Lumbar Support Belts

[rleathen]

I am planning on one or two long rides/trips this summer and wanted some feedback on lumbar support belts. I currently have the BRP stock seat and the 1 inch BRP riser and Kewlmetal highway pegs. While this setup works well for 95% of the riding I do (commuting to and from work) I find that when I go on longer rides (2 or more hours) my lower back tends to remind me after a while that I am not as young as I used to be ! Yes I get off the bike every couple of hours to take a break and stretch but this summer I am hoping to do a few longer trips. Short of replacing my stock seat with a Corbin with driver backrest and MNM handlebar risers (my wife will only let me spend so much) I am thinking that a lumbar support belt may be the quick and easiest solution to go with until I can afford to upgrade my seat.

Any experience you can relate having used these kinds of belts is greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[bone crusher]

I am planning on one or two long rides/trips this summer and wanted some feedback on lumbar support belts. I currently have the BRP stock seat and the 1 inch BRP riser and Kewlmetal highway pegs. While this setup works well for 95% of the riding I do (commuting to and from work) I find that when I go on longer rides (2 or more hours) my lower back tends to remind me after a while that I am not as young as I used to be ! Yes I get off the bike every couple of hours to take a break and stretch but this summer I am hoping to do a few longer trips. Short of replacing my stock seat with a Corbin with driver backrest and MNM handlebar risers (my wife will only let me spend so much) I am thinking that a lumbar support belt may be the quick and easiest solution to go with until I can afford to upgrade my seat.

Any experience you can relate having used these kinds of belts is greatly appreciated.

Rob

Trust me when I tell you this...this is my field of expertise...a lumbar belt is something that you do NOT want to wear...you need to develop core stability.

The studies have shown that lumbar belts do nothing to help you...in fact, they cause more harm...

Think of it this way...have you ever seen the arm of someone who was in a cast for some time? There is a large amount of atrophy. When you wear a lumbar belt, your core muscles further atrophy...this is very, very bad.

If you need to find someone in your area who can help you, please PM me and I can help you locate one.

 

[rleathen]

Bonecrusher I have read some of the studies pertaining to this. While I can agree with the premise that in the long run they are more of a problem then a solution, I am not talking about wearing a lumber support belt all of the time, everytime I ride. I am talking about wearing it for the one or two day long rides a couple of times a year. I may be mistaken but I do not believe that a muscle is going to atrophy from lack of use over a 4 to 6 to 8 hour period. While I can agree 100% that strong well developed core muscles are an absolute requirement for pretty much anything that we do (all movement starts from the core) I have a difficult time believing that wearing one for a long ride a couple of times a year is going to be that great of a detriment to one's health. Wearing one everyday, yes big detriment. Wearing one rarely....not so big a detriment ????? Is wearing one rarely still that big of a problem ??

By the way thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated.

Rob

 

[bone crusher]

Bonecrusher I have read some of the studies pertaining to this. While I can agree with the premise that in the long run they are more of a problem then a solution, I am not talking about wearing a lumber support belt all of the time, everytime I ride. I am talking about wearing it for the one or two day long rides a couple of times a year. I may be mistaken but I do not believe that a muscle is going to atrophy from lack of use over a 4 to 6 to 8 hour period. While I can agree 100% that strong well developed core muscles are an absolute requirement for pretty much anything that we do (all movement starts from the core) I have a difficult time believing that wearing one for a long ride a couple of times a year is going to be that great of a detriment to one's health. Wearing one everyday, yes big detriment. Wearing one rarely....not so big a detriment ????? Is wearing one rarely still that big of a problem ??

By the way thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated.

Rob

If you need to wear one, it is indicative of a problem that is not being addressed...if you have no other way to ride in comfort, then the answer is obvious...wear one...however, when you have time, it's probably a good idea to find a treatment approach for your problem that can help you on a more permanent basis...

 

[Firefly]

The belt might give some temporary relief, but what you really need is a decent seat instead of the too-cushy stock BRP one. I have the Corbin and I LOVE it- much less stress on my back - and I'm one that has lower back problems (L4, L5).

The Corbin backrest however , I'm not impressed with. I can't seem to get comfortable with the backrest installed - tried all different positions. I also am not impressed with the quality of the backrest - seems pretty cheap for a $230 item!

The seat really works great though!

 

[ataDude]

...The Corbin backrest however , I'm not impressed with. I can't seem to get comfortable with the backrest installed - tried all different positions. ...

Try to find one of the older style, solid Corbin backrests. I'm with you... the oval back with the hole in it leaves a lot to be desired.

I just took the solid one from the Valk and wah-lah... much better.

BTW... I see them on eBay occasionally... including some inexpensive solid-back clones which I hear are OK. They are not Spyder specific... any Corbin backrest (uses a 5/8" square mounting bar) works.

.

 

[StarTraveler649]

I have a bit of experience with those belts as well. I have to agree with Bone Crusher 100 %.

 

[Extracool]

Lumbar support belts

I do not know anything about the lumbar support belts, but know plenty about back problems and the 4 inch handlebar risers have helped my back more than anything because you sit up straight instead of leaning forward, also takes the pressure off of your hands so they do not get numb. Better for long trips.:clap:

 

[draboo]

If you need to wear one, it is indicative of a problem that is not being addressed...if you have no other way to ride in comfort, then the answer is obvious...wear one...however, when you have time, it's probably a good idea to find a treatment approach for your problem that can help you on a more permanent basis...

Now I get it..bonecrusher..alignment specialist..

I thought you did front end alignments on cars for a living.

I ve used those in the past when my back would go kaflooy on me at work. I would take it off after work and leave it off and wear it the next day if needed. My chiro told me to leave it off as soon as possible.

I see guys at lumberyards wearing them all the time.

I installed the four inch risers and the numbness went away in my hands, also. Now the windshield I have seems too short!

 

[Some Guy]

The stock BRP seat and handlebars with the 1" riser made me very uncomfortable after only 45 minutes. My butt was sore and my right shoulder would have a stabbing pain. I installed the NMN risers and Corbin seat and now I can ride for hours with no problems at all. hyea:

 

[bone crusher]

Now I get it..bonecrusher..alignment specialist..

I thought you did front end alignments on cars for a living.

I ve used those in the past when my back would go kaflooy on me at work. I would take it off after work and leave it off and wear it the next day if needed. My chiro told me to leave it off as soon as possible.

I see guys at lumberyards wearing them all the time.

I installed the four inch risers and the numbness went away in my hands, also. Now the windshield I have seems too short!

It's all good...now it's time for another windshield (tough life!)...listen to your chiro! The studies show that they do nothing but create a greater environment for injury...reasons are...1. You think you can lift more...2. The underlying muscles atrophy...

As far as the guys at the lumberyards go, I'm not sure they've caught up with the science yet!

 

[dltang]

The stock BRP seat and handlebars with the 1" riser made me very uncomfortable after only 45 minutes. My butt was sore and my right shoulder would have a stabbing pain. I installed the NMN risers and Corbin seat and now I can ride for hours with no problems at all. hyea:

Good, you need to ride for hours to Cleveland with us Sat. for the banner signing.:2thumbs:

 

[Longlegs]

I would second the opinion on core strength exersizes. Also stretch your hamstrings good before a ride, or better yet daily. They can really pull you out of alignment.

 

[bone crusher]

I would second the opinion on core strength exersizes. Also stretch your hamstrings good before a ride, or better yet daily. They can really pull you out of alignment.

Actually, there has never been a study that directly links tight hamstrings to low back pain. There are plenty of anecdotal accounts, but the research is nil on this topic. I also teach fitness professionals for CEUs...we're now learning that stretching is many times bad for you...more-so before an athletic event. The problem is that static stretching does not increase muscle length anyway...point being, be active and dynamic...this is the best way to maximize muscle function...

Tight hamstrings more likely go along with a larger problem of what is called a lower cross fix pattern. I can't get too in-depth with that here but what you're looking at is inhibited abdominals and gluts and facilitated low back muscles (strap muscles) and hip flexors...think of what you look like sitting or on a bike and you'll see that that this pattern is evident...and it will destroy your back over time...it isn't really a question of 'if', it's a question of 'when'.

 

[draboo]

Actually, there has never been a study that directly links tight hamstrings to low back pain. There are plenty of anecdotal accounts, but the research is nil on this topic. I also teach fitness professionals for CEUs...we're now learning that stretching is many times bad for you...more-so before an athletic event. The problem is that static stretching does not increase muscle length anyway...point being, be active and dynamic...this is the best way to maximize muscle function...

Tight hamstrings more likely go along with a larger problem of what is called a lower cross fix pattern. I can't get too in-depth with that here but what you're looking at is inhibited abdominals and gluts and facilitated low back muscles (strap muscles) and hip flexors...think of what you look like sitting or on a bike and you'll see that that this pattern is evident...and it will destroy your back over time...it isn't really a question of 'if', it's a question of 'when'.

So, I m "guessing" that the best posture while riding a motorcycle would be sitting like you would be in a kitchen chair..upper thighs bent at a right angle to your torso and your knees at a right angle to your thighs, back as straight as possible. I know the cool looking "cruiser" riding style looks casual, but it really raises havoc with my back, as does the stock position on the Spyder.

I remember the old Harley and Indian riders sat like that..straight up without leaning forward or leaning back. Of course, if you dont have the proper wind protection, this position is not very..comfortable.

I ve spent many a hour flat on my back with an ice pack with my calves up on a chair.

Bonecrusher, have you ever heard of Peter Egoscue?