Triumphrat

03cruiser · 11-03-2009, 07:48 PM

I have had my ’08 Tiger in Glorious White for a little while now. I bought it for the commute to work which is 36 miles - one way. I love the look, power and agility of the beast, and have put a lot of money into Farkles and such since I bought it. I really only have one complaint, and it’s a serious problem for me.
Whenever I ride more than 15 – 20 minutes my hands get numb. Starts with my thumb and forefinger, followed closely by the middle finger – On both hands. I have to stop riding and shake my hands out for a few minutes to restore feeling. It hasn’t been much of a problem until today. Today was the first day that I started the long commute, and my hands numbed-up going to, and coming home from work.

I’ve tried different gloves, and even NO gloves – Still numbs up. I’ve been extremely aware of my grip, and seat position – Still numbs up. I’ve rotated the bars – Still numbs up. It’s driving me batty, and I’m pretty sure it’s not healthy for this to keep happening. I KNOW it’s not safe to be riding when I can’t feel my hands. I’ve asked my Most Awesome Triumph dealer if he’s heard of this before, but he’s baffled as well. So – I’m asking the collective genius of this board if you have experienced (or have heard anyone else who has experienced) it.

This is a serious problem for me and if I can’t correct the situation I’ll have to get rid of the Tiger (and I hate the thought of that). This never happened in the 5 years I rode my Speedmaster, even on cross-country trips.

Anyone have any advice for me on this?

flux_capacitor · 11-03-2009, 08:13 PM

Have you changed the bars to an aftermarket bend? I have Pro Taper ATV Mids on my '02 and MUCH prefer them to the stocker... with that said I have little experience on the 1050's. I also have a set of Rox Risers installed.

Another solution is to try old school foam grips. Cycle Gear has them for under $10 a set. They really soak up some vibes and I will never go back to standard dirtbike style grips.

HOGUSERRECTUS · 11-03-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03cruiser

I have had my ’08 Tiger in Glorious White for a little while now. I bought it for the commute to work which is 36 miles - one way. I love the look, power and agility of the beast, and have put a lot of money into Farkles and such since I bought it. I really only have one complaint, and it’s a serious problem for me.
Whenever I ride more than 15 – 20 minutes my hands get numb. Starts with my thumb and forefinger, followed closely by the middle finger – On both hands. I have to stop riding and shake my hands out for a few minutes to restore feeling. It hasn’t been much of a problem until today. Today was the first day that I started the long commute, and my hands numbed-up going to, and coming home from work.

I’ve tried different gloves, and even NO gloves – Still numbs up. I’ve been extremely aware of my grip, and seat position – Still numbs up. I’ve rotated the bars – Still numbs up. It’s driving me batty, and I’m pretty sure it’s not healthy for this to keep happening. I KNOW it’s not safe to be riding when I can’t feel my hands. I’ve asked my Most Awesome Triumph dealer if he’s heard of this before, but he’s baffled as well. So – I’m asking the collective genius of this board if you have experienced (or have heard anyone else who has experienced) it.

This is a serious problem for me and if I can’t correct the situation I’ll have to get rid of the Tiger (and I hate the thought of that). This never happened in the 5 years I rode my Speedmaster, even on cross-country trips.

Anyone have any advice for me on this?

03 cruiser. Do you have crash bars on your bike? Whether you do or not have your dealer re-torque your engine mount bolts to spec-3 on each side. Several problems noted on the http:// www.tiger1050.com/ site with the SW-Motech crash bars causing vibrations in the bars and footpegs above 4000 RPM! Mine included and I'm getting ready to remove mine after the re-torque failed to remedy the problem! Mine was smooth before their install! Your dealer should be working to solve the problem for you! The 1050 engine is one of the smoother motors out and should not be causing numbing vibrations unless something is a miss.
Good Luck and keep us informed.
Jamie

keystiger · 11-03-2009, 09:18 PM

HAve you tried bar risers to bring them up and back closer to you?

It could be a nerve pinch situation in your neck. Also possibly a lighter helmet?

Just a thought.

miker · 11-03-2009, 11:13 PM

One more thought,

How are you sitting? If you're sitting with your back curled over and weight on your hands, you'll get numb in minutes.

For me, if I sit straight and take the weight completely off my hands I can go for days without a problem.

Posture is often a cause of discomfort in legs and arms, not to mention the back and buttocks and unless you correct it, no amount of ergonomic changes will help.

Mick

HOGUSERRECTUS · 11-04-2009, 01:44 AM

In my earlier post I made an assumption that vibration was the possible cause of your problem without you actually mentioning that you felt it. If that's not the cause of your problem then it could be as others have mentioned the difference in your riding posture coming from the Speedmaster to the Tiger. Some have helped their posture problems by using bar risers,changing their bars to a different style, lowering their foot pegs with pegs from the Buell Ulysses, seat pads,ETC. I hope you can get your problem worked out as the Tiger is a great bike!
Good luck!

winger · 11-04-2009, 04:54 AM

Blimey this is a can worms for me.

As i've said in many post the Tiger we own gets used for long distance stuff only,so vibes through bars!! i'm not even sure were to start,my wife tell me i have a mania for holding the leftside bar end with my thumb and forfinger testing the vibes,i've found over the years there are 3 things that have an affect,miles on the engine and what Tune is in it,and how tight the chain is.

At it's worsed,must have been 2004/5 i had the engine(as opposed to bike) serviced and a new tune put in,14 or 15,and set off for Valencia,by the the time i got there while the bike was running that lean it was doing over 60mpg no matter how fast i rode it,my hands were in bits with the vibes,went into the Triumph dealer had a laugh trying to explain what was going on,he put an old map/tune in and we carried on to Lisbon and then home,when i got back home went to the dealer and to my amazment,said he wasn't suprised!! put me another tune in,and that is still in to this day.

Folk talk about BMW's needing miles to break in Triumphs are exactly the same,mine changed around the 8000 mark and again at 20,plus i learned that a new tune didn't mean better,there's no bench mark,just because others come on here and tell you their's are fine,engines vary greatly,and last but not least,chains i've always run mine slack,i've no idea about the 1050 book,but the 955 is just plain wrong,ironic considering all the wanrings they put in it.

abruls · 11-04-2009, 05:57 AM

I am experiencing the same, after a 20 mins drive numb right hand. It's not always the same, I only feel it in about 50% of my journeys. Personaly I think it has something to do with my grip on the gas handle, or maybe my backpack could be a source of keeping my blood to flow correctly..........but it's only the hand.....grip on the handle seems to me to be the problem.

tigg-ted · 11-04-2009, 07:53 AM

have you tried orientating the Switch/levers to your riding position?
When they come from the factory they're set up in a general position with a small indent on the bars to locate them. If you've rotated the bars the levers etc. will need realigning to suit. Otherwise you will contort to strange un-natural angles to operate the controls which can cause hand wrist problems.
Don't cost you anything and may help!

keystiger · 11-04-2009, 09:26 AM

Must say I am a bit confused about the "vibration" issues mentioned here.
I detect very...very little vibration from my 955. Granted I grew up on Harleys and single thumper dirt bikes. But even my Suzuki Katana sent more vibes to my hands than the Tiger.

If you are getting that much vibration (my Harley made my hands...butt....eyeballs...everything numb after 20 min.....mirrors, tag holder everything vibrated off but it "sounded" good

) then you might have other mechanical issues beyond my realm.

I do know posture makes a huge difference. And as I say helmet weight/aerodynamics. I was getting upper back/shoulder pain after 30 min. for over a year. Bought a newer lighter helmet......no more pain.