looking for a solution to pain
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
looking for a solution to pain
I have recently done alot of modifications to my bike and it seems that now something that I have done has changed my posture or riding stance that now causes me pain in my right upper shoulder and inner right shoulder blade area on any rides over 40 minutes or so, and my butt also tends to get numb now when I didnt really have any problem with that before. The changes that I have made are: I changed out my stock 06 Superglide Buckhorn bars to the setup thats on the 07 FXDSE, and I added forward controls and I also switched to Lowrider rear shocks. I have had my seat awhile and its a H-D Tallboy. I'm guessing that the bars are the culprit but,I didnt have any problems with them when I first installed them but then again I didnt ride a whole lot in November. AndI dontthink the forwards would be the problem since I had hwy pegs before and used them most of the time except in the city. I was just looking for any suggestions from anyone on here that might have encountered similar problems and was courious as to how they fixed the problem.
John
John
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Joined: May 2006
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RE: looking for a solution to pain
I went from a Sportster with forwards to a Streetglide and my back pain eased measurably. Too many factors involved in the switch, but I think it had a whole lot to do with the positon of my legs moving my weight from the tailbone to more of my butt (couldn't think of a different way to word that), and my back being straighter. In your case, changing the bars would be the simpler change of the two, and a good place to start. Try one change at a time. Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
RE: looking for a solution to pain
Well,.... I did a lil experiementing and think that when I changed bars it did put my arms at a different height as compared to before. So,... I put on my Badlander seat which lowered me down considerably, and I didnt get the pain in the back area, just in my rear end but thats normal for a badlander,....LOL So now I think I'm gonna try and find a nice touring type seat that is as comfy as the Tallbouy but one that sits lower. The Tallboy specs states that it moves the rider up almost 2inches and back almost 2inches. Ive been looking at the mustang seats. I've had some friends say they are pretty comfy for long distances. I like the ones with the backrest but man they sure are pricey. I wish I could find a good touring type seat with a backrest at a deacent price.
John
John
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SW Ohio
RE: looking for a solution to pain
I Would also guess the bars are the problem,the forwards can do this too. this is why i kept my mids,and put on forward pegs. i do not think the seat is the issue. one ot 2 inches makes a big differance in the way you sit.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
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From:
RE: looking for a solution to pain
Did you lower the front as well? Because if you didn't then you kinda sitting **** low now. That might be putting some weird pressure on your back and making you unkowingly hold onto the new bars tighter. That might be making you flex your shoulder over and over and that will cause pain eventually.
If you want to try lowering your front, just loosen the triple clamps and lower it about an inch. If that curses your pains maybe go get a front lowering kit?
If your Tallboy is a Solo, I will swap you straight across for my Stock Bob seat.
If you want to try lowering your front, just loosen the triple clamps and lower it about an inch. If that curses your pains maybe go get a front lowering kit?
If your Tallboy is a Solo, I will swap you straight across for my Stock Bob seat.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
RE: looking for a solution to pain
I'm one of those who can't ride a bike with forward controls... and I'm 6' 4".
Every time I've tried them I get a backache within 30 minutes.
My FXD still has the mid-controls, and I replaced the buckhorns with a SportsterXL1000 handlebar.I can ride it for hours with no back pain... My buddies think it looks strange, but I don't care...
I guess everybody's different.
Every time I've tried them I get a backache within 30 minutes.
My FXD still has the mid-controls, and I replaced the buckhorns with a SportsterXL1000 handlebar.I can ride it for hours with no back pain... My buddies think it looks strange, but I don't care...
I guess everybody's different.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,432
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From: SW Ohio
RE: looking for a solution to pain
i had same problem on my sporty.i blamed the bars,the stiff suspension,etc, 99% of these problems ended when i bought bob.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
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From: Bowling Green, KY
RE: looking for a solution to pain
John, wooden beads help me with butt fatigue (for real). I cut down a car set to fit my sportster. It did not cure the butt fatigue but it did postpone by 200 miles. I have put over 600 miles a day using it on a sportster. I haven't needed them on my dyna yet. But I have only topped about 400 miles a day on it which tells me something aboutmy dyna's ride.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
RE: looking for a solution to pain
Yeah I have heard the wooden beads will help,.... kinda hard to believe, but I have buddies who swear by them,....LOL I think I'm gonna get me a Mustang seat with driver backrest, because I think that willallow me to have a lil more relaxed posture.I rode on a small trip today appx 1 hour each way and I was only slightly sore. I think another of my problems is that my "riding muscles" just havent gotten as much work during the winter.
John
John
RE: looking for a solution to pain
The shoulder and neck pain is usually from your handlebar position.
As a simple test. Sitting correctly on the bike, close you eyes and your hands, put your hands out in front of you and hold your handswhere it feels natural. Then open your eyes. Are your bars forward or lower than your "natural" position? Are your handlebars above or closer than your "natural" position?
Modify risers, adjust the bars etc. to fit your bars to your "natural" position.
As far as the seat. I have ridden Mustang seats for 100,000+ miles. There is a reason they call them the "tank to tank" seat. Yepper, you can go from a full tank of gas to empty without having to get off the bike. I personally like the ones with the backrest for the most comfort. They are a little pricey.
NOTE: I probably don't own a chair in my house that costs as much as my Mustang seat, but they are worth it if you ride any long distance.
I recently rode almost 700 miles in one day and didn't stop until the low fuel light came on. Not once did I have butt fatigue.
I have a few other seats. Low exotic customs etc. they sure look good but I can't make it further than 30-45 minutes until I'm standing while riding to get a little blood flow back in my butt.
Adjust you bars, a Mustang seat with a back rest and you'll be riding happy for many miles to come!
As a simple test. Sitting correctly on the bike, close you eyes and your hands, put your hands out in front of you and hold your handswhere it feels natural. Then open your eyes. Are your bars forward or lower than your "natural" position? Are your handlebars above or closer than your "natural" position?
Modify risers, adjust the bars etc. to fit your bars to your "natural" position.
As far as the seat. I have ridden Mustang seats for 100,000+ miles. There is a reason they call them the "tank to tank" seat. Yepper, you can go from a full tank of gas to empty without having to get off the bike. I personally like the ones with the backrest for the most comfort. They are a little pricey.
NOTE: I probably don't own a chair in my house that costs as much as my Mustang seat, but they are worth it if you ride any long distance.
I recently rode almost 700 miles in one day and didn't stop until the low fuel light came on. Not once did I have butt fatigue.
I have a few other seats. Low exotic customs etc. they sure look good but I can't make it further than 30-45 minutes until I'm standing while riding to get a little blood flow back in my butt.
Adjust you bars, a Mustang seat with a back rest and you'll be riding happy for many miles to come!