Arthritis

[old R90 guy]

Getting hard to ride for more than 3-4 hours without my hands turning into claws. One ride, I serously considered putting my now-nearly-immobile-hand on the clutch lever and leaning back to disengage the clutch, leaning forward to engage - I was really wondering how I was going to make it home. I will be visiting my doctor to get medical advice/solutions, but I realize there may be very little he can advise. What have the rest of you done or seen? I plan on looking into the Eze-Clutch, (or buying one of the new twin-clutch Honda$ - Ouch!!) Would a bar snake help the handle=bar vibrations? - I have problems with my right hand as well.

[dougie]

You can upshift the higher gears without the clutch.

[Zombie Master]

Getting hard to ride for more than 3-4 hours without my hands turning into claws. One ride, I serously considered putting my now-nearly-immobile-hand on the clutch lever and leaning back to disengage the clutch, leaning forward to engage - I was really wondering how I was going to make it home. I will be visiting my doctor to get medical advice/solutions, but I realize there may be very little he can advise. What have the rest of you done or seen? I plan on looking into the Eze-Clutch, (or buying one of the new twin-clutch Honda$ - Ouch!!) Would a bar snake help the handle=bar vibrations? - I have problems with my right hand as well.

There are also Yamaha FJ1300s That have an auto clutch. Very comfortable, powerful, and inexpensive to buy used.

You won't find better reliability either.

[00weel]

If it cant be changed with medical intervention? Than maybe it is time to consider an automatic bike?
Long as you get to ride and still have some comfort I say do what ever makes you happy!

[lrz]

I feel your pain, well something similar-tendonitis from the tip of my finger(middle, of course) to my elbow on a bad day! It actually did prevent me from riding the Kaiser (/7) earlier this summer as once my finger is bent I cannot straighten it. Long ago I rode a Honda-matic(I think it was) for a bit and though it wasn't that full shifting experience, it was still riding...

[Sunbeem]

Have you considered increasing the diameter of your handlebar grips ...?
It would mean you weren't closing (and opening) your hands as far, and you'd have the choice of surface - hard sponge, soft rubber - I prefer soft leather strip, wound around.

Sunbeem.

[old R90 guy]

Sunbeem - I have a slightly larger size now - before I go up in size again, I want to install an Eze Clutch, because while it reduces clutch effort, it does increase the travel, and I'm worried about engagement and handgrip interference issues. I may increase the diameter on the top, bottom and back side of the grip, and leave some room for clutch lever clearance on the front. I have a Canadian winter to ponder these issues.

[Airbear]

I'm an old R90 guy too (but not the old R90 guy, of course), and I have trouble with my paws, particularly when riding on twisty roads for long periods when there can be several gear changes per minute. I recently installed a new clutch - the old one was quite stiff and unforgiving - and the difference is a joy. (I replaced the friction plate, the diaphragm spring and the pressure plate - all were in horrible condition).

Clutch action is now light and smooth and my hands last a lot longer. That said, it can take a couple of days for the pain to ease after a decent ride. Just a matter of coping with limitations as one ages, I guess. Riding is good for us in so many ways. Keep doing it, is my advice. Try to find a way to continue on your old R90 too, because nothing else comes close in terms of character and enjoyment to my mind. I could be biased. All the best to you, old R90 guy.

[dougie]

Just a matter of coping with limitations as one ages, I guess. Riding is good for us in so many ways.

They say doing crossroad puzzles keeps the brain young.
I would rather be calculating the highest entry speed to a fast corner.
Adrenaline keeps you young.