Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Uncomfortable Newbie

Hi,

Just bought a 2002 America and love it. It's my first proper bike having only just passed my test at 42. Trouble is, can't get comfy and getting a bit of lower back pain and aches between the shoulder blades. I'm 6ft 1inch and don't know if it's just me. Are there and mods, adjustments I can make to help? Any advice is very welcome.

Cheers

Pony [list] [list]

You may want to look at the pullback risers from newspeedmaster.com

http://www.newspeedmaster.com/html/rivco_handlebar_risers.html

That might get you to lean back a little more and be more comfortable.

a weightlifters belt'll take care of your lower back pain don't know about the icepick btwn the shoulder pain...I've never had that

Cheers, I'll give the Risers a go and dig out the ancient weight belt. Don't know if it'll still manage to hold the beer gut in too.

Hiya Simon
You from UK?
Only guessing as you say you passed your test, guys in the US seem to be able to ride without doing a test ...

As for the riding position, I'm 6'0" and don't have problems - guys in the UK who are taller also don't mention it - possible that as you're new to the bike (and riding?) that you might just be tensing your shoulders some?
Just my £0.02 worth.

I know that when I rode the T100 I had after passing my test, I relaxed quite a lot after just a few ride outs.
The arms out straight position is different if you passed on, say, a 500 for your direct access.

Good luck and welcome to the site mate.

(BTW, if you are from the UK, 'Dent' will soon get a mention ..... )

I'm just getting over a bad back....was not allowed to ride for nearly 3 months. I went and bought a kidney belt from the dealer and it really helps.
Bit like this:

details

Just sits over the small of my back.

Works for me. The first official day riding I rode from Bristol to Bath and got back and was in agony. Bought that the day after and then 4 days later rode to Shepton Mallet - twice as far a to Bath.... - and walked round an autojumble and rode back and was fine.
£40, but it's worth it (ok I only paid £15, but I'm cheeky!)

Cheers, Yep from the UK and still a little tense. Should have introduced myself to one and all before I started posting. Got so hacked off tryin to register as no matter how I cropped it, my bio was tooooo long!

Going out with my local RAT in Berkshire at the weekend. I guess the more miles I do, the better it'll get

I can speak volumes on the ice pick!! after the Iron Butt ride to GA I found that someone had buried one in my back...after MONTHS I thought I had finally dislodged it...I was incorrect!! I found that floor boards (thanks mert) and a corbin WITH A BACK REST coupled with moving my bars slightly FORWARD (forcing you to sit more UPRIGHT)

moving them further back(toward you) will cause you to slouch more and put further strain upon your shoulder muscles (as you hold up your body weight while leaning backwards more) almost one year later and the ice pick is still there (not just riding caused this)

So look at other things in your life...check your work station...where is your computer monitor is it directly in front of you or are you forced to turn your head to look at it while you work...
How is your chair...does it allow you to sit upright with your feet on the ground...does it support your back...

if it has arm rests do they allow you to rest your arms in a lowered position or does it keep them higher than their natural length... forcing you to raise your shoulders slightly to rest upon them...

where is your wallet??...seems like a silly question but if it is in your back pocket you are ALWAYS sitting crooked by more than an INCH (more if your wallet looks anything like mine did) all of these things will add to the problem...

Your new bike didn't cause the problem...it just pushed you over the edge, the proverbial straw/camel situation...

My back is still messed up (just spent 4 days in a chemical haze) because it "went out" right between the shoulders AGAIN...I have adopted all of the above advise (most only after the most recent incident) and have already noticed an improvement if the recovery...

hope this helps some...both your shoulder pain and lower back pain is posture and stress induced...

Mark is dead on with his weightlifters belt I use a back support belt when I ride (the kind you see on guys who work lifting stuff all day) elastic, neoprene, Velcro, and a wide support across the kidneys...I can ride well 1300 plus miles with out any LOWER back pain now...

Ice pick removal is more involved...but It's getting there!!

Simon

All good tips here. When i first got my TBA i found it incredibly uncomfortable. I had been riding sport bikes for years, where i was hunched over the bars and used my knees a lot for balance and steering imput. When i started riding the triumph i found myself squeezing the tank with my knees and holding on to the bars to tight. It took me quite a while to get out of that habit and to just sit and relax.

Now i do and it is a extreemily comfortable bike to ride for long distances. I know it is always hard for a new rider to relax, but hang in there. Dont go changing bars or anything just yet. Get a few miles under your belt. You may have to restrict yourself to short rides until you get your confidence up. With comfidence will come relaxation.

Hang in there, and welcome to the club.

I wouldn't buy anything from newspeedmaster.com, there are plenty of risers for much less money and better or equal quality. I had lots of trouble with an order from them. Extremely long wait and poor quality chrome. There are good quality risers many places for less, try a power seller on Ebay got our 2 sets depicted in the link in my signature for less than $40

Custom Cruisers up in Derbyshire do risers.... not cheap there and I've never used them, but at least you won't have to pay import duty when they arrive.

Well, when I was doing therapy for my shoulder and neck (I get the icepick in the lower neck/shoulder area), my therapist scolded me for my posture. I get the same kind of pain after a full day of doing drawing work on my computer at work, so it's not the bike itself (my opinion). I have noticed that when I sit up straight, chest out, gut in, shoulders back and all that, that I do feel better for longer, so there may be some truth to that. After all, Mommy always said, "don't slouch!" Of course, I feel like maybe I look a little silly riding like that, but it is a proper English Motorbike....

I moved Wendys bars back (Think it was 2" but could have been 1 1/2") she said it helped her back quite a bit. She is only 5'2 though. She does have a bad back and another mod I am going to do that I haven't gotten to yet is a gel insert in her seat. Better shocks help as well. Hard to say if pulling the bars back is your answer since you are so much taller than her. Maybe raise your bars and pull them back like I did. Wendys bike first.
then what I did on mine

two things that I did that really helped me...(btw...Im 6-1 and 300#).
1) Corbin seat did wonders for the lower back. The Corbin is cupped more and seems to hold firmer than stock. It keeps my tail from pushing against something on the OEM saddle that would cause great discomfort after a short period of time. A backrest is on my list to help my posture.
2) Kuryakyn ISO grips (this just happens to be the ones I liked and were easy to get). Keeps me from strangling my throttle grip. This tight grip was causing my hand to fall get numb and ultimately shoot a pain up my arm at times.

Ive considered floor boards for reason listed above. I just dont know if I like the look.

A set of apes pulled back would do the trick.

Simon,

I am 6'2", bought my America after riding tourers for years.
I had the same problem, did the National Rally after having the bike for 2 months (20hr ride), hurt in places I didn't know could hurt!!, but it cured the problem!! So I came to the conclusion it was all caused through being to tense!! So don't buy any mods, until you have learnt to relax a little first, then see how you go.

P.S. Has Ray mentioned 'Dent' yet?!!!!

Pricey, but the corbin solo seat with backrest solved my back aches.

I'm a little over 6' and have recurring back problems. I haven't changed the America stock seat (which I find very comfortable) but I always use my Tombstone Backrest Bag on trips (it only works with a sissy bar). All back problems are different and you need to figure out if it's not being able to relax, reaching for bars, or seat position. All those things are fixable.

I'm sorry to hear bad comments about NewSpeedmaster.com. I've bought a lot of stuff from Brent with absolutely no problems. The company is mainly a reseller and doesn't make the chrome they sell. All the chrome pieces I've bought have been fine (license plate frame, handlebar end caps, sidestand pad, etc.

Hi, I am a new rider, I have put almost 300 miles since I bought my America in January. During my first few rides I had the pains that you described, however, lately it isn't hurting as much and that's because I am relaxing more while riding. I still get tense when its time to do low speed maneuvers but I am getting better at it.

I have had the exact same pain between the shoulders. I bought pullbacks for that reason, but haven't put them on yet. Lots of complaints about the stock single seat. I have the gunfighter seat, and it is very comfortable for me, and I have back problems too. I'm 6 ft. Oh, and by the way, welcome to the site!

I’m 52 years old, 6'2", 300 lbs, got back to riding May of 2006, (not ridden motorcycle since left Air Force Oct 1979) had lots of aches and pains. Learned that riding a TBA takes muscle strength; abdominal, hips, legs and inner thigh’s, balance and agility. At first took me time to get into shape, about 2 1/2 months. Every spring need to get back in shape also. The back is one thing that takes time to get in shape. I’ve learned to take frequent breaks during long trips 300 plus miles. Pack Motrin or Alive, lot so water. I’ve done only one very long trip northwest CT to Canada, up one day back the next, then slept for 1 ½ days. My wife made such fun of me, but I did not care I was just too tired. The heating pad was great for that ice pick in the middle back. A famous person said, “a man’s got to know his limitations” also this can become as symptom of “BOOMERITIS.” Middle of March, no weather forecasts for next two weeks for weather warm enough to ride. For me above 45. My brother lives in east central FL, “if I have to put gloves on it’s too cold to ride” What a wimp. RIDE SAFE!

Welcome to the site Pony.

All the modifications that have been mentioned will help.
The weightlifters belt may help. but I think it misses the point just a little.

The best modification you can make is to yourself. Get thee to a gym and start a lifelong routine of fitness. Cardio exercise and weight training. Strengthening your muscles will do wonders for your ability to ride for long periods of time.
I'm 53, 6'4" 260 lbs and do just fine with the Speedmaster.

I doubt that you will find anyone on this board who has a fitness routine that has the problems mentioned.

In fact, I think I'll start a thread on the subject

does sitting on the couch watching TV with Jaffa cakes count as a fitness routine?

Ya know I joke about these Jaffa cakes but have yet to see them anywhere to try them.

Man haven't had a Moon Pie in ages.

one word: corbin.

I think all are good suggestions and you should pick and choose what would help your problem. Also Wildmike moved his foot pegs and controls forward that might help if you are tall.

Thanks to everyone who came up with suggestions. I've already tried the sitting on the couch and stuffing out on Jaffa Cakes. Not too successful, but I'm hoping that the beer and fox TV should do it. I guess the best advice so far is to get in shape. I don't think, many new riders even give it a thought. Yes I do get tense and yes I do sometimes grip the bars too tight, but at anything over 75, this doesn't seem to be optional. I'm gonna stick with it! Love my bike, Love to Ride and love the thought that someone thought a Jaffa Cake OD might help.

Thanks All

Pony