Bars & riding comfort help

[Foch]

I ride an 09 SG and recently took a nine day ride to south Texas. Great trip
But painful. I would knot up so bad between my shoulder blades, I needed to stop every 1.5 hr or so. The factory seat was okay, but when time permits I am swapping it out for a Mustang solo, I had one on my last bike and really like the comfort and looks.
My question is, are the factory bars the cause of my back pain? My bike has the factory bars and I wonder if my hands are too low. The Mustang seat will lower me and slide me back a bit. Does anyone else have this issue in there upper back on long rides?

 

[hulkss]

Yes, your riding position and posture makes all the difference.
Check this out: http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

[buckshot85]

For me, my shoulder and neck pain went away with taller wider bars. On my '13 SG I went with Wild Ones 10" Bagger bars. Nice!
Now I have a '15 Ultra Ltd. and I have 12.5" Wild Ones Bagger bars. I'm 5'8". I could comfortably go to 14s. These bars are about 5"-6" wider and obviously taller. To me it feels like I am now controlling the bike with my upper body rather than my neck.

 

[Foch]

For me, my shoulder and neck pain went away with taller wider bars. On my '13 SG I went with Wild Ones 10" Bagger bars. Nice!
Now I have a '15 Ultra Ltd. and I have 12.5" Wild Ones Bagger bars. I'm 5'8". I could comfortably go to 14s. These bars are about 5"-6" wider and obviously taller. To me it feels like I am now controlling the bike with my upper body rather than my neck.

I get knots between my shoulder blades, really painful. Is that similar to your experience?

 

[buckshot85]

Yup and kinks in my neck

 

[Foch]

Thanks that is really helpful. Do you use the stock seat? And which bars do you have, the Traditional or the Reaper?

 

[buckshot85]

Just got back from Sturgis where I bought a Mustang touring seat. I road the 1,058 miles homes in a single day. 17 hours to be closer. It is definitely a firm seat, but is roomy.

 

[Scott14SG]

I was pretty much the same, more than 1.5 hours and it was painful. The 2 best things I bought were the 12" bars and the adjustable rider backrest, it keeps you from being hunched and supports your lower back. I've gone 890 miles in one day and not had the pain between my shoulders and lower back.

 

[buckshot85]

Agreed on the back rest, Scott. My new Mustang seat came with the backrest and it helped all the way home. Every once in a while I could adjust on the fly just to change my position a little and usually all it takes.

 

[Scott14SG]

Exactly buckshot85, I got my brother a backrest and even with stock bars he said riding was much better. A little adjustment now and then works great. Now I just have to find a better seat.

 

[Foch]

IMHO you can't go wrong with Mustang. I have had 2 others and will put one on this bike.