Back Agony - how to deal with it?

[palerider]

Yoda can help.

I thought he was just a fictional character? But you're saying he's real? Learn something new every day!

"Star Wars" was a documentary.

I'm surprised you didn't know.

 

[Harald]

On a more serious note, I've had some of the same back issues on the FJR and other bikes. For me there's always been an adjustment period getting used to the new bike ergonomics. As I get used to it and learn to relax (by getting comfortable with the bike), then I have less back issues.

I've had back problems my whole life and riding the FJR doesn't agravate it. I've even done a 1000 mile day without great pain (there's gonna be some discomfort even if you were sitting in a car). And I don't have ergonomic mods to my bike (no risers, stock seat/pegs), so it is possible to get comfortable on the bike.

Maybe not directly riding related, but the one thing that I've done that has made the most difference in the amount of back trouble I have is moving my wallet. Like most guys, I carried my wallet in the back pocket. This causes one hip to sit higher than the other and leads to spinal misalignment and back pain. Since I started carrying my wallet in a front pocket, occurences of back pain have been greatly reduced! It's free to try and just might help.

 

[Big-D]

Although I did not read every word from the beginning of this thread, I don't believe you mentioned whether you've injured your back in the past or not.

If you are short (blond or not), I would think you would have a more comfortable seating position on the FJR. I'm 6'4" and tend to lean over more than a shorter person. I also injured my back this past January while jerking off to shaved sheep pictures and I feel more pain sitting in a regular chair than on my FJR.

TMI ya big ***..

Don't understand why Bust would comment, we were discussing pain in the back, not who's a "Pain in the Ass". Unless he injured himself giving mustache rides to sheep!

 

[rocketdoc]

As entertaining as this and most other posts have become over time,I would give you a serious answer to this problem, and it simple...get your abdominal muscles into shape,madw a huge difference to my riding the bike and my golf game. Pilates three days a week. Go figure.

 

[dannymax]

I'm 6'5" @ 250 and had several back injuries over the years, no operations tho. With the OEM windshield up the wind hits me in the back and seems to push me down on the bars, with it down some wind hits my chest and I seem to 'float' along on that air cushion quite comfortably.

I have a Laminar Lip but may not even install it.

+1 on the stomach muscle build-up, it makes a huge difference!

 

[rfespinosa]

As entertaining as this and most other posts have become over time,I would give you a serious answer to this problem, and it simple...get your abdominal muscles into shape,madw a huge difference to my riding the bike and my golf game. Pilates three days a week. Go figure.

Same for me. Pilates five days a week. My FJR bars are all the way to the front and my ZX 14 is easy to ride for 300+ miles. Pilates works.

 

[Graham Downunder]

Back pain can be many causes and so many different things to solve it . That said if its from long days in the saddle here are a few tips

Do not grip to hard that can cause the muscle to remain tight for long periods

Personaly I have thses cheap copies of old English bike grips thay are standard size at each end ,thicker in the middle so your hand fitts them better think of a coke bottle and how well that fitts your hand

Yoda riding postion helps

Good quality Kidney belt helps a LOT

Attitude re ajustment needed .This is not a race ,Unless you are on the track , do not overhold the bike remember to relax . Do not forget to move about and be flexable on any bike ,this includes moving your eyes about , moving your head, neck ,feet, arms,knees, toes etc , lift your but of the seat for about 20-60 second every 1/2 hour etc .Blood flow in BOTH direction is important and sitting in the one postion for too long restricts it .

A few Massages before a trip helps ,stretching excersise help ,neck strenthing excersises help especialy with helmet on , painkillers at lunchtime help sometimes I take them before I ride .Try getting someone to rub some Tiger Balm around your back at the end of the day .

Fluid helps ,by that I mean plain old water before you start and during a ride at breaks

ALL important RELAX on a trip and enjoy yourself ,stop when you want to and take photo's

Bar riser if you need them but try some easy fixes first