Neck pains after riding, is this normal?

[RiderOnTheStorm]

A couple weekends ago I went out for basically an all day ride about 360 miles and some 6 hours of riding over the span of the day. But after about an hour my neck/traps (muscles beneath the neck?) started to feel sore. By the end of the day they were a bit uncomfortable.

Is that discomfort a normal part of riding a motorcycle? I know good posture is torso up, with the core supporting the body and with a slightly arched back. Is it my helmet adding extra weight that's causing strain or general fatigue from riding?

I just want to make sure I'm not going to cut my riding career short while it's just getting started. Thanks!

[Monkeytofu]

Yeah, it's your helmet combined with the long ride. If you ever go on a trip like this again make sure to take a break every once in a while to just stretch out your body and loosen up.

Hell, you should do this even if you're driving a car. You don't realize how much you start to tense up until you've gotten out of your ride and moved around a bit.

[geeker]

Don't forget to hydrate while off the bike.

[lgk]

what brand of helmet are you wearing?

[93etgocart]

what kind of helmet do you have? due to the short windshield on the ninjette if your helmet isnt really aerodynamic it is going to put alot of strain on your neck

[kawagirl]

With a ride like that I am surprised that's all that is sore . Our last long ride I came home with sore hands and a sore bumm too!

[93etgocart]

Originally Posted by kawagirl

With a ride like that I am surprised that's all that is sore . Our last long ride I came home with sore hands and a sore bumm too!

well if you would learn to stand up every once in awhile, and also take a hand off from time to time the ride would be alot better. Anyways my 200 mile rides are super easy to deal with and the 300 mile ride i went on wasn't bad but my rear did get a tad bit sore. I would really like to get a corbin seat but the price tag is just way out of my budget right now

[choneofakind]

Taking breaks to loosen up is a good idea. Also, make a point to relax as you ride instead of tensing up.
Posted via Mobile Device

[lgk]

Originally Posted by 93etgocart

what kind of helmet do you have? due to the short windshield on the ninjette if your helmet isnt really aerodynamic it is going to put alot of strain on your neck

i think aerodynamics plays a big role in these long term rides.
the wind noise and additional wind resistance really presses against your neck.
doing a bunch of head check with a bad helmet don't help either.

the shoei i upgraded to was way better than the hjc i had.
the weight, aerodynamics, vents, etc. were way better.

[93etgocart]

ya my scorpion is awesome until it comes to head checks then it feels like its getting ripped off

[kawagirl]

Originally Posted by 93etgocart

well if you would learn to stand up every once in awhile, and also take a hand off from time to time the ride would be alot better. Anyways my 200 mile rides are super easy to deal with and the 300 mile ride i went on wasn't bad but my rear did get a tad bit sore. I would really like to get a corbin seat but the price tag is just way out of my budget right now

I talked to you guys before we left about tips and such. Probably would have been valuable info at that time. I am still learning a lot. And group rides help a lot.

[DaBlue1]

Helmet weight is only a contributor to your neck pain. The effects of poor positioning/posture goes far beyond just simple neck pain. For every inch that the head moves forward in posture, it increases the weight of the head on the neck by 10 pounds!

Sportbike riding can lead to poor neck posture called "Forward Head Position" which is one of the most common causes of neck, head and shoulder tension and pain. A forward neck posture of 3 inches increases the weight of the head on the neck by 30 pounds and the pressure put on the muscles increases 6 times.

Good and proper posture, exercise (push-ups especially), conditioning, and riding habits can help relieve neck, back, leg, knee, wrist and shoulder pain. Taking time to stretch and relax for a few minutes during long rides can make a trip a lot more comfortable.


http://www.innova-pain.com/2012/03/0...iding-posture/

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Helmet weight is only a contributor to your neck pain. The effects of poor positioning/posture goes far beyond just simple neck pain. For every inch that the head moves forward in posture, it increases the weight of the head on the neck by 10 pounds!

Sportbike riding can lead to poor neck posture called "Forward Head Position" which is one of the most common causes of neck, head and shoulder tension and pain. A forward neck posture of 3 inches increases the weight of the head on the neck by 30 pounds and the pressure put on the muscles increases 6 times.

Good and proper posture, exercise (push-ups especially), conditioning, and riding habits can help relieve neck, back, leg, knee, wrist and shoulder pain. Taking time to stretch and relax for a few minutes during long rides can make a trip a lot more comfortable.


http://www.innova-pain.com/2012/03/0...iding-posture/

Wow, thanks for all this insight!! And thanks to everyone for all of the input!

I have a Shoei RF-1100 so it's a fairly light helmet compared to some.

What kind of timeframe do you recommend for the break? When I rode the 350 miles we stopped every hour, and that was pretty decent - it was the 2 hours of highway riding where I felt it.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Taking breaks to loosen up is a good idea. Also, make a point to relax as you ride instead of tensing up.
Posted via Mobile Device

I think that is something I struggle with. I really try to make a conscious effort to keep squeezing with my legs to keep my upper body loose, but I know I don't have that mastered.

Does that come with time or what do you recommend to stay loose and less tense?

[Whiskey]

Do you have a double bubble screen? The OEM screen sent the wind up to my visor, DB screen sends it over my head.

Well worth getting if you're doing big mileage

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

Do you have a double bubble screen? The OEM screen sent the wind up to my visor, DB screen sends it over my head.

Well worth getting if you're doing big mileage

Just stock right now, but it seems like a lot of the forum has them. Where's a good place to look for one/a recommended brand?

[Whiskey]

I'm on the other side of the atlantic, so probably the wrong guy to ask.

Puig & Airblade are 2 brands I'd have heard of (probably expensive brands, I don't know what brand mine is)

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

....What kind of timeframe do you recommend for the break? When I rode the 350 miles we stopped every hour, and that was pretty decent - it was the 2 hours of highway riding where I felt it.

That's all going to depend on your conditioning. A break after an hour is good, however it will also depend on riding conditions (heat, rain, cold etc...). Eventually you may be able to go longer, just don't push it. If you tire or become fatigued, stop, relax, regroup then get back on and enjoy the ride.Also give yourself plenty of time to get there comfortably.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by RiderOnTheStorm

.... Where's a good place to look for one/a recommended brand?

Zero Gravity Double Bubble- http://www.zgoutlet.com/catalog_03.html