Shoulder pain

[lund]

A little history, about 20yrs ago I wrecked my left shoulder and it has really never bothered me until I started riding the S10 long distances. In fact I had forgotten about it till the S10 came along.
On previous bikes I don't remember ever having issues and I rode to Panama on my GS.
First time I rode any length of time on the S10 I noticed a discomfort in my left shoulder resonating across my shoulders. So I installed a set of risers in the hope (Helibar) and it actually helped but only extended the time able to ride pain free before the pain returned.
I realize this may be an individual issue with my shoulder but it does make me wonder if the S10 ergo with the bars are so off. Saying this because I never experience this on my GS.
Any body else experiencing this and ya I do rack up a lot of miles my body is accustom to riding long distances, my butt and legs never get sore after hours in the saddle just my left shoulder in the joint.

 

[swakop_toe]

Do the seat level mod.
There's a thread wiff pictures.
Swap your handle bars for a ProTaper Contour Raptor.
There is a thread wiff pictures also.
You're welcome.

Sent from my Nokia 5.4 using Tapatalk

 

[Squibb]

Not something I have a problem with, but could you explain a little more about the shoulder 'wreck'. Are we talking severe dislocation or something like the Marquez humerus break?

A change of bar bend may help, but it won't change anything if there is an orthopaedic problem extant.

 

[RCinNC]

Hard to say if the old crash was the reason for your current discomfort. Back in 2018 I began having a lot of shoulder pain while riding, and it ended up being due to a partial thickness tear in my rotator cuff. That was caused no doubt by the use and abuse of a lifetime, which included years of lifting weights and also a motorcycle crash back in the 90's.

The pain was minimal in the beginning, gradually got worse to where I had some steroid injections, and ultimately had surgery. An MRI would be able to rule out the worst case scenario of surgery; once that's off the table, there are a lot of physical therapy exercises that can rehab a sore shoulder. In fact, some actual rotator cuff injuries can be treated just with physical therapy.

 

[jeckyll]

Really tough to provide suggestions remotely without actually seeing how you're sitting, where the pain is etc.

For me, small adjustments are where I start (ex. rotate the bars back a bit, if I feel my shoulders are extended forward too much; change my seating position to be more forward / backward; change how I grip the bars, i.e. try to move my hands so my elbows are more 'out' or 'in'; etc).

Wholesale changes are tougher, unless you know for instance "I had this bar previously and it was great".

A number of shoulder & upper neck issues can be caused by "head forward symptop", but without knowing your height / reach and seeing how you sit, tough to make real impactful suggestions.

Good luck and I hope the smoke's not too bad (Just got back from a week in Kaslo & Vernon)

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . Saying this because I never experience this on my GS . . . .

And how old were you then? We're similar in age. And even with my exercising, I have felt more aging in the last 5 years, than the previous 10 before that. The hill is a lot steeper on this side.

 

[yoyo]

I suffered issues but it was more central, where my neck met the shoulders, a dull ache started after a couple of hours until it started to burn, I'd also suffered similar on my V-Strom.

To be honest I only had one or two long rides a year and lived with it but I'd gained weight and decided to make some changes to the diet and put in more effort in the gym and that has really helped.

Sadly the S10 has gone now in favour of a GSA but managed a 7hr ride on the S10 before it went with no issues.

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[RCinNC]

That's the explanation I get now from my doctor for most of the things wrong with me; it's along the lines of "I hate to break this to you, but you're old".

 

[lund]

The injury was a broken collar bone left side and torn labrum in the left shoulder. caused by a horse, this was years ago. At the time I did have a steroid injection and it worked and have not had an issue ever since. I suspect arthritis maybe setting in now and as mentioned I may have to go and get another injection.
I don't think spending money on aftermarket riser and bars is the answer unless I would have proof of improvements or got to try a modified setup first. You could spend alot of coin on so called improved setups that bring no relief.
It may be coincident but I do find it odd the issue was non existent till I started riding the S10.
My overall health is good I think, 6ft, 230lbs and not overweight. Been sitting at that for years, physically very active every day.

 

[thughes317]

Handlebar pull back angle? I would always get either a lower back ache or sharp pain below my shoulder blades on long trips with the S10, my current bike has a different sweep on the bars and I no longer get that pain.

 

[lund]

Ya it could be plain age combined with old injuries coming to haunt me.
Did going to a GSA help in respect of your upper back neck pain?

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . which included years of lifting weights . . . .
. . . . In fact, some actual rotator cuff injuries can be treated just with physical therapy.

Because we were taught that you had to touch the bar to your chest on bench day. Now they know better. And yeah, if the rotator cuff isn't too far gone, it can heal-ish on its own. There are a few exercises that actually can strengthen it.

 

[lund]

Handlebar pull back angle? I would always get either a lower back ache or sharp pain below my shoulder blades on long trips with the S10, my current bike has a different sweep on the bars and I no longer get that pain.

Different "bars"???

 

[yoyo]

Ya it could be plain age combined with old injuries coming to haunt me.
Did going to a GSA help in respect of your upper back neck pain?

I've not had any issues since having the GSA, rode 1700 miles in 5 days with no issues but it could be down to improved fitness too.

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[swakop_toe]

Do the seat level mod.
There's a thread wiff pictures.
Swap your handle bars for a ProTaper Contour Raptor.
There is a thread wiff pictures also.
You're welcome.

Sent from my Nokia 5.4 using Tapatalk

Handlebar pull back angle? I would always get either a lower back ache or sharp pain below my shoulder blades on long trips with the S10, my current bike has a different sweep on the bars and I no longer get that pain.

I've not had any issues since having the GSA, rode 1700 miles in 5 days with no issues but it could be down to improved fitness too.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

The seat level mod straightens your back.
The ProTaper bars I mentioned is 10mm higher and the sweep is "flatter", more forward?
Just like a GSA's, specifically the 2018 model I spent 3,800km through Namibia 3years ago.
ZERO issues like you are experiencing, I was having on my, still owned, 2010 STen.

I have both collarbones shattered. Titanium plates, right wrist bones crushed. Left hand also some damage. All bike/off road related since age 14.

The ProTaper Raptor is as close as dammit to a GSA's bar ergonomics and level seat sorted it out, 95%.
The rest is age...


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[Sierra1]

Turn back the calendar.

 

[swakop_toe]

Tur back the calendar.

Now I have Cher's If I can turn back time earworm.

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[thughes317]

Different "bars"???

Sorry about the confusing answer: Different bike (KTM 1290 SAS), hense differently shaped bars.

 

[Paqard]

Same here. Severe shoulder injury with eventual surgery 40+ years ago. No problems riding until the Super T. Others had said that pain between the shoulder blades and shoulders was a problem. I thought I'd wait and see....Yep! Definite problem. I tried Rox Risers first and minimal help. I finally went to "ProTaper Contour ATV High" bars without Rox Risers and problem solved. Head on over to this link. https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/handlebar-thread.6749/Thankfully the list of bar measurements is still there. In your case you know what works for you. The whatever model year "GS" bars. Find the measurements of those and you're golden. You should be able to get them from a wrecker for cheap if the diameter is correct for the Super T. If not then compare the measurements to the list above and purchase accordingly. You will have to tap the ends of most bars to use the original Super T bar end weights. Good Luck!

 

[Squibb]

Probably best to get the shoulder scanned, rather than chuck money at modifying the bike.

It's easy to aggravate an old injury in a complex structure like the shoulder joint; it may have nothing to do with the S10. Playing golf/tennis, chopping wood, lifting weights....pretty much anything that uses the biceps & puts forces through the shoulder.