Riding with a bad back.

[Irontusk]

Ok, first thing, I didn't know where this should go, so 'general' sounded good, and I couldnt find anything more than a vague reference using the search.. so here goes.

I have scoliosis, which is fairly common but mine was bad enough to need part of my spine fused + titanium rods and bolts fitted to it. I'm not interested in this stopping me from riding, simple as that.
Problem is, my back gave me some issues when I did my basic handling test (by the end turning right was difficult). There was a fair bit of waiting around during the test so I ended up being on the bike for just under 3 hours, it was a Keeway Sport 150 (what a horrible bike). I'm getting a Suzuki VL250 so I'm really hoping it's more comfortable for me, it feels like it will be but I don't really have anyway of knowing..

I don't want my post to be too long, so I was just wondering if anyone else has any similar problems that they deal with, or just anything that people do to get around getting a sore back.

[James Deuce]

Don't go for a cruiser mate, it puts all your weight on the base of your spine.

I'd go for a Yamaha Scorpio, something with a relatively upright position but enough of a forward cant that you don't ride around with your weight compressing your spine. A Ninja 250 is good too in that it looks like a sportsbike but its riding position is spacious and doesn't fold you into a crouch.

[boomer]

yeah good luck.. back pains a bitch huh!!! nothing worse i dont reckon; constant all consuming.....

good luck and happy shopping finding the answer...!


PM dmntd.. he moans a lot (about his back)

[Irontusk]

Don't go for a cruiser mate, it puts all your weight on the base of your spine.

I'd go for a Yamaha Scorpio, something with a relatively upright position but enough of a forward cant that you don't ride around with your weight compressing your spine. A Ninja 250 is good too in that it looks like a sportsbike but its riding position is spacious and doesn't fold you into a crouch.

Leaning forward is the worst thing for it, I stand all day at work (and lift things that are supposed to be a 2 person lift) without any real noticable pain, but if I have to lean over to work on something when I stand back up straight it hits me.
Oh I'm also a little over 6' and all the sports sort of 250s I sat on were too cramped up in the legs.

Do any of the back armours also give a bit of back support?

[HenryDorsetCase]

you might try a back protector. Mine has a big wide elastic belt round the middle which is good cos it holds my sagging guts in meaning I can still wear my leathers.


A back protector is a GOOD THING anyway, and if it helps with your back pain, bonus.

[James Deuce]

Leaning forward is the worst thing for it, I stand all day at work (and lift things that are supposed to be a 2 person lift) without any real noticable pain, but if I have to lean over to work on something when I stand back up straight it hits me.
Oh I'm also a little over 6' and all the sports sort of 250s I sat on were too cramped up in the legs.

Do any of the back armours also give a bit of back support?

You're not leaning your back, you're leaning from your hips. Correct posture shouldn't have you curling your spine at all.

I've broken my back and my neck so I know what works for me and cruisers are tolerable for an hour or so. After that it's ambulance material. You need to ride it before you buy. I know what you are saying about sports 250s but the new Ninja 250 isn't anything like the early 90s 250s or the Hyosung GT250R. I've a large 6ft Samoan mate who doesn't look stupid or cramped on one.

The other bikes to consider are a Hyosung Comet 250, and Balius, Zeal, and Hornet 250s. Naked 4 cylinder 250s with a lot more room between pegs, seat, and bars than their sporting counterparts.

There have been a couple of people on KB who have bought cruisers due to having a back injury and have sold them in short order. Short travel suspension and sitting on your coccyx don't make for a healthy back at the best of times. Anything that has you vertical or leaning slightly back is torture at highway speeds, for me and the people I've sort of mentioned but not named.

I wear a back protector to prevent further damage but it doesn't provide support as such. Have a look at the Motocross pressure suits if you want additional support.

[Irontusk]

Mine has a big wide elastic belt round the middle which is good cos it holds my sagging guts in meaning I can still wear my leathers.

Heh I won't have that problem, not for a few years anyway :P I'm pretty featherweight for my height. And Yeah I was thinking of getting a back protector, cause if I fall off I think it'll need all the protection it can get.. My jacket only has CE approved armour in the elbows/shoulders, just weak stuff in the back of it.

[Irontusk]

You're not leaning your back, you're leaning from your hips. Correct posture shouldn't have you curling your spine at all.

You need to ride it before you buy.

Have a look at the Motocross pressure suits if you want additional support.

My hips were the first thing to hurt during my first ride/basic riding test :P But that went away long before I finished, must've been sitting funny. The horrible Keeway was a pretty upright/slightly forward seating position, but with the rear brake/gear shifter in horrible positions

Unfortunately I barely know how to ride and don't have my licence yet, I wouldn't be allowed to test ride and I wouldn't feel right asking.. a bit of a risk.

And I might have to look for one of them, are they something that fits under your normal riding gear?

[oldrider]

My back has been shagged for years and I find my current Triumph Tiger the most comfortable bike I have ridden. (so does the Mrs)

Looks like you are still going to be restricted for a while but I would try upright seated bikes too but hey you should try them all and get one that suits "you".

Just like buying shoes really.

If you are new to KB, welcome and good luck with biking. Cheers John.

[Irontusk]

Looks like you are still going to be restricted for a while but I would try upright seated bikes too but hey you should try them all and get one that suits "you".


If you are new to KB, welcome and good luck with biking. Cheers John.

Yeah it looks like I'll just have to make do and get as much use as is comfortable out of it for a while, already committed to it.. then when I can I could think about looking around at different styles.

And thanks for the welcome

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/content...l&entryPK=1247 What do you guys think of this?? Heaps of protection that my jacket doesn't have, and I think it's the kidney belt that will help my back more than anything. The black/red looks good I reckon. Be a hell of a lot of gear to put on every morning!

Thanks for all the opinions so far, it's good to know other people ride with bad backs too, puts me at ease (nearly, ha).

[TimeOut]

My back has been shagged for years and I find my current Triumph Tiger the most comfortable bike I have ridden. (so does the Mrs)

Looks like you are still going to be restricted for a while but I would try upright seated bikes too but hey you should try them all and get one that suits "you".

Just like buying shoes really.

If you are new to KB, welcome and good luck with biking. Cheers John.

Same here John that's why I went for the V-Strom. I rode my sons sports bike for 30min it took me just about as long to get off and straighten out lol.

Now when we (son and younger brother) go riding they have to stop for a stretch before me.

You may be able to get dispensation for a bigger bike because of your back.

[FROSTY:Me]

I'd suggest a scorpio too--or possibly the CBF250 9F not r)
Id also suggest wearing a Kidney belt whilst riding

[rainman]

I had a disc snipped a year or two ago and find that if I drive for a long time (in a cage, like) or if I ride a sporty, then I have major back pain. My cruiser is just right for me - I've done some 450+km days on it with no major pain (other than my arse).

I'm sure there are some sportsbikes that might be fine for me but I haven't ridden them, and besides, I like cruisers

Don't be embarrassed about the test ride issue - you have your BH done, so go sit the scratchy and get your L, and you can go ask at your local bike shops for as many test rides as you need. It's part of the sale process...

And on the VL, I rode one while my bike was in the shop, not the loveliest piece of machinery I've ever been on. My GN had more guts. But YMMV.

[sels1]

My back has been shagged for years and I find my current Triumph Tiger the most comfortable bike I have ridden. (so does the Mrs)

I'll second that. (of course)
You can stant up and have a stretch while you are riding along!

The other option is to look at a 250 street legal trail bike - Suzuki DR250, Kawa KR 250 etc.

[Stromble]

Id say with your condition and height, youd probably be able to get an exemption from the LTSA (Form DL-4 from AA shop)

They may then let you take out some bigger bkes for a weekend and you can choose one to be named on a letter to accompany your licence while you learn.

Im 6'5 and learnt on a Suzuki DL650 V-strom. This is a very comfortable bike, the seat is awesome and the ride position is great. Have a sit on one at the suzuki shop.

I too suffer from back pain now and again, and the upright dual sport type bikes definately seemed to be the best bet.

Search on "exemption" and youll see plentyof folk have been down this route and how they went about it.

Ok, first thing, I didn't know where this should go, so 'general' sounded good, and I couldnt find anything more than a vague reference using the search.. so here goes.

I have scoliosis, which is fairly common but mine was bad enough to need part of my spine fused + titanium rods and bolts fitted to it. I'm not interested in this stopping me from riding, simple as that.
Problem is, my back gave me some issues when I did my basic handling test (by the end turning right was difficult). There was a fair bit of waiting around during the test so I ended up being on the bike for just under 3 hours, it was a Keeway Sport 150 (what a horrible bike). I'm getting a Suzuki VL250 so I'm really hoping it's more comfortable for me, it feels like it will be but I don't really have anyway of knowing..

I don't want my post to be too long, so I was just wondering if anyone else has any similar problems that they deal with, or just anything that people do to get around getting a sore back.