Lower Back Pain

[GeezerGlide]

I am still having issues with my 09 Ultra Classic. I am waiting for the first service next week to make some adjustments but I am undecided. I am 5'11" and my lower back starts to seize up after 1/2 hour. I know I am stretching for the handle bars a bit. The dealer wants me to try a reach seat but I am worried that I will be too close to the floor boards and controls. Believe it or not my back is worse when I wear my harley boots (with a 2" heel) so I have been riding in running shoes. I am going to get them to tip the handle bars back a bit. I have read about Mustang, Corbin and Sundowner seats. I am considering a back rest too!! Living in Canada may limit what I can buy. Oh yeah...the weather is still cold up here so that could be part of the problem. I just want to be comfortable for long rides.

 

[Subby]

My advice would be to try a backrest before you change the seat or anything else. I'm 5'8" and was reaching for the bars too until I installed a backrest. End of problem! We all have a tendency to slouch when we've been riding for 15 or 20 minutes but the backrest keeps you sitting comfortably upright. Try it...you may find it's the solution.

 

[Bud White]

ya wanna bring the handle bars back to you if your leabing forward to grab them .. moving yourself forward more is probley not going to be comfortable .. im 6 "0 and had to lean for the bars on my RKC and had the same problem a hour ride was terrible changed the bars could probley still go longer and am much more comfortable

 

[walleye]

Geezer,
Let me know what happens. I also have an issue, but it is between my shoulder blades and only after a few hours. I thought about the reach seat as well as a lowering with shocks. I am just about convinced it is the bars. I think bars will do the trick without compromising the ride. I am afraid the shocks will effect the ride and the reach seat is questionable for me. I sat on a bike in the showroom with one and it definetely lowers you, but I thought it was less comfy and crowded me. I am leaning toward bars that will give me a couple inches. I just want to get it right the first time. :-(

 

[GeezerGlide]

I think the back rests are transferable to a new seat later on so that is probably a good place to start. I am in my 50's with a little arthritis in my right hip so it might be fun getting on the bike with the back rest. I just love getting old.

 

[walleye]

Smitty:
Are you callin me old????? LOL! How true....... heck, if I jumped off a 5 foot ledge I can feel it. I remember when I jumped off our roof from nearly 15 feet and grabbed another bundle of shingles and up the ladder I went. The other day at the park with the Grandkids I tried the overhead rungs and could barley make it to the other side. It is depressing....... oh well......

I think the back rest are transferable to a new seat later on so that is probably a good place to start. I am in my 50's with a little arthritis in my right hip so it might be fun getting on the bike with the back rest. I just love getting old.

Geezer,
I did get the backrest. it made a BIG differnece. I would recommend it.:s

 

[STEVE07]

Smitty:
Are you callin me old????? LOL! How true....... heck, if I jumped off a 5 foot ledge I can feel it. I remember when I jumped off our roof from nearly 15 feet and grabbed another bundle of shingles and up the ladder I went. The other day at the park with the Grandkids I tried the overhead rungs and could barley make it to the other side. It is depressing....... oh well......

I can sympathize with that,went up the lake yesterday and rode my mountain bike a bit,then again today,now I can hardly walk

 

[GeezerGlide]

Yeah Smitty I play hockey all winter but I have been kind of relaxing a bit on the exercise since it ended in April. I have been starting to stretch and work out a bit but it is hard to get motived until hockey season starts again. But you are right ...i will have to use the Harley as my motivation...thanks coach!!!

 

[UglyJohn]

I'd have to give a vote for the backrest. I've had lower back surgery and broken tail bone. The ONLY way I can ride for any distance is to have a backrest and engine guard pegs which take some of the pressure off the lower back and especially the tailbone. Without these two items, I'm good for about an hour. . . . for the day. I now ride with some discomfort on day rides, but I can ride.
Ugly John

 

[The4opps1]

This is one of those problems that if you ask a dozen people, you'll get a dozen answers, all of which have merit. I don't have a backrest on my '99 Ultra, but I do have a Mustang seat, and it is well worth the money. Hope you find the solution. Oh, as another option, I have found that regular visits to my chiropractor really does wonders for my back.