A Two Wheeled Review Of 2025.

@Sandi T You can always sell the Mustang for pocket money.

 

Compared to you lot I didn't go out very often, and when I did I mostly didn't go very far, though I did do 1 international trip to one of my favourite places Elan Valley

I've been messing about trying to solve the tingly fingers I often get on the bike after an hour or so of riding. Having had carpal tunnel surgery a few years ago I think the nerves involved that run from my wrists up to my fingers are now more exposed to pressure and vibration on the lower palms of my hands as the wide tendon that runs across my hands that previously gave some protection is no longer there as that was causing the wider and more painfull issues I had by pressing on those nerves.

Anyhoo, it's been a case of trying various things on the bike including:
Up and back bar risers
Grip puppies
Evotech bar end weights
A lower seat

All have helped but not solved things entirely so it's possible I'll never find a total cure. The tubular bars option I have from thevstart has also helped too compared to the test ride on an RS with the standard clip ons, though I suspect the change from a GS with the Telelever front end to the RS with traditional upside down forks hasn't helped, but does make for a more engaging ride which I prefer.

Originally I had a 760mm seat - there's 4 options available, 790mm, 820mm and 840mm, but the 760mm seat meant my knees were bent more than I found comfortable and as there's less padding (on the seat) I've swapped to a 790mm one which seems a better compromise as it gives me more leg room without me having to lean too far forward and my arse prefers it too.

The up and back risers have helped and they're staying. The grip puppies are the sticking point. They do mean less vibes get through but with them on the grips feel too wide for my small hands, even with the levers on their closest setting. They also act as insulator so my heated grips don't work as well (yes I have used them ). Towards the back end of last year I bought a nice pair of Rukka gloves off a bloke on the GS forum and they too have made a difference to the point where I didn't get any tingling on the 1st ride I went out on after I'd got them.

So I've took the grip puppies off (again) but the weather turned sh1t before I had chance to try the bike again without them but wearing the Rukka gloves, rather than my old BMW ones. The ditchpump is now in it's bag until March so not had chance to try it without the grip puppies yet and I'm hoping this latest combo will give me a working solution. Time will tell.

 

Thanks, if it doesn't I'll just have to ride within the constraints I'm given and either stop for a rest or use the cruise control so I can take the pressure off my wrists. The important thing for me is to keep a bike in the garage, as once I stop at my age that'll likely be it, something I'm not looking forward to. How often and how far I go isn't really that crucial, having had a bike for the vast majority of my adult life it's having the option to go for a ride if I want to that's key for me.

 

Thanks, @Dawsy! I appreciate the birthday and 2026 wish. Yes, life is definitely far too short and precious to be stressed about work. I go back for 2nd semester this coming Tuesday after a glorious 18-day winter break. Not that I'm counting, but I have 55 actual work days left. Let the countdown begin! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year's, Dawsy.

 

Yes, it was a long (tooooo long) response, Wessa.I noticed that out AFTER I hit "send".

To answer your question, I could go either way. I will definitely be retiring from "officially" having a contract as a school psychologist which I've had for the past 30 years. But I may be able to work part-time (12 or so hours-ish) at the school where I was last year which I would really like to do. It would entail doing the same thing I did there for the two years prior to the current year which is helping collect and analyze their (state-mandated) reading data then coach how to use it to implement targeted reading interventions and analyze outcomes. That school would like me back in the same capacity, but it will be dependent on "soft" grant money and they'll have to think of what to call me because the district won't hire me as a school psychologist to do that job. Again, probably too long-winded a response. Anyway, thanks for asking, @Wessa!

 

As a non-camper myself, @Mrs Visor, it would take far more than a nice tent to get me to like camping more--or at all! But then, I'm not @Helmut Visor--nor are you and I married. But I do know you love camping so hopefully the nice tent upgrade will be an encouragement to Helmut to like the experience more.

 

@littleade, I've got my fingers crossed for you, too. I understand how important it is to be able to keep riding as long as possible. I'm also having some issues with my hands (not so much wrists) and one of my biggest concerns is how is affects my riding. Actually, I'm having a neck MRI on Friday to check for a pinched nerve because the feeling in my fingers tips and toes is "off". The MRI was recommended by my new(ish) orthopedic surgeon who will be doing a trigger thumb release on my left hand in early March. I scheduled for two months down the road because Steve, Russell, and I are riding to Las Vegas again for the Mecum Motorcycle Auction at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb. I know we communicated about carpal tunnel surgery and you were most helpful in giving me some insight and pointers before I had that done three or four (?) years ago. Not sure how long the trigger thumb release will lay me up but I do need to be able to type for my job ASAP.

I use my cruise control as much as I possibly can...even in town sometimes depending on how long it might be between traffic signals. Most of my issues have been in my left/clutch hand but I'm working to keep my brake hand as healthy as possible. I hope you can find a combination of things that will keep you riding! Please continue to keep us posted.

 

It certainly does make it a nicer experience Sandy, feels more like a hotel room

 

I had some bar end mirrors on my Speed Triple RR when I got it. Hated them because I filter a lot and they make it wider, so put the original weights back on. There's distinctly more tingling now - not enough to bean issue for me but definitely there.

I don't know what your bike is, but I have the bar end mirrors and you're welcome to try them - if they do the business for you then we can work out a deal, otherwise just send 'em back.

Feel free to PM me if you're interested in giving it a go...

 

God luck what ever you decide to do. You will know in your own mind when you want to retire completely. The option of doing something you enjoy part time is a good compromise, until you are totally ready to retire.

 

@Sandi T You could get the role of looking after us bikers. Me for one mad as a hatter.

 

From the sounds of it, @Mrs Visor, when you and @Helmut Visor are camping together, you'll be doing what I've heard called "glamping". I might even be convinced to do that!

 

Thanks Sandi, old age can be a bit of a drag, but it's better than the alternative exit through God's waiting room Do yiu have arthritis in your neck? I have that too LOL but a course of physio sessions where I've been given daily exercises to do for both movement and strength have really helped. Unfortunately I tend to ride on fairly narrow rural twisty roads, so the times I can use cruise is rather limited. It's great you are able to schedule your op to suit your needs, over here if using the free NHS (National Health Service) we have no real control over when we are able to get routine operations, we just have to join the queue and wait our turn, which can be years. The only way we can do that is if we pay to go private. If all.else fails there's a few bikes out there now with auto boxes or e clutches from Honda and B*W. Obviously not what you'd want but something to consider if things get to thebpointbwhere yiu can't operate the clutch anymore. Good luck with your op, I hope it all goes well.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I ride a B*W R1250RS the back story is I joined the forum in 2015 when returning to biking after a shortish layoff and was after an Adventure Bike as SWMBO wanted to come on the back. I quite fancied a Triumph which is why I joined the forum, but in the end after a number of test rides I bought a GS as the 2 Tigers were too big or too small for me and the boss, but I stayed on the forum because it was a friendly place.

 

Lovely, @Mrs Visor! The little table is a nice touch, especially if there are a couple of glasses and a flask of something "nice". The weather also looks lovely in both photos!

 

And we're glad you stayed, @littleade!