OW! My aching back!

[dentheman]

I have awaken in the morning with severe lower right back pain numerous times in the last few weeks. This morning it was so bad I didn't think I would be able to get out of bed. In each case, after getting up and moving around for less than an hour the pain is almost completely gone, and later it disappears completely. At first I thought kidney stones or maybe I needed a new mattress. But it soon became apparent that I didn't have such pain until I got my Shadow. If I didn't ride for a few days because of weather the pain was less each morning until it was gone.

The rear suspension was set at 2 when I got the bike, and it did bottom out a couple times, so I stopped by the dealer and had them set it to 3, which the manual recommends for my weight. It no longer bottoms out and the ride actually feels better with the stiffer suspension. The saddle is plush and feels comfortable to me, but pretty much restricts me to one riding position, and then there are those forward footpegs. I don't know if any or all of those factors are causing the discomfort, but I do know that I will be trading the bike in at the end of summer if I can't relieve this problem. I will try a Shadow RS (more upright saddle position and footpegs further back, more like a standard than a cruiser) or a Ninja 250 (leaning forward position, with footpegs way back...I'm not in to sportsbikes, but if it works I will be happy). But I am getting ahead of myself talking about other bikes at this point.

My question to you: Do any of you use a kidney belt or back brace when riding? Do either of these devices work well for you when it comes to back pain? Any other suggestions would be welcome as well.

ADDED ; The thought that my body just needs to get accustomed to riding has also crossed my mind.

[Water Warrior 2]

The cruiser type of bike is pretty much the worst kind of bike for your posture and back related ailments. That said, many riders swear by them. A standard sit up and beg position is easiest on your body in general. Foot pegs that are more or less under you will allow you to lift your body a bit to help absorb road bumps when this get really rough. An ocassional lift will also relieve muscle soreness and promote blood circulation.
I would suggest keeping the bike if everything else is okay with you. Hunt for a more supportive seat and maybe change the handle bars. Just for the fun and experience of experimentation why not trying some padding on the seat to raise you up slightly and maybe give a little more back support. Also try rising and lowering the bars an inch to change your body position slightly. Re-adjust your controls and mirrors to compensate. Bikes are a little adjustable so give it a shot.
Bungee a bag on the passenger seat to lean into to help support your back as an experiment. Think of your bike as a work in progress.
If all else fails just buy a used Vstrom with a custom seat.

[dentheman]

Thanks WW, I will keep your suggestions in mind. Since my post I have been researching lower back pain and found that it can be caused by many things, from short hamstrings to lack of exercise to stress (the muscles tense in preparation of 'fight or flight'), and much more. I am going to take a step back from blaming the motorcycle for now, to see if I can improve my own physical/mental state. I know I don't get enough exercise and have found some back exercises that I started this evening, to be done three times a week. And what about the mental stress of learning to ride a fairly large, powerful, and heavy 'first' motorcycle! I am sure I have been riding around with clenched muscles and not realizing it. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, so I will go for a ride with the purpose of 'relaxed riding'.

I might also lower the bars a little as you suggested, it does seem that I am sitting down in the low saddle and reaching up for the grips.

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds like your research will be even better than my suggestions. Physical conditioning is a must and another thing I should be doing myself. Also the new bigger bike could be doing it big time. Lynda had a few aches and pains adjusting to the M-50 when she 1st got it. Changing the bars for her shorter arms helped a lot too.
So get out there and relax on a scenic curvy road that makes you smile a bunch. I know from experience a straight road will give me a tense back but curves and a little body english works beautifully.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

So get out there and relax on a scenic curvy road that makes you smile a bunch.

So why do you Canadians/Americans with your wide open spaces make me so jealous?

[dentheman]

Scenic curvy roads are a rarity in W. Texas, but there is a nice state park nearby that should do fine.

[alantf]

The only long roads that we've got is the autopista (freeway?) round the edge of the island. The other roads are either up or down the mountain.

[dentheman]

Originally Posted by alantf

The only long roads that we've got is the autopista (freeway?) round the edge of the island. The other roads are either up or down the mountain.

I sort of wish I was back on the East coast of Florida. I was stationed there for 4 years and took long bicycle rides back then. Long, secluded, twisty back roads, with tropical 'forests' towering up both sides of the road, and wildlife including alligators along the sides. The road that I rode on mostly was fittingly called Tropical Trail. It was as if I had gone back in time to a neolithic or paleolithic period; civilization was left behind and it felt great. But no hills.

Those Florida roads were spotless, not all trashy like here in Texas.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by alantf

So why do you Canadians/Americans with your wide open spaces make me so jealous?

LOL. Alantf, if you ever rode your bike through the Canadian Rockies or along my fav piece of road here you would seriously consider moving to the GWN. Slipping over the border into Washington state is also a treat with some beautiful sites and places to visit.
Not all of our areas are wide open spaces. We just have a wide choice of routes from freeways to sweet secondary roads and comfy towns to visit on our journeys.
On the other hand I would also like to visit your island in the sun and share a beer with you. We all have a home location that some one else wants to visit.

[dentheman]

This thread has gone off on a tangent, but I am enjoying it. I have been stationed several places around the world and have always been fascinated by the different cultures and geography.