Stiff fingers after motorcycle course

Question

I took a motorcycle course this week (2 riding days, 4.5 hrs each day), and now my right hand is acting bizarre. With my fingers together, I cannot straighten out the hand. The right index finger has the most trouble and stays severely bent no matter how hard I try to straighten it. It's hard to turn on the ignition to my car and I can't grip things as easily. When I try to hold plates with my right hand, it feels very weak and unstable. Should I be concerned? Is there anything I can do to fix it, or is this something that normally happens on motorcycles and goes away after a few days?

Answer 1

Its just because your hand isnt used to that kind of activity for extended periods. I used to work in a meat packing plant cuttin up hams for ten hours a day. I had to pry my knife hand open every morning before work. Had alot of pain with that too. You will be fine.

Answer 2

you will get over it,

motor cycling can be harsh on the body

if the problem with your fingers persists see you local doctor and try wearing a good pair of leather gloves

Answer 3

It's just like starting a new excercise regiem.

You're using muscles in your hand that you've never used before.

After your first work-out, your muscles are going to be tired/sore/limp.

Purchase an excercise ball (or use a tennis ball - hand ball) and squeeze it.

Don't turn into a fanatic - "no pain no gain"

Do it at your leasure and stop after a few minutes.

Answer 4

Normally happens.  Hand muscles are stiff and sore from being exercised more than they're used to.  Also, you were probably gripping a lot tighter to the handlebars than you needed to, to make you feel safer.  This is typical of all new riders.

Answer 5

yeah i get that occasionaly after a long ride, just try some simple stretches and it should eventually come good, after a while your hands should get used to it. If it doesnt get any better just go and see the doctor

Answer 6

Sounds like you were holding on for dear life -

Many people get this kinda thing if riding is not

what their used to - although I don't know of anyone

who's had it quite this bad -

I would give it a few days (a week tops) if there is

no improvement I would see your GP -

Next time you ride (hopefully this won't have put you

off riding) try to relax a little - and enjoy - x*x -

Answer 7

You're doing something wrong for your RIGHT hand to cramp. The throttle should be LIGHTLY held and that much tension in the grip may cause you to apply too much brake in a panic situation. Calm yourself down when riding and relax your muscles in your hands. I would think the left hand would have been sore from clutching. Maybe look into getting some hand exercise clamps or squeezing a rubber ball to build muscle?

Answer 8

Although the cause is most likely from gripping too tightly, for longer than your hand is used to, combined with concentrating on the advice of your instructors, you can develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from poor positioning and too tight a grip over time (not two days and 9 hours). Vibrating engines will affect/exacerbate the problem – some single and two cylinder engines will vibrate more than three and four cylinder engines. Try holding your hand under cold running water for a few minutes.