When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ok here is my story. I went to several handlebars and finally dialed in and have no discomfort ever since. More that 5 years later with the same handlebar and close to 80K miles on my bike, I now feel discomfort and pain on my shoulder blades. What happened? I now feel it's too high and too wide. Anyone else has this issue?
I have the same ache after a few hours. I pull over and take my helmet off and relax for about half an hour. Ache goes away, get back to riding. Looking at lighter weight helmets to help alleviate this problem.
It might be time that you need to start thinking about takng an Aleve (or two) before you decide to take a ride!
Your hands (when on the handlebars) should NOT be above the height of your shoulders as it can contribute to numbness in your hands and arms, along with other aches and pains
I was about your age when I discovered the miracle of matching the handlebar height and width to accomodae my needs and since then I've changed the handlebars on two other bikes as I could not ride a stock bike comfortably with OEM handlebars. I have not idea of how the manufacturers determins the rise, reach and with for the OEM bars but since so many of us frequently replace them, they need to review and or revise their models.
Also, a few other items that you will appreciate as your get more "seasoned" are rider backrests, electronic cruise control and heated grips (and /or glovrs) and seats!
Yeah! I think its the age thing. since I can't do anything with age, I'll have do a trial and error all over again. Im glad I have a harley, I can manipulate it to suit me.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.