Aching Shoulders

[PrivatePilot]

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I'm not against taking meds, but only in a limited capacity. I wouldn't want to rely on them,

Taking meds on longer riding days isn't really a reliance thing. If most rides under a few hours you're OK, and it's just the longer stuff that's bothersome, just med up. It's not like taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen will lead to any sort of dependency, neither are habit forming, and if you mind your dosages, it's safe. I limit myself to 3000mg/24 of acetaminophen (about 75% of max 24 hour dose) and try to stay at about 50% of the max ibuprofen dose (given it's harder on your stomach) and it helps immensely on high pain days.

For day to day issues I don't do anything stronger than OTC, Vimovo aside which is basically just 2 OTC drugs mixed together into a prescription form.

Costco sells a Kirkland brand Robaxacet knockoff which is basically 500mg of Acetaminophen and methocarbamol which is a muscle relaxant. They work amazing for aches and pains and kinks, they're a fraction of the cost of actual Robaxacet, and (for me and most people I know that use them) they don't make you tired or anything, so they're safe to take when you're riding. Just look for the 2 pack green bottles in the pharmacy section.

If some simple OTC meds make you comfortable, KISS - take the meds.

 

[shanekingsley]

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.

Yeah no risers and no cable adjustments needed. I really liked how much better the bike handled with them. I'm always thinking about doing the same thing to my current bike too.

Here's a pic of my bike the day I bought it:

And here's the same bike a 6 months later with the Pro Taper bars:

I think the bars I got were these ones, but that was back in 2012: Pro Taper SE 7/8 Handle Bar ATV High Black TRX 450R KFX450R LTR450

 

[Mad Mike]

A while back I worked with a gal that was a professional Ergonomist, her practice was looking at the way workers interact with equipment with the goals of reducing potential injury, easing workloads, and increasing worker comfort. I know large companies (like banks) employ Ergonomists to design workspace seating and controls placement (computers, punckpresses, assembly workstations) for employees with special needs and those recovering from injuries.

I wonder if there are any Ergonomists that do motorcycle ergos for special needs riders?

 

[sburns]

Yeah no risers and no cable adjustments needed. I really liked how much better the bike handled with them. I'm always thinking about doing the same thing to my current bike too.

Here's a pic of my bike the day I bought it:

And here's the same bike a 6 months later with the Pro Taper bars:

I think the bars I got were these ones, but that was back in 2012: Pro Taper SE 7/8 Handle Bar ATV High Black TRX 450R KFX450R LTR450

Amazing thanks Shane!

 

[Relax]

Personally I think the bar position is your issue. I started having the exact same shoulder discomfort on my KTM SMT which is supposed to be my most ergo-friendly bike. But I noticed I was reaching for the bars which stretched my arms and thus shoulders. I rotated them towards me as much as I could to decrease the reach and it helped a lot, but not perfect, so I find myself leaning forward to reduce the reach. I'll have to see what a new seat does to the rider triangle, but if that doesn't fix it, then it will be new bars.. I have no such issue on my SXV, where the seating position puts the bars much closer.

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