Is this normal?

[calamari]

Well, as a few of you know, im a new rider with just under 200 miles on my shoulders... and that's exactly one of the problems: my shoulders are burning!!!  :x

I mean, this is my 1st time riding a motorcycle, and I asked a fellow worker who has 20+ years of experience with motorcycles if the pains and stiff muscles near my neck are a normal thing. He replied saying that those pains will go away as I get used to riding, but oh man...

so, is it normal to get pain in shoulders? or am I riding backwards or something  

[DerekNC]

My best guess is that you're just tense. Once you get more used to the bike you shouldn't have that problem.

Derek

[Blueknyt]

yeah, your resting on your arms a bit more then you should.

[RVertigo]

You can try changing your riding position...  Scoot forward or backward in the seat...  See if it gets better or goes away.

If your elbows are stiff and the palms of your hands hurt, that means you're holding up your upper body with your hands rather than your upper-body muscles.

When your riding, try to lower your shoulders...  Move them to different positions.  You might be able to figure out what you're doing.


...  If all else fails, try riding a different style of bike.  It might just be the riding position.

[SuZuki10]

yeah that's not really normal IMO...on the gs you really aren't leaning forward, so maybe you should try adjusting your riding position...try squeezing the tank with your knees more, this will allow you to loosen up the tension in your upper body.

[Roadstergal]

Don't hold yourself up with your arms at all.  Every minute or so, go to steer with just your fingertips - that shouldn't involve a weight transfer.  You should be holding yourself up via your thighs and buttocks.

[Jace009gs]

I second that motion..

Sit all the way up on the seat.....grip the tank between your inner thighs and that is what should be holding you up.

I had the exact same problem in my wrist/shoulders/elbow/lower back because I was sitting all the way back and propping myself up via my arms locked out on the handlebars.