Aching Shoulders

Can you have someone take pictures of you sitting on each seat from 4 sides to give you an idea of the angles. Hopefully you have a centre stand or need another person to hold the bike steady.
If you changed the windshield that could be a factor too.
A little more work to compare after but you can use a tripod or tree to hold your phone while you ride past slowly. Screen capture the best frame. No friends or centre stand required. Also, while probably minor, your torso may be at a slightly different angle to the bike when on centre stand vs sagged suspension.
 
RDL is the ultimate seat mod and I loved mine but the one for the Vstrom 650 I found too tall.
I still think your problem is not seat comfort related directly rather than positioning with bars/arms/grips plus seat. my 2 cents.
60 years riding I'm still fiddling with risers/grips/Airhawk.

Seat comfort matters a lot to me and I also added a handlebar riser to all four of the Stroms I owned (and own.) I think they always were up and back one inch. I'm 6'2" in the morning and have had arthritis for about 40 years. (The actual real) cruise control that my current bike has helps me a lot, previously a throttle lock helped but not as good as real cruise. I also lowered the pegs to help with leg comfort and added a set of highway pegs (I think of them as stirrups on my current bike.)

..Tom
 
Seat comfort matters a lot to me and I also added a handlebar riser to all four of the Stroms I owned (and own.) I think they always were up and back one inch. I'm 6'2" in the morning and have had arthritis for about 40 years. (The actual real) cruise control that my current bike has helps me a lot, previously a throttle lock helped but not as good as real cruise. I also lowered the pegs to help with leg comfort and added a set of highway pegs (I think of them as stirrups on my current bike.)

..Tom
Hey Tom, would like to know what risers you had on your 650, or whichever bike to give me an idea of your setup. I'm the same height.
 
Can you have someone take pictures of you sitting on each seat from 4 sides to give you an idea of the angles. Hopefully you have a centre stand or need another person to hold the bike steady.
If you changed the windshield that could be a factor too.
I was just thinking about this the other day, to get a better idea of the triangle. I believe my arms are straight out, with little to no bend at the elbow, which means most of the pressure is on hands and shoulders. Just guessing.
 
1050
Hey Tom, would like to know what risers you had on your 650, or whichever bike to give me an idea of your setup. I'm the same height.

Don't recall which ones one the 650's. I used Rox Risers on my 1050.

Either way I always got one inch back and up.

..Tom
 
1050

Don't recall which ones one the 650's. I used Rox Risers on my 1050.

Either way I always got one inch back and up.

..Tom


On my DL1000 and on my DL1050 I had to move the cables to behind the forks to give enough slack after installing the riser. I think I did the same on my 650's but not sure. Either way it wasn't a big deal to do.

..Tom
 
1050

Don't recall which ones one the 650's. I used Rox Risers on my 1050.

Either way I always got one inch back and up.

..Tom
Thanks, Tom, do they look something like this?
 
Are your shoulder issues something you've pursued to the point of speaking with an orthopaedic surgeon to see if it's something that needs to be fixed to alleviate your pain once and for all?

I had a full thickness supraspinatus tear (part of the rotator cuff) about 6 or 8 years ago that led to almost constant pain that was inescapable. Cortisone shots would have me in blissful remission for 6-8 weeks, but that was only a solution a few times.

Eventually, I had reconstructive surgery on the shoulder. It SUCKED. And I say that as someone who also has a C1-C2 spinal fusion. I'd rather have another spinal fusion vs another shoulder surgery, which is why I'm so protective of my *other* shoulder now as it has suffered a few minor tears but nothing that hasn't healed thankfully. The surgery was painful and the recovery was painful. My ortho doc said that shoulders are one of the most painful surgeries and he wasn't kidding.

But, as much as it sucked, if I was back at square one again, I'd do it again. Because I'm now pain free. Well, in my shoulder at least, now other bits and pieces are acting up, but that's another story.

So, if it's at that point where it's causing you quality of life issues, riding and or otherwise, look into whether or not it's something that needs surgical intervention. If it's not as serious as what I had, the surgery is much less invasive and has a faster recovery, but rotator cuff injuries are in many cases not injuries that will ever heal, they need to be repaired.

And also ergos matter, as many have touched on. I have owned bikes where the ergos just never worked for me and I didn't keep them long. Honestly, my last bike, my Vulcan Voyager was right on the fringe of being one of those bikes where the ergos never fit me well. My new bike is just so much better in that regard. So as much as it sucks, when it comes to this sort of thing, at some point if you can't fix it any other way, one needs to face the reality that "this might not be the right bike for me".

And lastly...meds, yeah, meds. Don't be afraid of good old fashioned pain killer like Tylenol/Acetaminophen and anti inflammatories (NSAID's) like Advil/Ibuprofen. You can take both together as they work on different pathways and do not interact, just watch your maximum dosages, and try to avoid constant long term NSAID use as it can create stomach issues. But in the end, if all it takes is 2 or 3 pills to make you comfortable again, it's the simplest solution, yet it seems a lot of people are reluctant to go this route sometimes. If the NSAID pathway works for you, ask your doctor for a prescription for Vimovo - it's a nice prescription strength anti inflammatory with a built in stomach buffer/protectant. I switched to it years ago and take it fairly regularly for chronic pain elsewhere and I've had zero stomach issues.


Find a better one. Many are wankers. The good ones are gold. The last one I used for shoulders took me from a frozen shoulder that hadn't moved in months to full function in months. Horrible, painful months but I told him I wasn't interested in the perpetual physio treadmill. That was many years ago. I can't speak highly enough about that guy.

EDIT:
As for the corbin, do they tell you the measurements for how far down and back you moved? I would ask them. Move the bars a similar distance and you should be back in the game.

Yep, not all physiotherapists are created equal. I've been to ones where they just hook you up to the TENS machine for 20 minutes, rub you a little (one guy even had his phone in one hand while doing that bit), and then send you on your way.

But the good ones, are gold indeed. I have an AWESOME guy who I credit to singlehandedly getting me through my shoulder surgery recovery all while completely avoiding frozen shoulder as well as regaining virtually 100% of my range of motion.

Be careful with Celebrex. That was the last of a series of NSAID`s I took daily for over a decade, I had a very physical job and couldn`t function without it. I began with Vioxx then Bextra, then Celebrex. I`m certain they are responsible for my endless stomach issues.

See my comment above about Vimovo. Or even just get a separate script for an acid reducer and stomach buffer if you take a lot of NSAID's regularly. There are solutions.
 
Thanks, Tom, do they look something like this?

There are a lot of variations but they all work the same way. My Rox Riser on my DL1050 has the ability to adjust height and back. I nevrer adjusted it though.


Rox riser DL1050.jpg

..Tom
 
Thanks, Tom, do they look something like this?
Do you have the stock bars on your bike?

On my Strom I swapped over to the ProTaper ATV bars and it made my arms and upper body much more comfortable,

Similar to the risers, it allowed a natural bend at the elbows which is so much less fatiguing in the shoulders.

Both my FZ1’s have risers in them and don’t think I could ride without them.

Anything to have a nice relaxed bend will help.
 
There are a lot of variations but they all work the same way. My Rox Riser on my DL1050 has the ability to adjust height and back. I never adjusted it though.


View attachment 74520

..Tom
Ah ha, thanks Tom, this is what I kinda suspected, I need to move the bars back further and somewhat up.
 
Do you have the stock bars on your bike?

On my Strom I swapped over to the ProTaper ATV bars and it made my arms and upper body much more comfortable,

Similar to the risers, it allowed a natural bend at the elbows which is so much less fatiguing in the shoulders.

Both my FZ1’s have risers in them and don’t think I could ride without them.

Anything to have a nice relaxed bend will help.
Thanks Shane, I do have stock bars.

Would you know which model bars of ProTaper? Or have a photo. Just trying to visualize how they move riding position.
I take it no risers with these bars?

I think between you and Tom, we are kinda all the same height, I should be able to figure this out.
 
Op noticed you do not mention Celebrex. It’s different and works for me much better than others
I'm not a pill popper, It's kinda last resort for me. I'll take a couple of extra strength tylenols but that's pretty much it.
I rather focus on the cause instead of the result.
 
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Getting ergo's right takes time and money. Experimentation, then adjustment is an ongoing exercise, and as we age and find more joints that ache or get stiff it continues. The fact that our body parts are so connected may mean that shoulder pain is coming from/caused by something other than the handlebar position, and could even be caused by squeezing your clutch/brake levers combined with an awkward angle.

I'd start by loosening the bars in their mounts just enough that they can be rotated but don't move on their own, and do the same with the levers. Move stuff so it falls in a natural/comfortable position and tighten it up. Test it for a while and move forward with that knowledge.
 
Are your shoulder issues something you've pursued to the point of speaking with an orthopaedic surgeon to see if it's something that needs to be fixed to alleviate your pain once and for all?

I had a full thickness supraspinatus tear (part of the rotator cuff) about 6 or 8 years ago that led to almost constant pain that was inescapable. Cortisone shots would have me in blissful remission for 6-8 weeks, but that was only a solution a few times.

Eventually, I had reconstructive surgery on the shoulder. It SUCKED. And I say that as someone who also has a C1-C2 spinal fusion. I'd rather have another spinal fusion vs another shoulder surgery, which is why I'm so protective of my *other* shoulder now as it has suffered a few minor tears but nothing that hasn't healed thankfully. The surgery was painful and the recovery was painful. My ortho doc said that shoulders are one of the most painful surgeries and he wasn't kidding.

But, as much as it sucked, if I was back at square one again, I'd do it again. Because I'm now pain free. Well, in my shoulder at least, now other bits and pieces are acting up, but that's another story.

So, if it's at that point where it's causing you quality of life issues, riding and or otherwise, look into whether or not it's something that needs surgical intervention. If it's not as serious as what I had, the surgery is much less invasive and has a faster recovery, but rotator cuff injuries are in many cases not injuries that will ever heal, they need to be repaired.

And also ergos matter, as many have touched on. I have owned bikes where the ergos just never worked for me and I didn't keep them long. Honestly, my last bike, my Vulcan Voyager was right on the fringe of being one of those bikes where the ergos never fit me well. My new bike is just so much better in that regard. So as much as it sucks, when it comes to this sort of thing, at some point if you can't fix it any other way, one needs to face the reality that "this might not be the right bike for me".

And lastly...meds, yeah, meds. Don't be afraid of good old fashioned pain killer like Tylenol/Acetaminophen and anti inflammatories (NSAID's) like Advil/Ibuprofen. You can take both together as they work on different pathways and do not interact, just watch your maximum dosages, and try to avoid constant long term NSAID use as it can create stomach issues. But in the end, if all it takes is 2 or 3 pills to make you comfortable again, it's the simplest solution, yet it seems a lot of people are reluctant to go this route sometimes. If the NSAID pathway works for you, ask your doctor for a prescription for Vimovo - it's a nice prescription strength anti inflammatory with a built in stomach buffer/protectant. I switched to it years ago and take it fairly regularly for chronic pain elsewhere and I've had zero stomach issues.




Yep, not all physiotherapists are created equal. I've been to ones where they just hook you up to the TENS machine for 20 minutes, rub you a little (one guy even had his phone in one hand while doing that bit), and then send you on your way.

But the good ones, are gold indeed. I have an AWESOME guy who I credit to singlehandedly getting me through my shoulder surgery recovery all while completely avoiding frozen shoulder as well as regaining virtually 100% of my range of motion.



See my comment above about Vimovo. Or even just get a separate script for an acid reducer and stomach buffer if you take a lot of NSAID's regularly. There are solutions.
My shoulder problems are kinda weird, but I don't believe this issue is directly related.

My left, I dislocated several times, causing rotator issues, and I have a muscle tear on the shoulder blade. But I haven't had a need for surgery. In this case the physio kinda worked.
When I first started the idea of getting a bike I was really worried this would be a serious problem, luckily it hasn't.

My right, more recently has started to have it's own problem. I saw a surgeon and was recommended to have surgery to fix the ligament, by snipping it and shortening it as it's stretched (laymans explanation)

Neither issues severely impact my day to day, sure the odd time they flare up, or I twist something, and it becomes sore, but I'm so use to it, I just take it easy or not stress myself. I prefer this over getting cut open.

I don't feel these issues are directly related to sore shoulders I'm experiencing riding, I'm sure to some extent it probably has some bearing, but the soreness is more across the back upper part of my shoulders rather then just the shoulders themselves, usually I have no problem with this area. The more we chat about it, I believe it's about position and ergos then my general physical.

I'm not against taking meds, but only in a limited capacity. I wouldn't want to rely on them, rather try and sort this out to avoid the issue as much as possible.
 
I think you mentioned this started AFTER you changed seats right?

Have you tried putting the handlebar back to stock, and putting the old seat back on?

Maybe you don't have a handlebar problem at all, but that your seat supports your weight differently, which is aggravating your arm condition, and its the seat, not the bars, that need reevaluating?

My ex-girlfriend loved cruisers but could only ride more sport oriented motorcycles because of a back condition. The cruiser seating position didn't agree with her back.
 
I think you mentioned this started AFTER you changed seats right?

Have you tried putting the handlebar back to stock, and putting the old seat back on?

Maybe you don't have a handlebar problem at all, but that your seat supports your weight differently, which is aggravating your arm condition, and its the seat, not the bars, that need reevaluating?

My ex-girlfriend loved cruisers but could only ride more sport oriented motorcycles because of a back condition. The cruiser seating position didn't agree with her back.
It did, since the seat sets me a bit further back. But I haven't had time to revert back to stock bar setup.
The stock seat is pure torture (ask any vStrom rider), the corbin I can ride without my butt going numb, it's great.
But I get what you are saying go back to stock and do minor adjustments.
 
Yep. Then you can know if it's a seat problem, or a you problem. No sense making it about the handlebar, when the handlebar could be a symptom rather than a cause.

If it ends up just being the seat, sell it / return it, and get a different aftermarket seat. There's bound to be 2580 seat options for the V-Strom anyway.
 
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