Lower Back Pain

[FRR]

I know many of you readers will think this is a silly question; but have any or many of you experienced lower back pain when you were first riding your 3 wheeler? I am new to 3 wheeling, and just took delivery about month ago. The first 2 weeks the weather was conducive to riding and I put nearly 1000 miles on it. My lower back started hurting, but I attributed it to some work I was doing in the yard. When the weather turned and I couldn't ride I noticed that my back felt better within a day or two. Today I rode again, but only for about 50 miles and I noticed that my lower back starting hurting again. I've ridden 2 wheelers for nearly 45 yrs, all brands and all models, but never have experienced any back discomfort.

Is this experience mine alone, or are there others who have others gone through the same thing when they first started riding Trikes? As always, thanks for your comments.

[Trent]

Got a back rest? If not, get one. They make a huge difference.

[hbrogan57]

Get a back rest and see if that helps. Also, shifting your riding position from time to time helps. And your posture, or lack of, could be an issue. You could go old school and try a kidney belt if that fails.

[Bikerbozo]

Back rest makes ALL the difference. Personally, I go with removable ones so when my wife rides with me SHE is my backrest (wether or not she wants to be). Currently I have the fully adjustable one from HD.
Don't discount the seat also. The right seat helps too.

[FRR]

Folks, I've had a backrest on every motorcycle I've owned since 1980.. It is the same backrest that I used on my Wing for 8 yrs before the kit was installed

[Scrounger]

Have you considered pull back risers for the handlebars? Made a big difference for me.

[FRR]

I put the risers on as soon as I had the bike converted.

[mhgoldwing]

The only difference between your bikes and trike appears to be the extended and stronger arm use on the trike. This could cause back pain particularly depending on your posture while exerting.

[kwputt]

Do you have Easy Steer installed? Sounds like the same problem a friend of mine had until he had the rake kit installed.
I was still trying to lean it into the curves for the first month or so, flat made me sore all over until I learned to relax, push, and pull.
Enjoy your ride - nice weeknd coming up.

[FRR]

Yes, easy steer is installed. I thought it might be that the trike " rocks" somewhat compared to 2 wheels. I'm not sure

[skibridg]

A back rest will help and consider an Air Hawk seat cushion. Great results. Good luck.

[Chumbly]

Are you riding a Goldwing conversion? I can't ride a Goldwing for the same reason, (get a pain right through the hips and lower back)...and I bet yer not gettin' any younger.

[FRR]

Yes, it is a 2004 Wing that I put 60 k on it with 2 wheels and 1 k with 3 wheels. Never bothered me before. Same seat, backrest, easy steer, and risers. Set up is exactly the same. Only difference is now I have 3 wheels.

[Gold Rush]

Howdy FRR,

I suspect you might be using a lot more upper body muscle action to help control your riding position on the trike then you did on 2 wheels. This practice puts a huge amount of strain on your body.

When I first converted my '06 18 months ago, I caught myself trying to hold myself in place using arm, stomach, and back muscles. The trick that saved me was learning to use more leg and less of the other body parts. By transferring weight to the outside leg and hugging the side of the bike with the inside leg (even on slight curves and corners) I stay pretty well centered and don't have to struggle. It takes some conscious effort at first but now it's my natural riding practice. You'll also find that you can ride longer with less effort.

[FRR]

Howdy FRR,

I suspect you might be using a lot more upper body muscle action to help control your riding position on the trike then you did on 2 wheels. This practice puts a huge amount of strain on your body.

When I first converted my '06 18 months ago, I caught myself trying to hold myself in place using arm, stomach, and back muscles. The trick that saved me was learning to use more leg and less of the other body parts. By transferring weight to the outside leg and hugging the side of the bike with the inside leg (even on slight curves and corners) I say pretty well centered and don't have to struggle. It takes some conscious effort at first but now it's my natural riding practice. You'll also find that you can ride longer with less effort.

I think you may have a point there. I notice when I ride now I'm turning my body more than I ever did and probably not using my arms and shoulders as much as I could. It should be warmer here today so when I jump on this thing this afternoon I'll try to pay attention to how I am riding. Turning the torso could surely affect that lower back, I'm sure.

[Mick]

Also depending on whose risers you put on makes a difference. I have the MBL wide risers on mine. When I first bought her I tried the wedge risers but they were not back far or wide enough. With these and a Utopia back rest it made a big difference.

[FRR]

Thank you to all for your suggestions. I rode over 200 miles yesterday and was more cognizant of using my arms instead of turning my body and I have no back discomfort today at all. Guess it is just the process of learning to ride 3 wheels instead of 2.

[Craigar]

My plan is to sell my HD Ultra and go to a Gold Wing Trike. I control my lower back pain with a back rest and wear a back support. I try to stop every hour and walk a little and streatch. Sure hope going to a trike doesn't make it worse. The Harley is getting to be a little much for me to "man handle" as I get closer to 70 years old.

[Chazzman]

I have L4and L5 detoritation for years, Mark at Diamond seats has built 4 seats for my condition, keeps my back arched. The rear back rest on the standard wing is not good for my wife, the Diamond passenger backrest sits her straight and relieves pressure on the lower back. The drivers backrest is the best I've owned better than Utpohia.

The seat is built from a steel pan, the stock pan is plastic and will never produce the comfort of a steel pan. The dense foam allows for 700 mile rides without sore spots, or burning because it allows the pressure points to receive and equal amount of pressure across your posterior.

Weight, height, seating position and any health issues are taken into consideration. If your not close enough to visit, pictures are taken and a phone discussion, that is what has worked for me. I have never really owned a stock seat that was comfortable, although the 2012 1800 is pretty good.

I also hear Ultimate makes a great seat. Most Good seats take a 1000 mile break-in period.

[FRR]

My plan is to sell my HD Ultra and go to a Gold Wing Trike. I control my lower back pain with a back rest and wear a back support. I try to stop every hour and walk a little and streatch. Sure hope going to a trike doesn't make it worse. The Harley is getting to be a little much for me to "man handle" as I get closer to 70 years old.

Gold Rush's comment was the most helpful to me. Once you learn to ride the trike, and you will need to "learn' to ride it, you should find it easier to ride. I had to learn not to twist my back when I steered and use my arms more. You will love your Wing Trike