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[kensiko]

Hey, I've been riding bikes for a while (20 years), but I'm not an experienced long distance rider. Quick question that I never thought to ask before:
1- Do you have some specific thing to easily clean the glass on the helmet?

2- I used RainX on my car and I really like that. I would love the same thing on my glass but on the instruction they tell us not to use it on any other surface than real glass. Any other solution that can work on the helmet glass which is plastic?

3- Do you guys end up with muscle pain between the shoulder and the neck after long distance riding? I always do. I thought it was due to the position of my DRZ-400S before but I have the exact same thing with the Zero S. Do I need to change my position or try to get less tense? I'm not sure why it is doing that. It continues to be painful after that until I go to sleep.

Thanks!

[There707]

1. I have used Plexus (http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/plexus.html), although I am finding it getting very expensive. It works well for wind screens as well.
2. I've only used RainX on glass so couldn't offer an opinion here. There are many plastic cleaning products out there. I have even started to use those "all in one" wax/cleaners that say they are good for plastic. These tend to require one micro fibre cloth to clean and one to polish/buff. Better for removing those bugs   
3. How far do you go on the Zero before the muscle pain? I use to get this a lot on my sport touring bike but only after 400 - 500kms. I found that when I got a larger touring bike, this doesn't happen anymore so I completely think it was the position of my arms and shoulders while riding. Riding position on the DRZ and Zero are similar to me. (I had a KLX400 basically the same bike)

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I have about a dozen trips of a thousand miles or longer over the years, all on a Suzuki V-Strom 650, averaging 550 miles per day on trips, occasionally much longer and more often a bit shorter. The most important thing is to minimize fatigue, which means ergonomics, hydration, very regular breaks (every 60-90 minutes), stretching, and noise management. I keep a water bottle and a CamelBak for hydration, and use earplugs and a good windscreen or fairing for noise management. A well-fitted helmet also keeps the noise down.

1. Aside from during a long road stretch, soap and warm tap water on a visor are fine. When on the road, you can take a lint-free cloth, and soak it in some appropriate fluid (even water) and keep it in a sealed plastic bag to take out and use.

2. RainX works on some visors but might damage the coating or visual quality on others. I don't know specifically, but most motorcycle-related stores have some reasonably good cleaners on hand.

3. You can invest in bar risers so that less of your weight is loaded through your arms, shoulders, and neck. This is one reason I have a V-Strom and Zero DS. I would not expect a Zero S to be ergonomic, and you should focus on doing regular stretching before and after a ride to compensate for it.

[Richard230]

Most helmet visors have a hard coating on them.  Using Rain-X, glass cleaner or some other cleaners, will damage the coating after a while, ruining the shield.  To be safe, only use a mild soap and clear water.  Plexus works very well and I have used it for years, but at $25 a can, it is getting kind of pricy (it used to sell for around $12 a can), but a can will last a long time if only used to clean a face shield or a plastic windshield.

I have ruined two Scorpion face shields this year using Novus No. 1 Plastic Clean and Shine, which should not have happened as I have used this product before without a problem.  I guess you just can't get good hard coating in China anymore.   

I too have had neck and shoulder pain after riding a long distance.  What really helps is to keep the wind off of your chest and minimize the wind hitting your helmet.  Also, correct posture helps, as does performing exercises to strengthen your back and neck muscles.  I believe that most of this pain comes from fighting wind pressure with your head and body using your back and shoulder muscles.

[WindRider]

I had less pain when riding long distances before my hair went gray.   

Riding long distances on a DRZ will produce pain and riding long distance on a Zero is generally prevented by current battery technology unless you are packing some fast charging technology.   

[kensiko]

The pain starts to appear maybe at 60 km. It's sooner when wearing a backpack, of course.

[AustinSZF8.5]

The pain starts to appear maybe at 60 km. It's sooner when wearing a backpack, of course.

That's not much at all, sounds like a problem. Do you have any back or muscle problems that might contribute to this? If not, it sounds to me like you're riding too tight or with poor posture. Try squeezing the bike between your knees to shift the burden of your posture to your lower and middle back, then relax your shoulders and arms and go for a real light touch on the bars. Improves comfort as well as control of the bike! If this is already how you ride, I'm stumped.

[kensiko]

The pain starts to appear maybe at 60 km. It's sooner when wearing a backpack, of course.

Do you have any back or muscle problems that might contribute to this?

No I don't.

I'll try to squeeze the bike between my knees, I don't do this much.

[AustinSZF8.5]

I'll try to squeeze the bike between my knees, I don't do this much.

Yeah, give it a shot, couldn't hurt. It'll feel a bit strange at first, and will probably shift some of the soreness to your legs, back, and abs, but that will get better as you strengthen those areas. You shouldn't have much weight on your arms and wrists. If you do, just focus on shifting your posture to your core.

[ut-zero]

kensiko what is your age, height, and weight?  Have you tuned the suspension?  If you're doing higher speeds, do you have good wind protection?

I put a set of bar risers on my last bike and it made a huge difference with the comfort on my neck and wrists.  I've often wondered why motorcycle frames don't come in sizes like pedal bikes.  Makes all the difference.

[kensiko]

33, 165 lbs, 5'10". No suspension tuning yet. No windshield.