Hello everyone,

I've been encouraging very strange problems since I have bought my sport bike... It's a Honda CBR600F. My hands cramp after a while on the bike. Strange, because I have found the position on the bike quite comfortable. And all my friends are claiming that 600F is much comfortable then their supersports.

I have never had problems like this before. I'm a bit worried, 'cause I started to have this problem even when I'm not on the bike! What the hell is going on? Anyone had similar problems? Any suggestions?

It's not that bad when I'm not on the bike, but it's a bit spooky during the long rides because I if worse comes to worst I can't reach indicators switch with my left thumb!! I'm trying to exercise my wrists while standing on the traffic lights. This usually helps a bit, but generally the problem stays.

Or maybe it's just a coincidence?? But I have never had such problems before! And they have started first day I got the bike!

Maybe I should change the position of handlebars/grips? I have some adjustment there. Pushing them a bit forward seems to be good idea. Does anyone have experience with that?

My handlebars are fixed in the same way as the ones in CBR9**. Pls Check the photo.

Cheers,

M.




Click to view attachment

Look at my thread,

http://www.ukbikeforum.co.uk/forum/index.p...mp;hl=scousepie



I have the very same problem as you, I have taken the bars as low as pos and moved the leavers/grips and its made all the difference, I also bought some dumbbells to help the circulation in my hands, this advice came from my bike instructor and I think I have sorted out the problem.



Sounds like you have changed your ride position and the weight from your upper body is transferred to you wrist, adjust the bars and let us know how you get on.

Maybe it's that "arm pump" they keep talking about on Moto GP coverage? When your arms cramp from being in the same position and the muscles swell from squeezing the bars and cut off the blood to yer hands. Could be wrong, it's happened before

you say it happend from day one but have not said how many miles/days riding you have done since day one.

I switch bikes twice a year from winter to summer, bot have sports riding positions but are slightly different. Each time I change for the first two weeks I get a lot of muscle pain as I'm using some muscles I have not used for 6 months.

Howver it sounds a lot more like you are holding your body weight up with your arms wrists and hands when you should be holding yourself up with your stomach/abdomin muscles.

try to lean forward and lower with your elbows slightly bent so you can't hold your weight up on your arms. If this is what it is the cramp should slowly go away, but muscles around you middle might ach a little until they are strong enough.

if it happening when your not on the bike...then i would say, go get it checked over by your doc...sounds more than just riders strain to me mate

You probably just need to relax more and not grip the bars so tightly, or get the weight off them. Use your thighs to grip the tank and you will find you can almost take the hands off the bars altogether on a straight, allowing you to rest them. Also when at speed try sitting upright for a mile and let the wind get under your body a bit to take the weight off.

Biggest problem is when in town/traffic as you have all the weight on your wrists, as well as using clutch and brake. You will find those muscles strengthen to compensate but needs time - and many more miles so perfect excuse to get out on the bike more!!

Thanks for your replies, Guys.

Couple of details: I have bought my CBR a month ago. I did around 700 miles by that time. I guess 70% of that mileage was done in London... I used to ride a 125CC scooter before So, yes, my position on the bike has changed!

In general, your thoughts are just confirming my observations. In fact cramping stops when I'm getting the weight off them, so I definitely need to work on my position on the bike. But I'm afraid you can't do much in a heavy traffic... Good idea with gripping the tank with thighs. Works well, but it's still difficult in a traffic.

Regarding cramping hands when not on the bike: It may be just my low blood pressure... I realized that I have reached the point where I fall asleep when haven't got 2 strong coffees during the day.
Other thing is that I haven't had much sleep since I got the bike Working late hours, riding, visiting friends, staying over night, waking up early next day, going somewhere else... It does not help I guess. But what can I do. This weather will not least forever!

I will play with setting up the grips and handle bars over the weekend. Obviously I will let you know the effects.

Beside that I have just started to exercise my forearms

cheers!

M.

You could try some handlebar risers? Go onto Ebay and search, there are loads.... Would help to make you a little more upright and therefore less weight on the wrists?

Looks like you have covered all the angles, I use dumbbells this helps to get the blood moving round your arms hands, but be warned dont over do it cos you will look like popeye



good luck and let us know how you get on.