[AHam]

So I'm really trying to get my body to a point that I can ride 8 to 10 hours so I can enjoy my summer, the great northwest and Norther Cali, but I'm experiencing discomfort in my back. I'm 5'7" and can ride around town all day with no problems, but as soon as I hit the freeway I start to tighten up between my shoulder blades. I have a 15.5" Rifle replacement screen and I usually ride with a Scorpion modular and I think it's wind buffet on the top of my head causing it.

So my question is since my back won't touch a back rest (and the handlebars at the same time) and I don't have $800 for a seat with one what are some of the options out there?


Motorcycle kidney belt?
Switch to my half helmet (lighter weight)?
Wedges in my windshield to change the pitch?


So any input from the shorter riders out there that run the freeways would he greatly appreciated.

 

[chris]

I'm 6'3 and I get that pain also from time to time when I get lazy . to remedy it you need to clinch the tank with your legs and use your core to hold you into position. Your using the handlebars to hold you upright which is causing the pain in your shoulders. unless you get a backrest the pain will still be there unless you use your legs.

 

[AHam]

You know now that you mention it, I usually ride leaning back into my arms. Before it was because I was 300 lbs and had a huge gut, now I think it's laziness and habbit.

Thanks Stryker! I'll work on using my core and legs... I have really short arms and don't think I'd be able to use most back rests.

 

[chris]

no problem you don't have to hold on tight just a tiny bit of pressure and its only when you get up to higher speeds where the wind it pushing you back. You arms should be relaxed on the handlebars no pressure on them cruisers and sport bikes. A good sign of you holding on to tight is hand fatigue on long rides and soreness that your feeling. I've been riding sport bikes for 17 years and always here people say isn't that uncomfortable, no its actually really comfortable if you use your legs to hold your self. That is why the tanks are designed the shape they are. The aftermarket seats with backrest will move you up a bit because they are thicker but it all depends on your size.

 

[AHam]

I used to ride sport bikes and I was one of those that complained about discomfort in the wrists. So when I got this bike I wanted something that wasn't going to put me back in that position.

As you say I wasn't using good riding posture before or now either LOL. Now I have something specific to work on while working my way up to longer runs.

Thanks

 

[chris]

lol yep I see guys riding other sport bikes all the time with there arms locked so at the next red light I tell them to use there legs and keep there arms loose. 30 minutes later they are thanking me.

 

[strykerjan]

As I am seriously vertically challenged, I found that acelerating pushed me backwards and my constant wriggling forward on my seat made it uncomfortable. I got my local upholsterer to build up the seat to make a nice deep backrest and hold me forward. I now find the bike comfortable and was on it for 7 hours last week.
Have a look at my stock seat mod pics.
my seat mod cost me £170 which is about $250. Well worth it.

 

[galo8]

ì bought the 3 piece mustang vintage touring wide seat with a backrest and even though it was pricey, I think it was money well spent I'm 5'6 and this seat pushes me forward about 2 inches and has a backrest so I'm very comfortable on it.

The 3 piece seat costed me $585 though cli-max, but I'm sure you can get the solo seat with the backrest for less than $500 just look for it I think I saw it for $470 approx. but I don't remember where

 

[sfcmcgan]

I got the 2 piece mustang seat... $489.00... helped my back immensly! Has a better "bucket"... makes you sit better with more rear support.

 

[toby]

Sounds like you need the best back rest you can get, that would be a woman with big big hooters. lol.
Seriously though posture is real important. You must try to keep your back straight like you would riding a horse. I find myself getting too relaxed on long rides and slouching down and forward because I have short arms also. Within 10 to 15 minutes like that I feel pain in my back and have to adjust my posture. I also strap a pack and pad on my seat to lean on.That helps a lot. Also remember to keep your arms and hands relaxed.
10 hrs is a long time to be on a bike for anyone though. Especially in northern Cali. I know because that's where I live and ride all the time and have done a few 8 to 10 hr rides and it beats you up. In fact my wife after a 10 hr ride fell over in a parking lot just because she was too fatigue to hold the bike up.

 

[AHam]

Sounds like you need the best back rest you can get, that would be a woman with big big hooters. lol.
Seriously though posture is real important. You must try to keep your back straight like you would riding a horse. I find myself getting too relaxed on long rides and slouching down and forward because I have short arms also. Within 10 to 15 minutes like that I feel pain in my back and have to adjust my posture. I also strap a pack and pad on my seat to lean on.That helps a lot. Also remember to keep your arms and hands relaxed.
10 hrs is a long time to be on a bike for anyone though. Especially in northern Cali. I know because that's where I live and ride all the time and have done a few 8 to 10 hr rides and it beats you up. In fact my wife after a 10 hr ride fell over in a parking lot just because she was too fatigue to hold the bike up.

Ouch. I don't plan on making a lot of 10 hour days, but I also want to travel. I think I may get one of the bike belts to help with posture till I can afford a seat. Although I'm thinking of getting the Buttcrack Solo, maybe I'll hold off and get a mustang with the back rest.

 

[galo8]

If you plan on riding 10 hrs you should also get an airhawk cushion...

 

[strykme1]

I have the same problem. I bought the mustang seat..it helped some, but still bothers after 4-5 hrs of riding without much movement.

 

[raven_stryker11]

I have the same problem. I bought the mustang seat..it helped some, but still bothers after 4-5 hrs of riding without much movement.

No, Strikeme plz dont say that. LOL. I just ordered my Mustang Seat with Driver Backrest! I hope it helps out. I paid good $ for a more comfortable ride.

 

[toby]

I have the same problem. I bought the mustang seat..it helped some, but still bothers after 4-5 hrs of riding without much movement.

Ya really you guys realistically 6-7 hrs piloting a bike is a good amount of time. I'm talking actual travel not counting the time spent stopping for gas and bites to eat etc. Anything beyond that starts to be a problem. Unless you are on a larger more comfortable touring bike and doing mostly straight supper slab.

 

[AHam]

I have the same problem. I bought the mustang seat..it helped some, but still bothers after 4-5 hrs of riding without much movement.

Ya really you guys realistically 6-7 hrs piloting a bike is a good amount of time. I'm talking actual travel not counting the time spent stopping for gas and bites to eat etc. Anything beyond that starts to be a problem. Unless you are on a larger more comfortable touring bike and doing mostly straight supper slab.

Toby I'm actually talking about 8-10 hour riding "day" including stops. Plus I can only go about 1.5 hours before gassing up. I HATE our tiny tank!

 

[toby]

I have the same problem. I bought the mustang seat..it helped some, but still bothers after 4-5 hrs of riding without much movement.

Ya really you guys realistically 6-7 hrs piloting a bike is a good amount of time. I'm talking actual travel not counting the time spent stopping for gas and bites to eat etc. Anything beyond that starts to be a problem. Unless you are on a larger more comfortable touring bike and doing mostly straight supper slab.

Toby I'm actually talking about 8-10 hour riding "day" including stops. Plus I can only go about 1.5 hours before gassing up. I HATE our tiny tank!

ya I know. It doesn't matter how many miles you travel, if your take 10 hrs to travel 300 miles in the mountains of northern Ca. you will be beat trust me. You also have to take in consideration of the fact that when the sun starts going down it throws your equilibrium of after riding a long time and things get more dangerous.
Yes I feel you on the gas tank thing, my wife is always ribbing me about having a girls tank :-[because her 950 has a 4.4 gal tank and she gets a consistent 50+ mpg. So her low fuel lite doesn't even come on till it hit 200 miles.
Anyway if you stop every hr to an hr and a half and take a 15 to 20 minute break and an hr break at a half way point you could probobly make a 10 to 12 hr ride. If I needed to I could make a 6 or 700 mile ride in 12 hrs but my wife couldn't even if she was just a passenger. But that would take any fun out of riding. I know because I've done it before when I was younger. Made it from Tahoe to San Diego in 12 hrs and that's about 600 miles. I've heard guys talk about doing 800+ miles in a day but that's hard to do even in a comfortable car.

 

[strykenshane]

I totally agree Toby, we leave Atlanta for Vegas Sunday and we're going to have 1 day where we do 600 miles but that's only to make the rest 400 and under mile days

 

[toby]

I totally agree Toby, we leave Atlanta for Vegas Sunday and we're going to have 1 day where we do 600 miles but that's only to make the rest 400 and under mile days

Wow StrykerShane hope you guys have a safe and good ride.
That's gona be a long one, close to 2,000 miles one way. Mostly supper slab. Gonna be boring. We did 2,500+ miles in two weeks last season spending 3 nights in San Diego but the rest of the time it was one night stops at camp sights and spent time hiking and exploring the areas. Like Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes etc. Then we traveled 1,700+ miles in all of 7 days and 6 nights. Again in camp sights except for 1 night at a friend in Oregon and 1 night at a friend in Washington. A lot of mountain and open HWY not much supper slab at all. I think our longest distance in one day was 400 mile and that was from sun up till almost sun down. Averaged 300 miles the rest of the time.

 

[strykerjan]

Wow Shane. Be careful out there. Wish I was coming. My son has just got back from Vegas and loved it. ;D