Opinions please.

crash83
Posts
166
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Spring, TX US
Fantasy
Edited Date/Time 2/9/2014 7:06pm
Sorry if this doesn't go here.
After being off a bike for about 5 years i bought a 06 yz125 to build for single track.
Took it to a 144.. And my usual woods set up. Loved the bike. Due to work i could only ride about once a month..sometimes 1 every 2-3 months.
Anyway last summer i started to ride every weekend.
But my hands would fall asleep within the first 5 mins.and the ride would just suck for the rest of the day.

So i ended up selling the bike.[due to other reasons].
Now i want to buy another.
But i can't deal with my hards falling asleep and getting arm pump.
Is their anything i can do?
Would going to a 4 banger help?
What do you all think?
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catatonic
Posts
1575
Joined
3/20/2008
Location
Cape cod, MA US
2/9/2014 1:00pm
IMO a set of faast flex bars would be your answer.
I had a set for a few years and they were incredible.
GuyB
Posts
35722
Joined
7/10/2006
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA US
2/9/2014 1:03pm
Did you ever try other bends or move the bars around to see if another ride position would help out?
MotoX85
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2199
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10/9/2011
Location
Centralia, IL US
2/9/2014 1:34pm
I love 2 smokes but at 44 yrs old, I also love my 450F, and for an old "putter" the 4 stroke is the way to go for fat lazy ex-A riders. But if the 450 is too much, I'd get a 250F. My son is 13 and is probably ready for a 250. He rides the 250 2 smoke great (borrowed one) but it is just to easy to go fast on a 4 stroke. I would like him to stay 2 stroke but he needs to ride what he can win on and the 4 banger is the way to go. Plus I am a "mechanic" by trade (Helicopters anyway) and really have no problem wrenching on a modern 4 stroke.

You just have to maintain them properly.
crash83
Posts
166
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Spring, TX US
Fantasy
2/9/2014 1:36pm
I did move my bars around as well as my controls.
But nothing really seemed to help long term.
Been doing slot of reading on the subject.

And now have a few questions..
Anyone that has switch from 2 to 4 stroke did you notice any difference?
What about grips?
I've read that going to a larger round grip can help as well.
At 39 im an older guy getting older but man im just not ready to give up riding yet.
I always thought i would still be ridding at 60!
Maybe i need to move away from mx bikes and more toward an enduro or strictly an offroad bike.

The Shop

plowboy
Posts
14149
Joined
1/3/2010
Location
Norwich, KS US
2/9/2014 1:51pm
I've heard all kinds of causes for arm pump/numb hands but for me it was ALWAYS riding too tight. No matter the bike set up, track conditions, or competition...just relaxing and calming down made it disappear. Everybody is different. A 125 is a pretty "busy" bike...you can be a lot lazier on a thumper or 300 2T.
catatonic
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1575
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3/20/2008
Location
Cape cod, MA US
2/9/2014 2:06pm
I have heard of people using those springy hand clenchers ( not sure what they're called) while driving or sitting around to build up a resistence to arm pump.
newmann
Posts
24438
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
2/9/2014 2:16pm
Loved our 250f's until they scattered in grand fashion. Perfect bike between a 125 and 250 2 stroke. Just pray to the valve god every time you ride....lol
FLmxer
Posts
7290
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL US
Fantasy
2/9/2014 3:13pm Edited Date/Time 2/9/2014 3:14pm
Take a broom stick with a 2 1/2 pound weight tied to 3 feet of rope hanging from the middle. Hold your arms straight out in front of you and reel the weight up and then reel it down, Don't cheat on the way down. You will instantly feel arm pump just like riding. Do a few sets of these a few times a week and it will get better. I have heard that less carbonated drinks help too.
2/9/2014 3:18pm
This is wierd but works for me. I get sleeping hands and arm pump pretty much every time I ride. Over time I have figured out that if I ride for about 15 mins, get the combo of arm pump and the claw then park the bike for 1/2 hour and have a bottle of chocolate milk that I won't get arm pump or the claw for the rest of the day when I get back on the bike. It's odd, but I watched a couple of ex pro's that I used to ride with do something like this and I tried it... It works for me.
MXBREWSKI
Posts
260
Joined
9/2/2013
Location
Kerrville, TX US
2/9/2014 3:21pm
Do you have any carpal tunnel issues? This could be the cause of this also.
40Plus_922mx
Posts
2900
Joined
4/17/2009
Location
High Desert, CA US
2/9/2014 3:35pm
I used to suffer from arm pump. When I went 4 stroke I have never had it since.
Katoomey
Posts
1714
Joined
1/18/2013
Location
WY US
2/9/2014 3:51pm Edited Date/Time 2/9/2014 3:51pm
crash83 wrote:
I did move my bars around as well as my controls. But nothing really seemed to help long term. Been doing slot of reading on the...
I did move my bars around as well as my controls.
But nothing really seemed to help long term.
Been doing slot of reading on the subject.

And now have a few questions..
Anyone that has switch from 2 to 4 stroke did you notice any difference?
What about grips?
I've read that going to a larger round grip can help as well.
At 39 im an older guy getting older but man im just not ready to give up riding yet.
I always thought i would still be ridding at 60!
Maybe i need to move away from mx bikes and more toward an enduro or strictly an offroad bike.
I have battled numbness in my hands for 20 years.

...here's what I've found.

aluminum frames are the worst, especially the first gen hondas and most aluminum frames from the early 2000's
handlebars with cross bars are no good.
anything 2-stroke over 250cc will vibrate. no ifs, ands, or buts.
some 4 strokes vibrate, some don't. my 2013 SX-F 450 vibrates like crazy, my friends 2013 XC-F 450 doesn't at all.
Fasst Flex bars do not stop any vibrations from the motor - the bars are not isolated by rubber, as the pivot point is metal-to-metal contact.
thin or hard compound grips are horrible.
old tires, even less than a year old can significantly increase the shock and vibe felt at the bars and pegs.
poor riding technique (gripping with hands and not with legs) greatly contributes to hand fatigue and numbness (among other things)

Here is what I recommend for you as the ultimate set-up

KTM 200 sx/xc/xc-w (this is just a great bike anyway)- steel frame and a buttery smooth motor.
A top triple clamp with rubber mounting.
Renthal Fatbar or Pro Taper Contour handlebars
Vibranator handlebar inserts - these little gems work wonders
Renthal Dual compound kevlar grips.
Sharp footpegs and grip tape for the frame and airbox area (to help grip the bike with your legs/knees)

...and make sure your bike is tuned just a tad on the rich side and run good fuel to avoid detonation. both of those things will make the motor have even less vibrations.

...then practrice loosening your grip on the bike and you will never have an issue with numbness or hand fatigue ever again. I promise.
catatonic
Posts
1575
Joined
3/20/2008
Location
Cape cod, MA US
2/9/2014 4:05pm
crash83 wrote:
I did move my bars around as well as my controls. But nothing really seemed to help long term. Been doing slot of reading on the...
I did move my bars around as well as my controls.
But nothing really seemed to help long term.
Been doing slot of reading on the subject.

And now have a few questions..
Anyone that has switch from 2 to 4 stroke did you notice any difference?
What about grips?
I've read that going to a larger round grip can help as well.
At 39 im an older guy getting older but man im just not ready to give up riding yet.
I always thought i would still be ridding at 60!
Maybe i need to move away from mx bikes and more toward an enduro or strictly an offroad bike.
Katoomey wrote:
I have battled numbness in my hands for 20 years. ...here's what I've found. aluminum frames are the worst, especially the first gen hondas and most...
I have battled numbness in my hands for 20 years.

...here's what I've found.

aluminum frames are the worst, especially the first gen hondas and most aluminum frames from the early 2000's
handlebars with cross bars are no good.
anything 2-stroke over 250cc will vibrate. no ifs, ands, or buts.
some 4 strokes vibrate, some don't. my 2013 SX-F 450 vibrates like crazy, my friends 2013 XC-F 450 doesn't at all.
Fasst Flex bars do not stop any vibrations from the motor - the bars are not isolated by rubber, as the pivot point is metal-to-metal contact.
thin or hard compound grips are horrible.
old tires, even less than a year old can significantly increase the shock and vibe felt at the bars and pegs.
poor riding technique (gripping with hands and not with legs) greatly contributes to hand fatigue and numbness (among other things)

Here is what I recommend for you as the ultimate set-up

KTM 200 sx/xc/xc-w (this is just a great bike anyway)- steel frame and a buttery smooth motor.
A top triple clamp with rubber mounting.
Renthal Fatbar or Pro Taper Contour handlebars
Vibranator handlebar inserts - these little gems work wonders
Renthal Dual compound kevlar grips.
Sharp footpegs and grip tape for the frame and airbox area (to help grip the bike with your legs/knees)

...and make sure your bike is tuned just a tad on the rich side and run good fuel to avoid detonation. both of those things will make the motor have even less vibrations.

...then practrice loosening your grip on the bike and you will never have an issue with numbness or hand fatigue ever again. I promise.
I know in theory flex bars shouldn't reduce vibes but I put them on 4 different bikes and they reduced vibes significantly.
Not super noticeable on the 525sx or 250f but very noticeable on the 2 125's i had them on.
2/9/2014 4:17pm
I believe most arm pump and/or hand numbness is vibration related! when you rev your bike while sitting on it in neutral and it feels like it tickles your hands and feet....its a good bet you wont last long on the track.
Katoomey
Posts
1714
Joined
1/18/2013
Location
WY US
2/9/2014 4:19pm
catatonic wrote:
I know in theory flex bars shouldn't reduce vibes but I put them on 4 different bikes and they reduced vibes significantly. Not super noticeable on...
I know in theory flex bars shouldn't reduce vibes but I put them on 4 different bikes and they reduced vibes significantly.
Not super noticeable on the 525sx or 250f but very noticeable on the 2 125's i had them on.
those are my impressions from owning a set from the moment they put them on the market over a decade ago. have had 3 pairs of them and had them on at least 10 different bikes, although none of them were 125 smokers.

they are great bars, and take away alot of the harshness, but I never found them to do anything for engine vibes. now, go ahead and add these to the other things like rubber mounted clamps and throw in some Vibranators and you have the ultimate "old man" bar set-up, no doubt. I just have a hard time recommending $350 handlebars to anyone unless they have wrist injuries or something like that, especially if we are just trying to get rid of vibrations.
2/9/2014 4:21pm
I have been getting armpump ever since i started riding. Even up to a point where i can't feel shit anymore and the pain becomes unbearable. Even got it during trackdays with my roadbike. Same with my all-road 950 when i hit the trails.

Turns out the only aid for me is riding more.
Skerby
Posts
1282
Joined
4/9/2013
Location
Mayes County, OK US
2/9/2014 5:24pm
Numb hands = Carpal tunnel syndrome. Do you work with your hands?
Brapp
Posts
139
Joined
12/5/2012
Location
Jacksonville, FL US
2/9/2014 5:33pm
My numb hands went away when I went from a 300 2 stroke to a 400 4 stroke.
crash83
Posts
166
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Spring, TX US
Fantasy
2/9/2014 6:15pm
Brapp wrote:
My numb hands went away when I went from a 300 2 stroke to a 400 4 stroke.
Oh yeas.
And i do have carpal tunnel.
Just can't afford surgery right now.
FGR01
Posts
6031
Joined
10/1/2006
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
2/9/2014 6:24pm
Three issues which probably worsened your numb hands:

1) The 144 kit. Probably made the engine vibrate worse due to changing its balance with the larger piston.

2) The YZ125 has solid mount bars with no rubber isolators.

3) You tend to ride a 125 at higher RPM's.

250F's tend to vibrate a lot less, plus you can ride them at lower RPM's.
2/9/2014 7:06pm
catatonic wrote:
IMO a set of faast flex bars would be your answer.
I had a set for a few years and they were incredible.
X1000. I had the same problem, numbness. It was because of some pinched nerves in my back. Flexx bars by far are the best bars for offroad especially if you have numbness or arm pump. Their great for 2strokes. You don't feel the small/sharp stuff anymore. 4 stroke would help to, a good offroad suspension set up wouldn't hurt either!

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