Pain between Shoulders
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Your issue is very common, but it's also easily solved. Many prefer apes; personally, they weren't the look I was going for. Plus, I ride long distances and can't imagine eight hours with my hands up at shoulder height. But it does work for many.
My solution was WildOne Chubby 518 bars. They work with the stock cables, though I switched mine out to chrome and ran the wires internally when I changed out the bars -- but you needn't go that far. And if cost is a factor, wait till you can get some "blemished" bars from WildOne (see them here). What they call blemished most people would call perfect, and you can save a few bucks. I also added a Mustang seat with backrest. Problem solved.
My solution was WildOne Chubby 518 bars. They work with the stock cables, though I switched mine out to chrome and ran the wires internally when I changed out the bars -- but you needn't go that far. And if cost is a factor, wait till you can get some "blemished" bars from WildOne (see them here). What they call blemished most people would call perfect, and you can save a few bucks. I also added a Mustang seat with backrest. Problem solved.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Western Kentucky
Try sitting on the bike with it upright. Get comfortable in the seat. Drop your arms at your side. Raise your forearms up so they are parallel to the floor (ground). Move your hands forward while keeping your forearms parallel. Try to keep your elbows in.
For a nice riding position, your elbows should not be straight, but have a comfortable bend. Remember this position and where your hands are. Think "comfort". Now move your arms up, down, out in, etc. Try to find that position that starts to make your back feel bad.
This is the only comparison I can think of to do without actually putting on new handle bars and experimenting that way.
p.s. Well, this worked for me anyway. I put on 4 inch pull back risers and rotated the handle bars down. More comfy now.
For a nice riding position, your elbows should not be straight, but have a comfortable bend. Remember this position and where your hands are. Think "comfort". Now move your arms up, down, out in, etc. Try to find that position that starts to make your back feel bad.
This is the only comparison I can think of to do without actually putting on new handle bars and experimenting that way.
p.s. Well, this worked for me anyway. I put on 4 inch pull back risers and rotated the handle bars down. More comfy now.
Great suggestion, I had never really thought about checking it without experimenting and spending $
Thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
Seems like a lot of people are having this same problem. I had this problem with my stock bike and all I did was change my bars to make them come back closer and taller for me. Not everybody likes apes but they worked for me. My neck and shoulder pain went away immediately. A person doesn't have to switch to apes to solve this problem, but anything that will bring the bars up and closer to you should help your problem, good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Yes, I want to see the pictures as well. That's what I was thinking of doing as well. But I was just going to go with 2" risers. I'd like to see them. Also I was worried about the cables too. If I don't have to change them it would be great.
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kandkarma1964
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Jul 31, 2014 09:38 AM
