[VictoryKP381]

Hey guys, I've been riding for about 3 years now and I have continuously had neck and shoulder pain while riding. At times, it is hard to turn my head when I'm riding and my right hand and fingers will go numb. Has anyone experienced something like this? What did you do? Any suggestions? Bad riding posture?

Thank you guys.

 

[stilcrazee]

Backrest will help some but I'd bet you are reaching for the handlebars. Sounds like you need the bars back 1 to 2 inches minimum. Do you have a windshield or ride without? If you don't and are reaching you will be adding strain to your shoulders and neck from wind. There are probably other variables as well.

If you make changes and it persists see a chiropractor.

 

[tarzan]

Handlebars and seat position. I just went through this with new bars. 4 years ago I had the same experience with my kingpin. I solve both times with handlebars and seat/ backrest. Just like still crazy says.

 

[airjammer]

I have the same problem, but both arms go numb. I think my problem is I have carpal tunnel syndrom though. I also have the back and shoulder problem. I put one 2" pull backs which helps some. I found if my handlebars are too high it increased the shoulder pain. Back rest does help. Since I do most of my riding two up I can't use it that often. My job is too physical and has been for years so it is part of my body wearing out. LOL I hope you find a solution. Wayne

 

[VictoryKP381]

I do have a windshield. My last bike had ape hangers and no windshield and I had the same problem. Now, what would bring my handle bars back? Risers?

 

[VictoryKP381]

I also have the touring seat, but took off my backrest. Maybe I should throw it back on.

 

[triumph900]

I have similar symptoms. I get a sharp pain in between my neck a left shoulder, plus I just to have issues with fingers tingling in my left hand. Found out I have disk issues and have doing the chiropractor thing for a while. It has helped a bit. But this weekend I was able to get out for a short while and the pain returned, plus a stiff back. I'm hoping the back is just due to being out of ridin shape. Need to talk to the chiropractor about the neck. After all that, my suggestion is, gave your neck/back checked out!

 

[stilcrazee]

I do have a windshield. My last bike had ape hangers and no windshield and I had the same problem. Now, what would bring my handle bars back? Risers?

Risers possibly or pull back bars, I believe Vic (maybe other aftermarket too) offered 2" pull back bars as an option. I didn't change the bars on my KP, I changed the seat and added a back rest then adjusted the back rest to make me sit a bit more upright.

 

[tarzan]

My left hand used to go numb and tingle with the 2" pullbacks on my CR. I got aftermarket bars and the angle actually is different and my hand was fine, but the pullback was then too short and my shoulders and neck/back would get pain .So I bought risers this week and installed them with the new bars.I rode all day yesterday and all is better.

 

[h7wae14t]

Hand going numb. Too small of grips...also weird shaped grips. You can also try loosening your grip. Lastly switch hand positions every ten to fifteen minutes.

 

[kingpinbob]

I experience this as well on my Kingpin. My hands tingle after riding it. Kinda weird because it doesn't occur on my other bikes. My Kingpin is really smooth. My bar end weights are fine. I just figured it was due to the fact I installed carpet for a couple of decades. lol I'm 45 years old and plenty immature so I never considered age.lol This has been my first cruiser. Funny riding sport bikes is fatiguing but extremely fun. Riding a cruiser is relaxing with mild fatigue to the hands only. Riding a Standard or (Naked bike) offers no fatigue. Good luck...

 

[goatlocker95]

I had pain between my shoulder blades after long rides (4-5 hours or more) with a little numbness. I changed by 2010 XR bars with CR bars which brought them back about 2". I also put them so the grips were right below shoulder height. That helped a lot but I still felt some numbness. I ended up moving the bars back down about halfway between where I moved them to and where they were. That seemed to do the trick. I also find that when I start feeling numbness or pain I realize that I'm slouching. I sit up straighter and the pain and numbness pretty much go away; until I start slouching again that is

The next thing I get will be a rider back rest since that should help keep my riding posture better.

 

[zoom]

Carpal tunnel was my problem for years , like at least 25 yrs. never knew what it was . Numb fingers arms going to sleep while riding sore neck , could not turn my head . I could only ride bikes with cruise control . The neck and back pain was brought on by my excavating business mainly dump trucks. I got out of that business had both wrists operated on, went glueten free on my diet which put an end to my arthritis now at 72 have absolutly no problems riding long distances . These problems can come on at a fairly young age , thats usually when they start sneaking up on you. Ride safe Cheers Wayne

 

[morgdog]

I had the same problem wiht my 2010 Kingpin. My back/neck would ache and my hands would go numb. I upgraded to the highball bars and ISO grips and can ride for hours and hours now with no trouble. I think the main difference is just posture. Thge way I figured it out on my old bars was just cruising around with my hands on the mirrors to simulate the height! Hahaha! If you're throttle hand is crampin up, you might consider a throttle boss (or whatever it's called) or cruise contol...

 

[RedRyder]

I had this with my '99. I tried different Vic bars and that didn't help. I took the originals and bent them in a tree to the shape I wanted. Felt good. Stopped at Flanders during Sturgis and ordered a premade set the same shape. The other thing I did was to trun my controls on both sides down on the forward side. This way my hands grabbed them in a more comfortable position.
Try other riders bikes with different bars and seats and see if any work better for you.

 

[Lostintexas]

People who make motorcycles must hage Go-rilla arms. I have noticed the trend in auto's also of late.

I'll agree that it sounds like you are reaching for the bars/have poor riding posture. It is hard to say with the info given and would be difficult over the interweb to know for sure anyway. Do you get a cramp (feels like a knife twisting) between your spine and shoulder blade? If so you either need to move forward or pull tha bars back, my choice was to go forward and it was a good move on my part since I was getting a seat anyway. Slide up in the seat for a ride and see if it helps. You'll know about the reach then. Get a backrest, it will help solve a lot of problems once you get it adjusted correctly.

One other thing. Ride more and if you don't have one, get a windshield. Sounds kinda corney, but we use muscle groups for rideing that aren't normally used in life. How many activities do you have that require your arms being outreached for long periods, even when resting on the bars. Get a throttle lock or use the cruise, stop death gripping the grips, sit up straight (yes your mom was right), stay hydrated when riding. Even short rides in warmish weather can start you to dehydration. Ever get thirsty? You are behind the curve if you do.

Just things to start with. Your arms should be flexed to a comfortable angle and not at full reach. I see folks ride like that and wonder how the can turn. It is demanding and requre repositioning the body to manouver. Riding is still an activity so treat it as such. Chaces are you'll get more out of it.

Cheers

 

[Bobbyd85]

I used to get the pain too until i found the "Auto-pilot" switch on the right handlebar. You can ride one handed switching hands or kick your feet up and go "look ma no hands". in all seriousness i have been meaning to get pull back bars and a backrest for this same issue. i rode my buddies XC with these addons and i didnt get the pain i get on mine. IDK what Vic was thinking because im average height with monkey length arms and still have a good reach to the bars. Must have designed the XC around Bigfoot.

 

[jocky]

The aluminium framed bikes appear to have been designed with the taller rider in mind.

 

[Rollin]

The secret to long distance riding?
For me it's 30 to 60 situps a day everyday and range of motion exercises.
For shoulders I use a weight bench and use weights for the full range of motion. I also use an ab roller (that thing is killer!)
I also have other equipment that I try to use every day. It's small but it all helps -

 

[Bullet]

Put these 12" bars

on my XC for the same reason. Hated reaching down and forward. No backrest and I've done 1200+km in a single day, enjoying every minute of it.