After reading the comments it’s amazing seeing how many people have had similar problems. Well add me to the list. I’m 44 and recently started playing softball. I ended the season with a very sore shoulder.
I soon after picked up my SM650 and found my shoulder pain go progressively worse to the point I was in your place.
After a dr visit, a steroid shot into my rotator cuff and weeks worth of rest. I’m going on 2 months daily riding and starting another season.
I hope you find your remedy and continue with your content. Wish you the best and good health on your journey. Really enjoy your videos.

Wow that's an interesting point! Well done in finding the issue. Watching the video you can really see the change in posture when you stretch your legs out. I'm gonna watch part 2 now to see what happened.

Don't sell. It's a beautiful bike. What i have done recently is fit Handlebar risers. This has worked wonders. It lifts and brings the bars forwards to you and my posture is far better. I don't suffer with shoulder conditions from my SM, but the risers have made me more upright and more comfortable to ride. Try this. It will work. It will relax your shoulder posture. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for making this video! Perfect explanation of posture and how the difference between forward and mid controls affects it. I’m short, 5’-5”, and love cruisers but mid mount controls feel much more comfortable, or relaxed. Your explanation is spot on.

I have a SM exactly the same colour scheme as yours and love it. I put a screen on it after about 2 months as the roads I ride here in the South Island of New Zealand are mainly 100km an hour and it was the constant wind pressure on my chest had me "feeling it" in my shoulders after a few hours of riding. The screen made a big difference and recently I fitted 2" risers which has improved it even more. I did toy with the idea of getting a set of mini apes from India which apparently can be fitted using factory cables etc and look quite cool but now I'm happy with my current set up. Good luck sorting out your issues, it would be a real shame if you have to change steads.😁

A windscreen on a cruiser, especially at faster speeds, can make a significant difference. Your body creates a parachute- like effect on a feet- forward cruiser, and you end up having to use a lot of grip pressure to hold on to the bars. This is transferred from your arms up into your shoulders. I'm guessing a windshield will make more of a difference than the risers.

I'm 66 - had similar problem - went to gym and started exercising shoulder muscles - do chiropractor 2x month - no more problems

My wife had a bike with forward controls and high bars, she also had a similar problem. However, she cured the problem by getting a rider’s back rest. It took all the strain off her arms, sh no longer had to “hang on” to the bars. Sue since has sold her SuperGlide Custom, at the age of 66, it was getting too heavy for her to push about. Then Sue tried a Super Meteor 650. She wanted the same feet forward controls. I have looked into getting a riders seat with a backrest, eBay, just over £200!! If you want to keep the machine, it might be worth looking into! A riders backrest would take all the need for you to hang onto the bars, and support your back!

I have a SM and had the same problem so I put bar risers on and this helped tremendously,don’t get rid because the SM is a brilliant bike ,great video.I,m also considering a back rest 👍

Hi from Australia, i sold my Super meteor 650cc due to butt and back pain, and at one stage lost feeling in both my legs. I spent thousands trying to fix various issues, then dry needling for months. I loved my super meteor pale blue, traded it on 350 Desert Classic and never went back

I'd bet that the bar risers will help a lot.

This is why RE needs to offer the mini ape handlebars for the Super Meteor 650 like the ones on the Goan 350 with the extended cables. That way your arms would be level ( not reaching down ) and you could roll the handlebars back toward you so your elbows are slightly bent

I also have the SM and have about 1300 miles on it so far. I’ve ridden “cruiser style” bikes all my life, from the largest HD tourers to Gold Wings, and loads of “mid-size” bikes of many different makes. Getting the rider triangle “right” is the most difficult aspect of these bikes. I’m 5’10” with a 32” inseam and just average weight and arm length. Yup, just an average bloke as they say. Feeling the stretch - be it ever so slight - in the shoulders and back is just normal (for me). But that isn’t to say it’s comfortable!! Nearly every bike I’ve owned I have put bar risers on within days of taking it home. I need and am always trying to attain, every inch of available slack in my arms, elbows, and shoulders. Along with the natural reach to the bars, I have learned something about myself over the many years-worth of motorcycles: I have a tendency to slightly slouch in the seat. Sitting bolt upright while riding just isn’t natural for me. Add to that the wind and acceleration of riding and the stress on my upper body is amplified. There are two other options that have worked well for me on different bikes. Higher handlebars which allow for greater adjustability to the rear with or without the use of risers. And a rider backrest. A different set of bars for the SM are likely available but it may also mean changing cables. The rider backrest, unfortunately, does not seem to have been invented yet for these bikes. If I could find one I’d buy it in a heartbeat! Glad you’re trying the risers before moving on. But! Don’t despair if it comes to letting one go in favor of something that may work better. Just don’t give up on riding!! No two bikes are alike and variety is the spice of life! I can recall several bikes over the years that just didn’t prove to be as sweet as my initial impressions. It happens. And yes, it puts a dent in the wallet - but not for long! I enjoy your travels and music. Thanks for sharing your journey.😊

We are going to sort it together, Mark. I am sure the handlebar raisers will sort it. See you soon 👍👍

Hello sorry to hear you have found yourself at this position. Apologies for my long winded reply. I injured my shoulder in the gym approx five years ago and had a tear confirmed by ultrasound scan  at the time. Following a period of rest and physio I was able to get back to some normality but after a while I got bored doing the daily exercise recommended by the physio and these stopped. I then began getting  flare ups which could be triggered by any activity involving raising my arm,  I addressed  these with over the counter anti inflammatory tablets. Within the past six months I decided I needed to deal with  the root of the problem that the injury had weakened my shoulder and in attempt to make living with it more tolerable and prevent the flare ups , I  restarted and have been maintaining daily shoulder repetition exercise with a stretch band taking less than a couple of minutes at most. Granted I still have awareness of a dull ache in my shoulder but I am able to do normal things like use a drill or work on my motorbikes without being in pain afterwards.
Regarding the SM, I wonder if by moving the bars backwards closer to you, this is causing you to have to pull even harder with your arms as you counter the increased toppling backwards that might occur as your upper body pivots at your hips?. Could it help to adapt by leaning forward instead?
Best wishes in finding a way forward and I really enjoy your excellent videos and presenting style and content. Thanks.

I've had to install riser/setback sets to my feet forward cruisers. Backrests help too. I installed the ROX units on my Honda VTX which allow one to adjust the amount of setback. Of course, bringing the handlebar back also lowers it. I'm confident you will be able to make the bike you love into a comfortable one to ride! The RE experts at Hitchcock's may offer some advice as well. Also interesting to read so many comments praising the Meteor 350 for its extreme comfort. Certainly feel the same about mine.

Hi I hope you find a way to fix the problem it is amazing bike and I love the channel very much I saved up for my bike and like you there's a problem and it's me I am working to fix this I pray you will ok and back to long trips and amazing adventures keep going see you in the next ride God bless

That’s a beautiful bike, but it’s the reason I bought an Interceptor instead. I found the forward controls uncomfortable and my arms too stretched out on a Super Meteor. I tried an Interceptor and it immediately felt better. So I bought a 2021 “Glitter & Dust” (chrome with black stripe) and I love it. Not as fancy as a Super Meteor, but the Interceptor has a cool rawness and once I replaced the stock seat with a Trip Machine black suede touring seat it was super comfortable. Even for hours at a time. Good luck out there!

I get you....I didn't go for the SM for that reason...yes maybe shotgun infinitely more comfortable...but in the end for me I ended up with a new Interceptor....perfect position for me being 6ft and 34in legs...

Edit...I also sold my meteor because couldn't ride more than 30 miles without discomfort whereas the Interceptor I can ride 80-100 miles (so far) without being uncomfortable.

Yes sports massage, but physio too....
Dr's suggestions are good....
Maybe look at seat, a new one that will help your posture move forward a bit....

Of course many of have old bodies that have been worked hard and getting them into new positions for long periods is something to work at...

Good luck and thanks for your easy to watch films.

Cheers John

Do leg raises and clam shells as well to improve hip flexor mobility to reduce your lean back.