PNW Riders

Atomicsunrise · 06-30-2009, 08:55 PM

Any of you guys or gals get a sharp burning sensation on the back of your neck after riding for a while. I do, and it really hurts to tilt your head forward after about 45 minutes to an hour on my bike. I've tried adjusting my posture to no avail. Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you combat it? I've found that rolling my neck every 5-10 minutes helps a little but doesn't alleviate it completely. Thanks for your help!

Gymbo · 06-30-2009, 09:02 PM

Where on the back of your neck do you get the pain? Upper neck? Mid neck? Lower neck? Is it in the middle or off to one side? Does it go into your shoulder or arm?

galenernest · 06-30-2009, 09:03 PM

Hmm... I usually get lower back pain after riding for a while. One thing I've found that helps a lot with riding fatigue is to stretch for 10 or so minutes before a long ride, and to stretch during breaks, too. Also, take some Ibuprofin before a long ride. Besides that, maybe you should consult a doctor/chiropractor?

xrdotimcr · 06-30-2009, 09:05 PM

Jyerg808 · 06-30-2009, 09:08 PM

how old are you?

Driftertank · 06-30-2009, 09:09 PM

I hurt all over on a really long ride. With practice, your muscles adapt and the pain lessens.

Lately I've found my knees hurting when I ride aggressively (I tend to hang off instinctively) So I've been taking a joint-health supplement and packing some IB or other anti-inflammatory on longer rides.

And no, smart-asses, my knees don't hurt cuz they're dragging on the ground. I'm not that fast.

odin544 · 06-30-2009, 09:13 PM

I just assumed they were on the ground to much. Not that they were dragging

Atomicsunrise · 06-30-2009, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Gymbo

Where on the back of your neck do you get the pain? Upper neck? Mid neck? Lower neck? Is it in the middle or off to one side? Does it go into your shoulder or arm?

Definitely lower neck, right on that little hump where your neck turns into your back. If that makes any sense at all....

And no, it doesn't radiate anywhere, just a sharp pain that kind of burns, then really burns when I tilt my head forward. Doesn't hurt any other direction.

Atomicsunrise · 06-30-2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Jyerg808

how old are you?

36, not old, not young. Tweener!

Driftertank · 06-30-2009, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by odin544

I just assumed they were on the ground to much. Not that they were dragging

Nice. See if I ever try and use my psychic powers, instead of actually showing up, to help you fix YOUR bike again....

SeattleVet · 06-30-2009, 10:08 PM

If your avatar is the bike you're riding, try putting a windshield on it. Wind buffeting against your head may be causing strain as you fight against it. On my old bike I'd get some neck pain if I ran at any speed for any longer amount of time.

You don't always know how much the wind pressure is affecting you until you realize that your shirt collars are all too small now due to the muscle buildup from all that exercise.

JayD1981 · 06-30-2009, 10:09 PM

I get neck pain during and after long rides. I bought a carbon fiber helmet this year and losing the extra weight off the top of my head really helped.

Red Point · 06-30-2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Atomicsunrise

Any of you guys or gals get a sharp burning sensation on the back of your neck after riding for a while. I do, and it really hurts to tilt your head forward after about 45 minutes to an hour on my bike. I've tried adjusting my posture to no avail. Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you combat it? I've found that rolling my neck every 5-10 minutes helps a little but doesn't alleviate it completely. Thanks for your help!

Are you a new rider?

I used to have that problem every now and then when I first started riding. I'm gonna assume my neck was not use to the added wieght of a helmet. Doesn't bother me anymore.

Atomicsunrise · 06-30-2009, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Red Point

Are you a new rider?

I used to have that problem every now and then when I first started riding. I'm gonna assume my neck was not use to the added wieght of a helmet. Doesn't bother me anymore.

Yes, I am a new rider. I was thinking this might be the case. How long did it take for the pain to lessen? I've only been riding about a month and have about 2000 miles so far. I have also considered the windshield and lighter helmet. Thank you all for your suggestions, all make sense and if my problem doesn't start getting better, I will definitely consider trying all of them.

Gymbo · 06-30-2009, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Atomicsunrise

Definitely lower neck, right on that little hump where your neck turns into your back. If that makes any sense at all....

And no, it doesn't radiate anywhere, just a sharp pain that kind of burns, then really burns when I tilt my head forward. Doesn't hurt any other direction.

Lower neck.....hmmm.....looking at your bike what comes to mind is....your problem may take origin with how your pelvis sits on your seat. Fixing your riding posture through seat and/or handlebar adjustment will most likely help a lot.

See a good chiropractor....I am a chiropractor and I know some good ones in Portland....PM me if you want names.....Oh, and take your bike to the appointment and let them see you in your riding posture, since that's when you experience the pain.

VFRMike · 06-30-2009, 10:41 PM

A lot has to do with being new and your muscles (or lack thereof) adjusting to the weight of the helmet and wind. A chiropractor will help until you strengthen up.

justin86 · 06-30-2009, 10:56 PM

sounds like old guy joint problems. Maybe look at a lighter helmet? Doing stretches every day can go a long way for back, shoulder, neck pain/stiffness. It's also common for new riders or being on a different bike will thrown you off till your muscles adapt. I had a problem with my thumbs falling asleep for the first month on my sportbike. I have lower back and knee problems, but thats just because I'm a mess. Other wise talk to your Dr. and see what they recommend.

bcj · 07-01-2009, 08:20 AM

I bought a new helmet this season. Same maker, just a different model. Direct butt-dyno tests between them has shown me that the new helmet has a lot less drag on the highway than the old one. By quite a lot.

Kind of hard to test new helmets this way before buying though. I think I got lucky.

The new one is louder in the wind stream though. Needs earplugs at speed.

So six of one, bakers dozen the other.

Red Point · 07-01-2009, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by Atomicsunrise

Yes, I am a new rider. I was thinking this might be the case. How long did it take for the pain to lessen? I've only been riding about a month and have about 2000 miles so far. I have also considered the windshield and lighter helmet. Thank you all for your suggestions, all make sense and if my problem doesn't start getting better, I will definitely consider trying all of them.

Another couple thousand miles you should be good. It will go away once your neck muscles get up to par.

I don't see any point in going to a chiropractor, hell buy a lighter helmet before doing that. No offense to the chiropractors that may be out there.

Runout · 07-01-2009, 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by justin86

sounds like old guy joint problems.

Hey sonny - 36 ain't old

Yeah...my neck was a little sore when I started riding. Your neck will get stronger and it will go away.

stretch0610 · 07-01-2009, 11:07 PM

Your neck will get stronger. There will always be a lil pain after long rides but i found that riding with no shield (like your cruiser) is often times better than my sport bike windshield. My sport bike windshield hits me in the forehead which causes pain in the area you speak of, no shield and the air is more evenly distributed. Just my experience.

Oh, and don't follow those fucking SUV's...wind buffeting machines they are...head whipping all over the damn place.

littleq624 · 07-02-2009, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by stretch0610

My sport bike windshield hits me in the forehead which causes pain in the area you speak of, no shield and the air is more evenly distributed. Just my experience.

thats cause you're unusually tall...more like freakishly tall

Atomicsunrise · 07-02-2009, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by stretch0610

Your neck will get stronger. There will always be a lil pain after long rides but i found that riding with no shield (like your cruiser) is often times better than my sport bike windshield. My sport bike windshield hits me in the forehead which causes pain in the area you speak of, no shield and the air is more evenly distributed. Just my experience.

Oh, and don't follow those fucking SUV's...wind buffeting machines they are...head whipping all over the damn place.

Yeah, I noticed that as well about larger vehicles (trucks, buses etc). Like riding in a cyclone.

It was a bit better (neck pain) today riding than it has been over the past month. So, hopefully that's a good sign. I'm not against a wind shield for my bike but I definitely like the non-windshield look better. But, if no major improvement happens soon, I may have to consider a wind shield. Oh well, no biggie.

MikieTaps · 07-02-2009, 01:41 PM

as ridiculous as this looks... it works... used to train my neck hard when I was wrestling..

Pavin · 07-02-2009, 08:51 PM

yeah like others have said prolly wind, muscles tear down and rebuild to get stronger (for lack of a better way to put it). make sure u give them a break to give them the chance to rebuild, and protein is a good thing.
my new-to-me fz6 has some helmet buffeting, ive been riding for years and i have a pretty light helmet (light, high quality helmet another good thing to get), my neck has been getting sore lately just from using some different muscles.
be very careful on a neck machine if you have never used one before, u think a pulled or strained muscle hurts. try one in the neck! ive had neck spasms before, i think i would prefer a root canal

oh yeah and at 36 y.o. giving your neck a break might mean 2-3 days at least. and if your under any stress at all, you could be tensing up your neck muscles and not realizing it. i also use a 'chiropractor pillow' its shaped like a donut, a good pillow to support your neck is a good idea.

richmeyer · 07-03-2009, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Atomicsunrise

Yeah, I noticed that as well about larger vehicles (trucks, buses etc). Like riding in a cyclone.
.

Thats cuz youre not riding close enough

It gets smoother the closer you get. Just kidding. Back on topic, i get the exact same pain but mine is a bit lower, closer to my shoulder blades. Only on epic freeway stints though, if I'm on the back roads I can ride forever and have no problem. I agree with the other posters on a windshield. I think that would help.


06-30-2009, 08:55 PM	#1
Atomicsunrise Newbie Joined: Jun 2009 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: 2003 Honda VT1100C2	Neck pain question? Any of you guys or gals get a sharp burning sensation on the back of your neck after riding for a while. I do, and it really hurts to tilt your head forward after about 45 minutes to an hour on my bike. I've tried adjusting my posture to no avail. Anyone else experience this and if so, how do you combat it? I've found that rolling my neck every 5-10 minutes helps a little but doesn't alleviate it completely. Thanks for your help! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 09:02 PM	#2
Gymbo Endorsed Joined: Dec 2007 From: Roseburg, OR I Ride: 1996 ST1100ABS	Where on the back of your neck do you get the pain? Upper neck? Mid neck? Lower neck? Is it in the middle or off to one side? Does it go into your shoulder or arm? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 09:03 PM	#3
galenernest Superbiker Joined: Jun 2008 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: year 'round	Hmm... I usually get lower back pain after riding for a while. One thing I've found that helps a lot with riding fatigue is to stretch for 10 or so minutes before a long ride, and to stretch during breaks, too. Also, take some Ibuprofin before a long ride. Besides that, maybe you should consult a doctor/chiropractor? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 09:05 PM	#4
xrdotimcr WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Dec 2007 From: 92109 I Ride: therefore I am.	__________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 09:08 PM	#5
Jyerg808 WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Nov 2008 From: University Place, WA I Ride: 08' gsxr 750	how old are you? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

PNW Riders

About PNW Riders

Advertising


06-30-2009, 09:09 PM	#6
Driftertank Superbiker Joined: Jul 2008 From: Assorted Locations, WA Blog Entries: 6 I Ride: Nekkid!!!	I hurt all over on a really long ride. With practice, your muscles adapt and the pain lessens. Lately I've found my knees hurting when I ride aggressively (I tend to hang off instinctively) So I've been taking a joint-health supplement and packing some IB or other anti-inflammatory on longer rides. And no, smart-asses, my knees don't hurt cuz they're dragging on the ground. I'm not that fast. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 09:13 PM	#7
odin544 Superbiker Joined: Apr 2007 From: Kennewick, Washington I Ride: '08 Ducati 848 street , '03 R6 race (for sale), '07 R6 race	I just assumed they were on the ground to much. Not that they were dragging __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 10:08 PM	#11
SeattleVet Superbiker Joined: Dec 2005 From: Seattle, WA I Ride: '04 Moto Guzzi Stone	If your avatar is the bike you're riding, try putting a windshield on it. Wind buffeting against your head may be causing strain as you fight against it. On my old bike I'd get some neck pain if I ran at any speed for any longer amount of time. You don't always know how much the wind pressure is affecting you until you realize that your shirt collars are all too small now due to the muscle buildup from all that exercise. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 10:09 PM	#12
JayD1981 Superbiker Joined: Dec 2007 From: Richland, WA I Ride: 03 Superhawk 996 and my new Pocket Rocket	I get neck pain during and after long rides. I bought a carbon fiber helmet this year and losing the extra weight off the top of my head really helped. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 10:41 PM	#16
VFRMike WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Nov 2007 From: Edmonds I Ride: 06 Honda VFR800A 86 Honda VFR750F & 83 Honda VT500 Ascot	A lot has to do with being new and your muscles (or lack thereof) adjusting to the weight of the helmet and wind. A chiropractor will help until you strengthen up. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


06-30-2009, 10:56 PM	#17
justin86 Pit Crew Joined: Aug 2007 From: medford, OR. I Ride: 06 R1/ 06 CRF450R and single moms!	sounds like old guy joint problems. Maybe look at a lighter helmet? Doing stretches every day can go a long way for back, shoulder, neck pain/stiffness. It's also common for new riders or being on a different bike will thrown you off till your muscles adapt. I had a problem with my thumbs falling asleep for the first month on my sportbike. I have lower back and knee problems, but thats just because I'm a mess. Other wise talk to your Dr. and see what they recommend. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-01-2009, 08:20 AM	#18
bcj Zone Head Joined: Jan 2008 From: teh rock	I bought a new helmet this season. Same maker, just a different model. Direct butt-dyno tests between them has shown me that the new helmet has a lot less drag on the highway than the old one. By quite a lot. Kind of hard to test new helmets this way before buying though. I think I got lucky. The new one is louder in the wind stream though. Needs earplugs at speed. So six of one, bakers dozen the other. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-01-2009, 11:07 PM	#21
stretch0610 Endorsed Joined: Apr 2009 From: Puyallup (South Hill), WA I Ride: Kawi ZZR1200	Your neck will get stronger. There will always be a lil pain after long rides but i found that riding with no shield (like your cruiser) is often times better than my sport bike windshield. My sport bike windshield hits me in the forehead which causes pain in the area you speak of, no shield and the air is more evenly distributed. Just my experience. Oh, and don't follow those fucking SUV's...wind buffeting machines they are...head whipping all over the damn place. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-02-2009, 01:41 PM	#24
MikieTaps Zone Head Joined: Apr 2009 From: Bellevue, WA I Ride: CBR600RR RRRRed.	as ridiculous as this looks... it works... used to train my neck hard when I was wrestling.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-02-2009, 08:51 PM	#25
Pavin Zone Head Joined: Jun 2006 From: Whidbey Island I Ride: 07 drz400, 05 fz6	yeah like others have said prolly wind, muscles tear down and rebuild to get stronger (for lack of a better way to put it). make sure u give them a break to give them the chance to rebuild, and protein is a good thing. my new-to-me fz6 has some helmet buffeting, ive been riding for years and i have a pretty light helmet (light, high quality helmet another good thing to get), my neck has been getting sore lately just from using some different muscles. be very careful on a neck machine if you have never used one before, u think a pulled or strained muscle hurts. try one in the neck! ive had neck spasms before, i think i would prefer a root canal oh yeah and at 36 y.o. giving your neck a break might mean 2-3 days at least. and if your under any stress at all, you could be tensing up your neck muscles and not realizing it. i also use a 'chiropractor pillow' its shaped like a donut, a good pillow to support your neck is a good idea. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by Pavin; 07-02-2009 at 08:59 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode