GZ Drivers Seat Shape and Pain

[GZ250]

is there any problem in the seat shape to cause pain in the hip muscles? i use it every day two way (25 miles one side) approx 45 minutes each side. suddenly i started feeling pain in the lower side or the hip. is it because of the seat or something else. the Dr told me that some people get this pain because they keep their wallet in the hip pocket and the muscle is pushed because of constant pressure when you sit. i have stopped keeping my wallet and it is better now. its muscular not bone. i realize that the shape is such that seat curve was pushing the wallet inside and it started hurting.

[alanmcorcoran]

How old are you? Do you exercise regularly? (Sit-ups?) Sitting on a bike puts pressure on the lower back and, of course the wallet doesn't help. If you remain in the same position for any length of time, you are likely to get lower back soreness, especially if you are past 35 and not fit around the middle. It's worse if it's cold and you sit stiffly or slouch.

Fifteen years ago, I could not drive a car for more than a few hours without lower back pain. After I ruined my stomach with Advil I reluctantly took up regular exercise. Although I have fallen off the wagon once or twice, I always end up back in the gym because: no workout = pain. In general, strengthening the core muscles (even just a little) helps a lot with lower back, side and hip stuff. Although it sounds like BS, you can keep your core muscles in shape for only about 20 minutes of work, once a week, in a good gym. I truly hate working out, but I strongly recommend it if you want to keep riding and feeling pain free. If you are interested, I can provide some details on a minimal, but effective, maintenance program.

Definitely put the wallet in the front, though. And get rid of all the extra crap in it you don't really need to be carrying around all the time. I put mine on a diet and it's about 3/8" thick now.

[Easy Rider]

is there any problem in the seat shape to cause pain in the hip muscles?

Yes. All "hips" are not created equal, however! :roll:

Do a search here for "seat".

I think the perfect fix might vary a bit depending on how much natural padding you have but most seem to get relief by adding more padding and making the top of the seat flatter.

My natural padding is increasing over time but it all seems to be going to the "love handles" and my butt is still pretty "bony". I was getting a pain similar to what you describe.

I have a seat for sale that was scooped out and re-covered; it was exactly the WRONG thing for me.

[GZ250]

Thanks alan and easy. Alan you are right, its the age factor (39) with no exercise. The Dr told me the same stuff and recommended some floor exercises to move the muscles. The problem he mentioned was " piriformis syndrome" and I forgot to mention him about my bike riding. With the exercise I managed the pain. Cold is also a factor but in winter. Now the wallet is in the front and I really feel relieved.

you are right all hips are not eI will search for seat and see if I can do something about padding otherwise have to increase some exercise.

[GZ250]

Thanks alan and easy. Alan you are right, its the age factor (39) with no exercise. The Dr told me the same stuff and recommended some floor exercises to move the muscles. The problem he mentioned was " piriformis syndrome" and I forgot to mention him about my bike riding. With the exercise I managed the pain. Cold is also a factor but in winter. Now the wallet is in the front and I really feel relieved.

you are right all hips are not equal and on top of that when they are increasing :). will search for seat and see if I can do something about padding otherwise have to increase some exercise.

[theneanderthal]

hiya,

The stock GZ seal might as well be solid steel and I seldom ride more than an hour or so without a break.

I broke my back, (compression fracture 4th and 5th lumbar) when I was a 16yo. Long story. I took up yoga at age 25 due to constant brutal pain. The advise of a family member who was also a physical therapist, sent me down the path to regular yoga exercises. Twice a day, takes maybe 20 minutes per session.

I'm now 54, pain free, flexible as a kitten, and my legs are numb on the outside from the hips down. Surgery has been recommended numerous times but I resist as the numbness doesn't bother me much. I can feel my inseams and I can feel my feet so I walk well.

The new micro surgery techniques are tilting me toward the necessary repairs.

The regular exercise is more important than ever the older I get and what once was a chore is now a welcome start and finish to every day. Get yourself into the habit and your health will improve in many ways including comfort on that vicious GZ seat.

[GZ250]

You are right sir, exercise or physical activity is the answer to most of our illnesses and ailments. if we learn doing this many doctors would go out of business :)

[IRingTwyce]

Definitely excercise can help. Believe it or not, one of the best things you can do for your lower back is to work on your abs.

[alanmcorcoran]

Exercise boy here and my face is a little red.

Last night I got a twinge in the old lower to mid back, sort of the muscles on either side you'd use to twist to hit a golf ball. They are a hurtin' today. I'm not sure what caused it, but my #1 suspect is the 160 mile ride, more than half of which was on the freeway. Might be from all the bouncing around or maybe just from clenching up from the tension of riding under the extreme conditions. Or maybe I pulled something while I was on the garage floor, looking up the innards and wrestling with the oil pan drain plug.

Got a heat pad wrapped around it. Still is wrenched but doesn't seem to be getting worse.

[Moedad]

Hmm...I find it mildly interesting that your 666th post is about pain.

Exercise boy here and my face is a little red.

Last night I got a twinge in the old lower to mid back, sort of the muscles on either side you'd use to twist to hit a golf ball. They are a hurtin' today. I'm not sure what caused it, but my #1 suspect is the 160 mile ride, more than half of which was on the freeway. Might be from all the bouncing around or maybe just from clenching up from the tension of riding under the extreme conditions. Or maybe I pulled something while I was on the garage floor, looking up the innards and wrestling with the oil pan drain plug.

Got a heat pad wrapped around it. Still is wrenched but doesn't seem to be getting worse.