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michaelhaney
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 04:05 am | 21st Post |
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Hello Evolbob,
It sounds like you fired the gun for the new seat, let us know how it works out.
____________________
92 Aspy with fresh RED Paint
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 04:06 am | 22nd Post |
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Scooter, honestly, it takes a person's body awhile to "wear in" to riding long distances, no matter what you're riding.
Be patient, and keep after it. You'll develop a "saddle butt" in no time.
Mike
____________________
If you're worried about the world coming to an end tomorrow...
...Just remember, it's already tomorrow in Australia!
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AZgl1500
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 04:35 am | 23rd Post |
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| You'll love that backrest. Two weeks from now, you will forget what it cost. Four weeks from now, you will wonder why it hasn't been there all the time you owned the bike.
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John
 
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exavid
Top Poster
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 04:40 am | 24th Post |
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| Yes indeedy deed, my new Utopia backrest seems to be doing the job, I haven't been experiencing the back pain since I got it. I got the unpluggable model which worked out best for riding 2 up. The woman who hangs around here said the back rest crowded her too much so I only use it riding solo which is the way 99% of my long rides are accomplished.
____________________
If you can't ride, fly or sail it, why bother?
Paul W.
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ScooterTramp
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 06:24 am | 25th Post |
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MDKramer wrote: Scooter, honestly, it takes a person's body awhile to "wear in" to riding long distances, no matter what you're riding.
Be patient, and keep after it. You'll develop a "saddle butt" in no time.
Mike
My butt is doing ok, I am ‘building’ this up. It’s the back. The handle bars are to low. So I am hunched over a lot. When I make sharp turns (parking lots), for example, I’ve got one of the handle bars against my lower rib gage. I’ve already got plans for some hi-rise bars.
Anyway…..all this is causing my back (which I never have trouble with) to ache. I need to be able to sit back. Because of my back, I can’t ride it as far as I’d like to. Having a machine like this and not to able to get on it and realy ‘strech its legs', just burns my ass.
I think, as a touring motorcycle, it should have some ‘options’, other than a bunch of fluffy crap. Something that will make this thing more comfortable to somebody that is ‘outside’ the computer model size.....like back rests.
I do believe. The back rest is going to be the cure for my back. It will give me something stable to lean against. You’ll have to forgive me, I’m getting a little ‘annoyed’ that (after shelling out all that money) I have go on forums and hunt down parts to get this thing to where a man can ride it. The Honda dealer, although very cooperative, is clueless as far as getting this thing up to snuff.
Again……sorry for the rant.
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ScooterTramp
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 06:30 am | 26th Post |
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AZgl1500 wrote: You'll love that backrest. Two weeks from now, you will forget what it cost. Four weeks from now, you will wonder why it hasn't been there all the time you owned the bike.
exavid wrote: Yes indeedy deed, my new Utopia backrest seems to be doing the job, I haven't been experiencing the back pain since I got it. I got the unpluggable model which worked out best for riding 2 up. The woman who hangs around here said the back rest crowded her too much so I only use it riding solo which is the way 99% of my long rides are accomplished.
That’s what I am figuring too. It is my 'luck' its on a back order. Should have it next week, along with the F4 window.
I don't 'wait' well. Never been good at it. Specially with the GW, sitting in the garage, mocking me.
Last edited on Thu Aug 7th, 2008 06:33 am by ScooterTramp
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cldryder
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 11:43 am | 27th Post |
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spend whatever you have to for a good seat. once your butt starts hurting the funs over.
re: aches; I regularly take ibuprofin on long trips and also do a few minutes of stretching at each stop. I can be sore at the end of a day but no pinched nerve pains.
also you need a couple places to put your feet like hiway pegs and maybe floorboards. this would probably take care of your sore knee.
____________________
05 FJR1300, 88 GL1500, 98 TL1000R, 03 ZRX1200R, 74 Z1, 78 KZ750, 72 GT380, 76 GT750, 78 GS750, 79 GS750E, 81 GS1100E
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 12:06 pm | 28th Post |
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You know Scooter, I honestly understand your plight. The first half of my first long trip on my 1100 was a dismal affair that left a then young man barely able to walk upright. The problem? The stock position of the bars was pulling me forward just enough to put pressure on my lower back.
Luckily there was a Honda stealership in the town I landed in, and that stealership had a set of handlebar extensions on the rack, and a mechanic who wasn't doing anything that afternoon who could slap 'em in for me (This was LONG before I learned to carry a good pack of my own tools in the bottom of a saddlebag).
MY GOD what a difference that little 3/4" block of steel made!!! It took a few rides, and several adjustments of angle, and turning all the hand controls back to level to get them just where I need them, but the work was worth it in the long run.
I just did a quick Google search for gl1800 handlebar adjustment and came up with what looks like it might solve some of your problem here: (check the 2nd item down)
http://www.scootworks.com/partsgwhandlebar.htm
Hopefully you can get yours adjusted to fit your body friend, once you do, you'll never look back!
Mike
____________________
If you're worried about the world coming to an end tomorrow...
...Just remember, it's already tomorrow in Australia!
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AZgl1500
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 01:21 pm | 29th Post |
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MDKramer, I must be a really dense soul as I just cannot ascertain how those shims are going to raise the handlebars by more than the thickness of the shim??
An 1800 needs the hand grips to be raised two inches at least for me to be comfortable. I just simply cannot stand to be pulled forward, period.
I have to sit straight up, board rigid against a backrest. If I don't, I end up in the doctor's office. 
And, since my next bike just about has to be an 1800, this subject really interests me.
____________________
John
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MDKramer
Moderator
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 01:50 pm | 30th Post |
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You know AZ, I'll be honest, I don't have the foggiest clue myself how they work. 
Unfortunately I don't have an 1800, and merely did a search on Google trying to find a solution. Mayhap they come with more shims?'
I remember when I rode an 1800 last season I felt like the grips (as well as the fairing lowers) were right on my knees. I wasn't impressed with the handlebar arrangement one tiny bit.
I'm hoping maybe someone with more expertise in this matter will jump in here.
Mike
Last edited on Thu Aug 7th, 2008 01:53 pm by MDKramer
____________________
If you're worried about the world coming to an end tomorrow...
...Just remember, it's already tomorrow in Australia!
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Peterbylt
Active Member
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Posted: Thu Aug 7th, 2008 02:45 pm | 31st Post |
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I've had constant back pain for many years, Two bad disks that I should get surgery on but don't like the idea of people cutting me open.
With that said, after riding any bike for more than 100 miles or so I was getting an almost unbearable pain in my lower back but the love of riding kept me going.
A friend of mine who is an Iron Butt rider and regularly rides 1000 miles in a day told me to get one of those cheap mesh and velcro weight lifting belts and wear it under my shirt.
AT $25.00 from Sports Authority it was a cheap enough experiment.
What a difference, At the beginning of July we did 2000 miles in ten days. My lower back did not bother me at all while wearing the belt. We even did 500 miles in one day with no back issues.
It worked for me.
Peter
____________________
75 GL1000
81 GL1100
75 550F
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ScooterTramp
Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:33 am | 32nd Post |
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MDKramer wrote: You know Scooter, I honestly understand your plight. The first half of my first long trip on my 1100 was a dismal affair that left a then young man barely able to walk upright. The problem? The stock position of the bars was pulling me forward just enough to put pressure on my lower back.
Luckily there was a Honda stealership in the town I landed in, and that stealership had a set of handlebar extensions on the rack, and a mechanic who wasn't doing anything that afternoon who could slap 'em in for me (This was LONG before I learned to carry a good pack of my own tools in the bottom of a saddlebag).
MY GOD what a difference that little 3/4" block of steel made!!! It took a few rides, and several adjustments of angle, and turning all the hand controls back to level to get them just where I need them, but the work was worth it in the long run.
I just did a quick Google search for gl1800 handlebar adjustment and came up with what looks like it might solve some of your problem here: (check the 2nd item down)
http://www.scootworks.com/partsgwhandlebar.htm
Hopefully you can get yours adjusted to fit your body friend, once you do, you'll never look back!
Mike
I've looked at those Riser Kits. The deluxe kit looks pretty good. I can see how this would work. I just didn’t know if it would be enough. I like the idea of moving them up though.
 
It’s hard to tell by a picture. But it looks like these would do something. It’s worth a try. My back pain is, low, between the shoulder blades. When I sit up, I can feel my spine (pop) realigning itself……not good. Honda did a better job on the passenger, than they did for the pilot!
Combine this with the back rest. Should do it. It says 5 positions. I’ll try this first. Anything else, I would, most likely, have to lengthen wires cables and hoses.
The GW has a lot of potential. I am thankful, others have worked on this problem. That is what ‘it’s all about’. I had forgotten what it was like when I first got the shovelhead. I was a lot younger, of course. The is about the same as the stock (1974) FXE, as far as comfort goes. It’s a machine, I’ll fix it.
But…..damn….the road calls me. When I look at it, it just looks like it is chomping at the bit to ‘get going’. This machine was build to run. Thanks, I'll let you know how this works out. the key, here, is not to give up.
Last edited on Fri Aug 8th, 2008 02:35 am by ScooterTramp
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Phil
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 07:30 pm | 33rd Post |
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I have a badly knackered back (5 discs gone and the base of my spine is crumbling) that added to the ache in between my shoulders sent me down the riser route - they do seem to work - whether its the placebo effect or not I dont know but put mine on and I havent looked back since. They have certainly helped thats for sure.
Rgds
Phil
____________________
Yellow GL1800 2003
Yellow Ducati 750SS 2001
skype; yellowing03
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wrongway
Very Active Member
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Posted: Fri Aug 8th, 2008 09:43 pm | 34th Post |
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evolbob wrote: My long ride was just under 1000 miles, just a putt for most on this forum I know. The seat on my '85 Aspy appears to be the original since it has the GW emblem embossed on the leather/vinyl? During the ride I would stop after an hour or so to stretch my aching left knee and let my a$$ breath! I purchased an Alaska leather sheepskin cover that helped some but I think my seat is just wore out! Now that the ride is over (came home last Tuesday, 6 days ago) my lower back has given me fits which all my nurse relatives say is a possible sciatica nerve aggravation. I noticed too that I felt like I was riding on the false tank (the cover allowed me to slide slightly during braking). I want to do something
I know the original seat on my 1500 is shot. After about 30 miles I feel like I'm sitting on the seat pan and the curved backrest part of the seat is like it's hollow and I can feel a lump of foam at the bottom of it.
Anyway, after trying pads etc, I ordered a road sofa (can't be worse).
I'm getting severe pain on the left side and it runs from my cheek to my beltline. My doctor says it's probably the sciatica. Man it's just a stabbing pain.
My wife and I enjoy long distance riding so the new seat is a must.
____________________
Greg (wrongway)& wife Bonnie
Previous bikes from recent are:1998 Goldwing SE,
2001 Valkyrie Standard, 2005 Vulcan 1500, 2000 750 Shadow....30 year absence....350 Honda, 175 Bridgstone, 305 Honda, 125 Kawasaki
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Whiskerfish
Senior Guru
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Posted: Sat Aug 9th, 2008 01:03 am | 35th Post |
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I went through the lower back issue last year with my road bike. I had 2 lower back surgeries in the early 90's. I have been running about 10,000 miles a year on my 78 1000 for the past 5 years. I finally decided last year to take off the 1981 vintage Travelcade and get a Corbin touring saddle. I gave it several thousand to break in and it felt awesome on the butt compared to the old Travelcade. But anything after about 10 hours would cripple me for days with intense lower back pain. I made one run that was 5 significant days in the seat and I got home and was absolutely bed ridden. I did some measuring and come to find out the Corbin sat me about 3 inches further back from the steering stem than the old travelcade. Being a vertically challenged person that was enough to throw my whole riding position out of whack. I have since sold the Corbin and have my old travelcade back on while I figure out the next step.
For lower back pain I would seriously examine riding position more than butt comfort. It all works together.
____________________
Whiskerfish
1978/9 Nekid Streetfighter 50k miles
1978 Dressed Daily Rider w/150k plus miles
1976 Windjammer dressed SOLD
1975 Nekid Recently Acquired (next street bike project)
1975 Nekid 22k miles running, Currently use as engine test stand
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