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Jager71 · 05-30-2009, 06:32 PM

Newbie question here...

I have been riding my Shadow 750 almost everyday for the last 3 months. I have noticed that when I ride on the highway (SoCal average speeds between 75-80 mph) for more than 20 minutes I develop neck pain right at the base of my neck between the shoulder blades. I figure it's from the wind buffeting (I don't have a windshield installed and wear a full helmet), but is this something that goes away? I'm in pretty decent shape for a 37 year old (6'2/230 lbs) so is it just muscles I normally don't use, or is it a symptom I should be concerned about? Suggestions please. Thanks.

seruzawa · 05-30-2009, 06:34 PM

Get a windshield.

Dr_Sprocket · 05-30-2009, 07:09 PM

The neck muscles, like any other muscle in the body, need to be trained. If you are performing an activity at a significantly higher frequency or duration, then you need to give the muscles time to adapt and change.

It would unrealistic to just walk outside and assume you could run a marathon (for a non-runners). And it would be equally unreasonble to assume the forces put on the head when you start riding more often would present no difficulty for the neck muscles.

I think that over time, you would get used to it. However, if you don't want to wait, then do as Seruzawa suggested and get a windshild.

Jager71 · 05-30-2009, 07:22 PM

Understood...thanks for the advice. Hopefully my neck doesn't get bigger, as I already have an 18' neck and buying dress shirts is a pain in the ass as it is!

newagetwotone · 05-30-2009, 09:59 PM

Go to a chiropractor. Good news, my LOWER back is almost totally out of pain! still stiff but little to no pain. upper back hurts, neck is terrible still... still getting migraines but hey its better than it was.

longride · 05-31-2009, 05:40 AM

Even more than a windshield, you may need to learn how to relax when you are riding at those speeds. Riding tight will cause pain no matter if you have a windshield or not. When you get up to speed concentrate on relaxing your neck and arms and getting into a riding position that you CAN get relaxed. Holding the grips too tight and hanging on tight with your arm muscles will cause all kinds of pains. Give relaxation a try and I bet that pain in the neck will go away, unlike some posters here!

sarnali2 · 05-31-2009, 06:42 AM

wearing a scarff helps too. getting a cold draft down your neck will make it stiffen up in no time

seruzawa · 05-31-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarnali2

wearing a scarff helps too. getting a cold draft down your neck will make it stiffen up in no time

I'm surprised no one has suggested getting a Toyota Camry. Then one can ride in total comfort.

sarnali2 · 05-31-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seruzawa

I'm surprised no one has suggested getting a Toyota Camry. Then one can ride in total comfort.

There's always the West Coast classic Subaru Outback w/ rainbow triangle sticker.....

mscuddy · 05-31-2009, 10:28 AM

You might want to check if you're wearing a helmet that's on the heavy side too.

From years of wearing Bel Star 120's I now have rippiling neck muscles like Charles Atlas.

You can also dull the pain with some light pain meds like Tylenol. Or morphene.

05-30-2009, 06:32 PM	#1
Jager71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 10	Neck Pain from Riding Newbie question here... I have been riding my Shadow 750 almost everyday for the last 3 months. I have noticed that when I ride on the highway (SoCal average speeds between 75-80 mph) for more than 20 minutes I develop neck pain right at the base of my neck between the shoulder blades. I figure it's from the wind buffeting (I don't have a windshield installed and wear a full helmet), but is this something that goes away? I'm in pretty decent shape for a 37 year old (6'2/230 lbs) so is it just muscles I normally don't use, or is it a symptom I should be concerned about? Suggestions please. Thanks.

05-30-2009, 06:34 PM	#2
seruzawa Robby Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 16,803	Get a windshield. __________________ I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tanhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

05-30-2009, 07:09 PM	#3
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 2,331	The neck muscles, like any other muscle in the body, need to be trained. If you are performing an activity at a significantly higher frequency or duration, then you need to give the muscles time to adapt and change. It would unrealistic to just walk outside and assume you could run a marathon (for a non-runners). And it would be equally unreasonble to assume the forces put on the head when you start riding more often would present no difficulty for the neck muscles. I think that over time, you would get used to it. However, if you don't want to wait, then do as Seruzawa suggested and get a windshild. __________________ "Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)

05-31-2009, 05:40 AM	#6
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Even more than a windshield, you may need to learn how to relax when you are riding at those speeds. Riding tight will cause pain no matter if you have a windshield or not. When you get up to speed concentrate on relaxing your neck and arms and getting into a riding position that you CAN get relaxed. Holding the grips too tight and hanging on tight with your arm muscles will cause all kinds of pains. Give relaxation a try and I bet that pain in the neck will go away, unlike some posters here! __________________ I'm a knucklehead

05-31-2009, 06:42 AM	#7
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,132	wearing a scarff helps too. getting a cold draft down your neck will make it stiffen up in no time __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "All the BMW riders in the room, I want you to leave. Now. Out. "

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05-30-2009, 07:22 PM	#4
Jager71 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 10	Understood...thanks for the advice. Hopefully my neck doesn't get bigger, as I already have an 18' neck and buying dress shirts is a pain in the ass as it is!

05-30-2009, 09:59 PM	#5
newagetwotone Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,302	Go to a chiropractor. Good news, my LOWER back is almost totally out of pain! still stiff but little to no pain. upper back hurts, neck is terrible still... still getting migraines but hey its better than it was.

05-31-2009, 10:28 AM	#10
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,444	You might want to check if you're wearing a helmet that's on the heavy side too. From years of wearing Bel Star 120's I now have rippiling neck muscles like Charles Atlas. You can also dull the pain with some light pain meds like Tylenol. Or morphene. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.