New R1150R rider with severe lower back pain

[tekxtc]

I recently (~400 miles, 3 weeks ago) got the bike :-)

I commute about 25 miles/35 minutes one way and have sever lower back pains that go away after a good night's sleep. However, they are excruciating enough that I need a solution. I had a Suzuki cruiser with no back issues before this.

I am 5 feet, 9.5 inches, 150 pounds and use the low stock seat.

Here is what I wanted to know:

1) If you had similar problems (excruciating lower back pain in 30 minutes of riding) what did you do to fix it?
2) Sargent or Corbin?

Simple because Sargent gives a money back guarantee for 30 days, I might try a solo seat and move to the heated dual seat if it works out. I have read mostly good things about it.

Thoughts?

[gregor]

If you suffer from ‘severe’ back pain, some medical attention may be needed for an underlying problem. An alternative seat may not be the answer until this is sorted.

Meanwhile check out the ergonomics of all the controls and can you reach everything without a stretch? If not, follow the advice of the other forum users to adjust things. Everything on my pretty standard R1150R ‘falls readily to hand’, as the old road testers used to say.

How is your technique for putting the bike onto the main stand?- follow the manual and it is pretty easy.

If the problem is simply the old pain in the butt/bottom syndrome, try a bit of sheepskin to give a bit of localised padding as a cheaper option.

[tekxtc]

If you suffer from ‘severe’ back pain, some medical attention may be needed for an underlying problem. An alternative seat may not be the answer until this is sorted.

I do not think that I suffer from back pain. I get this pain after (not during) riding the bike.

Meanwhile check out the ergonomics of all the controls and can you reach everything without a stretch? If not, follow the advice of the other forum users to adjust things. Everything on my pretty standard R1150R ‘falls readily to hand’, as the old road testers used to say.

The riding position is a little less upright compared to the Suzuki cruiser that I had. Everything (clutch, brakes, handles) seem to be reachable. I will try to attach a pic at some time.

How is your technique for putting the bike onto the main stand?- follow the manual and it is pretty easy.

I do not have any problems putting the bike on or off the stand. I also use the side stand a lot.

If the problem is simply the old pain in the butt/bottom syndrome, try a bit of sheepskin to give a bit of localised padding as a cheaper option.

I used to have the sore butt issue with the older bike well after a 2-3 hour ride. That time went up to 4-5 hours with the Suzuki stock gel seat.

[Green Hornet]

I too came from a cruiser to a 04 Rockster.

It took multiple weeks (getting old) for my body to readapt to the seating postion.

I put on riser/barbacks. Raised the seat 1" and just dealt with it until my body readjusted.

Now its not too bad but since I still ride the cruise as well it never seems to fully go away. I use a sheep as well much help.

Forgot to add I am 5"11" 32" inseam.

Some of these aftermarket seats like Sargents or Corbin can take some time on their own to break in as well

Micky

[markg]

The following is usually met with skepticism, disbelief, and non belief, but.....If you ride in a position of slightly leaning forward, enough to keep the lower back slightly concave, vs convex (in a slouch), your lower back will be infinitely better off. I have torn muscles in my lower back three times, have had one fully ruptured disc which was surgically corrected, and do know what I am talking about.

A fully upright position slouching position puts almost all of you upper body weight on a small focal point in your lower back. Correct back position spreads the load out. I have slightly lower and narrower bars on my 1150r, and can rides hours at a time, and my back always feels better at the end of a ride than when I start.

I can ride my 1992 Ducati 900ss with corbin seat 125 miles at a sitting, and 400 miles in a 6:00 AM to 2:00 pm ride and feel tired but my back is always in fine shape. Now if I didn't still surf all the time, I wouldn't have any soreness.

I am constantly amazed to see all the stories of riders with bar backs that complain of back pain that cannot bring themselves to believe this.

[markg]

The following is usually met with skepticism, disbelief, and non belief, but.....If you ride in a position of slightly leaning forward, enough to keep the lower back slightly concave, vs convex (in a slouch), your lower back will be infinitely better off. I have torn muscles in my lower back three times, have had one fully ruptured disc which was surgically corrected, and do know what I am talking about.

A fully upright position slouching position puts almost all of you upper body weight on a small focal point in your lower back. Correct back position spreads the load out. I have slightly lower and narrower bars on my 1150r, and can rides hours at a time, and my back always feels better at the end of a ride than when I start.

I can ride my 1992 Ducati 900ss with corbin seat 125 miles at a sitting, and 400 miles in a 6:00 AM to 2:00 pm ride and feel tired but my back is always in fine shape. Now if I didn't still surf all the time, I wouldn't have any soreness.

I am constantly amazed to see all the stories of riders with bar backs that complain of back pain that cannot bring themselves to believe this.

[markg]

The following is usually met with skepticism, disbelief, and non belief, but.....If you ride in a position of slightly leaning forward, enough to keep the lower back slightly concave, vs convex (in a slouch), your lower back will be infinitely better off. I have torn muscles in my lower back three times, have had one fully ruptured disc which was surgically corrected, and do know what I am talking about.

A fully upright position slouching position puts almost all of you upper body weight on a small focal point in your lower back. Correct back position spreads the load out. I have slightly lower and narrower bars on my 1150r, and can rides hours at a time, and my back always feels better at the end of a ride than when I start.

I can ride my 1992 Ducati 900ss with corbin seat 125 miles at a sitting, and 400 miles in a 6:00 AM to 2:00 pm ride and feel tired but my back is always in fine shape. Now if I didn't still surf all the time, I wouldn't have any soreness.

I am constantly amazed to see all the stories of riders with bar backs that complain of back pain that cannot bring themselves to believe this.

[markg]

The following is usually met with skepticism, disbelief, and non belief, but.....If you ride in a position of slightly leaning forward, enough to keep the lower back slightly concave, vs convex (in a slouch), your lower back will be infinitely better off. I have torn muscles in my lower back three times, have had one fully ruptured disc which was surgically corrected, and do know what I am talking about.

A fully upright position slouching position puts almost all of you upper body weight on a small focal point in your lower back. Correct back position spreads the load out. I have slightly lower and narrower bars on my 1150r, and can rides hours at a time, and my back always feels better at the end of a ride than when I start.

I can ride my 1992 Ducati 900ss with corbin seat 125 miles at a sitting, and 400 miles in a 6:00 AM to 2:00 pm ride and feel tired but my back is always in fine shape. Now if I didn't still surf all the time, I wouldn't have any soreness.

I am constantly amazed to see all the stories of riders with bar backs that complain of back pain that cannot bring themselves to believe this.

[NoRRmad]

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[rdsmith3]

I want to reiterate what Markg said -- proper seating position makes a huge difference.

You also might want to do some stretches for your back. I find that helps me, but I have to do it daily.

[Max Continuous]

I have felt your pain. I found that riding a cruiser with forward controls put my posture into a slouching position and over the years, this did a number on my back, just as has been mentioned above.

I found the R1150R to have one of the most comfortable riding positions actually. Stretching and lower abdominal strengthening did wonders. I also carry a supply of anti-inflammatory medication if I am on a really long ride, just in case I start to stiffen up. It might work for you too.

[dnat928]

A widely stated cause of lower back pain is the hamstring muscles are too tight - stretch them regularly and the pain may well subside. For me, every time I start to feel the pain coming on, I realize that I have been neglecting the stretching - commence the hamsring stretching, and improvement follows. It may not be the cycle seat at all.

[gregor]

I agree with the above.The natural riding position for me is indeed a slight lean forward and a concave back. My arms are pretty long I admit. I used to wear an elasticated motocross belt on my K75 but not needed it on the R1150R.

[rdsmith3]

Yes, hamstring stretches are the key to a happy back. I do them every day, or else I suffer.

You might want to research Pete Egoscue (sp?) who has written some books on stretching and living pain free.

[Buckster]

I cant imagine you being comfortable on a cruiser and not on the R. Maybe your body just got used to that body position.
I had a cruiser and absolutely ached from my knees to my thighs to my back. I will never get another cruiser again.
I just took my barbacks off my bike so I am just slightly leaned forward instead of almost vertical. So far I like this better.

[tekxtc]

While it was raining and all during the early part of the week, I did a lot of things to stretch the lower back - hamstring, pelvic tilts, and marches while sitting on a ball and what not. I rode the bike to work yesterday and today without much of pain. I guess this will be part of everyday routine.

[tourer]

I ride a 1998 Honda ACE Tourer VT 1100 cruiser and a 2004 Rockster edition 80.
I to suffer from low back pain, have 2 herniated and 1 ruptured disc in my low back, was out of work for 6 months in 2006, flat on my back in bed for 6 weeks before I could walk, now, here's the kicker.
I am MUCH more comfortable on the Rockster than the Cruiser.
The slight lean foward, unloads weight off my disc's in the injured area.
I still ride the cruiser as my wife like the barcolounger back seat it has but, I have to stop and strech every 30 -35 miles.
I can go 75-100 miles without stoping on the Rockster. Go figure.

[MMH]

Yes, hamstring stretches are the key to a happy back. I do them every day, or else I suffer.

You might want to research Pete Egoscue (sp?) who has written some books on stretching and living pain free.

ABSOLUTELY! I have a herniated L4 & L5. Have good days & bad. The key is to keep the core strength up, stretch (i.e. flexion not extension), and good posture (no slouching, suck the gut in, slick curve in lower back, shoulders back - chest out, etc.).