Lower back
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 178
From: NY
Lower back
In the last 2 years hitting a moderate bump caused my lower back to jolt a little. I am looking for a possible solution with bike geometry. Any one suggest a change in handle bar hight or distance that helped them with s similar problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,228
Likes: 3,240
From: west Michigan
I've never liked forward controls for that reason. I can pull myself up and stand on the floorboards of my Road King if I need to but on my BMW GS or my Suzuki DR, all I have to do is stand on the pegs a bit to take most of the load off my butt when I hit a bump. One thing I like about the Switchback is that the floorboards are set up almost like my Road King.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
Possible solutions:
- Backrest
- Seat re-contoured to create space for tailbone
- Airhawk seat pad
- Neutrally-placed bars (not high, not too low)
- "mid-style" foot pegs (instead of forward-mounted)
- Backrest
- Seat re-contoured to create space for tailbone
- Airhawk seat pad
- Neutrally-placed bars (not high, not too low)
- "mid-style" foot pegs (instead of forward-mounted)
Road Captain
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 510
Likes: 83
From: SW Virginia
The solution is to look at touring bikes and adventure bikes and emulate that riding posture. No forward controls and no ape hangers. Leaning slightly and I mean slightly forward is better than leaning back. Big soft seats are not always the best choice. The seat on my ADV bike feels like a rock compared to some yet it is the saddle I road for 6000 miles on everyday for 10 hours a day with no pain.
Lastly, everyone is different and trial and error is the only answer. But seriously, do look at the guys who ride around the world and try to get closer to that. Granted that's not always easy on a Harley.
Lastly, everyone is different and trial and error is the only answer. But seriously, do look at the guys who ride around the world and try to get closer to that. Granted that's not always easy on a Harley.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 164
From: Home
A quick google search shows that your '03 Superglide has mid-controls.
If that is not helping your riding ergonomics, then it is time to look for a new bike.
http://cycle-ergo.com/
If that is not helping your riding ergonomics, then it is time to look for a new bike.
http://cycle-ergo.com/
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
In the past I've also had issues with my lower back and felt that my bike's suspension may be the culprit but the problem was actually my back and NOT my bike.
With my wife continually trying to get me to do some "stretching" exercises, I finally gave in.
The easiest one IMHO was the one that seemed to give me some instant relief and it was as simple as getting in the shower and (without bending my knees) bending over (as far as I could) and putting my hands (as flat as I could) on the shower floor and hold that position for approximately one minute, then stand up straight then repeat through the course of my shower.
I liked doing this while hot (as hot as I could tolerate it) running over my lower back and after a few days of this, along with cutting back on the amount of food I had been eating, I could feel a difference.
If you've tried Aleve or other over the counter meds without any positive results you've got nothing to lose by giving this a try.
With my wife continually trying to get me to do some "stretching" exercises, I finally gave in.
The easiest one IMHO was the one that seemed to give me some instant relief and it was as simple as getting in the shower and (without bending my knees) bending over (as far as I could) and putting my hands (as flat as I could) on the shower floor and hold that position for approximately one minute, then stand up straight then repeat through the course of my shower.
I liked doing this while hot (as hot as I could tolerate it) running over my lower back and after a few days of this, along with cutting back on the amount of food I had been eating, I could feel a difference.
If you've tried Aleve or other over the counter meds without any positive results you've got nothing to lose by giving this a try.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,200
Likes: 7,743
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Very bad back myself...had one discectomy done so far, several more disks to go. My lower back is shot...from L2, all the way to S1.
Couple of bikes ago, when I had an FXD, I had the stock mid controls, and I had highway pegs that I used most of the time like forward controls..except I shifted and used brake with my heals. Allowed me to shift my legs to mids...or out front like forwards.
Bike after that was an FLHS..touring. Forwards. Roomier and more comfy than the FXD. But...being seated up high was so-so for me. Rode a buds Softail a few times..and my body LOVED that position. So I set out to get a Softail. Hence bike in my sig pic. Like a lazy boy recliner...so damn comfy.
I'm 6'5" with 36" inseam.
Things that you can do to really change up a bike for your comfort..
*Bars
*Seat. Lots of good seats out there. I love Mustang. Two of my buddies love LaPera.
*Where your feet go
You can change those up relatively inexpensively. Your comfort should be worth the expense and effort.
Couple of bikes ago, when I had an FXD, I had the stock mid controls, and I had highway pegs that I used most of the time like forward controls..except I shifted and used brake with my heals. Allowed me to shift my legs to mids...or out front like forwards.
Bike after that was an FLHS..touring. Forwards. Roomier and more comfy than the FXD. But...being seated up high was so-so for me. Rode a buds Softail a few times..and my body LOVED that position. So I set out to get a Softail. Hence bike in my sig pic. Like a lazy boy recliner...so damn comfy.
I'm 6'5" with 36" inseam.
Things that you can do to really change up a bike for your comfort..
*Bars
*Seat. Lots of good seats out there. I love Mustang. Two of my buddies love LaPera.
*Where your feet go
You can change those up relatively inexpensively. Your comfort should be worth the expense and effort.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 19,653
Likes: 835
From: North Carolina
I have 3 bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and was born with mild scoliosis.
I used to cringe whenever I saw a bumpy stretch of road coming up. Folks here will argue endlessly about what are the best, but I got rid of the shitty air shocks on my Ultra and put Progressive 944s on my bike and a Mustang seat. Made a world of difference. I can do a 600 mile day and still be in pretty good shape at the end.
Stock shocks suck.