Pain between shoulder blades

[wjduke]

I get the same pain on longer rides. I shrug my shoulders as was suggested, move around as much as possible. I’m not in very good shape either, so that doesn’t help. Not over weight as much as just getting weak in my older age. I’m sure that’s part of it. My bike is still all stock as far as bars and add ons.

[willtill]

I get the same pain on longer rides. I shrug my shoulders as was suggested, move around as much as possible. I’m not in very good shape either, so that doesn’t help. Not over weight as much as just getting weak in my older age. I’m sure that’s part of it. My bike is still all stock as far as bars and add ons.

Yea, tell me about it. Seems when I hit 60 years old the downhill slide started. Loss of muscle tone, beginning of arthritis in thumbs, ect, ect.

Getting old ain't fer sissies.

[billsim]

I had the same issue, sharp pain between the shoulder blades, but went with a set of "Grip Puppies" for under $20.00.
I think the small diameter OEM grips were causing me to grip too tightly.
As soon as I added these I noticed the pain went away.

Had planned on a set of risers but never had to go that far.

[SeaSteve]

I had the same issue, sharp pain between the shoulder blades, but went with a set of "Grip Puppies" for under $20.00. I think the small diameter OEM grips were causing me to grip too tightly. As soon as I added these I noticed the pain went away.

I hadn't considered the grip size being a possible cause. or at least making me grip tighter.

All the posters above have touched on the known fixes from multiple years of experience, one I would suggest is to reevaluate your grip constantly, think and act like you are playing the piano, sit upright, relaxed, and just have your fingers on the handlebars, you won't crash, no worries there.

This is a GREAT description of what I meant when I posted, "Focusing on pushing my elbows are far down as possible."

Since we're here I'll add that, I don't get any "aches or pains" anywhere else and I did a 1500 mile Iron Butt on the stock seat. The bikes too perfect for that.

[stevenolts]

I am 5' 8'' with 29 inseam

I added the Mustang touring fastback seat
1" lower

MLB risers

I have no pain


Stevenolts

[stevenolts]

I bought the better forks which are 1" lower but I have not installed them yet.
I have had them for 3 years. I need to install them.

Stevenolts

[stevenolts]

My problem is how wide the F6B seat is even with the Mustang 1" lower and narrower seat.

stevenolts

[Eternalydamd]

So if the physical adjustment is not in your reach, and or not desired, you should at least try the more prudent inexpensive options offered here on the board, which just about cover all known remedies known to mankind.

All the posters above have touched on the known fixes from multiple years of experience, one I would suggest is to reevaluate your grip constantly, think and act like you are playing the piano, sit upright, relaxed, and just have your fingers on the handlebars, you won't crash, no worries there.

Now kinda let your arms flop a bit, like doing the chicken dance movement, this will assure you that you are going to relax that arm on purpose, do this exercise as much as you can to start.

Once you start feeling better, you will do this routine less, because you become a more relaxed rider.

You will get rid of that extra exertion on the bar.

I'm going to use some other suggestions for you from my LD pals with their inputs

For that between the shoulder blades pinch, try slouching. Well known as the 'Sport-Touring Slouch' among distance riders on bikes like the FJR and ST1100/1300. Others find this a symptom of the bar sweep or rise being off for them. Play with the ergos if you can.



It is somewhat dependent on-bike position. Roll your hips back, shoulders forward, and relax instead of sitting up straight. Doesn't really work on an ADV bike or full Sportbike since the natural seating positions are in opposite directions of the neutral Sport-touring body position. But works great on a F6B.

Good luck, practice it, and you will get results.

Thank you, yeah, there are a lot of great ideas here and from others.

I'll try these things first, the grips are actually wide as hell, probably over double diameter than stock, I'm thinking the previous owner installed there, I thought it was just the grip warmers before.

I do have a problem with relaxing in my all day every day life. I'll give that "chicken movement" a try. Although I've put well over 100k miles on bikes in the last 5 years and this is the only one I've had this particular issue with.

[tenxxx]

One thing that may not have anything to do with the sitting position is the nasty leg cramp
I get in the back of my thy when I swing my leg over the seat to get off the bike.
I had to get back on the bike fast to have somewhere to sit or I was going down.
I do get leg cramps early on in the season. But not many since I got the B.

[willtill]

One thing that may not have anything to do with the sitting position is the nasty leg cramp
I get in the back of my thy when I swing my leg over the seat to get off the bike.
I had to get back on the bike fast to have somewhere to sit or I was going down.
I do get leg cramps early on in the season. But not many since I got the B.

I've gotten that same cramp that you're speaking of. But I get it "sometimes" when I'm mounting the bike, not when dismounting. Takes several moments for it to dissipate.