Pain in the neck/shoulder

[shiloh]

Hello all

I bought a 06 FJR A in late october last year. Did not have time to ride it much before the winter last year, however this summer I made several full day rides and a few 4 to 5 days trips with the FJR. On most, if not all, long rides, my neck and right shoulder gets very sore and painfull. It get so painfull that at some point I'm barelly able to turn my head to the right to check blind spots.

My previous bike was a Kawi ZX6 and I bought thr FJR for better comfort on long ride, but as it is now, I was able to make longuer rides more on the ZX6 than the FJR

Coming from the ZX6, I've developped the habit of using by abdominals muscles to keep my weight of the handle bars, so I dont think this is the issue.

I first tought that it might be due to the throttle stiffness of the FJR since the pain is mostly in the right shoulder and un the neck. I bought a cramp buster which helped my wirst but didnt help the neck/shoulder pain at all.

Also, it doesnt make a difference if I ride with the windshield up or down.

I'm 5'9", 165lbs and the FJR is stock from an ergonomic point of view (windshield, handlebars, seats, etc).

I know this is not something easy to answer but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of things to try so I can figure out what's causing the pain?

thanks in advance

Marc

 

[chivvalry]

Master Yoda.

Master Yoda Riding Position

 

[Big-D]

I once had a '95 Goldwing that would give me the worse neck aches ever. The air would come over the windshield and whip around and hit me right in the back of the neck. Over a couple hundred miles, I'd have a killer pain in my neck and shoulders.

Your problem sounds very familiar, except I have never felt anything like that from my FJR. In fact, riding the FJR is more comfortable than my Goldwing ever was.

First, you need to figure out why this is happening to you. I find it hard to believe the FJR is directly responsible. Could you possibly be tensing up? The only problem I hear some complain about is the tension on the throttle return spring causing pain in the wrist. Without actually knowing you, the best advice I could offer is doing a little strength training targeting your wrist, arms and shoulders. Consider buying a set of those plastic coated dumbbells and do a few simple exercises before bedtime or first thing in the morning. Doing a few pushups or using a set of dumbbells can work wonders eliminating aches and pains you describe. The standard riding position of the FJR is really good, especially at your height.

 

[fjrrider]

What D said is right on the nose, you'll make much better gains focusing on flexibility, strength and muscle tone and learning how to adjust postions while on the bike. Standing positions (this helps me more than anything else) its hard for some to do this for some reason, if you can learn to stand and ride, then do a few stretches, if but for short periods you should find great benifit.

Lifting weights or muscle toneing calisthenics just cant be beat. It takes a while to get there, but you gotta start somewhere!

 

[wfooshee]

Master Yoda was my answer. Feels weird at first, and I still have to make a conscious effort to get out of the slouch that feels relaxed.

If your upper body is correctly supported by your legs and back, you can lift your hands off the bars without shifting your weight. If you have to push somewhere (pegs, seat, knees, wherever) to lift your hands then your position is wrong.

That makes sure no weight is on your hands and wrists, and thus your shoulders and neck.

 

[RaYzerman19]

In addition to all the above, suggest moving the bars to the rearmost position, remove one of the positioning pins and rotate the bars back toward you. An inch is too much, just need half of that. Retorque and try it, along with the new riding positions you've been practicing. Worked for me after the risers didn't cure it.

 

[Dr. Bones]

go to a chiropractor, get it fixed!

 

[shiloh]

Folks, I appreciate very much your suggestions so far.

I am already training quite a bit and lifting weights so that cant hurt. I quickly read the master yoda and I am going to give it a try. Somehow I think the position transition from my ZX6 to the FJR is not right. I never had pain like that riding the Ninja and now I get very sore after barely 175 miles on the FJR.

Another thing I didnt mention before, that right shoulder was injured in a snowmobile accident and has always been a little bit weaker, but that was many many years ago (13 if I recall correctly). But I would be surprised that riding the FJR could "revive" such an old injury. Anyways, if it's the case, I think it would be another sign that my position is not right on the FJR.

I like Yzerman idea of adjusting the handle bar position, but I'll try the yoda thing before.

 

[chivvalry]

Yoda: "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try."

May the Force be with you.

LOL

 

[highcountry]

I bought my bike used and it came with risers that allow infinite adjustment forward and back of bars so I moved them further back. I also installed peg extenders which moved them down and forward about 1.5". Then installed a Sargent seat. These adjustments worked great for me. YMMV.

 

[mubikS]

If I find my neck hurting, I realize that I am leaning to far forward. When you lean forward, you have to look up to see forward. So I'll scootch my butt forward, arch my back a tad, sit up straight, and tuck my chin down. This makes sure the weight is off my arms and my neck is relaxed.

It was HORRIBLE on long rides on my Ducati. I haven't made a big trip on the FJR yet, but I do notice that I have to be conscious about poor posture on it.

 

[boomerang]

Folks, I appreciate very much your suggestions so far.
I am already training quite a bit and lifting weights so that cant hurt. I quickly read the master yoda and I am going to give it a try. Somehow I think the position transition from my ZX6 to the FJR is not right. I never had pain like that riding the Ninja and now I get very sore after barely 175 miles on the FJR.

Another thing I didnt mention before, that right shoulder was injured in a snowmobile accident and has always been a little bit weaker, but that was many many years ago (13 if I recall correctly). But I would be surprised that riding the FJR could "revive" such an old injury. Anyways, if it's the case, I think it would be another sign that my position is not right on the FJR.

I like Yzerman idea of adjusting the handle bar position, but I'll try the yoda thing before.

Sooner or later ya just have to come to grips with the fact that your getting old.

 

[FargoFeej]

Hi! I just returned from a 3200 mile ride and tried several things to make the ride more comfortable. One thing that helped me is easy to do and FREE! The seat on the Feej seems to incline toward the tank and I would find me and the "boys" sliding uncomfortably to the tank often. I took off the seat and removed the two rear rubber cushions. This took away enough of the incline that I no longer slid forward while riding. I could find a comfortable position and not have to frequently readjust myself. I also installed a set of forward pegs to allow stretching my legs.

Also, if the throttle return spring has not yet been loosened one turn, try that to reduce right hand fatigue.

 

[FJR Flyer]

I had similar issues, most noticeable during rides. Shoulder and neck pain. Weird thing was it started in the left side then switched over to the right side. The back cracker was worthless. First and last time I'll ever do that. He said it was scoliosis. Finally got the damn insurance to approve my GPs referral for an MRI. Two herniated discs in my neck. PT and some NSAIDs, plus some home traction, over the period of a couple months seems to have resolved the issue. For the time being.