Guys frustration has set in ! I have always suffered with a bad back on and off all my life, which means that I struggle to ride any bike for any length of time let alone a super bike, so you can guess that this is the point where the frustration sets in ! So id appreciate any suggestions when it comes to back supports or any other medical/ non medical aids you have tried and could recommend. cheers Bish
I am in the same boat but find the riding position on the CBR comfy on my back. What I do is sit as far back on the seat and grip the tank with my thighs. On longer straight rides, I sometimes rest my elbows on my knees. So overall, the weht of the torso is shared with the arms & the legs. BTW the upright position on my adventure bike actually gives me backacke!
Best thing you can do is some flexibility and strengthening exercises. Not talking about heavy gym work or anything expensive. Merely start off by doing 5 lots (sets) of 10 repetitions of toe touching. Do that for a week and the following week do it with a moderate weight - even a bag of sugar will do. Progress over the weeks to a brick and then breeze block. You will feel a marked improvement. A few round of sit ups would also help as the whole core strength should be improved. @Nytol could probably assist here too. Any brace or support will not fix the problem. In the long term it makes it worse because it prevents the lower back muscles from doing their job.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Back-Mecha...120&s=gateway&sprefix=back+mec,aps,184&sr=8-1 This will be the best money you have ever spent. I've fixed, (genuinely fixed, not just temporarily relived), a great number of peoples backs, many of whom were told by the NHS that nothing could be done. The area needs to be strengthened to increase stability, but needs to be done in the right way, or the problem could actually be made worse. Search youtube for, 'McGill Big 3', and 'Kabuki strength Deadbug', this will get you started, but I highly recommend the book, (I've read all of his medical texts, McGill is accepted by everyone in the strength and conditioning world as the expert, possibly the only thing that everyone agrees on), so that you understand why you are doing it, and how the bio mechanics of the lower back and spine actually work. Stretching does nothing but give temporary relief, often with a negative long term outcome, as an example, in the last year I have worked with 3 yoga instructors suffering from very bad lower back pain. They have great flexibility and range of motion, but no strength through that range of motion, leading to injury doing the most basic of tasks. Things like osteopathy, chiropractic, and other passive modalities will not fix the problem, we need to put a moderate, but consistent amount of work in. If I can help further, then please let me know.
Apart from the above...get an e-comfort seat 2nd hand it soaks the bumps up, stops sliding and I can do double the mileage now with it and rarely have a problem with my back now
I was suffering with bad back a few years ago and physio recommended some lower back core strengthening exercises. Simply stuff like the plank. It worked for me and no problems since. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323204.php
Thanks Guys -I'm going to try all your recommendations but to be perfectly truthful I am 51 now and I honestly think that it will come to using some kind of support or aid. As a regular gym user and runner I am no stranger to exercise so I'm not sure about the stretching, but I am willing to give absolutely anything a go to help me keep riding the superbikes. Thanks Again.
Running is a big cause of lower back problems which are linked to hamstrings which require a lot of stretching before and after any training/running. I’ve compressed discs mate and have my back manipulated regularly which involves a lot of stretching after
Not medical opinion but the result of personal experience of general fitness and gym work since 1979. You want me to go back to Botox and Caitlin Jenner?
I took a 71 year old female with severe osteoporosis who had never been in a gym, who could not stand up straight, or even turn her head enough to the side to drive safely, to a stage where she had no pain, no osteoporosis (as confirmed by dexascan), got her off of all medication, and have her deadlifting 80kg from the floor on a regular basis within 18 months, (her personal best is 88kg). But as often is the case, people do the wrong things, and in this case, after passing on literally life changing knowledge, the reply concluded with, 'It will probably come to using some kind of support'. Another waste of time
Sir, You have by now means wasted your time in responding to my post with your valuable advice. Indeed I have just ordered McGills book from Amazon, and as I am typing this about to start the You tube videos. I am simply so depressed with the situation that affects my life / work and a life long passion to be able to ride a superbike properly. Please do not give up on me !
Been doing the McGill Big 3" for around a week now and I think it is slowly making a difference. I'm also doing less stretching at the gym which I also think is helping, so I'm really hoping that this is the way ahead to a less pain full riding experience. Btw do any of you people get around the south west for ride outs and fancy having a good looking mature spine bent rider picking up the rear please let me know.
