Shoulder pain while touring
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 6,907
From: NC
When I went from my 1989 to my 2002, There were little differences that effected my comfort. I was using some muscles slightly differently. I exercised and those pains went away afterI grew accustomed to the new bike.
Now my 2019 FLHTP is totally different with the police seat riding position. But after a couple months, and several 180 mile (full tank to reserve light) rides I have grown accustomed to using those muscles that way and all is well. No pain now.
Now my 2019 FLHTP is totally different with the police seat riding position. But after a couple months, and several 180 mile (full tank to reserve light) rides I have grown accustomed to using those muscles that way and all is well. No pain now.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
From: MA
I've noticed 3 things that helped to eliminate my neck, back, & shoulder pain.
1- Get a back rest, or at least get a seat that has better support for your lower back. (I won't even ride without a backrest attached, thankfully it's part of my Corbin seats)
2- Get highway pegs and adjust them to give your feet another comfortable place to extend your legs to once in a while. Don't forget to use them, especially on long rides.
3- Upgrade to taller bars. You don't have to get 16" or anything crazy tall, but you need to elevate your hands & elbows higher than what the factory bars can provide.
With the above changes to my bike, I was able to ride for 11.5 hours (only stopping for gas, restroom breaks, and quick meal), with ZERO back, neck & shoulder pain afterwards.
Good luck.
1- Get a back rest, or at least get a seat that has better support for your lower back. (I won't even ride without a backrest attached, thankfully it's part of my Corbin seats)
2- Get highway pegs and adjust them to give your feet another comfortable place to extend your legs to once in a while. Don't forget to use them, especially on long rides.
3- Upgrade to taller bars. You don't have to get 16" or anything crazy tall, but you need to elevate your hands & elbows higher than what the factory bars can provide.
With the above changes to my bike, I was able to ride for 11.5 hours (only stopping for gas, restroom breaks, and quick meal), with ZERO back, neck & shoulder pain afterwards.
Good luck.
I'm looking to buy either an SGS or RKS this year. It's been 20 years since I've owned an HD, but I've kept riding a couple of times a year through HD rentals and Eagle Rider. My problem is that I get bad shoulder pain after riding more than an hour. The pain starts as soon as 30 min and gets so bad I have to stop after an hour. It's more on my left side than right, but the longer I ride the worse it gets and affects both shoulders. I've gone to physical therapy to see if they could help, but they said my range of motion was normal and that I just have a lot of muscle tightness in my chest and lats.
I figured everyone puts bars on their touring bikes for this reason, but I've ridden my buddies RGS with 12" bars and that didn't help at all. I tried a back rest and that seemed to help more than the bars, but still didn't take the pain away. What I can't figure out is I can drive in my truck for hours on end with zero shoulder pain. Does anyone else on here get shoulder pain? Is this a back rest thing, a seat position thing, a posture thing, a bar thing?
I don't want to drop $30k on a new bike only to have to sell it if I can't ride without pain.
This is where I feel the pain:
I figured everyone puts bars on their touring bikes for this reason, but I've ridden my buddies RGS with 12" bars and that didn't help at all. I tried a back rest and that seemed to help more than the bars, but still didn't take the pain away. What I can't figure out is I can drive in my truck for hours on end with zero shoulder pain. Does anyone else on here get shoulder pain? Is this a back rest thing, a seat position thing, a posture thing, a bar thing?
I don't want to drop $30k on a new bike only to have to sell it if I can't ride without pain.
This is where I feel the pain:
Here is a LINK to a written Report on The Comfort Triangle.
Here is a video that goes a little more in depth than the written report on The Comfort Triangle.
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Banned
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 6,286
From: SoCal
I've been mostly riding stock SGS and RGS for the last decade. As you know, the stock windshields on these bikes are a joke. So, thank you that is something I will have to look into.
Thanks - you give me hope. The most comfortable factory bars I've tried are on the Road King S which I think are 9"? But, I've only ridden this bike a few times at Laconia demo day and never for more than 10 min at a time. The Road King S was surprisingly okay without the windshield in terms of buffeting, but I would add one if I went with this bike.
Thanks - you give me hope. The most comfortable factory bars I've tried are on the Road King S which I think are 9"? But, I've only ridden this bike a few times at Laconia demo day and never for more than 10 min at a time. The Road King S was surprisingly okay without the windshield in terms of buffeting, but I would add one if I went with this bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,126
Likes: 6,618
From: Stafford VA
Like others have said comfort is key, hand the same pain when I bought mine yrs ago, changed the bars and it worked for me, but I have read of guys pulling the stock bars back towards them to see if that worked before putting new bars on.
rk classic.
rk classic.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 264
Likes: 110
From: Las Vegas, NV
I'm looking to buy either an SGS or RKS this year. It's been 20 years since I've owned an HD, but I've kept riding a couple of times a year through HD rentals and Eagle Rider. My problem is that I get bad shoulder pain after riding more than an hour. The pain starts as soon as 30 min and gets so bad I have to stop after an hour. It's more on my left side than right, but the longer I ride the worse it gets and affects both shoulders. I've gone to physical therapy to see if they could help, but they said my range of motion was normal and that I just have a lot of muscle tightness in my chest and lats.
I figured everyone puts bars on their touring bikes for this reason, but I've ridden my buddies RGS with 12" bars and that didn't help at all. I tried a back rest and that seemed to help more than the bars, but still didn't take the pain away. What I can't figure out is I can drive in my truck for hours on end with zero shoulder pain. Does anyone else on here get shoulder pain? Is this a back rest thing, a seat position thing, a posture thing, a bar thing?
I don't want to drop $30k on a new bike only to have to sell it if I can't ride without pain.
This is where I feel the pain:
I figured everyone puts bars on their touring bikes for this reason, but I've ridden my buddies RGS with 12" bars and that didn't help at all. I tried a back rest and that seemed to help more than the bars, but still didn't take the pain away. What I can't figure out is I can drive in my truck for hours on end with zero shoulder pain. Does anyone else on here get shoulder pain? Is this a back rest thing, a seat position thing, a posture thing, a bar thing?
I don't want to drop $30k on a new bike only to have to sell it if I can't ride without pain.
This is where I feel the pain:
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,974
Likes: 5,478
From: Woodlands, MB, Canada
It's not just me then.... I get a shoulder pain as well. Always just above the left shoulder blade. I've been known to take a couple of Tylenol before long trips and have a couple in my pocket for really long trips.. I haven't changed anything yet.. (Bars, seat).. I've always figured that it's just cuz I'm getting old. 
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 20
Likes: 5
From: MA
Everyone is different, but by using The Comfort Triangle a person can get their ride set up to be comfortable for them.
Here is a LINK to a written Report on The Comfort Triangle.
Here is a video that goes a little more in depth than the written report on The Comfort Triangle.
Here is a LINK to a written Report on The Comfort Triangle.
Here is a video that goes a little more in depth than the written report on The Comfort Triangle.
It's the seat man. You've got to get your hips rotated back instead of keeping your spine curved like a banana. A lot of folks want super low, and that can exacerbate the situation. I highly recommend the Mustang Wide touring solo rest. There are probably others, but this is the one I have the most experience with.
It's not just me then.... I get a shoulder pain as well. Always just above the left shoulder blade. I've been known to take a couple of Tylenol before long trips and have a couple in my pocket for really long trips.. I haven't changed anything yet.. (Bars, seat).. I've always figured that it's just cuz I'm getting old.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 565
From: TX
I've been mostly riding stock SGS and RGS for the last decade. As you know, the stock windshields on these bikes are a joke. So, thank you that is something I will have to look into.
Thanks - you give me hope. The most comfortable factory bars I've tried are on the Road King S which I think are 9"? But, I've only ridden this bike a few times at Laconia demo day and never for more than 10 min at a time. The Road King S was surprisingly okay without the windshield in terms of buffeting, but I would add one if I went with this bike.
Thanks - you give me hope. The most comfortable factory bars I've tried are on the Road King S which I think are 9"? But, I've only ridden this bike a few times at Laconia demo day and never for more than 10 min at a time. The Road King S was surprisingly okay without the windshield in terms of buffeting, but I would add one if I went with this bike.
i was at a dealer the other day that is kinda far from here but was there for seats. i didnt put two and two together until after i left that they were the only "local" dealer who does klockwerks demos. i shouldve snagged the 8 inch to try out.
speaking of seats, maybe you need one that moves you a bit fwd?
i bought 10 inch apes, mini apes?, but haven't installed them yet but i'm hoping it makes the bike a little more comfortable
