Lower back
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
We all have our issues... I myself shattered my L-3 vertebrae 16 yrs ago.. I didn't think I'd ever ride again.. But after a short Break of 4 yrs,, I bought a 07 Heritage. and have have 9 great yrs of riding since day one.
With Mid controls and floorboards, And Perfectly positioned bars and a great seat.. and IMHO it's the BEST all around ERGO of any stock Harley made.
And I add, I was a international approved UAW Safety and Health Representative that included overseeing all Ergonomics issues for all job in our plants on the UAW union side for the last 8 yrs of my working career. So I feel I know what Ergonomics is about on a motorcycle..
Since I bought our in 07.. I've ridden up to 10 hrs a day for 6-7-8 days and have done several --- 2K long miles trips in a week without any pain...
I'll also say the best most I have done was 4 yrs ago when the son got me some fully adjustable road pegs to add to my Engine guards.. IMO a must for anyone that does Long Hrs in the saddle and it will help anyone with back and hip issues all the time even on that short 1-3 hr ride.....
.
With Mid controls and floorboards, And Perfectly positioned bars and a great seat.. and IMHO it's the BEST all around ERGO of any stock Harley made.
And I add, I was a international approved UAW Safety and Health Representative that included overseeing all Ergonomics issues for all job in our plants on the UAW union side for the last 8 yrs of my working career. So I feel I know what Ergonomics is about on a motorcycle..
Since I bought our in 07.. I've ridden up to 10 hrs a day for 6-7-8 days and have done several --- 2K long miles trips in a week without any pain...
I'll also say the best most I have done was 4 yrs ago when the son got me some fully adjustable road pegs to add to my Engine guards.. IMO a must for anyone that does Long Hrs in the saddle and it will help anyone with back and hip issues all the time even on that short 1-3 hr ride.....
.
Last edited by oct1949; May 14, 2016 at 09:51 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,947
Likes: 7,042
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Also, maybe some yoga stretching exercises might help.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 8
From: illinois
well first off when you learn to ride you are told to lean forward when going over a bump, this is also to help to keep from hurting your back. ummm a backrest is not really the answer honestly. a back rest can make it worse with the whiplash effect of the bump and you become depended on it and don't lean forward as you should.
maybe try some different shocks and fork springs
maybe try some different shocks and fork springs
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,460
Likes: 3,554
From: Idaho
There are two issues here: posture, and hitting jarring bumps. They certainly are related, but not the same thing.
If you tend to slump, or otherwise tend to ride with a rounded lower back, you WILL have back pain issues. A rider backrest is a huge help in this regard. It holds your spine in a more natural, upright position, and makes it far easier to ride for longer periods of time in comfort.
A backrest will not help when you hit a jarring bump. If you're riding a bike with forward controls and/or if you're riding with your feet on the highway pegs, it's much more difficult to lean forward, and if you hit a bump, the shock of the impact is going straight up your spine, because it's difficult to lift your butt slightly off the seat in order to lessen the impact.
If you tend to slump, or otherwise tend to ride with a rounded lower back, you WILL have back pain issues. A rider backrest is a huge help in this regard. It holds your spine in a more natural, upright position, and makes it far easier to ride for longer periods of time in comfort.
A backrest will not help when you hit a jarring bump. If you're riding a bike with forward controls and/or if you're riding with your feet on the highway pegs, it's much more difficult to lean forward, and if you hit a bump, the shock of the impact is going straight up your spine, because it's difficult to lift your butt slightly off the seat in order to lessen the impact.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 443
From: West Tennessee
2011 FXDC with mids and highway pegs for when I want to stretch out a little. 5 bad disc in lower back. When I can see a bad bump coming I stand up off the seat! And that is pretty often with all the crappy roads in my area 
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