Sore neck, new handle bars?
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis, MN
Sore neck, new handle bars?
So after a 200 mile ride I was on this weekend I really noticed that my neck was killing me. I started thinking that my handle bars need to be a little taller and pulled back a little more.[/align][/align]Anybody have experience with this and woud you suggest getting new bars? If you think it's new bars, what ones size etc...[/align][/align]
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 7
From: Rochester N.Y.
RE: Sore neck, new handle bars?
I went with the Khromewerks 300505 bars to solve the same problem in my EGS.
That and a rider backrest solved most of my distance riding pain.
I can ride much more relaxed and upright now.
Mick
That and a rider backrest solved most of my distance riding pain.
I can ride much more relaxed and upright now.
Mick
RE: Sore neck, new handle bars?
If you have a sore neck that means you are hunched forward.
Without putting your hands on the grips, close your eyes, sit up straight, put your hands out to where it feels "natural", then open your eyes. Try exercise this 3-4 times to find a medium area.
Notice you hand placement. Is it four inches higher? Is is 2 inches towards you?
This is where your grips should be for you. This can be done with different barsor even just different risers.
Don't have a riding positionwhere you neck hurts. This will NOT get better and will only get worse.
Without putting your hands on the grips, close your eyes, sit up straight, put your hands out to where it feels "natural", then open your eyes. Try exercise this 3-4 times to find a medium area.
Notice you hand placement. Is it four inches higher? Is is 2 inches towards you?
This is where your grips should be for you. This can be done with different barsor even just different risers.
Don't have a riding positionwhere you neck hurts. This will NOT get better and will only get worse.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Minneapolis, MN
RE: Sore neck, new handle bars?
ORIGINAL: MyFirstHD
Did you try adjusting the handlebars you have now?
Did you try adjusting the handlebars you have now?
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis, MN
RE: Sore neck, new handle bars?
ORIGINAL: Merlinii
If you have a sore neck that means you are hunched forward.
Without putting your hands on the grips, close your eyes, sit up straight, put your hands out to where it feels "natural", then open your eyes. Try exercise this 3-4 times to find a medium area.
Notice you hand placement. Is it four inches higher? Is is 2 inches towards you?
This is where your grips should be for you. This can be done with different barsor even just different risers.
Don't have a riding positionwhere you neck hurts. This will NOT get better and will only get worse.
If you have a sore neck that means you are hunched forward.
Without putting your hands on the grips, close your eyes, sit up straight, put your hands out to where it feels "natural", then open your eyes. Try exercise this 3-4 times to find a medium area.
Notice you hand placement. Is it four inches higher? Is is 2 inches towards you?
This is where your grips should be for you. This can be done with different barsor even just different risers.
Don't have a riding positionwhere you neck hurts. This will NOT get better and will only get worse.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
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RE: Sore neck, new handle bars?
In addition to Merlinii's comments you should have someone look at your posture from the side, as you sit in your riding position. You may need a backrest to get a straighter line up your spine and cervical vertebrae. YOur seat should be of a design that will help with this too. I've found over the years that a flatter and more level seat works well for me.
Forward controls or a short person on a FL model can result in an unnatural position.
If your bars have you pulling your torso forward your neck will curve the same as if you are riding a crotch rocket. Therefore you may not want apes. The most relaxing position will be with your hands just above your knees (longitudinal position) as in sitting at the dinner table and a height that puts your elbows just forward of your torso and almost level. Be aware that the width of the bars can influence comfort too. A lot of riders think only of the image they want to project and not the comfort or safety.
If you are wearing a helmet, get the lightest one you can find. The Harley carbon fiber 1/2 is the lightest one I've found that will also protect at least a bit of your head.
You may want to spend some time in a showroom where you can sit for several minutes on different models. If you neck is hurting on one, you may notice some minor improvement on another and that can help with ideas.
Forward controls or a short person on a FL model can result in an unnatural position.
If your bars have you pulling your torso forward your neck will curve the same as if you are riding a crotch rocket. Therefore you may not want apes. The most relaxing position will be with your hands just above your knees (longitudinal position) as in sitting at the dinner table and a height that puts your elbows just forward of your torso and almost level. Be aware that the width of the bars can influence comfort too. A lot of riders think only of the image they want to project and not the comfort or safety.
If you are wearing a helmet, get the lightest one you can find. The Harley carbon fiber 1/2 is the lightest one I've found that will also protect at least a bit of your head.
You may want to spend some time in a showroom where you can sit for several minutes on different models. If you neck is hurting on one, you may notice some minor improvement on another and that can help with ideas.