Shoulder burn...New bars?!
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Shoulder burn...New bars?!
I rode about two hours today and my lower neck and right shoulder blade were killing me when I got home. I have said a couple times here that I wish my street slammers were a few inches taller, but I may need to something to bring my hands closer to shoulder level. Have any of you experienced this and did the apes help?
Thanks in advance,
b
Thanks in advance,
b
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
mid height bars do the same thing to me, I can only ride 16''-18' apes or low bars. I also have found that bars to far forward cause the same as it makes me lean forward and look up which kills my neck.
Get you some apes. you will be able to ride 400mile nonstop.
Get you some apes. you will be able to ride 400mile nonstop.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
yeah..i went on a weekend long trip last weekend, about 450 miles, and there is STILL a huge pinch in my shoulder blades on my street slammers.. it's not bad for short trips (100 miles or so).. but after that it just gets pretty bad..not sure if it's the height of the bars or the angle of the grips that makes it awkward. personally, i don't have the money to throw into apes right now
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Yep the same thing was happening with the stock bars so I swapped them for the slammers with more pull back. The slammers are better, but after an hour or so I have to stop. Feels like it is the position of my arms and my neck, kinda slouch with these bars.
Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
Every time I put anything new that changes my riding geometry I hurt. The older I get the more convinced I am of this. I recommend before changing anything back, give it time and log some uncomfortable miles. If it's meant to be the cramps and aches will go away, if not...time for a change.
A little time by me is defined as at least a month, with multiple 100-200 mile days. Hope it all works out. Good Luck.
A little time by me is defined as at least a month, with multiple 100-200 mile days. Hope it all works out. Good Luck.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
I have the same thing with mine too, I liked the stock bars w/6" pullback risers better. Today was the first long day on the bike after the bar change so I'll give it some time and see if I get used to them. I think it's the angle of the grips thats bothering me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
I get that feeling if the bars are too low or too far forward too. Not much choice or adjustment in your bars though. I like the idea of giving it some time to see if your body can adjust. I don't really think mine could at this point.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 32
From: Oregon
I get the same thing in my left shoulder blade after about 3-4 hrs with my apes. Face it guys were getting old. Hell when I was in my 20s I could ride my FZR 1000 for hours without hurting. Not anymore.
Stone
Stone
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
+1 I changed from stock bars to 8" T-bars and then to 12.5" apes. These changes only delay but not stop the shoulder pain. Its just me getting old. I used to ride much more uncomfortable bikes for long periods of time without any pain. I'd like to take a bagger on an 8 hour ride to see what difference the different geometry makes. But, since AAFES can't sell Harleys in Japan any more, I won't be jumping to baggers any time soon.