upper back pain
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,138
Likes: 6,162
From: SE Michigan
There are two types of riders: those with apes and love them, and those that are afraid to try them.
I'm kidding a bit, but for the most part I've found this to be true. Of course there are exceptions, I'm sure, but I've never heard anyone complain of upper back problems that went to apes and the problems were not solved. I too was afraid of apes, it looks very counter intuitive, but they are very comfortable.
If there's a way you can test ride a used bike with apes at the dealer or a friend, I would definitely give them a try.
Taller bars are your friend, the stock bars on the touring bikes are recognized as torture devices the international human rights commission.
I'm kidding a bit, but for the most part I've found this to be true. Of course there are exceptions, I'm sure, but I've never heard anyone complain of upper back problems that went to apes and the problems were not solved. I too was afraid of apes, it looks very counter intuitive, but they are very comfortable.
If there's a way you can test ride a used bike with apes at the dealer or a friend, I would definitely give them a try.
Taller bars are your friend, the stock bars on the touring bikes are recognized as torture devices the international human rights commission.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I also had the upper back pain like right in the base of the neck. I started riding with one hand for some relief. After installing Wild One's 577's and a Mustang backrest no more pain. For reference I am 5'7 with a 30 inch inseam and have a sleeve length of 34/35. Hope this helps.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 5
From: Pinellas County, Florida
I've found the main thing is being able to drop your elbows closer to your body, like your sitting in your car with your shoulders relaxed.
http://www.motorcycleforums.net/foru...-position.html
http://www.motorcycleforums.net/foru...-position.html
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Welcome to the forum Red, yeah the stock bars are the subject of many a threads and its rarely effective to move em up or down. I would do a search on roak king handlebars or perhaps Heritage bats for road king and you will unearth a lot of reading as well as what the cure 'could' be since its diff for everybody.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh
Same problem, put on 16" ape hangers, Love it now. Pain is gone completely. Buy a manual and do it yourself. It takes awhile but you can do it yourself, save some big bucks that way. I went with Wild 1 chubbies.
