legs get numb on long rides.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 874
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legs get numb on long rides.
Went to indianapolis for the 500 over memorial day weekend, put on about 800 miles. We do this every year, it is about 250 miles on way. My only real comfort issue everytime is that my legs start to get numb after about 100 miles.
I do have short legs so i do have to strech my legs to reach my pegs, but they are not straight.
Any ideas what might be causing the discomfort?
streching my legs, vibration, wind resistance, etc?
I would appreciate any advice and fixes for the issue.
Thanks!!
I do have short legs so i do have to strech my legs to reach my pegs, but they are not straight.
Any ideas what might be causing the discomfort?
streching my legs, vibration, wind resistance, etc?
I would appreciate any advice and fixes for the issue.
Thanks!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 159
From: Mount Laurel, N.J.
Your seat could be cutting the blood flow to your legs. The femeral arteries are on the inside of each leg so if you "hug" the seat cushion with your thieghs,it could have that effect. Thinner width seat may help.
More than one position for your feet is the key on long rides that is why I like the midcontrols, crash bar and hwy pegs on my lowrider. Lots of places to change to mid pegs would help.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 180
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+10. sit on the floor and rock back - hold that position - putting pressure on your tailbone - how soon before your legs "fall asleep"?
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Grand HDF Member
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May 22nd I rode from north central Wisconsin to Baltimore Maryland straight through only stopping for gas. It was awesome and horrible -- I had the same leg problem though it wasn't numbness, it was my joints (knees/ankles) and muscles that ached. It got to the point where I was stopping every 100 miles for gas just so I could take about a 15 minute break.
I think ord_sgt nailed it above with your numbness issue -- the seat is cutting off circulation.
My ride back was much better because I bought the heel rest kit. Not only did this give my foot a much wider base to rest on, but the pegs sit further out from the bike. This might help you because with your legs further out to the sides, the inside of your legs may not press against the seat as much, allowing more circulation.
Believe it or not there were intermittent points through out my ride where I hooked my heels on the passenger pegs. I know it looked ridiculous but it really helped stretch out some muscles and joints. I think the key is really having multiple leg positions from which to choose. Mids, forward, highway pegs. **** I was so miserable during that ride that I was wishing there were about 300 sets of pegs to choose from -- I'd have used them all.
With your circulation issue, I think there's an HDForums sponsor that customizes seats -- maybe you can send him yours and he can take some material out of the seat where your legs rest and alleviate some pressure from your inner thigh area.
I think ord_sgt nailed it above with your numbness issue -- the seat is cutting off circulation.
My ride back was much better because I bought the heel rest kit. Not only did this give my foot a much wider base to rest on, but the pegs sit further out from the bike. This might help you because with your legs further out to the sides, the inside of your legs may not press against the seat as much, allowing more circulation.
Believe it or not there were intermittent points through out my ride where I hooked my heels on the passenger pegs. I know it looked ridiculous but it really helped stretch out some muscles and joints. I think the key is really having multiple leg positions from which to choose. Mids, forward, highway pegs. **** I was so miserable during that ride that I was wishing there were about 300 sets of pegs to choose from -- I'd have used them all.
With your circulation issue, I think there's an HDForums sponsor that customizes seats -- maybe you can send him yours and he can take some material out of the seat where your legs rest and alleviate some pressure from your inner thigh area.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
It may be a pinched nerve, like in the tail bone example above, or some fluid retention caused by restrictive return flow (veins). This is what cause most discomfort in long airline rides.
You need to find a way to relieve the pressure on the offending nerve or veins, changing positions as suggested is the best way. If you are carrying extra weight around your middle or legs, losing a few pounds would help a lot, but that may be harder than putting mid pegs on :-)
You need to find a way to relieve the pressure on the offending nerve or veins, changing positions as suggested is the best way. If you are carrying extra weight around your middle or legs, losing a few pounds would help a lot, but that may be harder than putting mid pegs on :-)
Last edited by ColdCase; Jun 5, 2009 at 10:43 AM.