05 FJR & Back Pain

[fz1don]

I am at a total lose here. I have been riding most of my life and have never ridden a motorcycle that made my back hurt. Even on long distance rides my FZ1 would make my butt hurt, but not my back. Any of you FJR owners ever had this problem? I don't know what to change first. All I have changed is the Heli Risers that raise the bars about an inch. Not the ones that move them up and back. I had those and didn't like them, so I traded for just risers. I'm not real happy with the angle of the grips, but it's not too bad. Could it be the seat angle? Maybe a Sargent seat is in order. I really like the bike and don't want to get rid of it, but this pain is almost too much for me.

 

[zenwhipper]

I am at a total lose here. I have been riding most of my life and have never ridden a motorcycle that made my back hurt. Even on long distance rides my FZ1 would make my butt hurt, but not my back. Any of you FJR owners ever had this problem? I don't know what to change first. All I have changed is the Heli Risers that raise the bars about an inch. Not the ones that move them up and back. I had those and didn't like them, so I traded for just risers. I'm not real happy with the angle of the grips, but it's not too bad. Could it be the seat angle? Maybe a Sargent seat is in order. I really like the bike and don't want to get rid of it, but this pain is almost too much for me.

When you say back pain... do you mean low back or upper? Are you referring to your shoulders? Is it muscular or more related to the spine? Any prior back pain from other injuries not related to mc riding? If its muscular, stretches and better handlebar position can help I would think. If its spine/disk related - these things need to be looked at by a doc.

One thing for sure is to keep your core muscles (abs and low back muscles) strong. This helps everything we do in our daily lives and can protect a bad back. You too can be a strong little kitty (see my avatar... ).

I don't think a new seat is the answer.

Hang in there.

Scott

 

[Kasey]

When you say back pain... do you mean low back or upper? Are you referring to your shoulders? Is it muscular or more related to the spine? Any prior back pain from other injuries not related to mc riding? If its muscular, stretches and better handlebar position can help I would think. If its spine/disk related - these things need to be looked at by a doc.
One thing for sure is to keep your core muscles (abs and low back muscles) strong. This helps everything we do in our daily lives and can protect a bad back. You too can be a strong little kitty (see my avatar... ).

I don't think a new seat is the answer.

Hang in there.

Scott

Great advice. I had the identical problem when I changed from my previous bike, which had an upright seating position, to the FJR. I had pain both in the shoulders and lower back. Setback bar risers helped but I found that the more I rode my body gradually adjusted to the new position. Tough it out awhile before you spend on a new seat. Ibuprofen, aka 'Ducati Road Candy', was my best friend for awhile too.

Kasey

 

[Wee Willy]

If it's lower back, pay attention to the angle between upper leg and torso. The FJR comes stock with a noticably forward-leaning riding position. Bringing the seat up (lowering the leg angle) and bringing the grips aft (and up for me) caused significantly less muscular "tension" in the normal riding position. This was both in the shoulders and the lower trunk muscles.

Cheers,

W2

 

[flyingz06]

If it's lower back, pay attention to the angle between upper leg and torso. The FJR comes stock with a noticably forward-leaning riding position. Bringing the seat up (lowering the leg angle) and bringing the grips aft (and up for me) caused significantly less muscular "tension" in the normal riding position. This was both in the shoulders and the lower trunk muscles.
Cheers,

W2

Everyone want to change the bike to make the pain go away. Change yourself first! Exercise. Build muscles and no pain.

 

[Wee Willy]

If it's lower back, pay attention to the angle between upper leg and torso. The FJR comes stock with a noticably forward-leaning riding position. Bringing the seat up (lowering the leg angle) and bringing the grips aft (and up for me) caused significantly less muscular "tension" in the normal riding position. This was both in the shoulders and the lower trunk muscles.
Cheers,

W2

Everyone want to change the bike to make the pain go away. Change yourself first! Exercise. Build muscles and no pain.

Not referring to pain, necessarily, just tension. And long hours trying to hold yourself "up" works the muscles, toned or not, and leads to fatigue and, possibly, pain. It's best to be comfortable when long in the saddle.

Just sayin'

W2

 

[madmike2]

Over my years of working I have injured my lower back and must keep myself limber and exercised to keep it from limiting what I enjoy in life.

For riding, I make sure to keep my back straight and use the Master Yoda Riding Position.

Good luck on finding a solution to your personal dilemma.

 

[fz1don]

It's all in my lower back

 

[Patriot]

racing dirt bikes in my care free youth has...well it wasn't the racing as much as the falling...you know

my '04 is equipped with two sets of risers...Heli and D&D...pulls the bars back, up, and opens them up (wrists no long a problem in addition to back)

Wild Bill Highway Pegs used much

grip puppies

sargent seat with airhawk air pad

nelson rigg survivor waterproof weekender on pillion seat which is a great backrest

"Back A Line" support belt on at all times

check out my profile with descriptions of farkles

 

[Larry33319]

Several years ago, 2006, I was looking at a sportbike, cbr1000rr, at a dealership. I told the salesman I liked the bike but have a somewhat bad 52 year old back. He had me get on the bike and assume a riding position. I did and then he said I did not know how to properly sit on a bike. I have only been riding since 1972 ! He was 2 time Austrailian Endurance Racing Champion. He had me squeeze the tank with my knees and slightly arch my back. Suddenly all the weight was off my wrists and I was in a better position for riding. I left Daytona and went back home thinking about the 1KRR from my local dealer. I was there looking and they rolled in a BEAUTIFUL 2006 FJR. I bought it on the spot. In 2008 I picked up a new CBR1000RR. I still ride in the position he showed me and have never had another problem with my back. It took a while to strengthen the lower back muscles but it actually worked. Try that position. You have nothing to loose and a lot to gain. The FJR now has 71,000 miles on it and the CBR only 9000. Obviously the FJR is my go to bike but I can ride either of them for 3-400 miles without any extra effort.

 

[madmike2]

I did and then he said I did not know how to properly sit on a bike. I have only been riding since 1972 ! He was 2 time Austrailian Endurance Racing Champion. He had me squeeze the tank with my knees and slightly arch my back. Suddenly all the weight was off my wrists and I was in a better position for riding.

THAT is the "Master Yoda Riding Position".

If I don't do that I feel the pain in my lower back. I can do many 400+ mile days in a row and be ready to ride again in the morning.

It's not an "instant" fix but your muscles will strenghten.

 

[FJR-RemingtonRider]

I would definitely chime in to say that, you should get into a routine of stretches prior to riding.

It's going to take some time for you body to adjust to the physical demands put on it by a new different position bike.

Then too, one tends to hold on a little more tense when they start riding a new bike, this will loosen(did for me) as you become more comfortable and familiar with your machine.

Being in built shape, I thought that I would make an easy transition from the connie to the fjr, however I had tension in upper back and lower back...and had the same thoughts as you shared......

Stretch and while riding, take shorter trips and stretch when you take a break. Stretching is important for everyone, whether great physical condition or not. Transitioning from another bike, is just producing different pressure points, again, allow your body to adjust and it will go away when you become confident with your machine.....It was about two months for me, and I commute daily.

 

[SouthFlaFJR]

I'm taller 6' 2" and find that I get significant right neck pain but my lower back never hurts.

Just remember strengthening exercises, core muscle and if no improvement get a MRI of you spine....may be other problems.

Most important.... odn't let the pain distract you from the road!! B)

 

[sonicspeed]

i have a nerve damage in my lower back caused from several back surgeries. the only time my back doesn't hurt is when i'm riding my FJR. and yes the master yoda riding position does help a lot

*edit

unless i'm trying to chase down vandy on a curvy back road in colorado.

 

[fz1don]

The pain isn't so bad that I would become distracted, more like an aggravation than anything else. I know I need to do some exercises. Especially since the winter here was a little worse than we are used to. So I did a lot of setting around during the winter.

How do you feel about kidney belts?

 

[Genady]

Just wanted to add few points, as someone with a bit of experience in bodywork:

1. What you call a Master Yoda position is the only proper position for sport riding. I would highly recommend checking out books and videos from Keith Code and many others

2. Supporting belt is a good idea only when you had recent injury. Otherwise you make your muscles to rely on it all the time and essentially make them weaker!

3. Stretching + strengthening is a key. There is no point to stretch muscles that just have no ability to support so much stress...

Abs + lower back exercises to build the strength. Stretch front of the leg + gluteus muscles + along the spine muscles will help a lot!

Cheers!

 

[Patriot]

How do you feel about kidney belts?

<riding> I never leave home without it

(wear it under my riding pants)

https://www.backaline.com/

 

[FiveG]

Are there any pics around showing the "MYRP"? I've read the narrative but a visual would be helpful.

 

[fz1don]

I removed the risers and the lean angle is more like my FZ1 now. If anybody know where I can find some risers for an 05, that rotate the bars out a little, I sure would appreciate it.