Thoughts on my sore back please.....
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 574
Likes: 1,315
From: New York
Thoughts on my sore back please.....
I installed 13" Cyclesmith Bars on my 2006 Electraglide about 5 years ago. Occasionally over the five years I would get sore at the top of my back under my neck kind of in between the shoulder blades. Just an annoyance that went away in a few hours. Since taking it out this year every time I have ridden I am getting extremely sore and it lasts for days. I am thinking about putting the stock bars back on it as I think it is due to the posture with the bars, but that is a lot of work. I am thinking of trying a drivers backrest to see if that helps. Thoughts?
Thanks - Al
Thanks - Al
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 277
Likes: 4
From: Jersey Shore
have you changed seats at all? when i had the stock seat on mine with no backrest, it killed me in the same spot youre talking about. i put the mustang on and it relieved it, pushed my tour pak up to be a riders backrest and that helped a lot, added WO575 and it helped a little more. id say the backrest helped me out the most though. im thinking about getting rid of the 575s for taller bars. seems like you like the cyclesmiths. how much did you extend the cables?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
Typically, upper back and shoulder pain is a 'bars' issue. Lower back is a 'backrest' issue. I did the same thing. Bought some bars that sounded like what I wanted, and for whatever reason, had the same pain you described. Went back to stock, no more upper back pain.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You are tensing up while riding, although you may not be aware of doing it. That may be because you are lifting your shoulders a little, when your hands are on the bars. A cheap test is to try wearing ear plugs. They will help reduce tension and you may find you can ride further without that discomfort. In any event, try small adjustments to your bars, to improve your riding position.
Last edited by grbrown; May 12, 2013 at 11:31 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
How long does it take to get the pain? If its just a short time. Go demo a bike at a dealer and see if it still happens. A lot cheaper than changing bars. Or go rent a bike for a day and see how that works. Swap seats with a buddy? Work out any? if not might try and see how that works. As we age our bodies start taking a nose dive. exercise can help prolong that sometimes.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
My right shoulder hurts after 30 minutes and stays until I stop riding. So I started putting an Icy Hot patch and taking a few Ibeprophan and that's made it better. Maybe you could try that too.
To me, holding my arms out in front of me on the bars is what's doing it. In a car, I can switch arms, have them high on the wheel or low. But on a bike, it's one position. I doubt changing bars would matter in my case.
To me, holding my arms out in front of me on the bars is what's doing it. In a car, I can switch arms, have them high on the wheel or low. But on a bike, it's one position. I doubt changing bars would matter in my case.
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Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
Can't help with the bar issues but I can tell you that once you go with a riders back rest you'll wonder how you ever went without one!
Last edited by Rickr01; May 11, 2013 at 04:32 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Southern Maryland
i get the "twinge" between my shoulder blades if i don't put on a backrest. try that first. i took mine off the other day and didn't put it back on.....only took about 20 miles and it had me remembering to put it back on as soon as i got home. i don't really lean on it but it helps the lower back which i guess in turn, helps the middle between the blades. try it first.