Bad Backs and Riders Backrest
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 6,933
From: Cincinnati OH.
HD parts
It's the oval shaped Harley backrest. The two pole, spring in between type. Got it from craigslist, mounting bracket from local dealer. I see some for sale here, occasionally. I think I've got about a hundred bucks in it. Looks like a good investment.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 169
Likes: 12
From: North Shore, MA
Vertebra fracture 30 years ago, painful on long rides. I found a backrest and highway pegs set close enough (knees bent a bit) allows me to push back against the backrest and stretch my lower back while riding. Makes all the difference. Also, upgraded to Progressive monotube up front and 944's on the back. Has made a big difference for me.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
Just got my X-ray report. No fractures or disk problems. Normal arthritis for my age. The determination is its a muscular problem. Going to do some therapy.
I have been reading all the posts and see that those who press their back against a backrest while ridding seem to get some relief. I'm guessing that it prevents the back from banging against it when hitting a bump. Sort of like riding in a car. I can't wait till the soreness subsides a bit so I can ride again. I'm going crazy just looking at the bike in the garage.
I have been reading all the posts and see that those who press their back against a backrest while ridding seem to get some relief. I'm guessing that it prevents the back from banging against it when hitting a bump. Sort of like riding in a car. I can't wait till the soreness subsides a bit so I can ride again. I'm going crazy just looking at the bike in the garage.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville, NC
I've had 3 failed Fusions at L5-S1. 2 TLIF surgeries were "back to back" (pardon the pun) because the Dr accidentally punctured my dura and caused me to leak spinal fluid. This leak also ended up giving me Bacterial Meningitis. They had to put me under again 4 days after my first fusion to fix the problem, and hope I make it through. After breaking the fusions because I stretched after falling asleep I'm always in pain. I can tell you that I hated my back rest until I adjusted it to where it was comfortable and my wife made me change the seat because she hated the original seat. My highway pegs are low so I can push against them and relieve some pain. I can tell you that I've even kicked my seat a few times while just trying to get my leg over the seat. I got a deeper seat that gave me more comfort and made rides bearable, and I don't ride with anything in my back pockets, you may not believe this but a simple wallet can turn your hips just enough to apply pressure on your lower back and can possibly drive you insane on a long ride. Just like everyone else, this is just my opinion and my personal experience. I know what it's like to ride and have back pain. look at a different seat, adjust your backrest until it make YOU comfortable and maybe check out different shocks to give you more travel on bumps. I'll have my forth, and hopefully last attempt at a "360 fusion" (#2) when we get back to the States. we'll see how that turns out or they'll make me wait again. in the mean time my only "relief" is more pain. since I'm still on Active Duty I run 3-4 miles daily to numb the pain and not take pills.
Anyway, I hope you're all feeling better and don't wait until it's worse.
Cep
Anyway, I hope you're all feeling better and don't wait until it's worse.
Cep
Last edited by Cep10SG; Jul 14, 2016 at 08:29 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
I recently injured a muscle (mid to lower) on the right side of my back. I went into a dip and it jarred my back so bad it hasn't been right since. I have a riders backrest that I seldom use because if I remember correctly, I stopped using it because it was irritating and uncomfortable on bumpy roads.
I'm wondering if I kept my back pressed tight against the pad if that would help support the muscles in my back. I'm sure there are many forum members who ride with back issues and I'm wondering what they have done to cope with the issue in order to keep riding. I have also considered buying a Kidney belt from a local moto-cross store.
Thoughts and advice please.........
I'm wondering if I kept my back pressed tight against the pad if that would help support the muscles in my back. I'm sure there are many forum members who ride with back issues and I'm wondering what they have done to cope with the issue in order to keep riding. I have also considered buying a Kidney belt from a local moto-cross store.
Thoughts and advice please.........
Do you have the adjustable or the standard? I have 3 fused vertebrae at the base of my spine, so support is a good thing. I found the adjustable backrest to be "springy" and caused me to tense up. I now have the standard backrest set so that I can lean back against it with my arms straight on the bars. That allows me to sit forward if I want.
I also have my highway pegs set sort of high on the engine guard. This pushes me into the backrest so it doesn't get irritating.
It's like going down the road on a recliner
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
I've had 3 failed Fusions at L5-S1. 2 TLIF surgeries were "back to back" (pardon the pun) because the Dr accidentally punctured my dura and caused me to leak spinal fluid. This leak also ended up giving me Bacterial Meningitis. They had to put me under again 4 days after my first fusion to fix the problem, and hope I make it through. After breaking the fusions because I stretched after falling asleep I'm always in pain. I can tell you that I hated my back rest until I adjusted it to where it was comfortable and my wife made me change the seat because she hated the original seat. My highway pegs are low so I can push against them and relieve some pain. I can tell you that I've even kicked my seat a few times while just trying to get my leg over the seat. I got a deeper seat that gave me more comfort and made rides bearable, and I don't ride with anything in my back pockets, you may not believe this but a simple wallet can turn your hips just enough to apply pressure on your lower back and can possibly drive you insane on a long ride. Just like everyone else, this is just my opinion and my personal experience. I know what it's like to ride and have back pain. look at a different seat, adjust your backrest until it make YOU comfortable and maybe check out different shocks to give you more travel on bumps. I'll have my forth, and hopefully last attempt at a "360 fusion" (#2) when we get back to the States. we'll see how that turns out or they'll make me wait again. in the mean time my only "relief" is more pain. since I'm still on Active Duty I run 3-4 miles daily to numb the pain and not take pills. Anyway, I hope you're all feeling better and don't wait until it's worse. Cep
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
Appropriate exercise, seating position and properly adjusted back rest, with the correct curvature to support the back, properly adjusted highway pegs, and possibly a kidney belt to help support the back.
90 percent of the riders will face this similar situation as they age, it's degenerative disease, arthritis. Others will have injury issues, all can benefit from the above.
90 percent of the riders will face this similar situation as they age, it's degenerative disease, arthritis. Others will have injury issues, all can benefit from the above.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 168
From: Ontario, Canada
Plank, done properly, is a great exercise. Just make sure that you push back through your heels to engage your core, otherwise it's just a shoulder exercise.
The best thing I ever did for my overall fitness and conditioning was to find a "Power Yoga"/Ashtanga Yoga class with a good instructor. It will improve your overall fitness level as well as teach you to focus on your core. It completely changed the way I work and do everyday things.
Any exercise you choose to do, remember, if your back hurts, you need to engage your core. If you remember that, you'll find you use your core more often and it will become more natural.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 19
From: Cypress, TX
Just got my X-ray report. No fractures or disk problems. Normal arthritis for my age. The determination is its a muscular problem. Going to do some therapy.
I have been reading all the posts and see that those who press their back against a backrest while ridding seem to get some relief. I'm guessing that it prevents the back from banging against it when hitting a bump. Sort of like riding in a car. I can't wait till the soreness subsides a bit so I can ride again. I'm going crazy just looking at the bike in the garage.
I have been reading all the posts and see that those who press their back against a backrest while ridding seem to get some relief. I'm guessing that it prevents the back from banging against it when hitting a bump. Sort of like riding in a car. I can't wait till the soreness subsides a bit so I can ride again. I'm going crazy just looking at the bike in the garage.
Exercise can help in a lot of situations sometimes not. Find a good doc and rehab group that is focused on getting athletes back and they will typically get you going pretty quickly. Surgery should be the last option. I suffer from degenerative disc disorder as well as multiple spinal fractures over the years. I do about 20 mins of stretching a day. I do a lot of core work as mentioned earlier. I still lift heavy for me (squat, deadlift, etc...) once or twice a week and do a lot of work with kettlebells. I would have never thought that with my back kettlebell swings would help but they have made a world of difference I do at least 100 everyday. I did lose weight also, not saying anyone else needs to but it helped me.
