Neck brace anyone?

[Constantinos]

Hey guys. I have come across a problem riding my Vmax and I thought I would ask you guys if you could help me out.

4 months ago took a 100 mile ride (going about 70 miles per hour average speed). It was the first trip on my Vmax out of town. As I was used to motorcycles with a more aggressive riding posture like the R1, I found the Vmax to be a comfortable ride but the wind resistance exerted a huge strain on my neck. The result?

3 weeks of headaches and neck muscle strains...(I think I should be hitting the gym). I have a riders jacket with all the relevant protective spots but I don't have anything to ease the strain on my neck when riding on the highway (I do have a problem in the sense that the muscles on my upper back get strained very easily).

I looked at several neck braces but it seems that the only thing they do is to keep you relatively safer in the event of an accident.

My question to you: Is there something that can solve my problem? I really did not buy the bike to be stranded only in intown riding.

 

[jfeagins]

1)Annual gym membership?

2)Drag bars to lower your posture while riding it?

3)Lighter, more aerodynamic helmet?

4)Wind screen?

5)Draft a big 18 wheeler as often as possible?

6)Tylenol before, during and immediately after each ride?

I've not got a whole lot of neck to get sore (perhaps partially due to #1 in the past), but when it does, I've used #6 often in the past, and continue using it to this day. I've also been known to use #5 a time or two many years ago in my youth, but some of those drivers can get really pissy if they see you following too closely.

 

[sdt354]

+1 to wind protection. It's amazing how much just a fly screen helps deflect the wind. A taller windshield even more so. I don't care for the look, but sometimes I have to turn the Mistress
into a touring machine.
Steve-o

 

[fmcandrew]

+1 on the fly screen!

 

[maxcruiser]

I had the same issue with my max, as I have a bad disk in my neck.

A very light beanie helmet and tall windshield and I can ride all day with little to no issue.

Mike

 

[gamorg02]

a flyscreen may make it worse too as the wind hits me now instead of evenly across chest/head just in the top of my head.

 

[Chopcor]

^ +1--My factory windscreen roils the air right in front of my helmet, and makes it impossible to breathe at highway speed without a helmet on. :damn angry:

 

[Kronx]

I'd bet a different helmet would help a lot. I'm guessing your using the same helmet you had for your R1? The challenge is finding a place that will let you buy one and return it if it doesnt cut it. You simply can't tell what a helmet is going to do until you get out on the road with it and get up some speed.

When I got my VMax I bought a rather basic Scorpion helmet. An EXO 400 Nothing fancy, but it worked fine. Then I came across a Speed and Strength SS1000. I looked at a few reviews and the SS1000 got some good scores. So I bought it because it was a much more comfortable fit to my head shape than the Scorpion.

But when I got to highway speeds that SS1000 helmet had my head moving all over the place in comparison to that Scorpion. Result was a sore neck after about an hour of riding.

So helmet aerodynamics can definitely make a difference to that neck strain. And some helmets are designed and perform well for a 3/4 tuck racing position like a R1, but dont do as well in an upright position.

 

[06VMAXIMUS]

Love my memphis shades windshield. Zero strain on head and neck, and one of the better looking shields IMO.

 

[Itgoes]

Hey guys. I have come across a problem riding my Vmax and I thought I would ask you guys if you could help me out.

4 months ago took a 100 mile ride (going about 70 miles per hour average speed). It was the first trip on my Vmax out of town. As I was used to motorcycles with a more aggressive riding posture like the R1, I found the Vmax to be a comfortable ride but the wind resistance exerted a huge strain on my neck. The result?

3 weeks of headaches and neck muscle strains...(I think I should be hitting the gym). I have a riders jacket with all the relevant protective spots but I don't have anything to ease the strain on my neck when riding on the highway (I do have a problem in the sense that the muscles on my upper back get strained very easily).

I looked at several neck braces but it seems that the only thing they do is to keep you relatively safer in the event of an accident.

My question to you: Is there something that can solve my problem? I really did not buy the bike to be stranded only in intown riding.

I've got the same issue, I had a severe whiplash injury 25 years ago and I'm paying for it now. Early in the season is the worst, gets not so bad as the season goes on.

A good friend of mine also has some neck problems and the Orthopedist recommended a collar which he says helps a lot. It's just a horseshoe shaped thick light weight collar that he wears when riding. It supports your head and prevents it from being pushed backwards allowing the muscles to relax. I can see myself getting one sooner or later.

 

[one2dmax]

The collar might be a slick way to go. The light helmet for sure if an option (can't remember what all brands we sell but nearly all brands are available through us). I do like the flyscreen though it can put the wind right at the wrong height. A lowered seat can help with some of that too.

 

[davesax36]

How tall are you. That might help guys make specific wind screen recommendations.

 

[invalidsession]

My fly screen sent the wind straight into my visor area and it slapped my head around like a Mexican boxer. I'm 6' 1" so lowering the seat height would not have been a comfortable option since I would be to cramped. I opted to try a new helmet, a Shoei M2010 and it's a hell of an improvement. Yanked and sold the screen to a member here and never looked back.

Chris.

 

[Constantinos]

Six feet guys...i will say that collar idea sounds nice. For some a more lightweight helmet might do the trick. I tried a couple but still had problems. I just need support for the back of my neck.

 

[dannymax]

I favor Jim's #4 option....a windscreen, specifically the Memphis Shades Classic Deuce. Work great, no wind on chest or helmet and look pretty good too.

Last year I got a MRA scheild and altho I haven't had a lot of time behind it, it appears to work very well.

 

[Itgoes]

I've got the same issue, I had a severe whiplash injury 25 years ago and I'm paying for it now. Early in the season is the worst, gets not so bad as the season goes on.

A good friend of mine also has some neck problems and the Orthopedist recommended a collar which he says helps a lot. It's just a horseshoe shaped thick light weight collar that he wears when riding. It supports your head and prevents it from being pushed backwards allowing the muscles to relax. I can see myself getting one sooner or later.

My friend is vacationing so I haven't asked him......but what he wears looks like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Racewear-Ne...arting-Neckbrace-Helmet-Support-/200906661132

 

[RaWarrior]

I'd think a taller windshield and lighter helmet would probably do the trick. webbikeworld gives in depth reviews of most popular helmets, rating them on aerodynamics, weight, noise, ect.

You wouldn't think that a few ounces would make that much of a difference, but over the course of bobbing around all day, it does. I never noticed that my neck hurt or was tired after a long day of riding, but after getting a newer (and much lighter) helmet, neck strain at high speed was reduced, and I definitely didn't feel as "worn out" at the end of the day.