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[lowflight]

Riding a 2013 SERG and when I go under a given set of power lines that crosses the road I get zapped in the hands. I have never had anything like this before, but this is my first bike that I can think of that has any exposed metal on the handgrips. First time I thought I was stung by a hornet or some such thing, but nope it has happened four more times so it isn't some fluke environmental condition that existed allowing the static field to extend more than normal.  I get shocked in both hands but the left is stronger than the right. It isn't a big shock but certainly enough to say F**k that and let go. Any ideas besides riding with electrical gloves?   

[willyB]

Boy oh boy! I think there might be some excessive bleed from the lines. I'd say call the electric company.

[2k]

No doubt on what willyB said. If they knew they were losing that much sellable juice, fanny holes would cringe amoung stockholders. Notice any dead birds in the same area? Sounds like a neutral that is not bonded properly.

[phato1]

No doubt on what willyB said. If they knew they were losing that much sellable juice, fanny holes would cringe amoung stockholders. Notice any dead birds in the same area? Sounds like a neutral that is not bonded properly.

Or maybe you've got a negative attitude, which is attracting the stray voltage - since electricity flows to the more negative of two objects.    -- Just kidding with ya'

 I would call the local utility and ask them the question. The electronic field around those lines shouldn't be THAT strong.

[lowflight]

I will give them a call tomorrow and see what happens. It certainly gets your attention as your just cruising along fat, dumb and happy and then get an unexpected wake up call.

[Skillet]

It must be shocking to have that happen.

[D-N-D]

WOW !!! That Can't be Good !!

[Indenial]

Just let go of the grips for the three seconds it take to go under them!!!!

[Bubba]

Riding a 2013 SERG and when I go under a given set of power lines that crosses the road I get zapped in the hands. I have never had anything like this before, but this is my first bike that I can think of that has any exposed metal on the handgrips. First time I thought I was stung by a hornet or some such thing, but nope it has happened four more times so it isn't some fluke environmental condition that existed allowing the static field to extend more than normal.  I get shocked in both hands but the left is stronger than the right. It isn't a big shock but certainly enough to say F**k that and let go. Any ideas besides riding with electrical gloves?   

Let us know what you find out.  Like 2K says it sounds like a grounding issue to me as well.  It might be a bad insulator or something.  What is scary if you feel it in both hands then that tells me the shock could be going through your heart which could be BAD....

[lowflight]

I called the power company this morning and reported my issue. The young lady that I talked with was helpful and understanding. It took me a bit to let them know just where it is as there are no cross streets at the location and in today's world that doesn't work well. They are suppose to call me back and let me know what they find, if they don't I have the report number so I can call them back. I will post when I know something.

What I did find of real interest is that she told me that they have had one other case like this on a different line. That case also involved a motorcycle rider getting shocked. In that case it was that they had too much power going through the line and had to scale it back.

It seems that even with the electric field seeking ground that the tires on the bike would prohibit the flow, I am sure they are to some point or who knows what could happen.

Certainly re-enforces the idea that you don't want those suckers in your back yard!

[Rooster]

I remember hearing OP with same issue in the early days when FBW came out but this is the first time in quite awhile someone has posted about this. And I don't recall any fix being talked about.

[2k]

It's more of a field around the wires. If it were grounding through you, we wouldn't be having this thread!!!!!!

[spada84]

Any voltage is being "induced" thru induction - same way a transformer works.  The more CURRENT is flowing thru the line, the more VOLTAGE can be induced when riding thru the moving field.  The field around the wires is a function of the POWER (Current X Voltage) that is passing thru the line.  This is how we get a 10,000 volt spark to our spark plugs using only a 12 volt system.  No insulation or grounding will fix this problem.  Only shielding or modifying the power thru the line.  Grounding the handlebars would help, but you would need a long wire 

[lowflight]

I talked with three different companies today. Bottom line the area where I have experienced this has two 500KvA lines, one that parallels the road and two other “feeder” lines that cross the road at two different locations. Both of the feeders are also 500KvA lines. As many of you know the electric field around these high voltage lines is significant. They say that a person acts a capacitor when riding through the field and when you charge up enough you discharge, in this case through the grips. I will ride with my finger tips on the rubber portion of the grip or just let er fly hands free in those spots from now on. 

But what does that “stray” voltage do to the ECM or other electronics?  That question received only a response of “hummm” in all three cases. 

[MIKEYTEE]

1KVA is 1000 watts not voltage. So  you have 500,000 watts, but at what voltage.
I would think that those were transmission lines you were riding under, if that is true the voltage would be 13,800 volts or more. Any way you look at that, the outlook is bad. You don't want to play with that.
Mike