| Author | Message | ||
     Jkelly |
OK this is a little weird - but let me start with this. I had 3 BMW bikes before my Ulysses. (R, RT, K1200). About a year ago I purchased a 2008 Ulysses. I really like this bike a lot. I feel it is more comfortable and handles better than the 3 previous bikes. More importantly, I am riding, touring and camping again. I have noticed that my arm position when hard cornering or hard braking is more elbows out, which is starting to strain the forearm muscles near the elbow. This has resulted in a tennis elbow pain. I guess on the BMW's, arms were more relaxed and lower, closer to the body. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this? So besides training myself to not do that!, are their any suggestions on bar height, angle or other to help correct this? thanks, Jeff (Message edited by jkelly on September 14, 2008) | ||
| Petereid |
So besides training myself to not do that!, are their any suggestions ..... Ummm NO! Try loosening your arms a bit. You don't have to wrestle a Uly. During hard braking use your legs to hold onto the bike. The frame is so easily gripped with the knees....warm as it may be  My other suggestion is to avoid the phrase "tennis elbow" on a Uly board. Your just asking for the likes of Dangerous Dave to answer with "HTFU" | ||
| Royintulsa |
Oh that can be painful. Having had Carpal Tunnel and tennis elbow I can relate. You might try an elastic/foam type brace you can get at any Walgreen's. I used to use them for riding my old Ducati, you would be surprised at how much support helps. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I know what you are saying! I came from an XB12s. During the first 500 miles, I got horrible pain in my left arm just like you were saying. It was a combination of two things: 1. I was a bit nervous on the new bike and constantly tense. I have loosened up, and gotten better. 2. I was putting on way more miles than I could on my 12s. I had 800 on in the first week and 1800 in the first month by the time I could get it in for it's 1000 mile service. I know that's not a ton of miles for you veteran Uly owners. But for us 12s owners, we just didn't put on that many miles. This thing is a joy to ride distance, and I'm glad I made the switch. After the first 1800 miles, this thing is performing like my 12s, and I'm diggin' every minute of it. I do have to keep reminding myself to loosen up though. Mark | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
I have suffered from tennis elbow, (right arm) and carpal tunnel, left hand). Both non-biking influenced. Surgery solved both problems when cortisone injections failed. Try adjusting the angle of the bars, tilt them closer or further away so you alter the wrist/elbow angle. Failing that, maybe a new set of bars with a different bend angle. Just follow the other guys' advise too, relax your grip and you won't get that forearm pump-up. | ||
| Bertotti |
My arm hurt for the first couple thousand miles. A few days off here and there and it is a non issue anymore. I looked it at like ti was weight training and rode and rested accordingly. | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I have heard of a few putting a riser on the Uly. How much riser can you add without replacing cables? I had heard a 2" riser could be done with just a cable re-route. I'm 6'1 - 6'2" tall and the riding position has been good, but the riser may be nice so I can take advantage of the dual stage seat a bit more. Sliding back that extra couple inches on the XT seat is sweet. I don't want to sacrifice the aggressive riding position for most of my riding. So I may just leave it stock. Any suggestions or experiences with 2" risers? | ||
| Edgydrifter |
I came to the Uly from a bars-at-mid-chest cruiser, so when I first got the XT I toyed with the idea of risers. I cooled to that notion once I got used to the bike, but I am still considering rotating the handlebars back about 10 degrees in the clamps. That ought to make the reach just about perfect. | ||
| Xcephasx |
i got tennis elbow from my uly:  | ||
| Jkelly |
Ouch! Jeff | ||
| Jkelly |
BTW - thanks for all the responses. >>>but I am still considering rotating the handlebars back about 10 degrees in the clamps. That ought to make the reach just about perfect. I was thinking the same thing - I don't hear too much about rotating the bars back. Or what the right setting is, for that matter. I think I will try that first. | ||
| Caddypat |
hi all,i put a set of heli bars from a {ugh}st1300 honda on mine.made all the difference in the world.no cable changes needed. thx pat | ||
| Ratbuell |
I don't hear too much about rotating the bars back. Or what the right setting is, for that matter I don't think there is a "right" setting; it's all about you, your structure, and your comfort. Personally, I prefer bars at the same angle as the forks because they have the same "sweep" from side to side as I turn. That, and I have 36" arms that can reach just about anything LOL. Going through some arm issues right now (rotator cuff), I'd suggest trying - with your current bars - gripping both further towards the center, and towards the end, of the bars. Perhaps a width change could help your elbow? I know my shoulder is coming along as far as range goes, but even within the range there are a couple bad "spots" - one or two degrees either way, and I'm out of the bad spot. | ||
| Jkelly |
Tilt the bars back, adjust the brake lever and got a shot of Quartazone - good as new! |
