[Adrenaline Revolution]

I'm asking for opinions from other Stryker riders who have also had the problem of your hands or fingers going numb while riding.
Mine start going dead within a short time so I bought the throttle lock/lever doohickey (sorry for getting technical) so that I can take my throttle hand off and shake some blood back into it.
It's really getting aggravating and I'm jealous as can be of people who don't have this problem.
With a little searching here and there I see most folks talking about the Kuryakyn ISO grips and bar weights and even the throttle boss to alleviate this.
Heck, if it will relieve the numbness I'll order all three to get a more comfortable ride.
BUT...

Is the investment really worth it?
Do these parts really get rid of the numbness completely?
If not completely, what % would you guess they relieve it?

I'd really like to hear from others that have the problem with dead hands and what they did to fix it.

"AR"

 

[nogard]

I have the Iso grips, and I hated them for the 1st few months of riding. I ended up taking off my gloves, and letting my hands form to the grips while riding. I almost don't even notice the grips anymore, so they appear to be working great.

When i got the Iso grips, i got brand new gloves too.. my hands wouldn't last more than 20 mins on a ride until i broke in the gloves. Not sure if you wear gloves, but that could be the case too.

I have the Iso and Throttle attachment for the end of the bar, and it's amazing.

 

[Buford]

I went with the Kuryakun Black ISO Grips with Throttle Boss.

 

[Strykeback]

Hey AR, sorry to hear this. I don't have this problem yet (I know you wanted those who did to respond) but I do have the ISO grips with the bar end weights. IMHO the OEM bar end weights seemed to weigh more than the Kuryakyn one's. By adding the bar end weights onto to the ISO grips only brings it back to the way it was before the changing the grips out. I did add the throttle boss which does allow me relax my grip considerably. I just need to let the weight of hand/arm to hold the throttle open. I imagine the cruise assist would help more than the throttle boss.

 

[klarowe]

Don't be so sure it is the grips. I used to have the same issue and I went through multiple different grips when I had my R6. For me it ended up being the gloves. I always went with gloves that were a perfect fit. Then I accidentally ordered a larger size on my last pair of gloves and notice the numbness almost completely went away. From what I can guess, the tightness of the gloves mixed with my wrist angle would constrict the blood flow to my hand. I do still get the numbness once in a while but it usually goes away if I loosen my glove / jacket around my wrist. Something to give a try before you go through what I went through (a lot of $$).

 

[J4patrice]

Ok, let me jump in since I have the same issue. I get numbness in my hands, but mostly my thumbs. I have the ISO grips, but I do not have the weights. I am going to be making that purchase soon to see if that helps/alleviates the situation.

I wear gloves most of the time. I have a couple pair I have worn and had the same issue. I have also gone without gloves and still had numbness.
I also have the Breakaway cruise control, which I use to shake out my hands when needed.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Hey AR, sorry to hear this. I don't have this problem yet (I know you wanted those who did to respond) but I do have the ISO grips with the bar end weights. IMHO the OEM bar end weights seemed to weigh more than the Kuryakyn one's. By adding the bar end weights onto to the ISO grips only brings it back to the way it was before the changing the grips out. I did add the throttle boss which does allow me relax my grip considerably. I just need to let the weight of hand/arm to hold the throttle open. I imagine the cruise assist would help more than the throttle boss.

But do the actual grips do anything for the numbness?

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Ok, let me jump in since I have the same issue. I get numbness in my hands, but mostly my thumbs. I have the ISO grips, but I do not have the weights. I am going to be making that purchase soon to see if that helps/alleviates the situation.

I wear gloves most of the time. I have a couple pair I have worn and had the same issue. I have also gone without gloves and still had numbness.
I also have the Breakaway cruise control, which I use to shake out my hands when needed.

So you have the grips and they have done nothing to help?
My thumbs are the first to go, then my middle two fingers... with and without gloves.

 

[J4patrice]

So you have the grips and they have done nothing to help?
My thumbs are the first to go, then my middle two fingers... with and without gloves.

Exactly. I do have the grips and like you my thumbs are the first to go.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Don't be so sure it is the grips. I used to have the same issue and I went through multiple different grips when I had my R6. For me it ended up being the gloves. I always went with gloves that were a perfect fit. Then I accidentally ordered a larger size on my last pair of gloves and notice the numbness almost completely went away. From what I can guess, the tightness of the gloves mixed with my wrist angle would constrict the blood flow to my hand. I do still get the numbness once in a while but it usually goes away if I loosen my glove / jacket around my wrist. Something to give a try before you go through what I went through (a lot of $$).

Kind of what I'm thinking.
But it happens even without gloves.
Maybe just the throttle boss with the stock grips and soft, loose fitting gloves is the way to go and spend the money on something else...

 

[J4patrice]

Kind of what I'm thinking.
But it happens even without gloves.
Maybe just the throttle boss with the stock grips and soft, loose fitting gloves is the way to go and spend the money on something else...

I have both loose fitting and tight gloves and still have the numbness. As get it without gloves. I'm hoping the weights will help for me.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

Well, let us know Patrice, Seems to be a real problem affecting a lot of folks and if we are to believe Kuryakyn's claims of total relief and spend the money only to find out it does nothing then the $$$ would be better spent elsewhere on other mods like the scoot mods fwd controls!
Unfortunately that does nothing to solve the numbness problem.

 

[Silkentek]

I have numbness issues as well. I was thrown from a horse years ago and first point of impact was the palm of my right hand on pavement... crumpled up and slid/rolled from that point to stoppage. Horse was a long legged ***** and had a good turn of speed so looked like I had been in a bike accident lol
I started with stock grips, and had to get the iso grips very quickly. I had iso grips on my 950. My old virago had stock grips. My hand would go numb quickly on the virago, when I started riding the 950 I found I could keep that from happening by wearing very soft flexible gloves and keeping a loose grip, just hooking fingers on the pads of the iso grips.
Then I traded in the 950 for the stryker and the numbness was back. Installed kuryakyn iso grips and have it under control again. The stryker handlebars put me in a different position then the 950 bars did so I will probably be changing the bars when I can afford to. I would love to have bars like I saw on the 1300 deluxe.
Not sure if that is going to be possible but will be checking that out.
What I have learned tho is that gripping tightly is going to cause issues. It is a form of carpel tunnel syndrome. I ride 8 to 12 hours at a time so have had to really train myself to relax my grip and let the bike do the work. It really is possible =)

 

[J4patrice]

I have numbness issues as well. I was thrown from a horse years ago and first point of impact was the palm of my right hand on pavement... crumpled up and slid/rolled from that point to stoppage. Horse was a long legged ***** and had a good turn of speed so looked like I had been in a bike accident lol
I started with stock grips, and had to get the iso grips very quickly. I had iso grips on my 950. My old virago had stock grips. My hand would go numb quickly on the virago, when I started riding the 950 I found I could keep that from happening by wearing very soft flexible gloves and keeping a loose grip, just hooking fingers on the pads of the iso grips.
Then I traded in the 950 for the stryker and the numbness was back. Installed kuryakyn iso grips and have it under control again. The stryker handlebars put me in a different position then the 950 bars did so I will probably be changing the bars when I can afford to. I would love to have bars like I saw on the 1300 deluxe.
Not sure if that is going to be possible but will be checking that out.
What I have learned tho is that gripping tightly is going to cause issues. It is a form of carpel tunnel syndrome. I ride 8 to 12 hours at a time so have had to really train myself to relax my grip and let the bike do the work. It really is possible =)

I do ride with a looser grip, because I thought this might have been the issue but that has not helped. However, I had neck surgery years ago and have also thought it could be a result of that. I do know after a long ride my neck is just killing me. I know Toby has had this same surgery, however, I know there are still limitations after surgery. Not that I would ever give up riding because of this. I would just deal with it. lol

Do you have the weights on your ISO grips?

 

[Strykeback]

But do the actual grips do anything for the numbness?

I do not think the ISO grips will do anything for you. IMHO unlike a HD the bike does not shake or vibrate enough to cause numbness, at least not for me. I got grips cause I liked the blacked out look and wanted the throttle boss to loosen my grip on my hour commute.

If vibration is the root cause of you numbness I would look at the Avon grips instead. http://avongrips.com/shop/products/Air-Cushion-Anodized-Grips-with-Throttle-Assist.html I wish I had done these instead as I do not find the ISO that comfortable to be honest. The ISOs look cool but I don't like the bump feel under my hands. These Avon's seems more smooth with the air cushioning.

I would be more suspicious of the root cause being egronomics . That "fist in the wind" position of your arms straigh out for periods maybe just pinching a nerve on that one arm. The one major drawback of the Stryker is that it is very difficult to change handlebar egronomcis. Something I will tip my hat to Harley. You can do to the dealer and pick like six or seven handebars off the wall and customize the fit of the bike.

 

[stroguy]

I wear deerskin loose fitting work gloves. Very thin, very comfortable and excellent traction. I also loosened my grip. I rode with a death grip. Relax your grip. I also have the ISO grips but the biggest fix was relaxing my death grip.

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

I wear deerskin loose fitting work gloves. Very thin, very comfortable and excellent traction. I also loosened my grip. I rode with a death grip. Relax your grip. I also have the ISO grips but the biggest fix was relaxing my death grip.

I think that right there might be my biggest problem
Hard for blood to flow when your arms and hands are as tight as steel!

 

[Guest]

The ISO grips took care of most of the problem I had with numbness. The end weights pretty much alleviated the rest of it. Once in a while, I will use the throttle lock, but don't need it often at all. IMO, well worth the $$.

 

[beth75kiss]

I have my thumbs and first 2 fingers go numb, almost always limited to my right, and when it happens i can try and relax my neck and shoulders and the numbness goes away-at least until i get tense again. I just try and watch my position-I really don't think grips would help me at all, but customized bars maybe...

 

[Silkentek]

I do ride with a looser grip, because I thought this might have been the issue but that has not helped. However, I had neck surgery years ago and have also thought it could be a result of that. I do know after a long ride my neck is just killing me. I know Toby has had this same surgery, however, I know there are still limitations after surgery. Not that I would ever give up riding because of this. I would just deal with it. lol

Do you have the weights on your ISO grips?

No, no weights. just the iso grips. I have also got the throttleboss for the grips but haven't used it yet, because I am still getting used to how touchy my throttle is compared to the 950 lol
Yes, toby deals with neck pain n stuff, we just feed him pain meds, he uses a bit more on long ride weekends then normal but still no where near what most people on this prescription use.
The iso grips really do make a difference because of those pads and the spaces between them. You can adjust your grip, I also have a way of holding the grip with thumb and index finger, wiggling the other 3 fingers then gripping with those 3 fingers and relaxing my thumb and index finger.
On downhill stretches I really really relax my grip and lean back a little.
one thing about the stryker, the stock bars will put you in a forward leaning position, with your chin up, this is probably aggravating your neck. It also encourages you to LEAN on your hands on the bars if you are short like we are. It is a conscious effort to train yourself to NOT lean on your hands. Try doing your best to stay eased off of your hands and see if that helps. I caught myself many times leaning on my hands on the grips, and it really was brought home to me after coming home in the dark, 90 miles of hwy 36 and van duzen road. the next day my hands almost wouldn't function. I had been gripping too tightly and leaning on my hands too much because I am not totally comfortable riding in pitch black in the hills yet.
just my thoughts on these issues =)