Lower back problems: need some advice
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Lower back problems: need some advice
So I jacked by back up two weeks ago and thought I was feeling better so I went on a short ride (100 miles). I got home and I can barely walk. I dont know what I did to my back in the first place, not sure if it was the weekend of cruising all day around town when the weather finally got nice or if I did it at the gym and just didnt feel it until I went riding. Either way I screwed it back up today and am starting to think some changes to the bike might help. I cant believe I rode sport bikes for years and finally switch to a cruiser last year and am now having problems. So here is my question I am thinking about going to a Satin Black Street Slammer Bar to get a little more rise and pullback, then changing the seat to something like a c&c squareback to lower me down a bit. FYI I am 5' 9" with a 29" inseam (and only 29, but they have been some hard years). Anybody with any experience with these or advice I appreciate it.
Thanks
Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
90% of low back pain resolves in 4 to 6 weeks no matter what you do to/for it. (National Institutes of Health Guidelines on Low Back Pain)
If you had trauma ?"jacked", any radiating leg pain or weakness or are pissing yourself then you must see a physician. Once this (likely) goes away, it will prob. comes back unless you fix the cause. If it was just a fluke jacking your back while helping your bro move a couch or something then don't sweat it.
Generally, not specific advise for you, rest, ice or heat, aleve/advil and slow return to normal activity is the best way to resolve a simple back strain. Being 29 and no leg pain is good news toward resolution. If you fail to improve or get worse, see a physician. By the way, 100 miles is not a short ride for most of us...
Generally keeping your legs/feet as far under your arise the better for your back. The more reclined you sit, biomechanically, the worse for your back. Consider getting a back support for your bike if you have little adjustment left moving your seat, pegs or bars.
Be safe.
If you had trauma ?"jacked", any radiating leg pain or weakness or are pissing yourself then you must see a physician. Once this (likely) goes away, it will prob. comes back unless you fix the cause. If it was just a fluke jacking your back while helping your bro move a couch or something then don't sweat it.
Generally, not specific advise for you, rest, ice or heat, aleve/advil and slow return to normal activity is the best way to resolve a simple back strain. Being 29 and no leg pain is good news toward resolution. If you fail to improve or get worse, see a physician. By the way, 100 miles is not a short ride for most of us...
Generally keeping your legs/feet as far under your arise the better for your back. The more reclined you sit, biomechanically, the worse for your back. Consider getting a back support for your bike if you have little adjustment left moving your seat, pegs or bars.
Be safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
First, see your doctor and get this checked out. Might be a simple muscle strain, may be something much worse that you'll regret not having treated.
If it isn't a temporary thing, the best advice is to switch to a seat with a backrest - Mustang is probably the most affordable with good support but not necessarily the best looking. Corbin also makes backrest models, as does C&C.
Do NOT f**k around with this unless you want to risk spending the next 60 years hunched over, in pain, sleeping with a sheet of 1" plywood under your mattress, and possibly having to give up riding all together. Not a good prospect for a 29 y/o.
If it isn't a temporary thing, the best advice is to switch to a seat with a backrest - Mustang is probably the most affordable with good support but not necessarily the best looking. Corbin also makes backrest models, as does C&C.
Do NOT f**k around with this unless you want to risk spending the next 60 years hunched over, in pain, sleeping with a sheet of 1" plywood under your mattress, and possibly having to give up riding all together. Not a good prospect for a 29 y/o.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Sounds familiar...
I went to the gym for 9 years solid when I was your age and I'm dearly paying fir it now. I have to use a backrest or I'm hurting like yourself. I know they don't look cool but they are effective in what they were designed for. I have a '07 Goldwing and even that hurts my back after a couple of hours. Don't even ask what my new bar hopper FXDWG does to it, haha. If you go the Mustang route you can remove the rest for the short jaunts around town and it still looks alright.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 23
From: East of Tulsa
Have you ever visited a chiropractor? I go to one regularly. Without my visits I would be living with major headaches and lower back pain. Find one that does on hands adjustments, not just using that little pop gun actuator (spelling?).
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 2
From: Seattle Area
I hate backrests which I feel are way too restrictive of my movement. That being said, a hurt back doesn't usually resolve itself very fast. I've had several friends with back issues over the years. Our universal resolution is walking more. One friend does use a backrest because he thought it looked cool. He still likes it, but like I said, they aren't for me.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 872
Likes: 0
From: Far (FAR) West Texas
all good advice above.
I've dealt with back problems off and on since I was 29 (originally hurt playing hockey, which i played for many years).
Like I mentioned, good advice from these folks. I'll add ONE MORE - and a lot of people are skeptical but its a complete game-changer for me:
If you carry a wallet in your back pocket, move it from your back pocket to your front pocket. keep it there. This simple change has made a WORLD of improvement for me and my lower back.
I've dealt with back problems off and on since I was 29 (originally hurt playing hockey, which i played for many years).
Like I mentioned, good advice from these folks. I'll add ONE MORE - and a lot of people are skeptical but its a complete game-changer for me:
If you carry a wallet in your back pocket, move it from your back pocket to your front pocket. keep it there. This simple change has made a WORLD of improvement for me and my lower back.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
Couple of suggestions:
1. I chose my Lowrider because of the angle of the bars & risers took all the pressure off my lower back completely...so your seat/riser/bars combination can help a lot. I also had my seat stuffed with hi density miracle foam by Bar Enterprises in Cali.
2. Go see an MD about your back. Then lose weight and get on a back muscle exercise program and stay on it. Most back injuries are from weak muscles. Skip the Chiropractors as they are useless witchdoctors.
1. I chose my Lowrider because of the angle of the bars & risers took all the pressure off my lower back completely...so your seat/riser/bars combination can help a lot. I also had my seat stuffed with hi density miracle foam by Bar Enterprises in Cali.
2. Go see an MD about your back. Then lose weight and get on a back muscle exercise program and stay on it. Most back injuries are from weak muscles. Skip the Chiropractors as they are useless witchdoctors.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 255
From: From Long Island, now in So. Cal
Bad back here also. First see a doctor and get an MRI to find out what's going on. Doctor told me it was possible that the road chop from the bike was hammering my back and causing the problem. He told me to stay off the bike, then he must have read my mind......My first thought was air ride suspension. He then yelled at me to stay off the bike. I went home and ordered Harley Davidson Low Profile Touring air shocks that come on the Street Glides, told my wife "Doctors orders!" They really took out the road chop and smoothed out the ride.
So, soften your ride; air shocks/air suspension, gel pad seat, and possibly as a last resort you may have to go to mid controls to sit in a more upright position as well as to have your legs absorb any road chop instead of just your back.
So, soften your ride; air shocks/air suspension, gel pad seat, and possibly as a last resort you may have to go to mid controls to sit in a more upright position as well as to have your legs absorb any road chop instead of just your back.