Back Agony - how to deal with it?

[Island_FJR]

Hi everyone - I purchased a new 2010 FJR last summer. I went on an extended road trip and put on about 4100kms in five days. It was an amazing trip but excruciating upper middle back pain almost ruined the experience for me. I experienced terrible back pain in the upper middle back area between the shoulder blades. I have another, even longer trip planned in May and the thought of living with that kind of back pain is having me reconsider the trip.

Some wisdom from the FJR guru's on the forum would be really appreciated!

I have considered buying a Corbin seat with the driver's backrest (I only ride single) and installing handlebar risers to change the seating position a little. Is there a recommended riser manufacturer?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[wfooshee]

Riding position is probably wrong. Google "Master Yoda riding position" for some tips.

Basically, you must not put any weight on your hands and arms by leaning on the bars. You have to support your upper body with your legs and lower back.

As you ride, pull your hands off the grips just a little bit. If you had to shift your weight to do that, then you're leaning on the bars. The hands just touch the bars, hold the throttle, work the clutch and brake. They do not hold you up. if you're doing it right.

 

[Island_FJR]

Riding position is probably wrong. Google "Master Yoda riding position" for some tips.

Basically, you must not put any weight on your hands and arms by leaning on the bars. You have to support your upper body with your legs and lower back.

As you ride, pull your hands off the grips just a little bit. If you had to shift your weight to do that, then you're leaning on the bars. The hands just touch the bars, hold the throttle, work the clutch and brake. They do not hold you up. if you're doing it right.

Yes, I have tried this and variations. Nothing worked.

 

[Silver Penguin]

Bar risers helped me tremendously with a similar problem, when I first got my FJR.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Sell the fecking thing and buy a Lincoln..

Fuk, I tire of those who seek to blame this platform for something that may be physically wrong. What the hell happened to plain old common sense????????? The motorcycle is some new infucking vention?

 

[zenwhipper]

Don't overlook any systemic weaknesses or imbalances you may have in your back muscles. A good strength and flexibility program can do wonders. Focus on the whole upper body too - not just the back.

Cheers

 

[madmike2]

Sell the fecking thing and buy a Lincoln..

Fuk, I tire of those who seek to blame this platform for something that may be physically wrong. What the hell happened to plain old common sense????????? The motorcycle is some new infucking vention?

Let's not forget the delightful experience of receiving medical advice from our resident "goat lover".....

sheesh, Barry, semi-retirement getting to you, combined with cabin fever.

There are those who suffer different physical maladies and ask for solutions others have found.

Personally, I suffered similar pains and tried a Bac-a-line brace. Changing my seating position (Russell seat) and using Master Yoda eliminated the symptoms.

 

[FJR-Pilot]

Hi everyone - I purchased a new 2010 FJR last summer. I went on an extended road trip and put on about 4100kms in five days. It was an amazing trip but excruciating upper middle back pain almost ruined the experience for me....

I had the same problem when I purchased mine in 2007. Came on here and asked the same thing you did and got about the same responses (helpful).

Bottom line is this: riding the bike gets you acclimated to it and the pain goes away as your body learns to fit it. The yoda position helps a little but I find it an awkward looking position and don't like riding like that.

 

[Island_FJR]

Sell the fecking thing and buy a Lincoln..

Fuk, I tire of those who seek to blame this platform for something that may be physically wrong. What the hell happened to plain old common sense????????? The motorcycle is some new infucking vention?

I am not blaming the platform. It's an awesome bike. I've been riding for about 25 years on everything from a Honda to a Kawasaki to a Triumph and now the FJR. First time I've every had a back problem like this.

 

[Island_FJR]

Don't overlook any systemic weaknesses or imbalances you may have in your back muscles. A good strength and flexibility program can do wonders. Focus on the whole upper body too - not just the back.

Cheers

Yup, been doing this regularly now too with a well designed core strengthening program. It's too cold for me yet to get out on the bike but I'm hoping that will help. My big trip is planned for May and I wanted to get a head start in finding solutions.

 

[Island_FJR]

Bar risers helped me tremendously with a similar problem, when I first got my FJR.

It seems like the helibars get a good review here. Their web site is a little unclear on whether it will work for a Canadian version so I have emailed them to clarify. This looks like a good start though.

Hi everyone - I purchased a new 2010 FJR last summer. I went on an extended road trip and put on about 4100kms in five days. It was an amazing trip but excruciating upper middle back pain almost ruined the experience for me. I experienced terrible back pain in the upper middle back area between the shoulder blades. I have another, even longer trip planned in May and the thought of living with that kind of back pain is having me reconsider the trip.

Some wisdom from the FJR guru's on the forum would be really appreciated!

I have considered buying a Corbin seat with the driver's backrest (I only ride single) and installing handlebar risers to change the seating position a little. Is there a recommended riser manufacturer?

Any other ideas?

Thanks!

Should the stock handle bars be in or out for more comfort?

 

[Silver Penguin]

Should the stock handle bars be in or out for more comfort?

That depends on your build. If you're smaller than average you'll benefit from having the bars closer to you and vice versa. It was a no-brainer for me since I'm unusually short with very short arms. I sit right up to the tank to even reach the stock bars. Heli-bar risers moved my bars up and back, which really helped.

 

[rfespinosa]

Do you have a throttle lock? Or a wrist rest? I agree with wfooshee. In your message #3 above, have you gotten to the point of not putting pressure on the hands? Can you rest your wrists on the grips without "gripping" the grips?

 

[rfespinosa]

Island man

go here

https://cycle-ergo.com/

and plug in the FJR and some of your old bikes and see if the riding position is different. It might give you a clue. Note that you can look and many motorcycles at a time and quickly shift from one to another.

 

[RaYzerman19]

If you sit on a Goldwing (I had one) or other bike set up for touring, chances are you'll notice the bars seem to be rotated in and rather low. However, they are also set up for you sitting up straighter, tending to arch your back (bad thing), but the handlebars in closer can take strain off the shoulder blades. In the case of an FJR, you need risers to get the bars up so you sit straighter. Try removing the inboard anti-rotation pin on the bar mounts, move to the rearmost position, and rotate the bars back. I found it will go about an inch, but half of that was better for me. I have read some here have done the opposite and went forward, but that might work if you have really long arms (call me skeptical).

Also, when riding, don't let your back sag, but try to sit straighter with back straighter but you are leaned a bit forward, loosen your grip on the grips, and if you haven't unwound the throttle spring, it might be a good idea. Strengthening your core muscles (abs) of course will help. I don't think you need a backrest on an FJR, if you're sitting properly.

 

[yamafitter]

A good set of exercises to strengthen your core will help along with a good stretching rountine for the back and shoulders. I also go to a massage therapist about three to four times a year to help release the tension from my back and shoulders. It seems to help. I know I am going to regret mentioning a massage.

 

[Island_FJR]

Island man

go here

https://cycle-ergo.com/

and plug in the FJR and some of your old bikes and see if the riding position is different. It might give you a clue. Note that you can look and many motorcycles at a time and quickly shift from one to another.

WOW. This linked site was very useful. Thank you! It provides a perfect visual of how I am sitting on each of the bikes. I can see exactly why I am getting that nasty pain between the shoulder blades. The FJR has me leaning more forward then my two most recent bikes, plus I think I am slouching as well. So, if I am thinking this through properly, the riser would help me sit upright (straighter) and the handle bars moved in toward the seat (as compared to forward toward the front) would help?

 

[Island_FJR]

A good set of exercises to strengthen your core will help along with a good stretching rountine for the back and shoulders. I also go to a massage therapist about three to four times a year to help release the tension from my back and shoulders. It seems to help. I know I am going to regret mentioning a massage.

Yes, I imagine you will! :lol: Take a REAL man to admit it though. And yes, massage helps a bit.

 

[Island_FJR]

Do you have a throttle lock? Or a wrist rest? I agree with wfooshee. In your message #3 above, have you gotten to the point of not putting pressure on the hands? Can you rest your wrists on the grips without "gripping" the grips?

No, I don't have a throttle lock yet. That's next on my list. I only have about 5,000kms on the bike and it's not all "farkled" up yet. I have to grip the throttle side fairly hard due to the stiffness of the throttle. Might help to reduce that a bit. I usually try to ride fairly relaxed otherwise.