Shifting and Neck Pain?

[25knots]

So this is a shot in the dark, but has anyone experienced neck pain on the back left side of their neck, usually after holding the clutch lever in for a while, repeatedly?  This happens to me when I spend a lot of time in traffic and am constantly using the clutch.  I'm wondering if anyone has figured out how to solve the problem.  I'm thinking a lighter helmet might take strain off my neck (current helmet is a Scorpion EXO 1000), or if bar risers might allow me to have a bit more neutral riding posture and, similarly, less neck strain.  My GS 500 has me leaning forward a bit, but not as much as true sport bike  I'm open to any suggestions.

[scottzilla]

If you have tingling or numbness down your arm or into your hands you may have a pinched nerve.

[jetnc1]

+1

I've had neck and back injuries so I have these symptoms sometimes, but I've had them so many times I know that ibuprofen in the right doses usually relieves the pain. Tingling or numbness means something is going on. Always best to see a doc and get an assessment.

[02Tac]

  Just a shot in the dark, but does you bike have a cable operated clutch? If so, it may be that the cable needs lubed.  

  Put your right hand on your left shoulder and then extend your left out as if on the bars. Clench your left hand as if squeezing the clutch. You will notice muscles in the shoulder tighten too. If the cable is binding, even slightly, it will make the clutch harder to pull. You might not notice it directly, but it will put more strain on the muscles.

[25knots]

Thanks for the help guys.

I don't have tingling or numbness so I'm pretty confident its not a pinched nerve.  Its feels more like a pulled muscle.  

I'm gonna check the throttle cable tomorrow, though I don't think its binding.  

Barring other solutions, I'm just gonna toughen up, do more upper back exercises, and quit my whining.

[scottzilla]

Honda makes the ultimate sport tourer and it has an automatic transmission.  Something to think about.  

[Blunder]

... and quit my whining.

You'll never fit in here, then.  


Ya, check to make sure all the mechanicals on your bike are up to snuff, then start working on your body. Some people look down their noses at yoga but I've found it to be a great exercise. After 31+ years of riding and falling down a few times (more than I care to admit) I've found that yoga has helped me bounce.  

[Kneescrubber]

...This happens to me when I spend a lot of time in traffic and am constantly using the clutch....

Move out of the city.

...I'm open to any suggestions.

Rub some dirt on it.

[MK96xj]

Have you ever set your lever position to your body?

You should have them positioned so that when your hands are on the controls they are in a natural straight line not having your wrists pivoted back. If this is not right it can cause pinched nerves and can also cause your symptoms.

[02Tac]

Honda makes the ultimate sport tourer and it has an automatic transmission.  Something to think about.  

Yea, but the Odyssey is not a bike!  FYI, Oddys are fun (for cages) to drive. Something to do with almost 250hp and a 5sp auto.  You can surprise quite a few folks with how well they run!  You know you are running pretty good when the wife TELLS you to slow down because you are getting tire squeal in the corners and closing on some of the sportier cars!  A sports car it ain't but for a van it likes corners a lot more than I expected it to.

[25knots]

I've seen that automatic honda.  I can't quite figure out who would buy that kind of thing, though i have seen a dude ride deals gap on a Brugman, so who knows.  

As for yoga, I used to look down on it but then I kept meeting extremely alluring and ridiculously toned women who swore by it.  So now I'm not such a hater.

But as for my original problem, I think the answer is a lighter helmet.  I have a crappy one from cycle gear that I bought for "passengers" (read yoga-toned ladies) that's fairly light.  I rode with it tonight and it definitely took strain off my neck.  I'm gonna look into getting a better quality one that's still very lightweight.  Any suggestions?

[02Tac]

No suggestions other than try to find a few that fit your head correctly and then worry about it's weight.

As to why I have an Oddy as part of the vehicle collection; I need room for 4 people and 2 greyhounds.

[25knots]

I'm a big fan of greyhounds.  They're the liter bikes of the dog world.

[02Tac]

My two speedy ladies.
Tara




Gem




With a few of their friends!

[25knots]

What great dogs!  I would totally have considered one when I was adopting my little girl but I needed something that could fetch downed birds out of marshes and beaver ponds.  Here's a picture of the two most important things in my life (okay, not counting friends and family and all that other stuff )  Note the poor man's hard luggage--a 39.95 waterproof tool box (amazon), attached with nylon tie downs.

[25knots]

Oh yeah, apropos the threads original topic: the lighter-weight helmet is helping, but not totally eliminating the neck pain.  

[25knots]

Have you ever set your lever position to your body?

You should have them positioned so that when your hands are on the controls they are in a natural straight line not having your wrists pivoted back. If this is not right it can cause pinched nerves and can also cause your symptoms.

Thanks MK,
This totally solve the problem.  I don't know why it took me so long to figure out, but a couple days ago I realized the my front break lever was in line with my arm and I didn't have any pain on that side, while my clutch lever was positioned higher, forcing my wrist to bend back.  Using basic logic and human intelligence, I surmised that positioning the left side like the right would end the neck pain.  Three cheers for inductive reasoning  

[bomber]

Well done -- many folks skip adjusting their controls to suit them . . . I"m glad you're feeling better!

[Mr.Black]

I have hair on my toes. Does that help?

[Kraz]

I'm a big fan of greyhounds.

C-2A Greyhound: Greatest cargo plane ever made.

[garry]

Have you ever set your lever position to your body?

You should have them positioned so that when your hands are on the controls they are in a natural straight line not having your wrists pivoted back. If this is not right it can cause pinched nerves and can also cause your symptoms.

+1. Lube (or replace) the clutch cable and make sure the lever is positioned as indicated above. Some bikes just have a really heavy clutch pull, but sometimes there are mods that can lighten the pull.