Handlebars and upper back pain

[Borghi]

I took a 150 mile ride yesterday and had so much pain between my shoulders that I really had to get off the bike. I have been playing with the handlebar position since I git the bike (now have 1100 miles), and first rotated the bars back in the stock clamps. This helped a little, but still not close to my old DL1000 (stock bars no risers) which for me was great. I then installed 1 inch risers and that at first seemed even better, but after yesterdays longer ride, it isn't good for me.

I am thinking that the bars need to come closer to me so I am not reaching so far forward, and I think the stock bars are too wide for me and may need more pullback. I know the pain I am having is from a less than optimal riding position. Has anyone successfully installed aftermarket bars on this bike yet? Any suggestions on styles that offer ergonomics closer to a DL1000?

 

[knobbylon]

Borghi,

I ride a DL1000 and rode and S10 on Firday for the first time. I didn't ride long distance but I noticed the wide position of the S10 handlebars.

My V has a set of Renthal Pro Taper SE Raptor handlebars and risers on it. From looking at the S10, it seemed you could do the same thing. The thought immediately crossed my mind that it would be an option if the bars did get uncomfortable.

Knobbylon

 

[dcstrom]

I had the upper back pain with stock bars - also coming from a DL1000 which didn't give me that kind of pain. Swapped to Moose CR-Hi bars (same ones I had on the Strom), found they were too low for standing on the S10 - added some 30mm Tusk risers and now getting some forearm pain. Hmmm. So still fiddling the the bars. I have some 2" Rox risers coming this week.

I rode a mate's S10 with stock bars a couple of weeks ago, and the upper back pain was back, so that just confirmed where that problem was coming from and that I need to persevere with other bars.

Moose bars compared to stock - straighter and lower. Plenty of aluminum bars to choose from, but I wanted steel because in a worst case scenario, they can be bent back into shape (I once endoed an R80GS, right bar was bent at 90° but with some heat added was able to get it straight and rideable). Plus they are much cheaper than most aluminum.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/moose-racing-carbon-steel-cr-hi-oversized-1-1-8/M0601-1799.aspx

Rox 2" risers

Will report back after trying the risers next weekend.

 

[Borghi]

DC Strom, I looked at the ROX pivoting risers too and would have bought those, but I read here that the brake and other lines won't be long enough unless lengthened. Most posts say the risers will be OK as long as not pivoted back, but that is what I think I need. I just ordered the other ROX risers, that are 1 up and 1 back per someone else's post here, we'll see how they work out. I don't have my Strom anymore and I would like to see how the width, rise and pull back on the S10 compares. Something just doesn't feel right but I can't pinpoint it yet. Do you know if the S10 hand guards will work with the Moose bars? I read that the S10 bars have an internal thread on the inside ends to attach the hand guards. Maybe I'll order a set of the CR high bars and try them, as I know these were well liked by the Strom owners. I don't ride off road, so standing up won't be an issue for me.

 

[dcstrom]

DC Strom, I looked at the ROX pivoting risers too and would have bought those, but I read here that the brake and other lines won't be long enough unless lengthened. Most posts say the risers will be OK as long as not pivoted back, but that is what I think I need. I just ordered the other ROX risers, that are 1 up and 1 back per someone else's post here, we'll see how they work out. I don't have my Strom anymore and I would like to see how the width, rise and pull back on the S10 compares. Something just doesn't feel right but I can't pinpoint it yet. Do you know if the S10 hand guards will work with the Moose bars? I read that the S10 bars have an internal thread on the inside ends to attach the hand guards. Maybe I'll order a set of the CR high bars and try them, as I know these were well liked by the Strom owners. I don't ride off road, so standing up won't be an issue for me.

That seems to be the case with stock bars, but the CR-Hi are already an inch lower so hoping it won't be an issue. I looked at the 1 inch-up-and-back adapters, and may still go for them if the 2" rise is too much (this equates to 1" more than I have currently with CR-HI and 30mm risers, and also 1" more than stock bars.)

They will work fine with the stock guards, but NOT the handlebar end weights. I used some end weights off the Strom for a while (which have the internal expander), and now I've replaced the whole lot with Barkbusters.

 

[jajpko]

When I got my bike, I had a real had time getting the ergos set up to my liking.
The bars were giving me a fit, and it sounds like there doing the same for you. I ended up with the Rox 2" vibration risers. Risers are pulled back with the bars raised. This seems to work, but I also think more pullback would be better.
I looked at the Raptor bars but they have even less pull back than then stock bars. Also they already have 5.5" of rise.
I hope somebody makes a bar for the bike that will work better for me.. ::025::

 

[Borghi]

Just found these "low profile" 1 3/4 rise Rox Risers on ebay. May work with existing cables?? http://www.amazon.com/Rox-Speed-FX-Privoting-Handlebar/dp/B0041Q5BG2

 

[jajpko]

Just found these "low profile" 1 3/4 rise Rox Risers on ebay. May work with existing cables?? http://www.amazon.com/Rox-Speed-FX-Privoting-Handlebar/dp/B0041Q5BG2

If you rolled the bars forward and left the risers straight up, they may work, but may not also.
If you want to install tall risers and pull them back, you will need to extend the hoses. Also mine are pulled back and the bar rolled up some and the throttle cables will get tight on a full right hand turn. Doesn't bother me, but I don't go lock to lock.

 

[Borghi]

I measured the width of the S10 handlebars this morning and they are 32 1/2" wide (measured at outside end of grips, not handguards). I was running Fly Racing ATV bars on the Vstrom and they were 28.75" wide. The stock Vstrom bars were 30" wide. I think the 2 1/2 - 3 3/4" width difference is a big part of my problem. It is causing a triangle with my hands and spine and pushing on my shoulders in an unnatural angle. I'm hoping that either cutting the stock bars so they are not as wide or trying some aftermarket bars that are closer to what I was running will solve this issue.

 

[dcstrom]

I measured the width of the S10 handlebars this morning and they are 32 1/2" wide (measured at outside end of grips, not handguards). I was running Fly Racing ATV bars on the Vstrom and they were 28.75" wide. The stock Vstrom bars were 30" wide. I think the 2 1/2 - 3 3/4" width difference is a big part of my problem. It is causing a triangle with my hands and spine and pushing on my shoulders in an unnatural angle. I'm hoping that either cutting the stock bars so they are not as wide or trying some aftermarket bars that are closer to what I was running will solve this issue.

The Moose CR-Hi bars are from memory about 1.5" narrower than stock - and it's a preeeeetty tight fit to get everything on the bars before the bend (S10 grips are 5mm longer than usual). So I doubt you can go much narrower unless you can find bars with shorter middle section (if you get my drift).

Trevor

 

[Longboard]

Just found out that Fasst Company just finished development of their new Tenere Flex bars. They aren't on their site yet so you have to call or email for details.

http://www.fasstco.com

Longboard

 

[Borghi]

The local Kawasaki dealer had some Pro Taper Contour Raptor bars in stock so I took a chance and bought them. I mounted them up without the bars ends and handguards for now and they are a HUGE improvement over stock for me. Although they have less pullback, the bar ends bend down and provide a much better ergo for me. They are still about 1" too far forward if I want to sit on the wider part of the seat so I have the Rox 1" up and 1" back risers enroute. I am very hopeful now that I have solved the back/shoulder pain problem. My experience has been to try changing one thing at a time and be patient because not all changes will be positive! The trick is not to spend a fortune while doing this!!

 

[Epping]

Here's a test I did to find out why I had sharp pain each side inside shoulder blades. I dropped my elbows. I realized I was holding my elbows up to compensate for the bar angle. I was surprised how far my elbows dropped when I relaxed my arms. Tension went from my back almost immediately. I haven't fixed the bar problem yet which is why I am scanning this thread.

 

[everetto]

I only have 600 miles on my bike and already feel that the bars are not optimal. On a day ride I experienced quite a bit of throttle hand pain/discomfort (numbness to be more exact I suppose) and some shoulder pain. My bars seemed rolled down a tad, so today I rolled them up (forward) a bit and will see what that does. I have been doing searches and reading the threads on different bars and risers - I may have to try one of those routes.

 

[1reddawg]

I measured the width of the S10 handlebars this morning and they are 32 1/2" wide (measured at outside end of grips, not handguards). I was running Fly Racing ATV bars on the Vstrom and they were 28.75" wide. The stock Vstrom bars were 30" wide. I think the 2 1/2 - 3 3/4" width difference is a big part of my problem. It is causing a triangle with my hands and spine and pushing on my shoulders in an unnatural angle. I'm hoping that either cutting the stock bars so they are not as wide or trying some aftermarket bars that are closer to what I was running will solve this issue.

Hey Borghi,How tall are you?Arm Length?Seems like we (Plus alot of others) are having the same issue with the ergos of the S10.I had Rox risers 1"up1"back still didnt help,fiddled with the placement of the bars,Still not working,mesed with the seat height with adjusting the bars,still not working.I will keep an eye on this thread to see what others have come up with.
BTW
Im 6'3"with a 34" arm length!

 

[dcstrom]

I have a set of Tusk 30mm risers if anybody wants to try them - $10+shipping

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/43/53/218/1316/-/25849/Tusk-Handlebar-Riser-Kit

 

[tomatocity]

My OEM handlebars are 32 5/8" at the widest and 32 1/8" at narrowest points. Gonna guess this would be factory measured @ 32 3/8"

ProTaper Contour Raptor (ProTaper page) = 32" or 813 mm

 

[Borghi]

I have made more changes that I will update. I had the Pro Raptors on with the 1 up and 1 back risers and although this was better than stock, it still felt like I was reaching too far forward and the upper back pain continued. I bought the Rox 2" adjustable risers and the longer brake and clutch lines from Jaxon. I installed these over the weekend and have the stock bars back on and the risers tilted pretty far back. I would guess that the bars are at least 1 1/2 to 1 3/4" closer to me now. This enables me to sit farther back on the seat where it is more comfortable (although the seat still sucks). I also found by trial and error (after much pain) that the ergos feel better with the seat in the LOW position. It decreases my leg room, but the riding angle feels better. I do have the seat angle mod done also. So far, this is the best set up I have found. I did sit on my old Vstrom at the dealer again and the first thing I noticed was how comfortable my old Vstrom seat was compared to the S10. I'm still waiting for Sargent to launch their seat or possibly go with something else. FYI, I am 6' tall and weigh 215.

 

[tomatocity]

RonH, I am guessing you have the stock seat, handlebars, stock grips, no risers, stock tires, factory tuned engine, stock lighting, no engine guards, no skid plate,... not to pick on you but everyone is different and motorcycles usually only come in one configuration. Riders aren't idiots because they want comfort but they might be idiots for other reasons. I do agree about being in shape helps with comfort for riding longer distances.

 

[Boondocker]

Rox Riser block, the 1" Up and 1" Back model (3R-B12PO). I got a little bend back in my arms, which is a more relaxed stance, better bar position for standing too. Cabling is at the limit here. I'm 6' tall, 34" inseam/waist, seat in low position, tilt fixed.

Some of us are just spoiled for a comfortable bike because we owned a V-Strom. ::003::
Put 40,000 miles on the Wee, gonna put a lot more on the Ténéré ::001::