Newbie biker (late 30s) - Advice on losing grip on throttle

[markb_1984]

Hi I'm a newbie rider. I did my CBT in 2021, but just bought and started riding in September 2022. I bought myself a new Honda CB125F. For the most part, I am really enjoying riding. I do still seem to stall a few more times than I would like and also feel my slow speed control is still quite basic, but improving over a little each time I ride out.

I have one particular issue I wanted to reach out to see if anyone can help pinpoint possible causes. I have just done over 300 miles on my bike since I bought it new, around 6 weeks ago. For the first 150 miles or so, I had no issues of note with my grip on the throttle. I have found however that each subsequent ride I've been out over the last few weeks, my right hand (glove) seems to be slipping more and not feeling as tight a grip on the throttle as I remember in the beginning. I've developed a few techniques to help, but I'm finding losing grip is especially affecting me in having full control at slow speeds and in moving from a standstill. Since starting out in September, I have been using RST CE textile summer gloves (https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/366257). I would have thought that summer gloves would have offered the best grip being made from a thin, lightweight material. Is my problem likely to be glove related or could it be related to the motorbike throttle sleeve and why would I be finding I'm losing grip after doing so few miles? Most of my trips are usually between 20-30 miles so I would have thought that would be classed as short distance and not enough to be the main cause.

Appreciate the views of this community?

[jeffyjeff]

Hey markb_1984, welcome to the wonderful world of motorcycling. Sorry to read that you are losing your grip, especially with your right hand. My quality of life would really take a dive if my right-hand lost grip, I shudder to even think about it. In my estimation, your problem is probably not related to your gloves, but you could try a different pair to see if your grip improves. You could also try squeezing harder. That usually works for me.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[A100man]

[Freddyfruitba...]

Whatever the cause, I'd strongly recommend trying a pair of Grip Puppies on the handlebars:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F6S7ER8/
Makes the grip larger (easier to hold) and creates more friction between grip and glove. Easy to fit, nothing to lose and a cheaper fix than trying any new gloves
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[Zen Dog]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Gloves too big, gloves not grippy enough unless hands sweaty, throttle sticking, or you’ve lost your novice death grip.

[Pete.]

Your grip on the throttle should be light not tight. Carry your body weight through your legs and torso and leave your arms and hands to do the job of controlling the bike through light control. Drop your shoulders and bend your elbows it will make you feel much more relaxed and make controlling your bike easier too. When you come to a bend at a-road speeds, lean forward and into the turn very slightly and notice how much easier making the turn becomes.

Or are you saying that the throttle is rotating in your hand because the return spring is causing it to shut the throttle unexpectedly? Foam grips will stop that.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[doggone]

You can get foam handlebar grips make it almost impossible for it to slip but the extra bulk seems strange at first.
I do remember fitting them to one bike which seemed to have more narrow grips than I was used to and I think they just slid on over the existing ones not sure any glue was involved stretchy I guess.

[Pete.]

I use compressed air to fit foam grips on my BMW because the end of the factory grip is larger than the grip itself. Cut them long, bung in the end, apply air and press the open end against the bar. The foam grips swell up under air pressure until it sldies over the lump on the end of the factory grips.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Bhud]

Try different gloves

[gbrand42]

It's possible that your 125 is more focused on the 17 yr old market, and at that age your right hand grip is probably a lot more developed than a man in his 30s
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Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

you're hand's getting fatigued from white-knuckling

remember the old saying - relax or die
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[stinkwheel]

I get tennis elbow occasionally which really affects my grip. If you were suffering from this, you'd notice painful elbows and a lack of grip in other situations too and possibly tingling in your fingers (if mine is really bad, i can't lift a full pint glass in one hand). I have a couple of elastic straps I wear just below my elbow when I ride the bike that prevents this.

That's maybe an aside though. The other thing I did which improves my grip on the throttle was to fit oxford fat grips which are a wider outside diameter than standard. Straight-up gives you more leverage.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[A100man]

[jeffyjeff]

Look at the bright side. He can fill it half-way and lift it twice!
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[stinkwheel]

[jeffyjeff]

[Tierbirdy]

Relax!

Also consider getting something like this, theyre a godsend on long rides so you can keep the throttle open just by resting your palm on it, rather than death gripping and redlining a small 125 to get any kind of speed out of it.

[blurredman]

[dave001]

you dont want to be death gripping the throttle it walll cause cramp or weekness in hands

sounds like your just relaxing on bike a bit more now and you ether got a shit pair of gloves

and or a shit pair of grips

as for slow seed control its all in the clutch and rear brake

[Andy_Pagin]

My old Yamaha Vity had annoyingly slippery grips, so I bough a roll of non slip rubber sheeting and made a sleeve for the grip, wasn't pretty but did the job.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Nobby the Bastard]

I for one welcome our new ai overlord.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Easy-X]