Bad Backs and Riders Backrest
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
Bad Backs and Riders Backrest
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.........
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
I never liked the back rest. Having several back injuries of my own doing. The best medicine for your back? Loose weight and excercise back muscles. I think riding is some of the best medicine their is. But that back rest just made things worse for me...I regularly ride 300-400 a day. Weekdays 75-150. I sure as heck would not want a backrest on a bike in a wreck...
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 4
From: bowling green ky.
i also have a very bad back. disk issues not muscles. 3 surgery's. i would not be able to ride without back rest. a good seat and the back rest adj. right is a big help. i also ware a back brace at times. i also have to get off and walk around every hour or so. i haven't found anything to help the sudden jars though, maybe better shocks. highway pegs also help me, so i can readjust my legs when i need to. just things to help me keep riding as long as i can. good luck on finding what works for you.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,747
Likes: 419
From: Vermont
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.........
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I found the backrest pressing on my back caused discomfort, similar to OP.
as I moved up and down it didn't move with me
I am using a cop seat now
Mike
as I moved up and down it didn't move with me
I am using a cop seat now
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jul 8, 2016 at 11:06 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
I use a back rest. I did take it into a machine shop and had it cut and welded so that it's lower and supporting me right at the lowest part of my back. It bugged me until having done that, and I really like it now.
Being told to lose weight is a little presumptuous. I am not over weight, but injured my back in my teens, and still have to deal with the result of that. If you are over weight, losing weight will help, most certainly. In the short term though, try taking the back rest to a machine shop to have it lowered so that it really supports your lower back....if you think it might make it more comfortable. Worked for me.
Being told to lose weight is a little presumptuous. I am not over weight, but injured my back in my teens, and still have to deal with the result of that. If you are over weight, losing weight will help, most certainly. In the short term though, try taking the back rest to a machine shop to have it lowered so that it really supports your lower back....if you think it might make it more comfortable. Worked for me.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Centeral Coast, California
Good shocks will help as well; that I agree with.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 52
From: South Jersey
I agree with having good shocks. I had Revo-A's on at the time of the injury. One of the seals were leaking and was unaware, hence the big hit but I don't want to turn this into a shock thread. I'm very interested to hear what others have done to alleviate back pain while riding.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
I agree with having good shocks. I had Revo-A's on at the time of the injury. One of the seals were leaking and was unaware, hence the big hit but I don't want to turn this into a shock thread. I'm very interested to hear what others have done to alleviate back pain while riding.
I hated my back rest until I got the pad where I needed it most. I bought the rest with the shortest rise that Harley makes, and it still had the pad closer to the middle of my back (I'm not tall). Because my back is in such bad shape I couldn't give up on finding a solution, and after having a machine shop shorten the rise by about 2"-2.5", I love it now. It has actually provided enough support that I would guess maybe 90% of the back pain I'd have after a ride has been eliminated.
I hope you find what works for you. Back pain is no stranger to me, and it was either stop riding or find SOMETHING that worked.
Good luck!!