Cramps while riding ???

[Yelhelp]

OK some of us are getting older and the body is not what it once was at say thirty something, In my youth I rode Motocross and 70% of the time you were standing on the peg , jumps , bumps , and all. Well now in my sixties its a CanAM and I got to say the wide body and sitting position will sometimes bring on an almost unbearable pain from cramps. Now I know I'm not the only one that this happens to because I witnessed this while at the Owners event this year in Maggie Valley. I saw others riding while standing. My question is , how do others deal with this little issue. I know its not safe riding down a highway And having cramps in both thighs, nor is it safe to stand . So what action do others Take if you are riding with 5 other bikes? Do you pull over get off and walk it off or do you try and fight though this old age bit of inconvenience? I know there is a little home remedy that I get from my sister that is made by the Amish. It works wonders for a cramp. drink a small amount and no more cramps for hours, But I do not take it with me all the time. (besides it taste nasty) Does work though. Anyone else have this problem? :dontknow::helpsmilie:

 

[Chupaca]

Little more info..!!

what roadster do you ryde..? What is your set up..? Floorboards..? Highway bars/pegs..? A lot has to do with ryding position and use of body parts. I use leg pressure on twisting byways and take breaks to stretch everything. If I feel one coming on I stick my leg out to the front fender to relax it. Others will be along with their methods as well...be safe..!! :dontknow:

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Cruzr joe

 

[otter28169]

It is not only old age, but size. I am a big guy and sometimes my knees will get to aching as I ride an RS-S with pegs. I am sure this is not the safest thing to do, but I will take turns taking my foot of the pegs and extending my leg forward and out. I also use the pain as an excuse to stop and have a coffee or a snack with friends if I am leading a ride. Riding with a foot of the pegs may be dangerous, but to me it is a necessary evil.............

One important thing to be aware of is the possibility of developing a DVT. Keeping your legs couped up like that can cause issues with circulation, and clots can hit at any age, including 27 (that is when I had mine). Riding for a destination is rough. Riding for the trip itself makes it a lot easier to stop as often as you should.

Just sayin'............

 

[oldgoat]

Yup, I get them as well, in the upper thigh & groin. I'm well into my 70s & knees & hips don't work that well. I stretch out the cramped leg while riding. I have an '08 GS SM5, so the knees are quite bent when on the pegs. Have fitted my own floorboards to extend my legs when I want to, but have to quickly get legs back on the pegs to brake & change gear.

I haven't found an answer to the cramps so far. Sometimes on a long ride I don't get them & sometimes on a short one I do.

I also have great difficulty in standing on the pegs to dismount, due to bad knees. I may have to inelegantly lean over sideways to get my left foot on the ground & sort of fall off. Oh dear, getting old sucks!

 

[Bob Denman]

I'll stand up and take a quick stretch... IF; AND ONLY IF, traffic conditions and the roadway will allow it to be done safely! Other than that; a couple of Tylenol prior to the ride, and lots of water during it... help a lot! :2thumbs:

 

[NancysToy]

Been there...didn't like it at all. There are some things that can help (other than changing the seating position). I've found the keys to alleviating cramps were physical conditioning (including stretches), staying well hydrated by drinking lots of water before and during the ride (makes those gas stops every 100 miles more meaningful), and keeping my electrolytes balanced. I take calcium/magnesium/zinc and potassium supplements under a doctor's supervision for the electrolytes. In the old days we took salt pills, but they are a no-no nowadays.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Been there...didn't like it at all. There are some things that can help (other than changing the seating position). I've found the keys to alleviating cramps were physical conditioning (including stretches), staying well hydrated by drinking lots of water before and during the ride (makes those gas stops every 100 miles more meaningful), and keeping my electrolytes balanced. I take calcium/magnesium/zinc and potassium supplements under a doctor's supervision for the electrolytes. In the old days we took salt pills, but they are a no-no nowadays.

Have to agree with the above. Riding any type of motorcycle needs conditioning, keeping your fluids up and periodic stops to stretch. I also take a lot of fiber, oh different kind of cramps, :roflblack:

When I first started to ride the Spyder I had been off bikes for 8 years. I had all kinds of pains. As time went by and I did a lot of riding they have slowly gone away. I still get stiff now and then but not as bad. Stretching a lot everyday in the morning works well too.

 

[TexGEOas]

My question is , how do others deal with this little issue. I know its not safe riding down a highway And having cramps in both thighs, nor is it safe to stand . So what action do others Take if you are riding with 5 other bikes? Do you pull over get off and walk it off or do you try and fight though this old age bit of inconvenience? I know there is a little home remedy that I get from my sister that is made by the Amish. It works wonders for a cramp. drink a small amount and no more cramps for hours, But I do not take it with me all the time. (besides it taste nasty) Does work though. Anyone else have this problem? :dontknow::helpsmilie:

If riding alone and you have passenger pegs... try moving your feet back and hooking your toes over the passenger pegs and ride "jockey style" for a while. This position will give you relieve but it is not good for a long time... since blood flow is more restricted at the knees. Also, it is not a great position when negotiating twisties. I do this on every ride and no cramps or discomfort. YMMV.

 

[ROSCOE]

CRAMPS

Wife and I use a product called trace minerals, do search for details. It is an electrolyte supplement made for runners and other extreme athletes. Has worked great for us.

 

[Rockwall]

I have made my RS into a sort of cruiser bike with floorboards, handlebar risers, mirror extensions, and highway pegs. I am tall and this is the only way to go for me. I am very comfortable on long rides as well.:doorag:

 

[bluestratos]

I suffer from horrible cramps but found out they are related in a great part to dehydration. We loose moisture much faster when out in the wind and I have never drank enough water to compound it. I keep a caffeine free drink or water in my cup holder even for short rides and no longer get the cramps. Yesterday I drank 2 diet cokes and 2 bottles of water for a 3 hour ride.

That being said my butt still complains after and hour so and it seams like there is no magic for that as I have tried everything from different seats to gel pads and have only improved it slightly. So... I stand for awhile as I drive, even at 70+ and on a hot day its so much cooler up there! lol.

 

[donec]

I'm a pretty big guy almost 300 lb and 6'. I also have bad hips. I was having quite a problem with not so much actual cramps but more joint pain from having my legs in the position required for my GS/RS SE5. Then I added Seal Floorboards and HeliBars Handlebar Risers. these made all the difference in the world. It allows me to safely shift my feet when on the road and straightens my back allowing me to be more relaxed thus less stress which is easier on the muscles and joints. Another advantage of the Seal Floorboards is it makes it much easier to mount and unmount the Spyder.

 

[NancysToy]

Better believe it. Why? Because the foot pegs are improperly positioned on the machine as is the brake pedal. It's just not natural to have one's feet positioned behind the knee when seated, nor is it natural to have the right foot twisted outward to keep it off the brake pedal so the beast doesn't go into Limp Home Mode. How to ward off the cramps? Do stretches daily to keep limber, do daily resistance strength training of leg muscles -- but nothing that strains the knee -- and stop and take walking breaks every 45 minutes or on the hour during a ride. I also use a seat cushion to raise my butt up on the seat two inches so my knees aren't bent so tight. I'll keep doing these things to ward off cramps until I take delivery of my Honda trike. Then it's BYE-BYE Spyder!

While this may indeed be the case for you and some others, it is certainly not the case for all of us. While cruisers have a foot forward position, sport tourers have a feet back position and sport bikes even more so. Very natural for some riders. I even sit in a chair that way. Same goes for the foot position...some people's feet splay outward and some point inward. My feet never naturally touch the brake pedal on any of my machines, I have to twist my leg/foot to get to the brake. A person needs to find a machine that fits them...they are not adjustable like cars. It is fine to complain that the Spyder doesn't suit your needs or fit your particular body, but please understand that it is not the fault of the machine...nor is it that way for everyone.

 

[Sny]

I'll throw in my 2 cents on hydration. Leg cramps are an early sign of dehydration. Get yourself a cup holder and drink a 20oz bottle of water or G2 every hour of riding no matter what the temperature or conditions. There's tons of advice from long time riders that speak to the wonders of hydration so I won't carry on about it, but it really worked for me!

 

[tobor9]

I have made my RS into a sort of cruiser bike with floorboards, handlebar risers, mirror extensions, and highway pegs. I am tall and this is the only way to go for me. I am very comfortable on long rides as well.:doorag:

Me too,I changed my RS into a Cruier so I can sit up with my feet down or put them out front ,no more cramps:yes:The crotch-rocket design of the RS did not fit me,but could not afford a second RT-s like the one I got my wife,so I redesigned it to suite me,now I love it and can ryde for hours!

 

[Bob Ledford]

Hot weather riding

Being a former military man I find myself having to especially agree with Scotty and the majority of others.

Exercise or stretching is mandatory before, during and after the ride is a priority. I used to tell all my convoy driving crews to get out of the cab at our break stops and exercise' doing something different from sitting. Most of them preferred climbing up and tightening canvas cargo covers which involved stretching, climbing and tugging on ropes.

Staying hydrated is very important. I used to make each driving crew to have at least a cooler of ice water, two gallon minimum per vehicle . During Operation Desert Storm the requirement was two cases of water per person per day. We also used them for everything, from washing hands and faces to soaking our BDU's down to keep cooler. I find myself carrying a minimum of 4 bottles of water in the travel trunk of the RTL now. You can freeze them overnight and using a cheap soft cooler have a cool drink after a full day of riding.

Taking breaks from riding is another must do. Even " iron butters" have to do this one. My personal preference is on the hour not to exceed an hour thirty minutes. Even if you just do a walk around the bike.

Sitting position is very important as is personal health. I love my Corbin Seat. It allows me to wiggle, squirm, and change positions. Those of us that are ideal weight challenged should be doing more push a ways. You would be doing yourself a double favor in the long run.

At 72 & 155# I have yet to experience leg cramping as quoted in the original post. Guess I have something else to look forward to.

 

[Bob Denman]

While this may indeed be the case for you and some others, it is certainly not the case for all of us. While cruisers have a foot forward position, sport tourers have a feet back position and sport bikes even more so. Very natural for some riders. I even sit in a chair that way. Same goes for the foot position...some people's feet splay outward and some point inward. My feet never naturally touch the brake pedal on any of my machines, I have to twist my leg/foot to get to the brake. A person needs to find a machine that fits them...they are not adjustable like cars. It is fine to complain that the Spyder doesn't suit your needs or fit your particular body, but please understand that it is not the fault of the machine...nor is it that way for everyone.

:agree:
Did you sit on the bike before you wrote the check?? :dontknow:

 

[Charlottes Web]

Drink lotsssssssssssssss of water.:yes:

 

[ARtraveler]

Same issues as mentioned by others that I am also dealing with.

To allleviate the situation, I have floorboards, sheepskin pad, and airhawk pad. I am also to the point now where I have to get off the bike and stretch between 50-75 miles. I get enough respite from the stretch that I can usually put a couple hundred miles into a daily ride before I am wanting to call it quits.

I have not attempted a longer ride yet this season--so the jury is out there.