EMI interference

7months ago I had a triple bypass, Maze procedure and defib/pacemaker installed. The afib seems to be pretty much alleviated and I feel generally fine. However, I bought another motorcycle 2 weeks ago and whenever I ride I get this sensation in the base of my throat similar to the feeling that used to attend a fib attacks. It begins as soon as I start riding and lasts for the duration of a ride. The only thing that makes sense to me is that it could be electromotive interference from the alternator which is only about 18 inches from my chest in my riding position. Any advice would be appreciated. Jim

8 Comments

Riding cycle

by Sue H. - 2012-05-27 03:05:15

I don't think it's the alternator. 18 inches seems ok.

What it could be is rate response on your pacer. The jostling or vibrating of the cycle engine might trigger the pacer.

My heart would race occasionally when riding with my hubbie on the back of his cycle and usually when we went over a rough road. Other times it was ok, since we road a Goldwing. Not any vibrations on them. They have been called road sofas...LOL

ask your doc next visit.....and keep the shiny side up. (-:

Sue

Low probability of EMI.

by donr - 2012-05-27 03:05:21

Alternator too far from PM & nowhere near powerful enough to generate a field that could affect you at that distance.

Now, that being said, let's look for alternate solutions. You have a PM as part of your system.

Do you have a function called RR (Rate Response) turned on? It is an accelerometer that senses motion of your body & tells the PM to increase your HR when it thinks you need it. Your bike (& any bike for that matter) vibrates pretty badly. TYhat could cause an RR function to do this to you.

I get the impression that you did not have this problem w/ the previous bike. If not, you have to answer the question as to whether the new one vibrates more than the old. This is obviously not a classic Harley Hog - if the alt is but 18 inches from your chest in riding posture. Sounds like a "Crotch Rocket." That so? What type bike was your previous one?

Let me give you a test to perform that my answer the question about the alt.

Start the Rocket. Get a friend you trust to help by holding the controls in such a position that the engine is running at cruise RPM, but not having the clutch engaged. In short - the bike is standing still & YOU are not touching it. Move so that your chest & PM are the same distance from the alt as when you ride. This will give you exposure to the fields of the alt, while having ZERO vibration.

NO effect - it's not the alt. Most likely the vibration of riding.

Next - try this. Mount the Rocket. Start the engine. Get into riding posture - BUT no clutch engagement - in other words you are sitting still. Run RPM up to cruise speed. IF there is now the ill effect, it's the engine vibration. If not, there's only one thing left in my book - you have a crummy ride that causes a lot of vibration, affecting your PM.

Does this sucker have shocks?

BTW: I've never been on a bike in my life.

Good luck.

Don

Similar Experience

by TalkinCardio - 2012-05-27 04:05:16

When my husband and I go out boating and there are waves, my heart rate goes way up and it feels really strange.
Cathy

Rate Response

by ElectricFrank - 2012-05-28 01:05:36

As the others mentioned Rate Response can cause all sorts of problems with vibration and bouncing around.

The solution is to find out first if RR is on. A self test is to use your thumb and index finger to wiggle the pacemaker about like you were bouncing along a rough road or over the waves. If RR is on your HR will go up.

The next question is whether you need it on. Often RR gets left on unnecessarily from the factory settings. For my AV block there was no reason for it to be on. Just sitting in the hot tub jets would drive my HR up.

If your condition requires RR then it may need adjusting to better match your activity level.

Bottom line there is no reason to put up with the symptoms you describe.

frank

interesting

by kiml1123 - 2012-05-28 02:05:01

Hi, I have a Yamaha fz6r, crotch rocket type, I also have an I CD. I've never noticed any change in my heart rate... I'm interested in all these answers. I'll be checking back on this one.... thanks :-) , Kim :-)

Emi interference

by Jimb - 2012-06-01 12:06:59

Earlier I asked for advice about what seemed like irregular pacing when riding my motorcycle and received several well thought out and pertinent responses; thank you for that. There were suggestions that I tried and still have the problem so I'm starting to believe it is a psychological one. I tried leaning over near the tank while my wife turned the throttle to various RPMs with no pacer interference. I tried thumping lightly on the pacer and still no response. So I mounted the bike and rode around the block and That strange feeling at the base of my throat was immediately there again. as far as vibration goes, my last 8 bikes, including this latest one, have been various BMW models the last four of which had four cylinder engines and are relatively free of major vibrations. I enjoyed the comment from Hurtheart that riding caused his heart to jump for joy. Anyway, it's still a concern regardless of its cause so I will probably suspend my riding activities for at least a while. Thanks again to the responders to my concerns. Jim

Wrong Experiment!

by donr - 2012-06-02 02:06:22

Jim - for the last test you were supposed to Mount the bike take a riding posture & Run the engine at cruise RPM WHILE THE CLUTCH WAS DISENGAGED! This experiment was designed to isolate engine vibration from SUSPENSION vibration.

I have cut & pasted the relevant para from my comment below:

"Next - try this. Mount the Rocket. Start the engine. Get into riding posture - BUT no clutch engagement - in other words you are sitting still. Run RPM up to cruise speed. IF there is now the ill effect, it's the engine vibration. If not, there's only one thing left in my book - you have a crummy ride that causes a lot of vibration, affecting your PM.

Does this sucker have shocks?

You have concluded that it's psycho too early. Man alive, even though I'm not a biker, I recognize that the leather coated guys really love what they do. I don't want you to rob yourself of an enjoyable experience. Besides, you ride a BMW! Do you know who Neal Boortz is?

Now - a question: You said you had the PM planted about 7 months ago; then that you bought the new bike 2 weeks ago. DID YOU RIDE THE OLD BIKE WHILE YOU HAD THE PM W/O ILL EFFECT? If so, your problem is the new bike. There is a good chance that the problem is the suspension vibration.

Fer cryin' out loud; IF you flunk the last test I gave you, or it turns out to be the suspension, go to the dealer you bought your new bike from & ask to ride a model you sold. Jim, I'm trying to lead you through this mess by isolating variables & testing each when it is isolated.

Life is too short to go w/o a passionately enjoyed hobby.

Don

When dealing w/psycho issues, you do not want to just kiss them off. They will come back to haunt you, I promise.

Heart rate monitor

by meirgershenson - 2013-05-28 12:05:45

Joined the "Club" last week. For my first outing I used Polar bleutooth heart rate monitor (on Android). I live in the country with rough road. Sitting in the car and monitoring the chart I could tell the condition of the road. 65 BPM on good road and 100 BPM on a speed bump (Mexican love them)

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