Ducati Monster Forum

Whenever I ride more than 60 miles or so, I get a pain at the base of my neck.  It's right between my spine and top of my shoulder blade, only on my left side, and seems to be getting worse.  My first bike was a Ninja 500, and I had the same experience, so I don't think it has anything to do with the riding position of the bike but more likely an issue with my riding posture.  Has anyone experienced anything similar to this and if so what did you do to alleviate it?

Start working out your neck muscles.

Is you lid comrotable?

Maybe a lighter lid?

Relax?

It's comfortable, but I noticed that if I tilt my head down a bit it helps (not much though) and I have a harder time looking ahead/forward.  The lid's an HJC CL-12.  3 lb 10 oz - is that heavy?

I agree with trouble, work out the neck muscles (back too) to help...

I betcha you're just riding really tense.  Try to relax as much as possible.  It could just be deathgrip.  Adjust your grips so that your forearm and wrist form a level surface.  Lean forward jut a tiny a bit so that you aren't stiff-arming the bike.  And try to just barely hold onto the grip.  Just barely.   You don't always have to cover the clutch if you're on slab.  Wear earplugs. 

Also check you gear fit.  Are the shoulder pads on your jacket riding up and hitting your helmet?  Is you jacket too tight, specially around the neck?  How tight are the wrists of your jacket?  Do you have you gloves cranked down?  Is your back protector (if you have one) dead center on your spine or off to one side?  Is it riding up and hitting the base of your helmet or your neck?

It's probably a combination of:
-your posture.. being in a crouch-like position with your head tilted up
-and being in this position for "more than 60 miles" which would equate something like an hour!
Can you imagine sitting like that at home for an hour straight? and then add in wind resistance..

Next time you are riding long distances on slab, try to take a few rest stops or at the very least change your body positioning from time to time to prevent aches like that.. Hope that helps

See a chiropractor. You would be surprised how out-of-whack you might be at any given moment, and not just in your neck...

youre probably really slouching and putting unnecessary weight in your hands which means you're putting a lot of weight in your shoulders...

try keeping your back a little straighter (stand tall, hold your shoulders up, use those core muscles).  I don't know what you look like on a bike, but it is a common problem/reason.  Basically don't slouch, hold a good posture and see if that helps.

Did you seriously put the Ducati logo on Ralph Macchio?  :-\

Relax, keep the weigh off your wrists and the aches and pains will eventually go away. 


 [laugh]

Same exact thing happens to me. Not as bad lately as i've been working on loosening up and using more of my core muscles/ knees to grip.

Could be a tumor...

I have a similar issue with long freeway rides. Most of the time I'm crouched down to get behind the windscreen and I know this causes discomfort with leaning forward and looking up, but possibly better than dealing with the wind. I'm also going to try bar-risers to see if that helps with everyday riding.

Risers should help considerably with discomfort, but they won't necessarily help a person relax. That's mental - try focusing on reminding yourself every few seconds to have "soft hands", relaxed arms, and relaxed shoulders/back. Your legs can grip the tank to take the work off of your upper body. Sometimes I catch myself a little tense during a ride and I say "hey, have fun, have fun have fun" to make myself relax and enjoy the time, rather than clinching my muscles (and bowels, should there have been a recent pucker moment, which happens on occasion).

Well I guess I need to relax more.  I mean I feel relaxed but maybe I can be more loose.  The strange thing about it is I don't really crouch down at all and it happens regardless of what I'm riding (slab, twistys).  Good stuff to think about next time I'm out riding, thanks all for the input.

yes, and apparently I'm the only one that thinks it's funny

No you're not.


 [laugh]

Curious on what is going on with this?  Any suggestions helping you out?

Yeah much thanks for all the suggestions.  I started to really concentrate on relaxing and finding the exact posture on the bike that feels right to me.  That really helped, although I still have a little pain.  I think I might have something mis-aligned in my back because I get the same exact pain at work, (I run heavy equipment).  If I could afford it, I'd go see a chiropractor.

You carrying a backpack by anychance?

I didn't have much discomfort but occasionally I'd get a knot at the top of my spine - non existent with the Kriega

Or it just might be you. I had a similar issue. Went away of a different bike with a more upright position. The physical therapy, etc, did not help me. Sold the bike because of it.

Just relax...maybe try changing your riding position more often.  That is what I have to do on longer rides.

YOu need to relax your shoulder muscles when you ride.Shake it up a bit.Loosen up the grip :-)

Clip ons?