While in Reno, I picked up a Cramp Buster & used it on the ride back.

THE GOOD -

Okay, it does work as advertised. My wrist felt fine after a four-hundred mile day, and I didn’t have the problem with my hand going to sleep. Based on that, I’d like to give this puppy a five-star.

THE BAD –

I would not recommend this for anyone other than an experienced rider. You need to fiddle with it on the highway to get it set just right, and if you’re fiddling with your controls, then you’re not paying attention to the road. The fact that you’re fiddling with the throttle and steering at 70 mph just makes it worse.

THE UGLY –

This puppy is a safety hazard. When I did a U turn the back wheel broke loose and slipped sideways. I first thought I’d hit some oil or suchlike. But what actually happened is that when I grabbed the front brake, I also hit that cramp buster and revved the engine. Not good.

I found that when I released the throttle on the highway, the cramp buster tended to keep it from springing back to idle. Also not good. For the safety side, I’d give this a one-star review.

I’ll probably use it again, but only on long stretches of highway with very little traffic around me. I guess that all averages out to three stars, but again – novices beware.

Rating: 3 / 5

Once I got to the desert oasis, I started whining about my right hand bothering me until my hardcore, hard-riding uncle tut-tutted at my ignorance and introduced me to the CrampBuster.

This is a nifty little gadget that slips easily on your motorcycle’s throttle, allowing you to keep moving at 80 MPH while relaxing your fingers and avoiding serious hand cramps. The design is simple and fairly ingenious. It’s essentially a sort of open “C” shape with a broad paddle on one end. When you press down with the palm of your hand on the paddle, the “C” closes, gripping the throttle and allowing you to relax your fingers and the back of your hand.

Adjusting the CrampBuster is equally easy, just rotate the paddle the other way (decelerating the throttle) and the “C” opens up and moves easily. With a little fiddling I was able to plant the paddle where it naturally rests against the palm of my hand allowing me to control the throttle without feeling like I’m losing control of the bike or slowing down.

Some have written that they remove the CrampBuster if they’re only riding around town or that it gets in their way when they’re in stop-and-go traffic. That wasn’t my experience. I find that resting my hand against the paddle prevents me from gripping the throttle too high, straightens out my wrist, and makes for a more comfortable ride under all conditions.

So now I’m looking forward to my next long run without worrying about getting to my destination feeling like an advanced victim of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. When is Sturgis any way…

Rating: 5 / 5