Back pain solutions?

[SportCommuter]

I hesitate even asking this question out of risk of sounding like a total wimp, but after a week of commuting on my Busa my back is hurting (went to the chiropractor yesterday) and my left hand is feeling the pain of the heavy clutch.  

Now don't get me wrong - I'm loving the bike (amazing power, super smooth on the road, looks amazing, love the sound through my Yosh carbons, etc.). Just wondering if the following changes will make the difference for me:
1) GenMar 1.5" riser (found new ones on sale for $144 including shipping)
2) Gel grips

Any adjustment solutions for the heavy clutch? It only gets bad in stop/go traffic - lots of this in Seattle and the cops write nasty tickets for splitting lanes (not that this always stops me from doing it  

)

And for the record, I'm not a new rider. Been commuting daily for 2+ years on a ZZR 1200.

 

[kromdom]

handlebar risers should help some (reduce load on your wrists and minimize your crouch). kidney belts have been a long favorite of bikers also.

 

[frisbee]

Welcome to the board SportCommuter! Send a PM to Streetntrack or Jester for prices on those parts . You might also want to check out a set of Heli bars. And check out the Pacific Northwest thread in the geographic section . Alot of us keep in touch and meet up for rides . I ride everyday from Tacoma to Seattle. If you see a Red 04 LE w/ yellow stickers it me (i'm mostly around lake union). Hope to meet you soon . Oh , yes the risers will take some of the discomfort away I have 1" Reapers Risers on mine . Good gloves are also a plus as I have bad wrists.

 

[Over_Easy]

Just curious, what are your stats (height, weight, former back problems, physical shape (be honest))?

The risers, pegs, and a gel, Tobin or Corbin seat should help. Also be conscious of slouching or hunching over too much.

I've found that those that exercise regularly and of stronger stature and weight generally don't have the back problems associated with riding as much as taller heavy set fellas.

Any back problems I tend to have result from avoiding the gym for too long.

 

[TALYN]

Any back problems I tend to have result from avoiding the gym for too long.

+1

 

[SportCommuter]

Kidney belt sounds interesting. I've got several pair of nice gloves - I'll try the risers and see what happens.

About all the personal questions

Fair enough, I spend more time at my office desk than the gym, although I'm in pretty good shape - alright, some minor love handles... but fair enough...

After the risers I'm imagining some of the pain will go away.

 

[frisbee]

http://www.reaperracing.biz/index.html

Check out reapers risers , he is a great guy to do business with and they are very affordable.

 

[dagwood]

I sit as close to the tank as possible, this eases the pressure on my wrists from leaning over.

+1 on the reaper risers. I've got the 1" set, but lowered the front...so I broke even.

I came off a Buell XB before the Hayabusa, so the clutch lever is feather light in comparison.

I tend to use my stomach muscles and inner thighs to hold myself up, too.

 

[Bigbody]

I had some back pain when I first started riding the busa too. After a while, it makes your back muscles stronger and the pain goes away. I'm 6'2" and touching 305. And I work in front of a computer all day. Taking the stairs from the 2nd story is always out of the question for me, so you being in good shape should be alright after a little while.

 

[frisbee]

I sit as close to the tank as possible, this eases the pressure on my wrists from leaning over.  

+1 on the reaper risers.  I've got the 1" set, but lowered the front...so I broke even.  

I came off a Buell XB before the Hayabusa, so the clutch lever is feather light in comparison.

I tend to use my stomach muscles and inner thighs to hold myself up, too.

Tetnically even lowering the bike still gives you the same rise. But if you don't lowere the back you will be leaning forward. I still tend to use my stomach and thighs also. I also have a "Motolean" its a gel pad the suctions on the tank and you put your elbow on it . its like leaning on your tank with your arm . It works GREAT! Best $20 mod!

 

[hydrabusa]

I had some pain, when I start riding, so I ride more and finally I got used to, and my back and thigh
pain went away...so I'm not using kidney belt anymore...but on the wrist still have some pain, comes an goes...(need some for that thou...)

 

[TALYN]

You can also put on the Buell TL1000 pegs which will drop your feet down @ an inch which in turn will take some pressure off your lower back....

 

[SportCommuter]

I've seen that several people have installed Buell pegs - do these tend to scrape in the corners?

Other thing I'm going to do this weekend is adjust the angle of my clutch and brake levers - I think that giving them a more natural angle will tweak my wrists less...

 

[TALYN]

I've seen that several people have installed Buell pegs - do these tend to scrape in the corners?

Other thing I'm going to do this weekend is adjust the angle of my clutch and brake levers - I think that giving them a more natural angle will tweak my wrists less...

I couldn't tell you SC, I have never used them, rather only heard they make the ride more comfortable, I am 6'2" 238 and have never had any problems with the ride myself and I commute @ 50 miles a day

 

[grabntwist]

Harley Davidson.

 

[Burger King]

For the clutch, get yourself something to squeeze to strengthen your wrist and forearm. I think you will notice a big difference one you build some strength and stamina in those areas.

 

[CorrodedAlien]

Have you adjusted the distance of the clutch to grip? That will help. + get a squeezy thing to exersise with, had one when I was doing PT after severing tendons, was back on the bike after 6ish weeks.

 

[memorex]

You might want to adjust the the angle of the levers. That helped me out alot. I had to turn them forward as far as they would go.

 

[DaCol.]

Changing the pegs (TL1000R) and adding Helibars have done wonders along with my Tobin seat. If you get a Tobin remember it lowers you about 1/2 inch, which inturn raises the bars 1/2 inch and RAISES the pegs 1/2 inch. What the pegs mean is that the TLR pegs lower you feet by 3/4 inch (which the Tobin makes the pegs only 1/4 inch lower than stock) and the Buells lower your pegs about 1 1/2 inches . But in the end, all the above has made the bike much more controlable and enjoyable to ride, since the Helibars raise the grips about 1 1/2 inch, with the Tobin it converts to 2 inches higher than stock  

 

[SportCommuter]

Wow! With a Tobin seat, bar risers and footpegs I'll be in the same posture as my buddy on his V-Strom

Seriously, all of this is giving me hope. Anybody out there using a Tobin seat? Removing foam lowers the riding position, but is it comfortable after a day-long ride?