48 owners... does your back hurt?
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: USA
48 owners... does your back hurt?
I recently rented an '11 Forty Eight (to try before I buy) and after about 40, 50 miles my lower back was hurting. Does this eventually go away or do you get used to it?
If I do buy one I'll be using it as a daily driver to go to work, but it's only a few miles and may not be problem (or will it?). Though on longer trips will my back always hurt afterwards?
Besides that I had a blast riding it! I also got many compliments where ever I parked.
If I do buy one I'll be using it as a daily driver to go to work, but it's only a few miles and may not be problem (or will it?). Though on longer trips will my back always hurt afterwards?
Besides that I had a blast riding it! I also got many compliments where ever I parked.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I do not have a back hurting issue.
However- the person I bought it from did. However- I am 5-10" and 185, he was 5-6" 265.
The stock seat and riding position locks you into a tailbone whompin' position - with feet forward on the pegs- you get no help or assist from your leg or glute muscles.
However- the person I bought it from did. However- I am 5-10" and 185, he was 5-6" 265.
The stock seat and riding position locks you into a tailbone whompin' position - with feet forward on the pegs- you get no help or assist from your leg or glute muscles.
Last edited by dstiger; Jun 20, 2011 at 05:45 PM.
Guest
Posts: n/a
If your back hurt, it will continue to do so. You will need to change the riding position. Most likely, you will need mid-mount controls and a better seat, at a minimum. You need to get your weight off your coccyx so that you are not abusing your spine so severely. Also, bending from the hips (as opposed to hunching over) will help.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 929
Likes: 3
From: Caro, Michigan
I would say that the back pain MAY go away, it MAY not.
For sure your body needs to get used to riding. You use a lot of muscles you didnt know you had.
On the other hand, Dstiger makes a good point about the riding position of the 48. Forward controls with a shaved down seat and a low rise handlebar makes your body somewhat "jack-knifed" on the bike and you lose a lot of natural shock absorbtion.
If you find that your body just isnt getting used to riding and you continue to have pain when riding long distances you will prolly need to look at a different combination of seat, shocks and handlebars.
For sure your body needs to get used to riding. You use a lot of muscles you didnt know you had.
On the other hand, Dstiger makes a good point about the riding position of the 48. Forward controls with a shaved down seat and a low rise handlebar makes your body somewhat "jack-knifed" on the bike and you lose a lot of natural shock absorbtion.
If you find that your body just isnt getting used to riding and you continue to have pain when riding long distances you will prolly need to look at a different combination of seat, shocks and handlebars.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: USA
I definitely liked the forward controls and handlebar position (tried a Nightster and didn't like the cramped feeling). A better seat is probably something I can look into.
I think I'll try the bike out a few more days to see how it goes. I'm hoping my back muscles just get stronger and pain goes away. Making upgrades to suspension, etc, is something I'd rather not get into.
Thanks for the responses.
I think I'll try the bike out a few more days to see how it goes. I'm hoping my back muscles just get stronger and pain goes away. Making upgrades to suspension, etc, is something I'd rather not get into.
Thanks for the responses.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove MN
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: ENGLAND
if you like the 48 buy it , its a great looking bike , any bike can be made comfortable , , a nice set of progressive rear shocks and a repacked seat with a nice big gel insert in it and your all good to go , at least for the 60 miles till the next fill up anyway , i found the sprung saddle even worse than the stock one so don't go down that route.
but with forward controls , all your body weight is on your spine , if your a fat fella , your bolloxed , loose a few and try again . or buy a geezer glide .
to be honest you will defiantly need the rear springs done though , its **** easy and you will enjoy working on your bike , its a bonding thing ....lol
but with forward controls , all your body weight is on your spine , if your a fat fella , your bolloxed , loose a few and try again . or buy a geezer glide .
to be honest you will defiantly need the rear springs done though , its **** easy and you will enjoy working on your bike , its a bonding thing ....lol
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: USA
Funny, the one I rented had oil all over the kickstand.
Any specific recommendation on the rear shocks? And sorry for the noob question but what do you mean by repacked seat?
if you like the 48 buy it , its a great looking bike , any bike can be made comfortable , , a nice set of progressive rear shocks and a repacked seat with a nice big gel insert in it and your all good to go , at least for the 60 miles till the next fill up anyway , i found the sprung saddle even worse than the stock one so don't go down that route.
but with forward controls , all your body weight is on your spine , if your a fat fella , your bolloxed , loose a few and try again . or buy a geezer glide .
to be honest you will defiantly need the rear springs done though , its **** easy and you will enjoy working on your bike , its a bonding thing ....lol
but with forward controls , all your body weight is on your spine , if your a fat fella , your bolloxed , loose a few and try again . or buy a geezer glide .
to be honest you will defiantly need the rear springs done though , its **** easy and you will enjoy working on your bike , its a bonding thing ....lol