or above the bike. It's unnatural.
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Safety in numbers

[Rogerborg]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Could it be the fit of your gloves? Narrow-fitting gloves feel secure at first but cause pain after a short while.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[MarJay]

If you've got ANY inkling that you're gripping too tight, you need to sort it out pronto. It's not good for your confidence on the bike, it's not good for machine control and I guarantee it will be holding you back.

My thumbs were damaged when I had a massive tankslapper about 6 years ago... I couldn't grip anything for weeks afterwards, and the only way you'd get a similar injury from just riding is if you're putting strain on them. The bars should not be putting any strain on you unless something has gone horribly wrong, so it stands to reason it's you putting strain on the bars...? Unless of course your hands just aren't used to being held in that position?
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Copycat73]

sit closer to the fuel tank.
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Whatever I post I have no citation and no intention of providing one..
caveat emptor

[notbike]

Handlebars are a means of control, not support.

Grip the tank with your knees.

[Stalk]

Coming from a different angle, are you a manual worker? I get aches and one cold hand possibly due to carpel tunnel syndrome. I say possibly as I am too wuss to go to the doctor's, and can't afford time off.

[Suntan Sid]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Adjustable levers are adjustable for a reason. At the moment I can't quite remember what that reason is. Does your bike have them?
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[ZX-7R]

[M.C]

[Freddyfruitba...]

So I just got round to buying one of these crampbuster things. I reckon I must be using it wrong, though, as it was a nightmare for me today. I clipped it on the right bar, with the 'paddle' sticking out in what would be roughly a horizontal orientation an average cruising speed, and set off up the road, but quickly came to halt, as the 'paddle' was completely in the way when I twisted the throttle, I tried rotating it further round the handle bar, but then it was similarly in the way, but at different speeds. So I simply removed the thing forthwith.

I'm surely doing something stupid aren't I? To be honest, the gadget is performing exactly as I'd imagined it would, ie fixed location, completely fouling my hand position. Is it supposed to rotate readily round the grips in use? My bike has big foam Grip Puppies - could that be the reason for my issues? I don't believe others are experiencing what I am, or they wouldn't be popular at all!
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[Kentol750]

Worst thing I see is, people pulling glove strap so tight that they slow circulation down to the hand. Like gloves too small, it's easy to do and easy to fix.
Could be as simple as that. Fixed a guy who had numb hands in 20seconds.
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Some bikes.

[Rogerborg]

No, the cramp-buster isn't mean to rotate. I mean, it should rotate in the throttle shut-off direction so that you can position it, then grip when pressed down.

I keep mine right towards the outside of the grip, and tend not to use them around town when I'm doing a lot of open-close. They come into their own while holding a steady speed. I just need to move my hand out a fraction to get purchase and allow for a more relaxed grip - you don't need it directly under your palm.

It felt weird at first and I did have a few moments where I got tangled up in it before I found a location that worked for me. Oh, mine are the narrower ones rather than the broad ones, and I have size 8 width hands. If you've got strangler's hands you might find it fouling no matter where it's placed.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[hellkat]

[Freddyfruitba...]