Riding Position? HELP!!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 100
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Riding Position? HELP!!
Folks, I have been trying different seats, adjusting my road pegs, and even moving my handlebars. I just can’t seem to find a comfortable riding position. The lower right side of my back starts bothering me after about 15 miles. Any ideas? [sm=confused06.gif]
2006 XL1200R
V&H Slip-ons with “Quiet Baffles”
Sundowner Seat
Mini Back Rest
Chrome Sport Luggage Rack - Four Bar
Highway Pegs / with small HD pegs
Oil Dipstick with Temperature Gauge
KURYAKYN PREMIUM ISO-GRIPS
Enrichener / Choke **** Cover
2006 XL1200R
V&H Slip-ons with “Quiet Baffles”
Sundowner Seat
Mini Back Rest
Chrome Sport Luggage Rack - Four Bar
Highway Pegs / with small HD pegs
Oil Dipstick with Temperature Gauge
KURYAKYN PREMIUM ISO-GRIPS
Enrichener / Choke **** Cover
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
Roman chair back extensions and/or a chiropractor appointment.
Trying combinations of different seats, bars, and pegs is a good start. Adding some support in the form of the truss jacket or some other device to add support helps too. But after all that, if you are still without relief, I'd seek medical attention.
It could just be your body isn't used to the fatigue of the back muscles you use while riding. Riding might relieve you of some of the discomfort over time (as your body gets used to the new activity and muscle use). You could hit the gym and put emphasis on strengthening your back (roman chair back extensions are great for the lower back).
In any course of action you take, I'd recommend making an appointment with a chiropractor. Your pain could be an indication of a more serious issue. Worst case you can rule out physical problems that might be aggravated by the riding. Best case, you can get some solid recommendations from a professional that will ultimately lead to you enjoying riding for more than 20 minutes.
Best of luck.
Trying combinations of different seats, bars, and pegs is a good start. Adding some support in the form of the truss jacket or some other device to add support helps too. But after all that, if you are still without relief, I'd seek medical attention.
It could just be your body isn't used to the fatigue of the back muscles you use while riding. Riding might relieve you of some of the discomfort over time (as your body gets used to the new activity and muscle use). You could hit the gym and put emphasis on strengthening your back (roman chair back extensions are great for the lower back).
In any course of action you take, I'd recommend making an appointment with a chiropractor. Your pain could be an indication of a more serious issue. Worst case you can rule out physical problems that might be aggravated by the riding. Best case, you can get some solid recommendations from a professional that will ultimately lead to you enjoying riding for more than 20 minutes.
Best of luck.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 8,438
Likes: 6
From: Gulf Coast of Mississippi
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
To be honest with you, I think it's your riding position/posture...
I had an ElectraGlide one time and suffered the same problem... it was the balance of the bike... though I don't think this is you problem with a Sportster...
I now have a '05 XLC 1200...
I have back problems and could only do, like you said, 20-30 minutes at a time... but it wasn't one side or the other just my lower back in general.
After much experimentation I can do all day and day after day and only suffer from "numb butt"... after several hours.... lol
The result of all this experimentation can be seen in my sig photo w/o back rest... you can see the back rest in my HD Photo Gallery... just click on the little icon over there that looks like a camera...
Charlie D.
I had an ElectraGlide one time and suffered the same problem... it was the balance of the bike... though I don't think this is you problem with a Sportster...
I now have a '05 XLC 1200...
I have back problems and could only do, like you said, 20-30 minutes at a time... but it wasn't one side or the other just my lower back in general.
After much experimentation I can do all day and day after day and only suffer from "numb butt"... after several hours.... lol
The result of all this experimentation can be seen in my sig photo w/o back rest... you can see the back rest in my HD Photo Gallery... just click on the little icon over there that looks like a camera...
Charlie D.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: ft lauderdale fl
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
Hell-U r doing all the right things the only thiing I might sugest is a weight liffting belt that might help they r leather in fact i think u can get them in a stiff nylon now and they r cheap
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Leusden, Utrecht, Netherlands
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
I second the Forward Control idea. I found my ride to be a whole lot more comfortable with FCs.
ORIGINAL: rharrison
My friend wears a HD leather jacket with a built in truss. He swears by it. Would foreward controls help? See if your dealer will let you try a bike (new or used) with FCs.
My friend wears a HD leather jacket with a built in truss. He swears by it. Would foreward controls help? See if your dealer will let you try a bike (new or used) with FCs.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 103
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From:
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
I hate to be the one to ask you this..but how is your weight?? It may be that if you are overweight especially around the midsection it could put some stress on the back. If this is the case try to drop a little weight and use the support, a truss or a backrest should help.
I know in the car on long rides I get a pain in the back so I use a small pillow for more support.
I don't have any issues with the Sporty though, I can ride for hours and hours without any discomfort in the back or with the seat. I have a solo seat, it's pretty comfy, and I have mid controls, I'm 5"5 and probably could use forwards but I started out with these and I am comfortable with them, they are useful with leverage when I hit the bumps and nearly fly off...I hate those seams in the road and try to make a mental note of the roads that I use a lot that have bad spots like that. 295 in South Jersey has some rough spots in the right hand lane.
Good Luck with the back pain..I wouldn't be able to handle a 30 minute ride...when I go I'm gone for the day or the weekend...30 minutes wouldn't get me where I want to go.
Pauline
I know in the car on long rides I get a pain in the back so I use a small pillow for more support.
I don't have any issues with the Sporty though, I can ride for hours and hours without any discomfort in the back or with the seat. I have a solo seat, it's pretty comfy, and I have mid controls, I'm 5"5 and probably could use forwards but I started out with these and I am comfortable with them, they are useful with leverage when I hit the bumps and nearly fly off...I hate those seams in the road and try to make a mental note of the roads that I use a lot that have bad spots like that. 295 in South Jersey has some rough spots in the right hand lane.
Good Luck with the back pain..I wouldn't be able to handle a 30 minute ride...when I go I'm gone for the day or the weekend...30 minutes wouldn't get me where I want to go.
Pauline
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo, NM
RE: Riding Position? HELP!!
Does this happen any other time or just riding the bike? Your spine may be out of adjustment if so.
I have a mild curvature of the spine. I just take 600mg of Ibuprofen about 45 minutes before I'm leaving on a long ride and every 6 hours thereafter until I get home. I also change positions often between mid-control pegs and highway pegs. I take a stretch break about every 100-120 miles as well. That keeps me riding pain free.
I have a mild curvature of the spine. I just take 600mg of Ibuprofen about 45 minutes before I'm leaving on a long ride and every 6 hours thereafter until I get home. I also change positions often between mid-control pegs and highway pegs. I take a stretch break about every 100-120 miles as well. That keeps me riding pain free.