I have a 2012 GTL that I primarily enjoy on long distance rides (6+ hours daily). After about 3 hours or so I get acute pain across the top of my shoulders. I wear an Arai Signet Q helmet, mid-range in weight. If anyone has any experience or perspectives I would be most appreciative!
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Help! Acute shoulder pain when distance riding my GTL
- Thread starter rjlueders
- Start date
Thanks for the info!
I'm not sure there are risers made for the GTL, but I can sure beef up my shoulder weight work. Thanks!
I'm not sure there are risers made for the GTL, but I can sure beef up my shoulder weight work. Thanks!
akbeemer
SURVIVOR
I'm not a Doctor, but I play one on forums.
Last edited:
Welcome to the forum!
Gary
Thank you.
I guess it would help if I elaborated.
AS Cycles sells one version.
Helibars sells a version.
A member on the K1600 forum sells a version (the highest lift and most pullback of the 3)
Thanks for the info!
Thanks for the thought. I have been considering using a kidney belt and may give one a try on my upcoming trip of about 1700 miles.
What would you like to know?
jimmydaleallen
New member
The Russel Day-Long seat change made a world of difference in my back and shoulder fatigue. When I ordered the seat I also added the adjustable back rest. That whole combination has been great and will probably extend my riding years. For what its worth.
pglaves
#13338
I suspect that you are in a riding position with a little more forward lean than your body likes. To level your eyes to the horizon you raise your head a little. After a while you get "stingers" across your neck from shoulder to shoulder. Or, at least I do. Look at the relationship of the handlebar grips to where you sit. Bars up or back, or seat spot forward or down would be my thoughts,
deilenberger
A bozo on the bus
I think Paul's onto something here. On my pretty-much-naked R1200R - if I ride for long periods of time below about 40MPH, I start getting neck and shoulder aches. Speeding up sorts them right out. The wind is helping support my heavy noggin and helmet (XXL Schubert C3).
If you have an adjustable windshield you might try lowering it a bit to get more wind to your face and torso area, and speeding up.
Optimal speed for me seems to be around 85MPH indicated (78-79 GPS real speed) - I can go pretty much all day at that speed - but some of the LEO's have an issue with it (nominal-max-speed in NJ is 80MPH on almost any divided highway. A bit higher on the NJ Turnpike and parts of the NJ Parkway.) I actually tried a larger windshield again this winter - took one ride with it and came home and went back to my small one. I missed the air holding me up. Above 100MPH I'd actually need the larger windshield since I can't hold on for that long. Tested that completely legally on the Autobahn a few years ago. A naked R1200R could easily do 110-115MPH, but I couldn't for long.
RBEmerson
Kein Nasebohrer
Or maybe just loosening up. It's hard to go through, in a post, the whole process. They key points are 1) to feel, really feel your muscles. Are they tense? Take a break. Try 2) this exercise: sit on the bike (or the ground or a bench), close your eyes and mentally feel your fingers. Let go of any tenseness, move them around as if they're light as balloons. And so on up each arm, to your shoulders and neck. This is easier to explain in person - but the key thing here is to will yourself to relax. I know it seems odd to will yourself to do nothing but relax. With time and patience you'll have it. And it's cheaper and easier than mucking up the bike's ergos. 
I had a similar problem with my K16GT but the muscle pain was restricted to my left upper back. I tried all sorts of remedies including exercises/stretches and finally found that, for me at least, the cure was bar risers. I got the ones from Jryan ( search for him on the K1600 forum) and the problem resolved itself immediately. I did have to change the brake hydraulic line to the GTL one but this was more for my own anxieties than a necessity ( the line was only just long enough and I wanted a bit of slack at full lock)
It is not difficult to install the risers but best to use a second pair of hands to prevent accidentally scratching up the paintwork
Bruce
Golden BC
