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Message started by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 03:42:06

Title: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 03:42:06

I just started riding in March and now use my savage everyday. Weird thing is I'm 45, with a history of back trouble/operations and even the 25 minute commute to work in a car kills me. But get on the bike and - shazam- no problems! I can't figure it out because my suspension is stock and at least once a day I hit a bump which kinda sends a shock wave right through my whole spine.

Is it because on a bike a person is more active? I wonder if there have been any studies on the subject? Maybe the Canadian government will pay me $1 million dollars to go on a fact-finding mission (on my savage, of course).

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by lancer on 10/19/05 at 07:33:07

You never know, it does not hurt to ask? I have heard of a lot crazier things that have been funded.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by WD on 10/19/05 at 07:36:59

Funny, I know EXACTLY what you mean. More than 15-20 miles in my truck is excrutiating. Can ride the bike for a couple hours before I'm in agony. Had 2 bi-level lumbar surgeries, my other major joints are worn out. Driving the truck, hurts. Riding the bike, helps. Go figure.
-WD

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 07:37:48

I think one time the government here in canada did a study on whether a study was needed or not! Or then, when they do one, the results are so obvious I could have told them the information for $10 and saved all the taxpayers millions!

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 08:07:24

WD: I've had part of a disc taken out in L7, I believe...isn't it strange as you get older all those aches and pains just keep comin' on...riding the bike makes me forget about those for a bit, anyway.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/19/05 at 08:42:15

My L3 disc is shot ... and I initially found Riding to be painful ... '85 Rebel with worn out suspension and a totally baffed seat ... but bought an '03 Savage and a $20 back brace at Wally Mart and find now that Riding doesn't bother my back too much at all ... would never Ride without the brace though ... BTW I'm in my 40's as well ...

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 08:49:07

You live in Newfoundland? I've been there but just in my car. Strikes me as a great place to ride a bike.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by RadarORiley on 10/19/05 at 08:49:27

I've battled back pain and neck pain since a bad M/C wreck in 1960, but when I'm on my bike, I don't hurt. I suppose it's got a lot to do with desire. Or maybe my Two Wheel Therapy is physical as well as mental.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by Savage_Rob on 10/19/05 at 09:01:16

It is odd but I've found it to be a decent therapy when I have a pulled lower back muscle - but only in warm weather. Cold weather seems to cause spasms in muscles that are already injured. Oh, also in my 40's.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/19/05 at 09:02:03

Quote:

You live in Newfoundland? I've been there but just in my car. Strikes me as a great place to ride a bike

Yup, live in St. John's ... motorcycling as a lifestyle. pasttime, hobby, etc. has EXPLODED here over the past 5 years ... and from May to Oct. Newfoundland is a great place to Ride; lots of scenic coastal highways and backroads ... of course, being situated out in the North Atlantic, even during those months the weather can be fickle occassionally ...

Where in Canada you located?

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 09:04:20

I know what you mean - I swear we must be working/moving/exercising a lot more while on a bike than we think. It actually does help when I have back pain....a long walk also helps....I wonder if sex helps?

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 09:14:23

PerrydaSavage: I live in Ontario just west of London. Nice place to raise kids and there are a lot of back roads to take off on.

Pick my daughter up after school on my savage and she is definitely the queen of cool then!

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/19/05 at 14:56:37

Hey jbrough7 ... that's a beautiful area of the country you live in as well ... used to be down that way a bit back in the late-80's/early-90's when the in-laws used to live in Sarnia ... am hoping to get up to the famous Fri. 13th Bike Rally in Port Dover in Oct. '06 ... would love to meet up with others from this Forum!
Riding an m/c is a physical exercise ... and for some types of back problems it probably is beneficial ... as for sex ... well I can attest that it has helped tremendously on occassion; but I find it helps to be in an in inverted, horizontal attitude! ;)

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/19/05 at 16:23:31

Would love to go to that but I'm a teacher and if I take the day off, everybody would know it and would know where I was going. Weird thing is my 'big bosses' are all guys with Harleys and they have no problem going down to Dover and taking the day off. But don't let them see YOU there!!!!

But if you are around, let me know and we'll get together.

By the way, how late in the year are you going to ride in NFLD? I'm trying for the last day of school here, Dec. 23!@#$#@!@ Don't know if the snow will hold off that long.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/21/05 at 12:31:16

So I moved the handlebars down to be cool and the seat back and up and now my back hurts!@#$#@! Go figure! Gotta go for function over form - I think I've learned my lesson.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by OldWizard on 10/23/05 at 19:34:27

I read these posts with a lot of interest. I just finished a brief ride of about 140 miles divided into eight stops because riding caused my back to ache. I am older than most of you who posted, I am 54. I have a 2001 Savage and have done no modifications but am looking at changing the seat in some method to avoid pain. Am I correct in my reading that you guys have changed nothing but are experiencing less pain? If so, I am envious.

As for excercising, I try to go to the Y two to three times per week and ride a bicycle when I can. Do you think the Wal-Mart back brace makes the primary difference?

The reason I am asking is that if I can not resolve the problem, I'm going to have to sell my Savage. I had planned on using it as a year-round commuter to work.
Thanks.

Title: Re: How's your back?
Post by jbrough7 on 10/24/05 at 02:37:17

I'm really tall and I have left my bike stock till recently. My back always felt BETTER after riding and I've put on 10000 k. in the last 8 months. I've tried those back support thingies (even one of the $100 magnetic ones) when I was riding in a cage but they never did anything for me. I have to give up my bike soon for the winter months (can't ride here until March or so) so it will be interesting to see if the back pain returns after a short commute. Best of luck with your troubles. I wouldn't wish that stuff on my worst enemy... :(