Ergonomic Question

[CurtO5]

Hello all...

I have an '05 FJR and find that after riding for about 150 miles or so I develop a muscle knot in my neck between my shoulder blades. Just curious if others have experienced this and, if so, what did you do about it. I have risers on the handlebars and a throttle lock, but am still on the stock seat and suspect that this is likely the culprit. I don't want to reopen a seat discussion but am curious if that was a fix for others. I'm 6'2', 34' inseam, and about 210 lbs. Like the bike a lot but there's something in the setup that isn't fitting me quite right. Thoughts and comments most appreciated.

Thanks much.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Maybe bar risers to sit you upright a little more??? I'm 5'-11" and the risers helped me out quite a bit. Also there is the seat thing too.

 

[Bull]

Hi Curt - welcome to the forum.

What sort of screen are you using? At 6 - 2, you might be sitting a shade high for good wind protection from the stocker..... and that might have you working to keep your head held against the wind flow..... causing or contributing to the 'hot knot' sensation that you describe. I get the same thing myself sometimes. You can check into aftermarket screens - or improve the set up of the stock screen by using spacers. If you use the search function on this forum with +screen +spacers in the search field, you'll hit on a few threads on this topic.

This might seem a bit daft - but I also put a set of peg lowering brackets which let me stretch the angle of my knees a bit more open. I shouldn't mention where I bought them (or I'd be breaking rule # 10 - a long story) but you can google and find a couple of options/sources that might help if you wanted to try that out too.

I'm also 6 - 2 so I know that these two farkles have helped make the bike way more comfortable for me. The heli-triple clamp was a big breakthrough also - but it looks like you already have the bars taken care of.

good luck with your tweaking........... Bull

 

[Pjturbo]

I get the same thing. What causes it for me is having to tense the muscles in my right shoulder/arm/hand to hold the throttle and the bar. On my left side I don't have to hold the throttle and can relax once in a while. The audiovox cc does away with it when I can use it. I've done 300 miles with the cc and not had the pain and I've done two hours using the throttle and got the pain. The throttle lock was minimal help as you have to keep adjusting it.

Phil

 

[Knifemaker]

Have your read this:

https://tinyurl.com/5thjp5

Pain between the shoulder blades is usualy caused by holding your weight with your outstretched arms.

Keeping the weight off your hands should help alot.

KM

 

[JRO]

I agree with KM. You're gripping the bars, and leaning on them too much. I'm 6'1", and I get the same problem; usually when riding in high winds, heavy traffic, or on a really bad road - anywhere where more control is needed. If this is happening to you under better conditions, then you need to sit up and forward, relax your arms, and loosen your grip.

 

[SacramentoMike]

Did you remove the hanger before you put on your riding jacket?

 

[vandy]

As many times as I have seen the master Yoda riding position talked about that is the first real link that I have seen to the article.

The typical Google search turns up so many references that it was useless and took me well over a half hour to find it the time when I wanted it.

 

[Knifemaker]

As many times as I have seen the master Yoda riding position talked about that is the first real link that I have seen to the article.The typical Google search turns up so many references that it was useless and took me well over a half hour to find it the time when I wanted it.

Wow...I guess I just got lucky. I typed in "Yoda" into the search feature here...got a list of several threads. picked one at random, scrolled throught it till I found the first link.

so guessing next time I try it will take an hour of searching....lol

sometimes luck is all you got..........

KM

 

[CurtO5]

Thanks for all of the tips and suggestions, folks. Appreciate the input; some of these ideas I've already implemented (e.g., +2" windshield, bar risers), and others are worth considering (e.g, peg lowering, cruise control, etc.). I'm also thinking maybe my helmet is too heavy for this kind of riding position.

But thanks again and I look forward to being a somewhat helpful participant on the board one of these days....

Curt

 

[spalkin]

You might want to try doing some shoulder shrug excercises with some weight. Concentrate on letting your shoulders drop as far as they can. Also do some stretching. I had the same problem in my neck along with numbness in my left hand.

I found that I, along with many others have what's called TOS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. The problem is that the pack of nerves and veins that exit the side of the base of the neck are coated with an insulation that's supposed to be slippery, but when there's a miss alignment of the lower neck bones along with weakness of the neck muscles and bad posture, it can lead to TOS. That insulation sticks and hangs up that pack of nerves and veins. You can loosen it up again.

The beautiful thing about it is that with some specific, simple stretching and movement exercises, you can free that all up in there and you don't need surgery. The shoulder shrug exercises and stretching strengthen all those neck muscles that are so important for posture and health. Those muscles get weak, and sitting at computer desks and all the things we do don't help our posture or all the musculature that holds our heads up properly.

Now, no more pain and no more numbness - I noticed amazing improvement after having just done the excercises one time! Keep doing them, though.

Here's a good link explaining it. CLICK

Cheers!

 

[BostonBoy]

I found that I, along with many others have what's called TOS, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

I fully agree, too many people think the problem is with the bike and spend a fortune just to findout that that wasn't the problem to being with. TOS or any other RSI will develop slowly but surely over time and riding your bike may actually bring it to the surface. Try some of the suggested exercises and see if you notice any improvement, for some it make take a little more than just one attempt

Having operated computer mice for over 25 years I know what it feels like and these simple exercises did work for me and many of my co-workers.

 

[FZ/FJR Mike]

Have you considered a chiropractic consultation? If you can find a good chiro & explain what the issue is, they may be able to help relieve the pain & guide you to better posture which should help.

 

[Jagermeister]

Yoda's riding tecnique works. But Yoda REALLY likes the new Heli Bar!

 

[08FJR4ME]

This may sound stupid but it works for me!

Take you wallet out of your back pocket!!! Also works on long

rides inside the cager.

Good luck,