pain between my shoulder blades

[cpugiu]

When I ride I get a muscular pain at the base of my neck/between the shoulder blades. I am thinking that I am reaching for the bars. I can ride my ATV's all day with no pain. I work out alot (swim 2-3 miles a day) so I have strong shoulders. I just can't figure out why I am having so much pain. I have 1000 miles on this bike and have fiddled with the seat height. I am current at the highest setting but experienced the most pain at the lowest setting. I am 6'1" and need help with this. I am thinking about buying Heli Bars Honda ST1300 Tour Performance Bar Relocation Adapter (03-08) : HM-HC0303G but wanted to ask what others have done for this. I thought that it was just that I have never rode road bikes before and would have to ride through this but the pain is not going away. Please advise.

Tom

[Kempo-STer]

That was exactly my problem with the ST originally. Right at the top of my traps I would experience the same thing you are describing.

No worries though, I put MCL bar risers and bingo, the problem dissapeared. Almost 70K later and still no issues even with some really longs miles and days in the saddle. The bar risers should do the trick for you.

[chris in va]

I also have that problem with my 1100, stock bars with 1" risers.

I think at least on my bike, I'd need to get some HeliBars and change out the seat before I can get rid of the pain. 200 miles on the road yesterday with a few stops and I was calling it quits.

[gregj]

The MCL riser plates, and setting my seat lower worked for me. My knees are bent a little more than I would like, but my shoulders are more comfortable. You'll have to experiment a little with seat height, but the risers should help. Also work on your riding position, leaned forward a little, and relax your arms. You may be leaning into your bars too much.

[NCrider]

Before spending money on the problem, try checking your riding posture.

Make sure your arms are relaxed (you should be able to flap your elbows).
Use your back/albs to hold your position.

When I start getting pains in by wrists/arms/shoulders I usually check myself and find I'm not relaxed.
Everyday life, work, stress, I guess this is why I like to ride.......to relax.

And if I can't relax I go home, I don't need to be riding on that day. (That only ever happened once)

[chesthing]

Ncrider is right. If your posture sucks bar mods aren't going to help. Also, 1000 miles isnt enough for your body to get used to the riding position.
It's curious how many on this forum complain about the aggressive riding position of the ST when many ride all day on much more aggressive bikes. I put 10k on a VFR over a season, maybe that's why I feel the stock ST1100 is such a couch.

[schlep1967]

I also only have 1K on the ST and I have the same pain. I think it is more from holding your head up as your body leans slightly forward. Whenever I stop I stretch out my neck by putting my chin on my chest and the pain goes away almost instantly. I'm adding another inch of riser to the handlebars, hopefully this will get me a little more upright.

[Meltz]

Ncrider is right. If your posture sucks bar mods aren't going to help.

Not necessarily true. Sport tourers generally don't keep you straight up and down. Motorcycles aren't necessarily meant to keep the rider having "good posture", meaning the ear-holes over the centerline of the shoulder. Add to that the weight of a helmet, and you have a recipe for pain in the upper back where all of the muscles that hold up the head are attached.

If the bars are 2" higher and 1" rearward as the heli bars do, that's significant.

This chiropractor definitely endorses some form of bar riser! :cool:

[nm6r]

Before spending money on the problem, try checking your riding posture.

Make sure your arms are relaxed (you should be able to flap your elbows).
Use your back/albs to hold your position.

+1

I originally had the same issues. Fortunately I received good advice before making the mistake of mechanical changes.

Lose the death grip, relax your arms to the point they are bent. Don't fight the slightly canted riding position, embrace it. The sport touring riding position offers a lot. Changing the geometry with risers will create a sore butt much quicker, create wind buffeting issues and you will lose hand protection most noticeable in cold weather, and a difference in handling.

You will also have less fatigue with the windshield in a low position, otherwise the backpressure is likely creating problems.

Ray

[NCrider]

Ncrider is right. If your posture sucks bar mods aren't going to help. Also, 1000 miles isnt enough for your body to get used to the riding position.
It's curious how many on this forum complain about the aggressive riding position of the ST when many ride all day on much more aggressive bikes. I put 10k on a VFR over a season, maybe that's why I feel the stock ST1100 is such a couch.

Not necessarily true. Sport tourers generally don't keep you straight up and down. Motorcycles aren't necessarily meant to keep the rider having "good posture", meaning the ear-holes over the centerline of the shoulder. Add to that the weight of a helmet, and you have a recipe for pain in the upper back where all of the muscles that hold up the head are attached.

If the bars are 2" higher and 1" rearward as the heli bars do, that's significant.

This chiropractor definitely endorses some form of bar riser! :cool:

I didn't say it would fix his problem.

I said before I spent the $$$ for risers I would try making sure you have correct posture.

I had over 40k miles on my '03 VFR when it sold.
Never would have happened without working on my posture.

YMMV

[chesthing]

Not necessarily true. Sport tourers generally don't keep you straight up and down. Motorcycles aren't necessarily meant to keep the rider having "good posture", meaning the ear-holes over the centerline of the shoulder. Add to that the weight of a helmet, and you have a recipe for pain in the upper back where all of the muscles that hold up the head are attached.

If the bars are 2" higher and 1" rearward as the heli bars do, that's significant.

This chiropractor definitely endorses some form of bar riser! :cool:

In my experience, straight up and down position results in back pain and a less connected riding experience, and no posture adjustment is going to cure that. A slight lean forward with correct posture is better all the way around, that's why the ST FJR Concour etc. have it.
To each his own, but the ST's riding position just doesnt warrent mods unless your very short - a guy 6'1" just needs some riding time.

[hondast1300]

Advil works for me. I'm in pain regardless of my posture. Big green gelcaps.
robert

[Gti20vturbo]

Same thing for me on my concours after taking a 10 year break in riding. I took Advil and rode as much as I could. Eventually I stopped experiencing the pain and can ride just about any bike now up to 8 hours or so with no should blade type pain.

[mjhenne]

I get neck and between the shoulder blades pain when I have the shield all the way down. I believe that this is a result of buffeting hitting my helmet causing me to tense neck muscles. No problem with the shield up and did not have a problem with my last bike that had no real faring and had clean air from mid chest up. Posture certainly helps. I'll sometimes start to get uncomfortable and remember to lighten up and get the weight off my hands

[Ninjato]

Helibars for me

[Gearbear]

You may also want to consider how the seat and foot pegs will affect your posture. A forward slanting seat can make your hips roll forward making your back want to bend in and your stomach go out. The length of your legs and peg position can exasserbate this.

MCL bar risers helped my shoulders and back, a Spencer seat mod and lower pegs also helped.

[RainyRider]

Posture, Helibars, Seat, Peg Lowering Kit.... ONE of these, (or a mix), will help....

'91 ST1100
'05 Road Star

[dduelin]

Ride it 5000 miles or more before screwing around with the ergos. We recently had a forum member asking for help with shoulder/neck pain and he tried this and that and ended up putting the bike up for sale after 3 months and 2000 miles. What did he have to lose by leaving the bars and seat stock and riding the bike as Honda designed it for a while? End up selling it in 3 months all changed up or starting to modify it after riding it for a few thousand miles?

I ride a couple of bikes and the ergos are different. The logic of changing the bike to fit one posture is flawed. If I made one to fit me the other would be painful. The bike has to fit the rider to some degree of course. I adapt to the bike and ride both long miles. RELAX.

[Louie Louie]

My experience was similar. I used the Gen Mar Risers and felt the pain. I switched to Helibars and it worked, no more shoulder pain. Its subjective though, and ones experience may be different.

[Meltz]

In my experience, straight up and down position results in back pain and a less connected riding experience, and no posture adjustment is going to cure that. A slight lean forward with correct posture is better all the way around, that's why the ST FJR Concour etc. have it.
To each his own, but the ST's riding position just doesnt warrent mods unless your very short - a guy 6'1" just needs some riding time.

I prefer to change positions every so often on the bike rather than stay in one place. With the risers (Helibar or MCL), the rider has the option to sit straight up for a while, or bend his/her arms more and lean forward. You can also sit more rearward on the seat and lean forward. I think risers just increase the options.

I don't think motorcycle (or automobile) manufacturers design a bike for everyone's "proper posture". If sitting upright isn't good, how do you explain the Goldwing?

[cpugiu]

Well I got the Helibar on order and will see when it gets here if I need it or not. Thank you all for your input. I put 200 miles on my bike today working on posture and it hurt alittle less but the pain is still there. I went on and ordered it also for the RAM ball that comes with it and i want to put a GPS there so it takes care of 2 issues.

Thanks again,
Tom

[nawton]

This is really interesting. I have had this problem for years but never did with my V65 Magna of old. That's why I'm selling the big twin and going ST. When I turn to the left after riding the big twin, a sharp pain is in my left shoulder blade. With the ST and risers, it's gone.

Does anyone know of a good, light, full coverage helmet that will not add weight and is good with electronics for Garmin, etc?

[dduelin]

I prefer to change positions every so often on the bike rather than stay in one place. With the risers (Helibar or MCL), the rider has the option to sit straight up for a while, or bend his/her arms more and lean forward. You can also sit more rearward on the seat and lean forward. I think risers just increase the options.

I don't think motorcycle (or automobile) manufacturers design a bike for everyone's "proper posture". If sitting upright isn't good, how do you explain the Goldwing?
An ST1300 is a sport touring bike. A Goldwing is a touring bike. The ST by most accounts handles better than the Goldwing. Part of sport riding is reading the feedback from the front wheel and the sport tour position is better for this than a sitting up straight tour position. Shifting the bars up and back compromises the handling ability designed into the ST. If this isn't important then it is a trade-off gladly made for comfort and a good one for that rider.

I never noticed not adding risers hindered my ability to change position as necessary to remain comfortable. My options are just different from yours and when the road turns technical I like my options better.

[Meltz]

Does anyone know of a good, light, full coverage helmet that will not add weight and is good with electronics for Garmin, etc?

I don't know what you mean about being good with electronics, but the high end Shoei (X-11) and Arai (Corsair) are great, light, full coverage helmets.