Kidney Belts

**placidfemme** · 15th July 2005, 09:35

Yay another random poll and question from me

On the ride I went on, on Sunday I ended up with what felt like a stitch for the last 10 minutes of the ride before we got to the fish n chups place... someone commented that it might be my kidneys that were hurting and not just a stitch (which kinda makes sense as I don't see how you can get a stitch by sitting on your butt throwing a bike around... but I could be wrong).

When I first started riding I called up Motomail and asked if they sold kidney belts and if they thought they were a good idea... the guy who answered the phone (Dunno who) said that kidney belts were only for dirt track riding...

Can kidney belts be used while road riding?

Are they worth it? Do they help?

What do they do?

Do you wear one? Why? Why not?

Thanks again

**XTC** · 15th July 2005, 09:40

Yes you can get kidney belts for road use. Got one myself somewhere. We used to import leather ones with little pockets back in the day when I was in the trade....
Not very popular with the road set tho.

**Paul in NZ** · 15th July 2005, 09:41

Pretty sure I have one laying about you can have a loan of if you want to try it.

I dunno how big you are in the torso but Vicki (5'.0") finds it too tall.

Cheers

**Ixion** · 15th July 2005, 09:41

Never worn one, never thought of it. Doubt they are much needed on road riding. I've ridden 500+ km nonstop and never had anything like a stitch or kidney problems (and often 300+). Why would riding upset your kidneys? What are they supposed to do anyway, I assumed they were crash protection.

I'd suggest maybe you just got a bit cramped up from the sports bike riding position, though Auckland to Kaiuaua hardly seems long enough.

**Sparky Bills** · 15th July 2005, 09:43

A Kidney belt belt is to support kidneys, not just dirt bike riders need em.
Get a back protector, and they have Kidney belts built in. Much more safe.
They do have lots of support when your riding, than nothing.
I even sold one to horse rider the other day.

**Lou Girardin** · 15th July 2005, 09:57

Spidi back protectors have integral kidney belts, the Back Warrior is $279.00, other brands probably have them. Many Harley riding jackets do too, which may not appeal to everyone.

**skidz** · 15th July 2005, 10:19

Yeah, I have always thought about getting one whenever I hit one of those dips in the road that jar the whole body leaving you sore as.

**justsomeguy** · 15th July 2005, 10:21

So - why do need these things???

**Ixion** · 15th July 2005, 10:22

Originally Posted by skidz

Yeah, I have always thought about getting one whenever I hit one of those dips in the road that jar the whole body leaving you sore as.

I stand up for those and absorb it through the legs

**Waylander** · 15th July 2005, 10:23

Really only need one for long rides. But if you pace yourself and just do rides in increasing length as you get used to it then you wont need one.

**justsomeguy** · 15th July 2005, 10:43

Ok - but what purpose do they serve??

Are they meant to assist the abdominal muscles hold it all in or something??

**MSTRS:Me** · 15th July 2005, 11:09

I use one esp. when on longer rides. Sportsbike riding position + old bones + hours = sore back. Using the belt supports the back, reduces jarring and reflects body heat back in which stops everything getting stiff (ooops you know what I mean)

**Waylander** · 15th July 2005, 12:05

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Ok - but what purpose do they serve??

Are they meant to assist the abdominal muscles hold it all in or something??

Helps support your back so you don't get worn out as much.

**Motu** · 15th July 2005, 12:22

I wore one off and on road for years,starting back in the 70s,but haven't got a kidney belt on it's own anymore....my road jacket has a built in backprotector but no kidney belt,my off road armour suit has one and I wear the armour jacket onroad in summer,I might get another kidney belt for road use again soon - after so many years of putting one on it feels kinda wrong,like not wearing a helmet....

**Blackbird** · 15th July 2005, 12:56

I've used one for about 4 years and swear by it. I don't use it for local running about but always do for the longer rides as it makes a huge difference when you have firm suspension. The other important thing is it keeps your back and kidneys a lot warmer in the winter.

Oh, and one other thing... it actually gives my 57 year old body a narrow (ish)waist again

It hides quite nicely under a sweater. Pity I have to take it off sometime