Handlebars and grips....

[Detman101]

Hello,

I have drag bars on my bike. You know, They're straight with a small kink in them towards the ends that turns in.

I get a lot of numbness in my right hand and I wanted to know if I should switch to the superbike bars. Would that cure my numbness some?

I also theorized that the numbness occurs because I have very thin grips on my handlebars...and VERY long fingers. I have to deathgrip the bars because if I don't, my fingers hit my palm and I don't hold onto the grips very well.

(Basically, when I'm holding the grips my fingertips are tucked under the heel of my palm)

Are there "Thicker" or bigger grips I can get that will allow my long fingers to curve over the grip correctly and not overlap?

Thanks.

[Hoomgar]

You gotta put the bars you like on your L model bro. I would go stock but thats just me. The drag bars however look radical on a cruiser style GS and thicker grips may just be your answer. They make them as thick as you want. To thick and it is no good either but to thin does what you describe.

Take into consideration the thickness of any gloves you wear when buying grips.

On the other side though, SB bars may give you just a little bit more pull back taking the pressure off your shoulder and neck area (which is what makes your fingers numb) and still have the agressive look like the drag bars.

Just thoughts.

[Detman101]

Sounds good. I'm going to have a looksie at some SB bars this afternoon when I get back home.

I will have to see some thicker grips though. I dont' want to take a chance with anything off of ebay and then they are too thin...

Thanks bud!

[KennyJ]

Right hand? Throttle hand?

I have the same issue on my FJ. I haven't done it yet, but what I have figured out is the vibration on the right side is amplified because the throttle grip sleeve is worn enough so it is a sloppy fit on the bar. This seems to amplify the vibration. I was going to clean the sleeve then wrap the bar with aluminum tape (they use for ducting), to reduce the gap, and hopefully eliminate the extra vibration.

You might also try foam grips, they are larger in size and the extra padding might just do it for you.

Kenny

[Detman101]

Yesssssh....foam grips. Those should be relatively inexpensive too...

[Anonymous]

New question while were on grips

I just removed my stock grips to replace them, and the rotating sleeve of the throttle has grooves to hold the factory grips. Has anyone just ground off the ridges to get aftermarket grips to fit?

[KGB]

If yo uhave extra large hands, you could try harley bars, they're 1 inch diameter versus the 7/8 of the GS'.


Not sure about the controls, starter, lights switches fitting those big bars, probably not.

[Big T]

As one who has suffered from this problem in the past:

1. The bar size makes no difference and Harley bars won't fit in your clamps
2. Search for the biggest grips possible. Mine are what we called "titty" grips back in the 70s. My buddies bitch if they ride my bike because they can't get their hands around them.
3. Mine slid right on. Use hairspray to lube if necessary
4. FYI, at 6'4", my hands are larger than my 6'6" buddy's. I wear a size 17 ring. Sometime I'll post my Dennis Kirk story. :roll:

So shop around. Grips are cheap.

[beby99]

Re: New question while were on grips

I just removed my stock grips to replace them, and the rotating sleeve of the throttle has grooves to hold the factory grips. Has anyone just ground off the ridges to get aftermarket grips to fit?

Yep....ground mine off and clued on aftermarket ones....works great.


Dm....you might also think about anti-vibration bar ends. Worked for me.

[Canada Dan]

I ground mine off as well and have tried a few different grips, currently my GS850 is fitted with Honda Goldwing foam grips. Very comfortable and inexpensive.

Dan.

[Detman101]

Bret, I've got the anti-vibe bar-ends on the bike.

I'm going to go looking for some "Titty-Grips"
later this afternoon. I hope I don't get slapped.

This is great!!

Now I can say "I like my grips just how I like my boobs, THICK!"

Lol...