Handguards?...vibrations? - .: XT660.com

Peatbog · # 1 23-01-09, 02:43

I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands, its a condition which means that with exposure to vibration (like thumpers) my hands go numb and i cant grip things.....like handlebars.

on my old 'R' i had a set of Yam handguards, which meant removing the stock bar end weights, therefore losing the tiny damping effect they had. this meant i had quite a problem with numbness on that bike.

On the new Tenere i don't have a numbness problem at all, i think this may be down to the fact that the bar end weights weigh about a stone each!

My point, and my question is - have any of you who have fitted handguards noticed a diffrence in bar/grip vibration as a result?? I'd like to fit some to protect the levers in the event of an off - and to keep the weather off my mitts. however i'll never fit them if it means i'll be going back to vibe-numb hands- I'll just carry a spare set of levers instead.

thanks in advance for any advice.
Pete.

josephau · # 2 23-01-09, 04:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peatbog

I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in both hands, its a condition which means that with exposure to vibration (like thumpers) my hands go numb and i cant grip things.....like handlebars.

on my old 'R' i had a set of Yam handguards, which meant removing the stock bar end weights, therefore losing the tiny damping effect they had. this meant i had quite a problem with numbness on that bike.

On the new Tenere i don't have a numbness problem at all, i think this may be down to the fact that the bar end weights weigh about a stone each!

My point, and my question is - have any of you who have fitted handguards noticed a diffrence in bar/grip vibration as a result?? I'd like to fit some to protect the levers in the event of an off - and to keep the weather off my mitts. however i'll never fit them if it means i'll be going back to vibe-numb hands- I'll just carry a spare set of levers instead.

thanks in advance for any advice.
Pete.

As a background, I always rode twins bike, so adjusting to vibrations from singles was necessary. I have fitted Acerbis handguards (the ones with alu bar on the sides) and Magura handlebars (because I heard it was much stronger than OEM and it transfers less vibration) but without the barend weights. Immediately after the modifications, I felt that the vibration was about the same. Then I added back the crossbar on the Magura handlebar, and it seemed less vibrations. Then the more I ride the bike, it gets smoother, especially after 10000km. Now I notice much less vibrations than the beginning. You can also find in other threads that people fit bar-end weights to the handguards. It's not my cup of tea in terms of aesthetics, but whatever it works for you works for you then.

dallas · # 3 23-01-09, 04:43

A couple of years ago I also had CTS in my left wrist, had it operated and it's gone. What also might help(it did on my XT600E) are handlebar risers. I also got handguards on my Tenere, first the original guards&deflectors and now the Touratech setup. Although the bar endweights in both options are lighter, the difference in vibes is minimal, in my experience.
Greetz, Hans.

jasext · # 4 23-01-09, 07:18

I also noticed the difference when i fitted hanguards and removed the weights,but bought a set of acerbis multiplo e guards and that allows me to fit the bar end wights back on back to normal now with no vibration

The only downside is the price on the handguards ,but as they say yuo get what you pay for and these are far superior to anything else on the market

Gas_Up_Lets_Go · # 5 23-01-09, 08:52

I have the stock Yamaha handguards fitted, with the small spoiler (which is remarkably effective considering it's size). There is no issue with vibration at all, probably because these guards keep the bar end weights. There are a good piece of engineering, designed for the bike, fit and work with the bike - but expensive.

I think the guards are something like �50-�60, and the spoiler another �50 (the spoiler is a complete rip off realy)

steveD · # 6 23-01-09, 09:43

I have fitted the KTM handguards which allowed me to keep the original bar end weights. These guards seem to be the only ones around that have a hole for the bar end that is big enough to mod to allow the bar end to be replaced.
PS at the moment I have totally butchered them, taking off the lower and upper deflector parts to make them thinner so that they are basically a bar which in turn supports my MUFFS to keep them in shape.
The only downside is that I've had to buy another pair of thinner gloves because my hands get soooooooo warm and comfy and I don't need thick gloves anymore when it's so cold!!!!!!!

russolivant · # 7 23-01-09, 10:04

I replaced my bars with renthal - which reduce vibration over the stock bars (without bar ends).
Then added KTM handguards.
I then had the original barends machined to fit the KTM handguards - fitting these results in almost zero vibration.

I recently rode 3 Teneres back-to-back
1) Renthal 916 (Dakar High Rise) + KTM handguards + end weights
2) Standard bars + Yamaha handguards
3) Renthal 966 (I think) + KTM Handguards

1 was the smoothest
2 and 3 felt about the same.

Russ

tenyamman · # 8 23-01-09, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gas_Up_Lets_Go

I have the stock Yamaha handguards fitted, with the small spoiler (which is remarkably effective considering it's size). There is no issue with vibration at all, probably because these guards keep the bar end weights. There are a good piece of engineering, designed for the bike, fit and work with the bike - but expensive.

I think the guards are something like �50-�60, and the spoiler another �50 (the spoiler is a complete rip off realy)

my garage fitted these but gave me my bar end weights in a bag. should they have been kept on then? what they done different?

dallas · # 9 23-01-09, 21:48

To my knowledge, the weights used for the guards are smaller(and lighter) then the ones that came with the bike as new. So it's right you got them when the guards were fitted, keep 'em in case you want to get back to original. I changed from the original handguards to Touratech, which came with their own endweights. So that's the story.
Greetz, Hans.

P.s.: there's no significant difference in vibes between the two set-ups and the original no-handguards set-up, in my experience.

jeffs · # 10 25-01-09, 11:37

I am waiting to have an OP for my CTS in the mean time I went down to a local gun shop and bought some fine lead shot. I bought some 10mm clear plastic tube from my local Hardware store and made my own removable lead bar snake. I would say I have lost 80% of my vibration for NZ$12. I then put bar raises on which cause me to sit slightly more upright, this reduces pressure on the hand. These mods are both easily reversible and allow for fine tuning. I can now ride for 3-4 times as far before my hand says " you have enjoyed your fun, now go home"
For those without CTS they will not understand how quick you hand starts to get painful even with a little vibration.

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