Here’s a new one for ya to chew on:

I am 54 years old and ride fairly often (2-3 times a month). After riding, my right hand is extremely sore and tingles, often goes to sleep. (Probably explains why I keep falling behind everyone else on the trail.) I have the beginnings of a condition known as dupuytren’s contracture, which is where the ring and little fingers gradually (over a period of years) contract and stay that way.

This isn’t a sad story, I just wonder if anyone has experienced a similar problem and what type of solutions you can suggest. I am thinking that perhaps a more thickly padded handlebar grip might help. Or possibly a twist throttle instead of the thumb throttle. This last would be difficult since I currently ride a Polaris.

ATV riding is my primary form of outdoor recreation and I don’t intend to give it up. So I just need to figger out a way to ride without boogering up my hands.

 

Not too sure on that one.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]
maybe thicker grips like you said. What about thicker padded gloves? A twist throttle might move your problem from your fingers to your wrist.

 

You could try a thicker grip. You might also try a throttle extension. This is just a piece of plastic that clamps onto the stock thumb throttle, making it longer. Instead of using just your thumb, you can use more of your palm. It takes some of the work off of the thumb. Just a suggestion.

 

I dunno if this will work with you having your medical condition, But when I first started riding I always had sore hands, So I took a tenis ball and whenever I wasnt doing anything I would repeatedly squeeze it with my hands. It works great for building strong hands, And doesnt cost very much.. An added bonus to it is you can workout any given finger one at a time, unlike with the spring loaded hand grip type things..

 

Thicker grips may help,also try lessening your grip on the handlebars.Thumb Savers also help,any dealer should be able to get them.

 

I shattered my arm in a motorcycle accident and my hand would get numb when I would go riding. I purchased a thumb saver (throttle extention) and my hand is fine on rides now. I think that it cost me like $4. It was a good investment.

 

Get yourself one of those grip/hand excercisers so you can excercise your hand a few times a week. After doing that for 2-3 weeks you will most likely not have this problem on your atv any longer.

 

Greetings,

Agree on the thumb extender -- it can make a real difference in some situtations.

Also, if you think the vibration is at fault (as might be indicated by the tingling), Gemplers offers anti-vibration gloves. While designed for chain saws, brush cutters, etc., they could be a help when riding. But read the catalog carefully, I think they sell them one at a time -- not by the pair -- and they ain't cheap.

 

Try the throttle extender, it works very well, and you are able to use the palm of your hand more than the thumb.
Hope it helps.

 

There are several things you can do and you are not limited just because you own a Polaris. HPD, Hot Seat Performance, AAEN, Ricker Ritter Racing, FTR Racing all make great products for the Polaris Machines.
Thumb throttle extender allows use of hand instead of the thumb
You can try foam grips. I don't know how much they will help. You can also change the grips from the solid line pattern to one that has little pimples instead. I know this made a big difference for me.
Steering stabilizer This takes a lot of the jolts from riding.
Anti-Vib Steering Stem- Helps reduce the vibrations Kind of expensive.
Aftermarket shocks- Again these will smooth out your ride and reduce the jolts caused by hitting things. Terrain that you could feel with stock shocks you don't even notice with these shocks. Again they are kind of expensive.