Bikes & backs

Not ridden my SV for 2 1/2 weeks now due to chronic back problems. I'm really missing it and now that my back feels 95% better I'm really tempted to get back on. My question is, are there any physios on this forum who can tell me if riding my SV is a lot worse for my back than driving my car?

[timwilky]

As someone with a "back", my comments.

Ajust your posture where possible. It is a bit like horse ridding. Take your body weight on your hips. so grip the tank area with your knees and trnsfer the weight down your legs to the pegs.

you don't say ig you have a naked or S. but I will assume S. looking from side on, don't bend your back in a convex shape over the tank. instead push your shoulders forward and up in order to form a concave shape to your back. Do not take the weight of your upper body on your shoulders down to your wrists. use your lower back/hips transferring the weight down.

At first this can be uncomfortable. but done ofen enough it becomes theraputic. pushing down on the backs of the discs causing them to re adopt the normal shape.

Bending over a tank deforms the discs. get the back straightened out. Remember your back is not load bearing so transfer the weight down the legs which are natures struts and designed to take weight.

All the above is personal opinion. I am not medically qualified and are simply my way of dealing with my own back problems.

Caution. If you are suffering painful spasms. Just don't attempt to ride. lay on a flat surface. a good dose of morphine and forget your worries.

Originally Posted by timwilky

Bending over a tank deforms the discs. get the back straightened out. Remember your back is not load bearing so transfer the weight down the legs which are natures struts and designed to take weight.

Being the son of a physiotherapist, and having had grief from her all through my teenage years, I can confirm this. You should make sure that you keep your back straight and not arch it as you lean forward, also (as I recently learned) take as little weight as possible on your wrists.

The problem is, once you're used to sitting a certain way on your bike, it can feel uncomfortable sitting 'correctly'. Just stick with it and it'll soon feel much better, as will your back.