Tailbone pain
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 3
From: Grand Island, Nebraska
I struggled with tailbone pain for quite awhile. I did buy an Airhawk which seemed to help. I just didn't like having it on the seat all the time. Below is what I did that gave me a cure.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...bone-pain.html
I couldnt ride more than an hour before I got "bikers Butt" and when I used an Airhawk, it would prolong it but not eliminate it. After a 550 mile ride, I was so sore I could hardly walk. Thats when I isolated the pain to my tailbone.
I'm kind of a do it myselfer so I researched a few webpages and decided what I needed was less padding where my tailbone hits. (I dont want to say "mines bigger than yours, but...). This site I found was invaluable in what I did to "cure" the problem. Link:http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/
I followed the instructions to take apart the stock seat. I just removed the staples from the riders area as now my wife could have the Airhawk. I found the seat has a very firm base to it with a light pad on top of it. Also it had a very shallow depression in the base where the tailbone would be located. (You cant feel it thru the top layer). I proceeded to get out a Dremel and just made the depression deeper. I added about 1/2 " in depth to it. The cut out area is about 2" wide and 4" long. Dont worry if it looks like a sharp edge in the foam because the top layer wll cover it and smooth it out. Stretch the cover back over it and staple to suit.
To give it a test, we rode 300 miles and i was very surprised that my tailbone didnt hurt. Now I need to put more staples in because I just put in minimal amount in case I had to dig deeper.
I should have taken pictures but the whole job was over in about 45 minutes. There wasnt enough time to think of it.
Total cost for this job wasa 6 pack and $3.49 for staples. You will want to use 1/4" staples to reassemble.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...bone-pain.html
I couldnt ride more than an hour before I got "bikers Butt" and when I used an Airhawk, it would prolong it but not eliminate it. After a 550 mile ride, I was so sore I could hardly walk. Thats when I isolated the pain to my tailbone.
I'm kind of a do it myselfer so I researched a few webpages and decided what I needed was less padding where my tailbone hits. (I dont want to say "mines bigger than yours, but...). This site I found was invaluable in what I did to "cure" the problem. Link:http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/
I followed the instructions to take apart the stock seat. I just removed the staples from the riders area as now my wife could have the Airhawk. I found the seat has a very firm base to it with a light pad on top of it. Also it had a very shallow depression in the base where the tailbone would be located. (You cant feel it thru the top layer). I proceeded to get out a Dremel and just made the depression deeper. I added about 1/2 " in depth to it. The cut out area is about 2" wide and 4" long. Dont worry if it looks like a sharp edge in the foam because the top layer wll cover it and smooth it out. Stretch the cover back over it and staple to suit.
To give it a test, we rode 300 miles and i was very surprised that my tailbone didnt hurt. Now I need to put more staples in because I just put in minimal amount in case I had to dig deeper.
I should have taken pictures but the whole job was over in about 45 minutes. There wasnt enough time to think of it.
Total cost for this job wasa 6 pack and $3.49 for staples. You will want to use 1/4" staples to reassemble.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Mesa arizona
As some may know we moved from one side of WI to the other. My Electra was the last thing we moved and my wife drove me back over and I rode it back to Eau Claire.
About a 4 hr ride and I did it on the hottest damn day of the year! Stopped once for gas and by the time I got to EC my tailbone hurt so bad I would have given that damn bike to anyone who offered me $100!!
Anyhow, is there a remedy for this? Would an 09 or newer frame bike with the slot in the seat help? I have a sundowner seat which is better than the stock but after 100 miles I'm ready to stop!
About a 4 hr ride and I did it on the hottest damn day of the year! Stopped once for gas and by the time I got to EC my tailbone hurt so bad I would have given that damn bike to anyone who offered me $100!!
Anyhow, is there a remedy for this? Would an 09 or newer frame bike with the slot in the seat help? I have a sundowner seat which is better than the stock but after 100 miles I'm ready to stop!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 560
Likes: 2
From: Green Bay, WI
Not sure about the new frame helping with tailbone pain. unless its shiny and new enough to just distract you from it.
My tailbone always used to hurt me as well.
I have an Airhawk cushion that i use for longer rides and it is worth 2x what i paid for it. Just did 4853 miles on it this last run and all is well.
My tailbone always used to hurt me as well.
I have an Airhawk cushion that i use for longer rides and it is worth 2x what i paid for it. Just did 4853 miles on it this last run and all is well.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: louisiana
I have that same problem. It takes some of the fun out of bike week each year because of all the 300 mile rides we make and the tail hurting. the only thing that makes me feel a little better is laughing at the new riders when they complain. A few advil and longer gas stops.
When you get a new seat, I'm in the market for a sundowner.
When you get a new seat, I'm in the market for a sundowner.
Get a backrest.. when you sit down, lean forward, scoot back up against the backrest, then sit up straight.. this aligns you so that you have slight curve in your lower back, rocking your tailbone from most likely pointing straight down, to more backwards... I had/ and still at times it rears up, an issue with my tailbone.. I got the backrest.. it was loads of help on the sporty I rode, when I got my road king, the stock seat was killer. sundowner was good but i recently moved to a road zeppelin... very nice seat, and adjustable as you ride.. anyway, proper posture and working to keep it is what helps.. if you are having issues in most hard seats, cushy sofas, etc its because you are sititng directly on the tailbone... it gets "sore" then stays sore...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 631
Likes: 17
From: Finger Lakes NY
This is correct, your knees are high which means that the upper part of your thigh isnt supporting any/enough weight. When this happens the weight tranfers straight to the tailbone. You need to find a seat that allows more contact in the thigh area. Even an adjustment in your highway pegs help. Too many guy put the pegs to high on the highway bar, this just adds to the pressure. Lower highway pegs that bring your feet forward and not up will transfer your weight on the seat more naturally. And as said before a backrest does help your posture which will prevent slumping and rotation of your hips.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 94
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
Tailbone pain
I too suffered from tailbone pain. And I don't know what caused mine to start hurting. Hadn't broken it or fell on it or anything like that any time in recent history. However, I had a 2010 Wide Glide for about 2 years. Went through the standard seat swap cause stock ain't never right. Boughrt a Saddlemen and it was great for about a year or so. Then the tailbone pain started. had X-rays, MRI, and Doc said everything looks fine. WTH? Sometimes it hurt as soon as I sat down on the bike, much less ride several hundred miles. I was miserable and afraid I would have to give up riding. Then I traded in the WG and got a Road Glide. The ride was better, so that helped. I bought a stock Ultra seat from someone and put that on the bike. Some improvement there as well.And I think the slot at the bottom of the driver's seat is what helped the most as far as the seat goes. It forms a little pocket if you will that keeps some of the pressure off your tailbone.
Then a buddy showed me a link he found while researching my problem. I went home, read the link and tried the technique described and got immediate relief. It's easy enough that you can do it yourself and do it repeatedly if needed on a long trip. Now keep in mind I pretty much knew the pain was in my tailbone. There could be any number of other issues affecting your comfort but this worked for me. I recently rode 2000 miles in about 7 days and the only pain I had then was from sitting in the saddle for 550 miles the first day.
Anyway here's the link:
http://www.coccyx.org/personal/2003/brenda.htm
Maybe this will help.
Good luck.
Jack
Then a buddy showed me a link he found while researching my problem. I went home, read the link and tried the technique described and got immediate relief. It's easy enough that you can do it yourself and do it repeatedly if needed on a long trip. Now keep in mind I pretty much knew the pain was in my tailbone. There could be any number of other issues affecting your comfort but this worked for me. I recently rode 2000 miles in about 7 days and the only pain I had then was from sitting in the saddle for 550 miles the first day.
Anyway here's the link:
http://www.coccyx.org/personal/2003/brenda.htm
Maybe this will help.
Good luck.
Jack
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
09 Ultra here .. pretty much stock. My butt was killing me after 150 miles or so. I would be sliding all over the seat, standing on the foot boards, feet on the highway pegs, etc. Do have a back rest. Maybe it helps, I would damn near sit on top of it at times to get some relief.
Recently put on a Hammock seat. It helped. But it is not all I hoped. I did 1600 miles over 4 days, 600 on the last day. My butt still complains.
When I find something that works for 900+ miles in a day, I'll let you know.
Recently put on a Hammock seat. It helped. But it is not all I hoped. I did 1600 miles over 4 days, 600 on the last day. My butt still complains.
When I find something that works for 900+ miles in a day, I'll let you know.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, MO
Injured my tailbone in a fall. Thought I was going to have to give up riding it hurt so bad even a year later. Bought an Airhawk R. Make sure you get the R model... it is specifically designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone. Google it.
The problem is not better... the problem is GONE.
The problem is not better... the problem is GONE.
