My bike was recently lowered, .5" and it may only be a matter of getting used to it,but I find my position a little more slouched and my lower back biatches at me. I'm hoping this is actually unrelated.

 

I have a bad back, have had for about 20 years, The wallet is great advice, I use the sundowner seat and street slammer bars and it seems to work well for me, The backrest idea is also good, I just havent done that yet. If you have forwards, try mids that might make a big difference in your sitting position. I can only use my freeway pegs for a couple mins. without discomfort.
ps. go to the doctor, see whats going on, its probably just muscle spasms, but why chance it.

 

This tells me that riding is aggravating your back injury. First, take it easy when you're hurting!

Guy goes into a doctor's office; says: "Doc, it hurts when I go like that." (lifts his arm over his head). Doc tells him: "Don't go like that. That'll be a hundred dollars."

Many of us think we can just macho it out until the pain goes away, not giving an injury a chance to heal. For temporary relief take some anti-inflammatory such as naproxen sodium (seems to work better when taken w/ acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. Lying flat on your back, with both hands bring one knee up to your chest and hold it there for 15-30 seconds (or longer); then do the other knee, same way, stretching those lower back muscles. If this seems to give even temporary relief go see a massage therapist who specializes in Shiatsu (deep-tissue massage); be prepared to experience some pain in working it out, and also to return for followup visits until the problem is resolved. During this time you should take care to not strain your back in any way, especially for the few hours immediately following the massage. Over the years this treatment has helped this 66-year-old rider immeasurably.

lo-rider
'09 FXDC Super Glide Custom

 

I've had chronic back pain for the last 10 years.. I'd always be in pain riding for any extended period of time.. Im 6' tall so any sort of slouch would kill me on lower sitting handlebars.. recently I put on the sundowner seat and a set 16" apes and that has been absolutley perfect.. the apes keep me from slouching and the seat gives me a bit more support on the lower back.. can now ride for hours comfortably..

 

Thanks for all the help folks, got some muscle relaxers from the doc today and those are starting to work. Im gonna let things heal up then look at maybe trying a new seat first and if that doesnt do it then new handle bars. Im pretty sure riding just aggravated what I had already done at the gym, I have noticed I slouch like crazy with the current stock set up. I will have to do something to fix that.

 

Ditto.

Being 5'6 and 155 lbs and thinking I can move, lift, work like I'm 6'6 and 255 lbs has resulted in a number of back issues over the years. Nothing permanent luckily. I resist doctors like the plague, but when its the back no messing around. Pain killers will help, keep them to a minimum. And, there are exercise to keep loosen up and keep your back limber. Walking is good, not moving at all is not.

Your position on your bike determines the strain on your back. Sport bike may have been a good position for your back. Bars, seat, pegs, suspension, etc. will all effect the strain on your back. Mid controls instead of forward pegs, if you have them, could make a big difference.

Hope it gets better,

Bones.