back's killing me
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Madison Wi.
back's killing me
Dad and I decided to take our bikes out for longer run for the first time to stretch their legs a bit. He's riding a Superglide Custom and I'm on an Iron. After 500 miles and a decent night of sleep, he's feeling fine but I can hardly walk because my back hurts so much. Any suggestions on how I could've prevented it. I'm riding with the suspension on it's lightest setting and I'm using the "sidekick" seat.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 4
Other then a better seat, that is the nature of the bike you are riding. It is not really made for long trips, that is why they make touring bikes. Last yr I had a second bike which was a sporty 1200. After about 200 miles on it I had enough. I felt like I rode a horse all day. I can ride the Road King all day and not be sore.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
From: PA.
Dad and I decided to take our bikes out for longer run for the first time to stretch their legs a bit. He's riding a Superglide Custom and I'm on an Iron. After 500 miles and a decent night of sleep, he's feeling fine but I can hardly walk because my back hurts so much. Any suggestions on how I could've prevented it. I'm riding with the suspension on it's lightest setting and I'm using the "sidekick" seat.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 16
From: Norfolk, VA
Take this for what it is worth (which maybe nothing at all 
) but I think most back problems from riding have little to do with the seat and more to do with other things. Sitting on a bike (especially if you already sit for work) like an Iron forces your legs and hips to stay in a bent position. The muscles around your hips can get tight (and may already be shortened some if you sit all day) which pulls your pelvis forward putting your spine in an odd position that can cause pain. Many people today because of our life styles are quad dominate already with weak hamstrings which only makes the problem worse. If you have access to a foam roller you can use to help break up the scar tissue or loosen the muscles some this will help as well.
If it is not already obvious I am not an expert on this subject, just passing on what I learned. Try stretching your quads and hips before you ride (you can find stretches on the internet) and at gas stops. Yeah, you run the risk of looking like Richard Simmons but I will trade that any day for no back pain. When my lower back hurts I can stretch my hips and it almost goes away immediately. If it is mid or upper back and you have access to a gym do some rows, shrugs etc to strengthen the muscles of the back. Again, not an expert, just what I learned.
I would try this stuff before I went looking for an expensive seat or some other mechanical solution.
) but I think most back problems from riding have little to do with the seat and more to do with other things. Sitting on a bike (especially if you already sit for work) like an Iron forces your legs and hips to stay in a bent position. The muscles around your hips can get tight (and may already be shortened some if you sit all day) which pulls your pelvis forward putting your spine in an odd position that can cause pain. Many people today because of our life styles are quad dominate already with weak hamstrings which only makes the problem worse. If you have access to a foam roller you can use to help break up the scar tissue or loosen the muscles some this will help as well. If it is not already obvious I am not an expert on this subject, just passing on what I learned. Try stretching your quads and hips before you ride (you can find stretches on the internet) and at gas stops. Yeah, you run the risk of looking like Richard Simmons but I will trade that any day for no back pain. When my lower back hurts I can stretch my hips and it almost goes away immediately. If it is mid or upper back and you have access to a gym do some rows, shrugs etc to strengthen the muscles of the back. Again, not an expert, just what I learned.
I would try this stuff before I went looking for an expensive seat or some other mechanical solution.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 3
From: New Port Richey FL
like midnight said, seat, bars and rear shocks are yr best bet for changes, also forward controls.
one free thing you could do...i do it when ever i ride a long ride, is whatever back i'm huallin, put it on the back seat or fender and use it as a backrest, that helps. also, i know when i'm going on a long ride i ALWAYS use my kidney belt, it doesn't have to be something special, i got mine from sports athorutiy in the wieght section for around 15 bucks
one free thing you could do...i do it when ever i ride a long ride, is whatever back i'm huallin, put it on the back seat or fender and use it as a backrest, that helps. also, i know when i'm going on a long ride i ALWAYS use my kidney belt, it doesn't have to be something special, i got mine from sports athorutiy in the wieght section for around 15 bucks
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Seat!! It's that stupid brick they call a stock seat. I had the same issues. Get a seat with some decent lower back support. No more problems. Cruise all day, and get up and cruise all day the next day.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: Westchester, New York
Granted it's not a big ol' Touring Bike but you can put on many miles on a Sportster. As others have said, start with the best seat possible and make sure you have the right handlebar set up for your body type. Ditto for forward or mid controls - which ever provides the most comfortable and natural position. Posture has a lot to do with back and neck problems so sitting position is important.
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