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394
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5/30/2021
Location
Corryton, TN
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SonofThor32
7/27/2022 12:18pm
7/27/2022 12:18pm
Edited Date/Time
7/29/2022 3:45am
Hey fellas,
So "back in my day" (late 80s, and 90s), I was a mediocre amateur B rider, so not a total slouch. I took a massive hiatus after the last big crash breaking my femur so I stepped away from racing, but have never stopped following the sport, or the local racing scene (I live for this stuff). A little over a year ago, at the ripe age of 48, I decided life would be incomplete without getting back on a bike on a track again (while I can). When trying to decide what bike to get, I knew I didn't want a 125, I spent years wringing them out, and while fun, they are work to go fast. I didn't want a 250f, kind of for the same reasons for not wanting a 125. I am 160lbs, and having not been on a bike in a long time (never had a 4t), I figured a 450 was more than I would ever need, which is why I settled in the middle on a 22 FC350.
Fast forward to a year later and about 15 hours on the bike, I have discovered issues I did not realize I would have so bad. I work out 3-4 days a week which consists of a lot of running, and mild weight lifting, so in decent enough shape with good cardio. However, I knew I had arthritis and possibly carpal tunnel, but had no idea how bad it would be. I know there is surgeries and I may cross that bridge some day, but not now. Anyway, my hands cramp, bad... To the point of after about 5 mins of track pace, my hands are on fire and hurt like hell and I have to pull off until they calm down. No cardio problems, no arm pump, just hands that plain suck. I have dialed the suspension a bit (just a bit), and I am certain I am leaving a lot on the table there, but I am not getting the joy I was expecting.
That said, I am beginning to wonder if I picked the wrong bike, so I am seeking advice from you folks that are also vets, but never stopped riding and have had enough variety to possibly give me some advice please. I am man enough to admit when a bike feels like too much, and although I know exactly how to ride at a race pace, my hands are like restrictor plates and I feel dangerous at a race pace with my current issue. Again, I know there is surgeries, but not wanting that (at this time).. I know a 125 will slow me down, but a 125 would also exasperate my hand issues with the amount of clutch time needed there. I have been looking hard at the '23 TC250 (despite the awful colors) thinking it might be a little easier on me, a powerband I am more mentally used to, possibly just even a little more enjoyable to get me riding even a few more mins before my hands feel like they are on fire, but then again, I may be completely nuts. I would hate to go drop another $11K and be disappointed. I guess my main question here (if you are still reading this novel), would a 350f or a 250 two stroke be better for my situation?
Thanks all!
So "back in my day" (late 80s, and 90s), I was a mediocre amateur B rider, so not a total slouch. I took a massive hiatus after the last big crash breaking my femur so I stepped away from racing, but have never stopped following the sport, or the local racing scene (I live for this stuff). A little over a year ago, at the ripe age of 48, I decided life would be incomplete without getting back on a bike on a track again (while I can). When trying to decide what bike to get, I knew I didn't want a 125, I spent years wringing them out, and while fun, they are work to go fast. I didn't want a 250f, kind of for the same reasons for not wanting a 125. I am 160lbs, and having not been on a bike in a long time (never had a 4t), I figured a 450 was more than I would ever need, which is why I settled in the middle on a 22 FC350.
Fast forward to a year later and about 15 hours on the bike, I have discovered issues I did not realize I would have so bad. I work out 3-4 days a week which consists of a lot of running, and mild weight lifting, so in decent enough shape with good cardio. However, I knew I had arthritis and possibly carpal tunnel, but had no idea how bad it would be. I know there is surgeries and I may cross that bridge some day, but not now. Anyway, my hands cramp, bad... To the point of after about 5 mins of track pace, my hands are on fire and hurt like hell and I have to pull off until they calm down. No cardio problems, no arm pump, just hands that plain suck. I have dialed the suspension a bit (just a bit), and I am certain I am leaving a lot on the table there, but I am not getting the joy I was expecting.
That said, I am beginning to wonder if I picked the wrong bike, so I am seeking advice from you folks that are also vets, but never stopped riding and have had enough variety to possibly give me some advice please. I am man enough to admit when a bike feels like too much, and although I know exactly how to ride at a race pace, my hands are like restrictor plates and I feel dangerous at a race pace with my current issue. Again, I know there is surgeries, but not wanting that (at this time).. I know a 125 will slow me down, but a 125 would also exasperate my hand issues with the amount of clutch time needed there. I have been looking hard at the '23 TC250 (despite the awful colors) thinking it might be a little easier on me, a powerband I am more mentally used to, possibly just even a little more enjoyable to get me riding even a few more mins before my hands feel like they are on fire, but then again, I may be completely nuts. I would hate to go drop another $11K and be disappointed. I guess my main question here (if you are still reading this novel), would a 350f or a 250 two stroke be better for my situation?
Thanks all!
Also if you ride slowly can you ride longer?
Maybe you’re holding on too tight, pushing too hard, and blowing your arms/hands up.
If you back it down to 60% how long can you ride? Can you ride 60% and work on form and flowing etc.
Your 60% will start to become faster and faster while still being effortless.
The Shop
I am probably set too firm on my suspension as well, but these forks are an enigma.. They are happy to bottom out like you are going to break wrists at what would be the correct pressure for my weight/skill, but as you add pressure, it makes it too harsh in the upper stroke (I know some have this figured out, I clearly do not yet LOL). My plan if I do not switch my bike up, was to take the suspension to a good buddy of mine (TBT) to hopefully work some magic to make it better in that sense too.
Thanks for all of the comments folks, I know the surgeries have been a blessing for many. I wish insurance was how it was in the co-pay days... I am out of pocket I think $7K before insurance kicks in, and for whatever reason, I have developed a massive distain for giving cash to doctors. I probably need to set my issues aside and deal with that, I guess I not there just yet.
That said, if your hands are cramping then you may be holding on too tight. The '19+ Husky is really easy to grip the bike with your legs (better than my '17). As lame as it sounds: balls of feet on pegs, bent knees gripping seat, unlock your hips and give your hands a break. Like someone said above, ride at 60% and focus on technique solely.
Also to note, set fork air pressure like you're selecting a spring rate, and use clickers to adjust damping (compression and rebound). I was using 145-148 psi on my AER forks on the 350 and I weigh ~200 lbs. After having Enzo revalve forks and shock, they were great at 145 psi.
I’m 41 and the tops of my hands cramp and burn like crazy for the first 15-20 minutes of riding. Mine is not CT, it’s actually coming from the nerves in my elbows. My doc said there’s not much to do about it at this point. I use the Aleve cream on top of my hands before riding and it has helped a bunch.
I bought a YZ250 to get back into it, great bike, still have it but the 350 is amazing. So much easier to ride!
Pit Row
It singing. I race both and I really like my MC 450 over the YZ250. I actually sold the yz recently because it just sat.
1. Keep my 22 FC350
2. Improve the suspension (especially the forks) and ergos.
3. Take out the Kotex and get my hands fixed.
Thanks again for all of the feedback guys, it really has helped!
I'm sure my 350 vibrates more than my tc250 did, however neither are enough to have these issues, it's hardly a KX 500, and the 350 is probably easier to get back up to speed on like most will agree, however I do genuinely miss the two stroke.
I also have / had my hands hurt pretty noticeably and it is absolutely an effect of holding on too tight, for me personally. I didn't think I was, and I am fully aware I shouldn't be, but after returning to riding after a couple of laps it starts and then after 4 or 5 I literally need to stop, it's that super uncomfortable crampy kind of feeling. It has gotten better and all I've done is get (slightly) more into the swing of it again and keep making the conscious effort to use my legs more than my hands for stability. What made it most apparent, was if I was somewhere relaxed like a private track then it wasn't half as bad as I was more relaxed and wasn't hanging on for dear life.
Of course if you have a history of legit hand issues and you can get it sorted then that's a winner for all walks of life, but just saying this is a semi-common problem for some of us coming back to riding so it's worth an honest evaluation 👍
Thank you
I had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand, nerve tunnel left elbow at the same time. Both hurt bad but I waited way to long. I was under the knife for about three hours, mainly they for fix my elbow without having to relocate the nerve.
Carpal causes paint/numbness in your thumb and first fingers, nerve issues in elbow gets your third, little finger and bottom of hand if i remember correctly.
My right hand is starting to go numb when I ride now, but I’m 66 too. Its hard to keep a loose grip, on the throttle but it makes a lot difference if I can. The harder I grip worse my hand gets. Even when I raced back when dinosaurs roamed the earth rode with a death grip and had lot of arm and hand pump issues.
Post a reply to: Returning Vet Rider - FC350 or TC250?