Burning Pain in Shoulder Blades - seating, handlebars, or helmet? Any ideas??

[rdersch]

I could use some ideas/suggestions from any other riders that may have experienced a similar malady. I ride a 2022 F3-S, standard handlebar, and optional High-End Seat (the new name for what was previously the comfort seat).

After roughly one-hour of riding, I experience a burning muscle pain at my left shoulder blade region. I have adjusted my F3-S handlebars higher/mid/lower, and experience similar pain in all settings. I have and HJC RPHA 91 modular helmet which is one of the lightest helmets available. I am an experienced snowmobile and sea-doo rider and have never experienced this issue previously.

I thought it may be ergonomics, or perhaps the helmet weight, but I cannot seem to identify the reason. Considering I can only ride for roughly an hour before the pain is too intense, I am restricted to shorter rides. It is clear many/most other riders can trek for hours, so there must be an answer.

I am 5'10"/165lbs, fit, exercise regularly and stretch every day, so physically I cannot understand this pain unless it is ergonomic, and someone can advise what else I might try. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[MNBK]

I had a similar experience and found out it was the handlebars. I switched to the short reach bars and that cured my problem. If you know of someone that has a set up similar to yours with different bars, see if you can go for a ride.

Just my $.02 worth of info.

 

[vondalyn]

I agree that it's most likely the handlebars. In the meantime, get a theracane and use it regularly to put some pressure on the muscle knot that is causing the pain. It should help you get a bit more ride time out of each ride until you find the solution.

 

[canamjhb]

If you haven't already done so, have your bike laser-aligned. Unconsciously fighting a poorly aligned bike can result in what you describe. Good luck.....

 

[IGETAROUND]

....
I could use some ideas/suggestions from any other riders that may have experienced a similar malady. I ride a 2022 F3-S, standard handlebar. ...

Check with other local riders of F-3's as to who has one with short reach bars. This would be my first attempt @ alterations. The short reach bar made a huge difference in my comfort level for extended rides. If the short reach bars help but don't totally alleviate the problem but they do help, then Heli Bars are your next step. Good luck.

Al in Kazoo

 

[PMK]

While handlebar position is a logical consideration, the BRP seats and backrests are known to be a calling card for chiropractors.

If you can be seated on the Spyder, settle in for a moment, then close your eyes and reach for the grips, this is a reasonable easy test.

If your hands, with eyes closed fall onto the grips, your bars are correct.

Sometimes, between the seat and / or backrest, your alignment of the spine, shoulders and more get positioned to induce issues.
Simply something to consider.

 

[pegasus1300]

What PMK suggests is the thing to do. I am betting that when you are positioned how you like, close your eyes and reach for the bars, you will come up short. The extra reach is causing your Rhomboid muscles (between your shoulder blades and spine) to be under constant tension. Bars you don't have to reach so far for will put less tension on them. I found a back rest also helped me. I got mine from Utopia.

 

[BajaRon]

I have the same problem with my right shoulder blade. After a while, it feels like someone is slowly shoving a knife into my back. Dirt bikes, snowmobiles, Sea-Doos won't give you this issue because you're always moving and adjusting with these vehicles. Whereas, on a Spyder (or 2-wheeled street bike), you settle into a static position and maintain it for extended periods.

I agree that it's ergonomics for which seating position, leg position, and handlebars can make a difference. I doubt it has to do with your helmet. Though wind resistance (or, depending on your seating position, lack of wind resistance) can be a contributing factor. My final solution was cruise control, which allowed me to move my right hand off of the throttle into another position. Hopefully you'll find a remedy as I know that pain is intolerable. And once it starts, it comes back more quickly with each leg of a trip.

 

[rdersch]

Thanks to everyone for their learned suggestions/advice. Today I purchased a Short-reach handlebar and will install it this week. I have high-hopes the new handlebar position, and likely less tension on my upper back muscles, will alleviate the pain I have been experiencing. I have two F3-S Spyders (one in Canada and one in Phoenix) and if I cannot find a resolution to the pain every 60 minutes of riding, then I will need to sell both bikes. I pray there is a functional solution to this burning pain... we will see!

 

[broderp]

I'm late to this thread, but I had the same issue on my motorcycle. In my case it was two things, my posture and the backpack I wear.

I tightened the backpack (medium sized bag with a laptop ~ maybe 7-8 pounds) and rode in a fairly crouched position. (I have a Kawasaki 2020 Z900 - not quite a crotch rocket, but not a full upright or cruiser bike either).

Loosening the backpack and letting it rest on the rear pillion as well as riding in a more upright position fixed my issue. Probably not going to the case here, but just food for thought for anyone else who comes across this thread.

I have no pain riding on my Spyder...because I haven't rode my Spyder since I bought it new last year..... :yikes:

 

[Aardvark]

You might try handlebar risers available at: canamspyderaccessories.com
They provide about 2" of rise and 2" of pullback. Risers have helped me a lot.

 

[Baveux]

Thanks to everyone for their learned suggestions/advice. Today I purchased a Short-reach handlebar and will install it this week. I have high-hopes the new handlebar position, and likely less tension on my upper back muscles, will alleviate the pain I have been experiencing. I have two F3-S Spyders (one in Canada and one in Phoenix) and if I cannot find a resolution to the pain every 60 minutes of riding, then I will need to sell both bikes. I pray there is a functional solution to this burning pain... we will see!

It's been 13 days since your last post; may I inquire how it has been?

 

[AndysF3S]

I rode with Ron yesterday and he said it was better with the new bars, hopefully he will be by to reply himself.

I find that using cruise when possible, constantly changing my hand position, rolling my shoulders and changing the angle of lean has pretty much eliminated my shoulder pain.

Our Spyders are twins except that he rides 2 up with the added back rests for himself and his passenger.

 

[rdersch]

I have been waiting to try a few rides, and close to 1000 KM's now. The short reach bar has done the trick. After four rides, and now just over a thousand km's of distance, I can say that the burning pain has now been eliminated.

 

[baxter]

I had same issue with my 2020 RTL then added the two-inch riser plate and it helped. Traded for 2022 F3 L Limited which allows you to sit into the bike rather than on it and came with the short reach bars - shoulder issue has not come back on long rides. Yes, a backrest and using cruise control will add to reducing shoulder pain too.