Sore arse and shoulders

[O8ride]

For our Aussie cousins - it's not what you think!

Just been out most of the day on the Virago. Brilliant ride over to near Lancaster in Lancashire from North Yorkshire; A-roads through to Long Preston, then brilliant country back routes through the Bowland Fell and Trough of Bowland. If anyone gets to do that route, or fancies it for a day, or as a group rideout, I highly recommend it. It's very technical, you need to concentrate 100% for 100% of the time due to the slim overgrown-hedged country roads, the regular blind bends often at the bottom of really steep drops, and livestock / cyclists / walkers / cars and other bikes. In essence, you don't get to hit top gear that much, but you do get to see some unbelievably awesome hillside, countryside and roads that I'd pretty much discounted as us actually having in this country. Exhilarating.

Route: http://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Ha...x51062bc58694280!2m2!1d-2.727226!2d54.0212493

But after that few hours in the saddle, my arse was exceptionally uncomfortable and starting to numb, and my shoulders ached. Is this something that every biker has to go through and experience overcomes it after a year or so, or are some bikes better than others, or is it about posture, or something else?

Cheers

O8

 

[Shirou]

In my experience, all times I went off riding for a long time and I ended up sore in any way was because of a bad posture. I take the Ninja mostly on long rides because of the higher top speed but did a few twisty runs on my dualsport too. When you end up with any part of your arms sore is because you're putting weight on them or gripping too hard on the bars. You're supposed to ride gripping the bike with your legs on the tank and being very loose on the bars.
Every time my arms began to feel weird, numb or sore, I'll check my posture, correct and enjoy the rest of the ride. Optionally stop, take a walk on the side of the road, stretch legs, arms and get back riding with proper posture.

If you get a sore arse, the problem is in the saddle, not much you can do here but replace or modify it, some bikes are more comfortable on your butt than others. I once rode on my brother's Suzuki RM-Z and was like sitting on a brick.

Another problem you can get is a sore lower back but I haven't found the cause or solution to that one. I sometimes get back after a 45 minute ride with my back hurting, other times I can ride for hours and nothing happens.

 

[CBRHoonigan]

I think its something you get used to eventually unless its really bad to the point of losing concentration

 

[RoninK6]

Agreed with Shirou... it's usually poor posture. When I start feeling it in my arms, I try to figure out what I'm doing wrong and try to adjust it. Sometimes it's hard to keep a good posture going because if I do a bad posture long enough, it'll become a habit for the day unless I keep thinking about it ~_~ . The key to keeping a good posture, at least for me , is doing it first thing on the bike...

...or something like that .....

 

[renegadebiker24]

I agree with Shirou too. I think it is all a matter of how you position yourself on the bike, and posture, otherwise you will regret it. I should know, especially after the long ride I had today with the 4th Annual Military Benefits Ride. I took some video of it, and will be posting it to my channel soon.

 

[janx101]

The sore arse thing..... Longer rides yeah.... Posture or position on seat yeah ... But it can be also exacerbated by how your riding pants/trousers fit ... plus if they slide or stay put against the material of your jocks/boxers.

Really the pants are a lesser consideration overall, however if your bum is sliding around on the seat a little more than it should ..(and sometimes you don't really notice it till you think to pay attention to it) .. Then you are unconsciously adjusting your position and don't feel quite as stable as you should.... Which .... if you think about it could also contribute to how much load you are putting on your shoulders also!

I know not to ride my bike wearing track pants ... Only did it a few times in the early riding days ... But my bum was all over the seat without me moving it! ...

Sure you consciously move your arse for corners etc.... But it's the un intended move that will cause a buildup of extra drama....

One other example ... A couple of decades of truck driving.... Nowhere near as critical for bum position and leaning/maneuvering etc... But... Wear the wrong combo of boxers and shorts or trousers on a longer drive ... The bum shifts around a little .. Causes... Not chafing exactly, but a sore skin/muscle area on the bits that slide/move.

....

MotoGP riders suits etc .. They get them tailored yeah!? ... They need to be perfectly comfortable and positioned at all times.... Shoulders, arms, trunk, legs AND seat/arse area ... They don't do this by accident!

I may be babbling on about what I said was a 'minor consideration' .... But everyone!! ..pay attention to the FIT of your clothing while riding .. Seated or standing .. You make sure your helmet and gloves and boots fit! ... Make sure the rest is as good as you can set it up!! .. I'd rather wear a less visually appealing jacket or pants that were the best fit and comfort!! ... I need to concentrate on what I'm doing on the bike and on the road.... Not distracting niggles from clothing!

 

[O8ride]

Thanks all. It was a long ride overall - at least 5.5 hours altogether there and back. I do think it is my posture for my shoulders, and I sometimes get it on my commute on the scooter, although only half an hour, but especially if I am a little stressed from the day and hunching up a little too much while grabbing the handlebars. Got a feeling it is something to do with Thumper's vibrations from the v-twin and possibly the suspension too hard, as well as having a sat-back cruiser position meaning a lack of different positions (or my own lack of experience of finding different positions).

 

[CBRHoonigan]

Keep moving asround while on the bike that might help too