Middle Back muscles sore.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
Me Too
Yea, the reach was all wrong, the seat was ok but I changed it. I'm old so I found with the feet on the highway pegs, I needed a backrest. It all worked, no more back or shoulder pain.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: on earth
Yeah my last bike has much shorter bars and I didn't seem to have the pain. Maybe I am having to lean forward to reach the bars and thinking now that a backrest might solve the problem by pushing me forward a bit. The sig bike is my new one. I traded 2008 stock bike for this 2009 that the previous owner has 54K tied up in it. Crazy. He has had Harley bore it out with cams and added just about all the chrome you can put. Upgraded everything from speakers to dash from to back. It rally out torques my 2008 stock bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
Everybody talks about higher bars, lower bars, backrests, but, not many people talk about posture. Try sitting up straight as possible and staying that way. Listen to your mother---don't slouch!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
In order of priority for my back solution:
1) Back rest (went with adjustable and got a huge improvement),
2) Seat (went with hammock and my a$$ feels 50% better),
3) Rear shock pressure (took mine down to 10 psi and is better),
4) Change handlebar position to move your hands close to shoulder level (coming soon).
5) Needed weight loss & exercise (if your wife says it's applicable).
1) Back rest (went with adjustable and got a huge improvement),
2) Seat (went with hammock and my a$$ feels 50% better),
3) Rear shock pressure (took mine down to 10 psi and is better),
4) Change handlebar position to move your hands close to shoulder level (coming soon).
5) Needed weight loss & exercise (if your wife says it's applicable).
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
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,014
Likes: 739
From: Northern California
I use one of these (got it a 1/2 price used) and switch it between my V-Rod and Road King. Eventually I will purchase a regular seat backrest so I don't have to keep moving this between bikes.
http://www.bikersfriend.com/pages/bagsize.htm
http://www.bikersfriend.com/pages/bagsize.htm
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
I have had the HD backrest on my '09 ultra for about 3 years last year I bought a Mustang Touring seat but was still having some back problems. I also put the reach bars(2"up,2"back) a few years ago last month I moved my bars forward some and bought a Mustang backrest. The HD backrest is a POS compared to the Mustang IMO. I can ride more comfortable now for a lot longer than before.