Handlebars and Backache…..

[Phil]

Hi All

Here’s an odd one to share, which may seem counter-intuitive to those members who have fitted handlebar risers.

I’m 61 6’3” and 90Kg.  Although I work, walk, ski, play tennis and generally have a fairly active life, I am prone to lower backache when standing still.

In the last year or so I’ve noticed the aches whilst riding (2015 Explorer, 55,000m). I’ve dealt with them by a) standing up periodically and b) taking Ibuprofen.

Anyway, 7 years after reading the owners manual, I remembered reading about rotating the handlebar clamps to alter the geometry.
So assisted by a friend, I did just that.   It’s only 4 bolts after all. 

On completion of the job I couldn’t visually see any difference but although the ’bars are the same height, they are now about 15mm forward.  On the road, the first thing I had to do was adjust the mirrors!   

After that it just felt a bit odd for the first hour or so, and standing up does not come as naturally, but then I now no longer feel the need because after about 8 hours riding in the last few weeks, I’ve had no recurrence of any backache whatsoever.

I realise that it’s all down to personal geometry, but if like me you’ve had backache and you want to avoid painkillers, then it might be worth giving this adjustment a try.  After all - if you don’t like it, it’s only 4 bolts to return to normal !

Hope this helps.

Phil 

[Chippy4467]

Interesting point of view and if it works for you then all is good 

[Coops!!]

I’ve done the same but also with bar risers on my Tiger 1200 and, interestingly, I’m similar size to you. It works ok for me, even though initially it felt a bit of a stretch.

[NiK]

When I started suffering lower backache (22 years ago), I noticed that the only painless situation was riding Mrs NiK's '87 VFR. Pretty forward stance, but nothing race like. My doctor was astonished at first, then realized that some of us get their spine straight more easily when leaning forward a bit.

Since then, I discovered the Mézières method and it worked spectacularly on me. Basically, I concentrate on my deep abs while making my spine (bottom to top) straight and the pain just vanishes. Since I turned this into a habit, I've never found myself crucified again.

[Icy]

Originally Posted by NiK

When I started suffering lower backache (22 years ago), I noticed that the only painless situation was riding Mrs NiK's '87 VFR. Pretty forward stance, but nothing race like. My doctor was astonished at first, then realized that some of us get their spine straight more easily when leaning forward a bit.

Since then, I discovered the Mézières method and it worked spectacularly on me. Basically, I concentrate on my deep abs while making my spine (bottom to top) straight and the pain just vanishes. Since I turned this into a habit, I've never found myself crucified again.

 

[Icy]

Originally Posted by Phil

Hi All

Here’s an odd one to share, which may seem counter-intuitive to those members who have fitted handlebar risers.

I’m 61 6’3” and 90Kg.  Although I work, walk, ski, play tennis and generally have a fairly active life, I am prone to lower backache when standing still.

In the last year or so I’ve noticed the aches whilst riding (2015 Explorer, 55,000m). I’ve dealt with them by a) standing up periodically and b) taking Ibuprofen.

Anyway, 7 years after reading the owners manual, I remembered reading about rotating the handlebar clamps to alter the geometry.
So assisted by a friend, I did just that.   It’s only 4 bolts after all. 

On completion of the job I couldn’t visually see any difference but although the ’bars are the same height, they are now about 15mm forward.  On the road, the first thing I had to do was adjust the mirrors!   

After that it just felt a bit odd for the first hour or so, and standing up does not come as naturally, but then I now no longer feel the need because after about 8 hours riding in the last few weeks, I’ve had no recurrence of any backache whatsoever.

I realise that it’s all down to personal geometry, but if like me you’ve had backache and you want to avoid painkillers, then it might be worth giving this adjustment a try.  After all - if you don’t like it, it’s only 4 bolts to return to normal !

Hope this helps.

Phil 

  

[trade_nancy]

Go easy on Iboprofen (all NSAIDs) too.....long term damage to your kidneys if taken in excess.