helmet and neck issue

[Chris B]

If someone can help sort through this... it would be great.

I bought a helmet (HJC) 4-5 years ago when I was riding a K100RS and never had any issues with my neck. I bought a new 14 Tenere 2 years ago, put the tall windshield on and placed about in the middle. I ride some back roads and commute to and from work mostly. Most recently, I rode only 150 miles north. I raised the windshield all the way up due the amount of rain I was hitting. After about 2 hours, I was getting some pain in my neck and just continued to get worse. I left the windshield higher since the buffering was gone and a little smoother.

Looking at getting a new lid, but has anyone else had a problem with changing the height of a windshield and causing pain in your neck. Just strange going from semi-sport to full upright bike and all of the sudden having this issue. I ride off road on dirt bikes and did not have this same problem last couple of trips. Can raising the windshield change the slipstream that much?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[Mtbjay]

If someone can help sort through this... it would be great.

I bought a helmet (HJC) 4-5 years ago when I was riding a K100RS and never had any issues with my neck. I bought a new 14 Tenere 2 years ago, put the tall windshield on and placed about in the middle. I ride some back roads and commute to and from work mostly. Most recently, I rode only 150 miles north. I raised the windshield all the way up due the amount of rain I was hitting. After about 2 hours, I was getting some pain in my neck and just continued to get worse. I left the windshield higher since the buffering was gone and a little smoother.

Looking at getting a new lid, but has anyone else had a problem with changing the height of a windshield and causing pain in your neck. Just strange going from semi-sport to full upright bike and all of the sudden having this issue. I ride off road on dirt bikes and did not have this same problem last couple of trips. Can raising the windshield change the slipstream that much?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Odd. I had occasional neck strain on my Ducati Monster, but not on the ST. My new Arai XD-4 (with visor) has given me fits (buffeting and vibrations) even with tall windshield.

Aerodynamics are interesting and widely vary. Experimenting with angle & height and shape may help, while simultaneously improving neck development (strength & flexibility), maybe your answer.

 

[EricV]

This is more of an issue on Gen HI bikes, imho. The screen is too far forward. Try angling it more to the rear.

I gave up and installed a Gen I screen w/o the adjuster. No buffeting.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Looking at getting a new lid, but has anyone else had a problem with changing the height of a windshield and causing pain in your neck. Just strange going from semi-sport to full upright bike and all of the sudden having this issue. I ride off road on dirt bikes and did not have this same problem last couple of trips. Can raising the windshield change the slipstream that much?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Absolutely changing the height or angle of the windshield can affect helmet turbulence and your neck. I tried 4 screens on my Gen 1 bike and 2 on the Gen2 before getting what worked for me.


fwiw, I'm 6' tall, 32" inseam, and the Parabellum medium worked for the Gen1. It was wider and the airflow cut off at the shoulders, leaving my head in clean air. So far on the Gen2 my favorite is the Yamaha tall touring screen.

 

[Madhatter]

I get a little pain in the neck at times , I run a MRA screen with spoiler on top and it takes away most of the buffeting , actually quite nice behind it. for me it may be not as much screen as bar , the whole ergonomic package . I have added bar risers with longer lines that helped the most , but still have an issue at times ... may try a new bar soon with different sweep , the stock bars create a lot of forum talk over the years . so , how one sits is an area not discussed much , but that constant reminder since childhood to sit up straight helps me the most I think.... may have to look into a kidney belt to help with my posture as slouching is after awhile may be more of the root cause for neck issues in my longer rides. 6'2" @ 250 lbs and with a big head ( sorry mom) , about 45 lbs over weight . all of these things contribute to issues , maybe even typing at this keyboard for hours contributes to neck issues , doesn't help......

 

[Squibb]

I find a bit of work in the Gym helps, particularly over the winter months when I choose to shut the garage door these days; focus is on maintaining the upper body & core, but nothing too strenuous. Plenty of long winter walks too.

I run a Gen2, with the std screen on high, plus winglets. I am 6.0 ft & 32 inside leg 87 Kg yet this set up works just fine for me. I always try to sit well forward on the seat, which hasn't yet created any problems in the 'gentlemans area'. I find sitting too far back tends to create a slouch with me, as well as catching more turbulent air.

Just saying. None of us are getting any younger; the strength of youth slowly fades.

Ride Safe .......................... KEN

 

[Gigitt]

buy the Russian windscreen Spoiler from ebay.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/yamaha-xt1200-super-tenere-Universal-Motorcycle-Windshield-Spoiler-smoke-270-140-/142518259905?hash=item212ec010c1:g:WyYAAOSwAuNW4mfe

Clear is also available

It is cheap and works really well

Im 6ft 4.5in 32 inseam, ride a Gen2 with standard winscreen in high position, ride high seat position with a seat concepts seat and airhawk cushion.
I also agree that installing the side winglets makes a HUGE difference to the air flow around your head.

Russian Spoiler and Winglets made a huge difference for my buffeting issues.

I would also be looking at different handle bar or at least bar risers... makes a big difference to have the bars slightly up and rearward and this changes the ergonomics and your posture to have a straighter back and neck.

 

[yoyo]

+1 for the Russian spoiler, really cheap and it works a treat for reducing buffeting.

I sill suffer some pain but I have it at the base of my neck where it meets my shoulders, I'm convinced it's my posture on the bike or maybe I grip the bars to tightly and my arms are stiff. I joined a gym a year ago and so far have lost 5st, maybe I need to work my upper body a bit more, rowing will help perhaps?

 

[AntrimMan]

+1 for the Russian spoiler, really cheap and it works a treat for reducing buffeting.

I sill suffer some pain but I have it at the base of my neck where it meets my shoulders, I'm convinced it's my posture on the bike or maybe I grip the bars to tightly and my arms are stiff. I joined a gym a year ago and so far have lost 5st, maybe I need to work my upper body a bit more, rowing will help perhaps?

I have developed the same pain in the same area. At times it is so bad I cannot wave to the Harley riders without wincing. That's a fair excuse not to bother but the pain remains and forces a 10 minute walkaround about every hour of riding. The other motorbike I ride has no windscreen so the cause is not purely wind buffeting for me. After trying various posture improvements I have settled on keeping the index and forefinger of each hand on the levers. It relaxes the grip to a more reasonable level allowing some relief. I can still grip 'em fully when needed. Getting old is not for sissies.
All the Best.

 

[Defekticon]

If someone can help sort through this... it would be great.

I bought a helmet (HJC) 4-5 years ago when I was riding a K100RS and never had any issues with my neck. I bought a new 14 Tenere 2 years ago, put the tall windshield on and placed about in the middle. I ride some back roads and commute to and from work mostly. Most recently, I rode only 150 miles north. I raised the windshield all the way up due the amount of rain I was hitting. After about 2 hours, I was getting some pain in my neck and just continued to get worse. I left the windshield higher since the buffering was gone and a little smoother.

Looking at getting a new lid, but has anyone else had a problem with changing the height of a windshield and causing pain in your neck. Just strange going from semi-sport to full upright bike and all of the sudden having this issue. I ride off road on dirt bikes and did not have this same problem last couple of trips. Can raising the windshield change the slipstream that much?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Had this problem when I first started riding - I still have it to a much lower degree. I got some advice from some older riders that do Key West to Deadhorse rides on KLRs : Don't shrug your shoulders when you ride. Relax your shoulders and neck. Using the lightest helmet you can find/afford, then taking a few Alieve midway through the riding day has gotten me by on long riding days (12+hrs).

Taller Screens are great to reduce buffeting, but also keep in mind during the summer months that airflow isn't going into your jacket/helmet vents. If you're getting buffeting and you want it to go away, go with a shorter screen that puts your helmet in clean air and puts the turbulent air on your chest. I use the stock Gen II screen during the summer and Yamaha tall Gen II screen during the winter with winglets to put the air over my helmet and off my chest. Depending on your height you may need a taller/shorter aftermarket screen. I'd like to get the aftermarket screen adjustment brackets (madstad etc.) that provides more adjustment possibilities than the stock one.

Odd. I had occasional neck strain on my Ducati Monster, but not on the ST. My new Arai XD-4 (with visor) has given me fits (buffeting and vibrations) even with tall windshield.

Aerodynamics are interesting and widely vary. Experimenting with angle & height and shape may help, while simultaneously improving neck development (strength & flexibility), maybe your answer.

I had to ultimately ditch my xd-4. Had vibrations and buffeting so bad that I would get severe migraines and nausea. Keeping the helmet in clean air with no turbulence helped reduce it, but it was still there. The rest of the helmet was great, but the peak is really poorly designed. I've seen all sorts of half-ass fixes like reinforcing the peak with fiberglass and toothpicks to slapping on sound deadener. None of that should be necessary with a $500+ Helmet. I sold it and bought a Shoei Hornet X2 and haven't looked back. No vibes at all, but still get the same drag when doing shoulder checks that any peaked helmet would have.

 

[kevinsmithga]

My neck hurts all the time when riding, haven't found anything that helps other than raising the handlebars and wearing lighter helmets. Sucks really, I'm hoping to find some good suggestions on here

 

[Cycledude]

I wonder if maybe your pain might have come from the longer than normal 150 mile ride ?
Luckily I don’t have the same problems but have heard of many folks having good luck with handlebar adjustments-risers etc.
As far as helmets I wear Arai XD and don’t have any of the issues I see others complaining about, in my opinion the visor is fantastic, this is about my fourth Arai XD, I’ve actually worn the liner out on two of them, after getting my first XD I pretty much lost interest in any other helmets, I have tried on the Shoei Hornet but for me it just doesn’t seem as good as the Arai XD.

If someone can help sort through this... it would be great.

I bought a helmet (HJC) 4-5 years ago when I was riding a K100RS and never had any issues with my neck. I bought a new 14 Tenere 2 years ago, put the tall windshield on and placed about in the middle. I ride some back roads and commute to and from work mostly. Most recently, I rode only 150 miles north. I raised the windshield all the way up due the amount of rain I was hitting. After about 2 hours, I was getting some pain in my neck and just continued to get worse. I left the windshield higher since the buffering was gone and a little smoother.

Looking at getting a new lid, but has anyone else had a problem with changing the height of a windshield and causing pain in your neck. Just strange going from semi-sport to full upright bike and all of the sudden having this issue. I ride off road on dirt bikes and did not have this same problem last couple of trips. Can raising the windshield change the slipstream that much?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[jmz]

Re: helmet and neck issue

I have a GT-AIR and a madstad mount and factory screen . No buffeting at all below about 83. I did have some buffeting with this set up with my old shoei rf1000.
I am 6.0' with a 32" inseam.

 

[Sierra1]

Relax your shoulders and neck.

::026:: IF this was the first time that this happened, I believe that the longer ride....in the rain...made you ride a little more tensed up. As many years that I've been riding, it still happens to me. Especially in heavy traffic. Now, if it has been a continuous thing....guess it's the helmet. Good luck.

 

[Chris B]

Thanks everyone for the advice and comments. I did purchase a madstad mount and bar risers and was able to ride in a little more relaxed position. The weather really went to poop here and just been parked in the garage. The problem still continues even not riding and was probably 80% disc issue in my neck. A little PT has helped and some inflammation is gone, so I will see a little later when the weather is more accommodating. I figure with a little riding I will be able to tell if it pops up again.


Thanks Again!

 

[Copacetic]

I am with you on this. I get a sharp pain between my shoulder blades. This usually starts on the second day of a multi-day trip. I thought it was the riding position of the FJR. I hoped when I got the Super T that it would not be an issue anymore - but it is still there - maybe not as bad.

I have the Yamaha touring shield and winglets. Sometimes I think it may be the negative pressure on the backside of the windshield pulling/pushing my head forward - idk. Try using your left hand to push on the chin portion of your helmet for a while - see if the pain lessens a bit.

I searched the Interweb and found many other accounts of the same problem. Some said they had success with a chiropractor. Others got some relief with neck strengthening exercises. Hopefully, this thread will turn up something new that will help…
.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'll get the pain between the shoulders on the first long rides after the snow breaks. It's probably just letting those muscles go soft in the winter, because the more I ride the less problem I have.

 

[RIDEMYST]

I’ve had similar neck problems and discovered it was how I was sleeping. I now use a horse collar neck pillow and the problem goes away.
Hope this helps. -JEP-


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kevinsmithga]

+1 for the Russian spoiler, really cheap and it works a treat for reducing buffeting.

I sill suffer some pain but I have it at the base of my neck where it meets my shoulders, I'm convinced it's my posture on the bike or maybe I grip the bars to tightly and my arms are stiff. I joined a gym a year ago and so far have lost 5st, maybe I need to work my upper body a bit more, rowing will help perhaps?

I just ordered the Russian spolier thanks to the reviews on this forum. I have chronic neck pain on and off the bike. After an hour of riding I can't even turn my neck to look side to side. However my new boss is a cross fit nut and I've been recently going. For the last two weeks I can definelty tell a difference in strength for my shoulders and neck. The pain is still there, but much much less and my quality of life has improved. I would have never joined a cross fit program if I wasn't forced too In the beginning, but now I go 3 days a week because I want to. I discovered that when I got past the stereotypes of what cross fit is and realized that I can conduct only the exercises I want to, concentrating on technique, low weight - higher reps I found a program that works for me. My take away is consider joining a program at your gym that focuses on core, technique with small amounts of strength training. It has made a dramatic difference in the way I feel.

 

[Super08]

I can relate. I had C4-5 fused in 2012 and now have disk problems at C3-4, 5-6 and 6-7. I just seen my neurosurgeon last week and he said I don't need more surgery yet, but it will come. If I have to end up getting them all fused my riding days will be numbered because with that many fused I doubt I will be able to turn my head anymore. In the meantime I will care for it the best I can and enjoy every moment on the bike I can.