Gloves with Gel Padding??

[ricky racer]

I get a slight buzz in the bars that's not real noticeable but on longer rides, I get numbness in my hands / fingers that is kind of annoying. I have throttlemeisters on the bar ends which dampen some of the buzz. I realize that with the bars not being rubber mounted as many bars are, you'll never get rid of all of the vibrations. I've read all the posts pertaining to syncing the throttle bodies to smoothing out the power but I don't believe you can get rid of all vibrations. Heck, my GL 1500 Goldwing had some handle bar vibrations.

Anyway, I wondered if wearing riding gloves with Gel padding in the palms might absorb some of the vibes and lessen the tingling fingers. Any thoughts??

[Guest24]

I use the grip puppies to reduce the vibes. Not bad but they also reduce feel.

[ckcarr]

Fingertips.
Relax.
Shake them out.

[cole1]

maybe you fingers are falling a sleep from the forward lean causing blood circulation being cut off. Also I use to get the tingling when the bike was new but over the miles adding up it has disappeared completely.

[cageyar]

Originally Posted by ricky racer

....but on longer rides, I get numbness in my hands / fingers that is kind of annoying....

Try loosening the glove velcro/snap gaunlet or strap and loosen your jacket at the wrists - if zipped, don't zip the last 1/2 inch or velcro closure loosen it.
I have found almost all hand/finger numbness I've had is due to the gloves and/or jacket sleeve being too tight. It doesn't take much.
I sometimes loosen the gaunlets on my Kushi tani gloves while riding after my fingers get numb on one hand or both - you can immediately feel the blood flow being restored and the numbness diminishing.

[RapidRobert]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I use the grip puppies to reduce the vibes. Not bad but they also reduce feel.

How'd you get Grip Puppies to work for you? I tried a pair - had some on another bike prior to this one ('99 11S) and they worked great, but when I put them on the S, 20 miles into my first ride I noticed my throttle wasn't springing back like it should, I had to manually roll the throttle off. I removed the right side Grip Puppy and all was well again.

Not wanting to give up the vibe amelioration it provided, I decided to split the right Grip Puppy lengthwise. I then wrapped it around the throttle side again, and used a pair of wire/cable ties to keep it snugged on the grip. Now it's not so snug as to intefere with the throttle return, but it's snug enough that it doesn't move around either, and it still makes the vibes more tolerable.

Still I'm going to watch this thread, because even with the Grip Puppies, I get a numbness in my right hand after only a short time riding. But only on the right hand.

[jaytee]

Hate grip puppies... No feel- and the heated grips didn't work well. But I *like* the throb of a powerful twin as transmitted through the bars...

YMMV

+1 on making sure you arent leaning on the bars cutting circulation.

[chewie]

what's the name of those soft brown gloves that some of the US boys have? they look like a riggers glove, very comfy looking, maybe not as substantial for a fall

my little fingers esp the left one seem too long or the finger in the glove is too short

[LeftCoast Peter]

Bicycle tape. Its good.

[ErricZ]

Olympia makes a whole line of kick-ass Gel Gloves. I always used to use them, maybe I should switch back since I get some numbness.

[Rapid Dog]

...gel gloves, gel grips, gel saddles...gel gets hot easily. Gel grips with heated grips, forget it.
Gel gloves, I had a pair, hots spots were the result.
Besides, my like is a pair of gloves that are as transparent as possible. I want the best feel for the bars as possible.

If you have an R11S with the OEM grips you may consider some aftermarket rubber grips that fit your hand better. Adjust your bars a bit.
As mentioned before, the wrist angle may be why you're getting tingling.

My2Sense

[BCRDave]

I use Galindo Super Bike grips. They're quite a bit thicker than OEM grips, relieving some of the vibration transfer, and also I like that my hand doesn't close as tight on the grip. I think that also helps with the hand numbness, I'm on my third set! I still get plenty of bar feel, they're the ticket for me! (no heated grips)