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I love this bike but have back pain

9K views 18 replies 15 participants last post by  commandodave 
#1 ·
I am new to riding and have only been riding for two years. I took the MSF class just for fun (military paid for it) and I fell I. Love with riding. Thing is I started having back trouble in 2013 (not due to the bike). Several people have told me I need to get another bike or else i could cause myself more issues. There also the same people who say 250's are for kids so take that with a grain if salt. I love this bike. It's cheap and easy fun. I do want a bmw r1200rt someday and can afford it. Right now, I just want to ride.

So with that said does anybody here ride with back issues? Would another bike make that much of a difference over the long haul? Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I've owned bikes with much more aggressive riding positions as well as "cruiser" type bikes with higher handlebars and low seats. Either of those will hurt your back more than the fairly neutral riding position of the CBR250R.
The slope of the seat will also effect comfort, which is one reason I got rid of my Ninja250R which kept squashing my crotch into the gas tank. The CBR250R seat is much flatter and more comfortable on long rides by comparison.
Any position that puts undue weight on your arms or posterior is bad in the long run, which is why I like the CBR250R since it has a nice compromise between both that feels very natural to me (and I'm 6' and 220lbs.) If I have any complaints at all it's that the pegs could be a bit lower to accommodate my long legs more, but I'm not willing to add rearsets which would only put more weight on my arms.
You might have better luck adding an aftermarket saddle or adding more padding to the one you have. It's not a difficult project and you can dial-in the exact amount of support you need to keep your behind happy and cushion your lower spine more.
 
#4 ·
A little more sportier than standard but not as aggressive as super sports.
I don't find my back hurting as much as my right wrist and its just from vibration when riding over an hour nonstop. It kinda does numb your hand if you dont have decent gloves. Even when using your palm to roll the throttle

I like the fit on the CBR250 I too am 6'2 200+ pounds. Make sure you stretch often and careful of them spasms!
 
#5 ·
One thing that helped my comfort greatly was to retrain myself to rest my feet with the balls of my feet on the footpegs instead of the instep. That helped take weight off my hands and arms, which also relieved stress on my back. It does mean that you'll have to reposition your feet for each shift and each time you use the rear brake, but I found it to be worth it.

(It also gives you a little more ground clearance in turns . . . if you are leaned over that far ;^)
 
#6 ·
It's a bit difficult to answer that in general. It depends of course on what part of your back is causing problems. I've never owned another bike so I can't tell you much about long distance travelling on them but I think if you have pain in the upper back then a cruiser style bike might be good for you. If it's in the lower back I'm not sure it would really make much of a difference.
But I hope some of the more experienced guys here can give you some better qualified advise than I can.
 
#7 ·
I have had many other bikes,and still have a bad back.
Sitting up and hanging on,to battle the wind is worse!.
I have always gone to lower bars,and ride on the balls of my feet.
All ways feel better after a ride. :)
 
#8 ·
Back surgery taking out disc and degenerative disk disease 15 yrs ago. Find the comfortable seat position which for me is back as far as I can and almost no weight on the grips. Relax those shoulders. M.D. told me to strengthen my core and loosen my hamstrings. Changing rear sets may help?
 
#9 ·
Yes, I was suffering back pain for ten thousands of km hundreds of hours on many motorcycles and it was very difficult to diagnose what was the reason for it. But finally I fount it.

I need a sitting position that is leant quite much forward, fore example on a sport touring bike like the vfr and wind protecion.

With other bikes, which many say are comfortable, I suffer!

You have to try many motorcycles, if possible all types and hopefully you will find the right one.

As for me the CBR250R is not bad, but I can’t ride in an natural ridinge position for a long time under some circumstances on it. That’s the reason why I changed or very probably will change the bike, now I have two motorcycles, but one will be soled, I am quite sure that it will be the CBR250R, unfortuantely, because it’s a fantastic motorcycle. If not having the back pain sometimes on it, I will probably keep it, but sometimes decissions are difficult to make.

You can listen to what people say or write, but you will have to make your own experiences. Of course on riding position is good for guy A, and it solved his back pain problems, but are you sure this guy hast he same problems as you have? Of course not! Maybe you have a very difficult problem, and need a differen solution, means a different motorcycle.
 
#10 ·
I'm 6'2" and have several bikes. The CBR is not the most comfortable to sit on, but it is not unbearable to ride either. It's small enough that if I need to sit up and straighten my back out I can. My 919 has a more upright seating position, but being naked it forces a lot of wind on my chest, so I lean into it at highway speeds. The DRZ....well, that thing is just a ******************** torture rack. Very upright, seat like a 4x4 (aftermarket SDG) with it being a dualsport bike I of course ride it like a dirt bike...which means jumping ditches/curbs, wheelies, cutting through fields and hitting who knows what hiding in tall grass. Oddly enough, my CR does my back wonders. If I don't move around on the bike I will crash. This loosens up muscles that are normally just a giant knot. It also gives me a great workout in the process.
 
#11 ·
The most comfortable motorcycle I rode had a driver's backrest installed. It had a little spring tension so I could push against it as needed. That was on a Harley Electra-Glide Sport, a touring machine. The CBR250R ergonomics are pretty good as is, but there are times when a backrest would help.
 
#13 ·
[long post, bottom line 'movement/alignment']

without specific diagnostic advice there is always
potential for the unforeseen or unusual situation..
however, as in almost any situation of adopting
a certain position for any length of time, there will be
alignments which generate focal points for stress..

generally, how your back is positioned itself
will determine where forces travel thru it
and where they are exaggerated due to
the particular position.. this also means
changing position is beneficial..

where your feet are positioned [as members
have advised] will effect where and how much
force is directed thru ankle, knee, hip joints
into back, including how much of your weight
is concentrated into the seat, or not..
if you try to do a standing jump off heels
it isnt as effective as the same off balls of feet..
feet pivot off ankles, therefore the further away
from ankles [pivot point] the greater leverage
available to move everything upstream..
also, when mid to rear sole is planted on pegs
there is less flexibility [same reasons] to absorb
movements and loadings from above..

[for me with short/er legs its more comfortable
and generally better to ride with balls of feet on
pegs plus pegs up and back 30mm courtesy of
yoshi rear set plates.. thus my ankle, knee and
hip joints are more easily flexed thus 'ready'
for natural absorbption of stresses and for easier
movement [eg standing on pegs over bumps etc]

you may not need higher pegs with longer legs,
but its still generally better to ride with balls of
feet as contact points on pegs..
changing gear or braking is not a problem..
feet simply slide forward to change or brake..
[compared to awkward movement from 'duck foot'
position on pegs up and around/down and around]
with balls of feet on pegs and ankle/knee/hip joints
flexed a little more its easy to slide front of foot
forward and back again.. this is a good riding
habit anyway, keeping your toes away from
the road surface..

of course the other end, shoulders to arms/wrists
hands and fingers is another way/route for forces
coming up from suspension into your torso/back
and for forward weight distribution..

consider someone with some back injury etc,
hanging from a chin-up bar or doing chin-ups
compared to doing push-ups on a push-up bar..
consider different people with varying sorts of
injuries or weakness' etc in those positions
with those different lines of force traveling
thru their joints, bodies and backs..

obviously there will be different lines of force
and also different reactions to them by
different people with different injuries etc..
thus the need for accurate diagnosis..

but given normal common sense anyone can
work out for themselves what hurts and what
doesnt, whats easy and whats difficult, etc..
for immediate relief of back or other joint pain
the first and best option is movement..

if in a position of pain, move out of it..
this means experimenting with positions
on and off the motorcycle..
but its you back and your life..

generally, injured or not, continual movement
is far and away preferable to not moving..
this can be specific grosse movements
like standing up [on pegs] or lifting arms
overhead [not for novices], lowering and raising
your head at shoulder/neck junction and also
tilting head up and down and side to side
from its axis at top of neck..

without moving arms [much] you can lift your
chest up and release it back down, extend your
stomach out [plus lumbar spine] and back..
shrugging shoulders is so simple/easy..
lifting a knee up or extending the leg forward
is also an easy stretch, as is sliding your thighs
rearward and back to the seat stop and from
side to side etc..

these are just hints, but anything you can do
to move your body even subtly will help..
if i have some sore muscle from exercising
etc i always, gently stretch the area
as part of normal body maintenance
not to mention comfort and pleasure..
this includes before specific actions
including riding my motorcycle..

when riding for any length of time especially
on flat straight highways where natural
body movements steering the motorcycle
are less obvious, its always good to stop
now and then for a drink/coffee and a stretch..
doesnt need to be an exercise program,
just walking around easily, twisting torso
side to side, moving arms and legs etc
as is comfortable for you, is excellent
and makes for a more comfortable
and enjoyable riding experience..

experts recommend hopping up and
walking up and down an aircraft aisle
rather than just sitting there for hours
immobile, to avoid forming blood clots
in their legs due to sitting immobile..

these factors apply whether your riding
any particular style of motorcycle..
people today often miss important normal
movement sequences due to sedentary
lifestyles and the press button age..

this is one basic advantage [imo] of riding
a motorcycle compared to just sitting in
a car.. if you lift your arms overhead [for eg]
it is immediately obvious how your thighs
and legs help to control the motorcycle..
same for moving pelvis across the seat..
slightly flexing/relaxing elbow [thus wrist
and shoulder] entering a corner results in
subtle input to steering [incl counter steering]
together with movement of head which
flows down neck into spine [good]..

for me just a normal daily ride thu mostly
coastal suburbia with traffic [depending]
is refreshing/relaxing and therapeutic
for my whole body not just mind..

the more movement you do
the better condition your joints
[including spine] will be..
movement causes slight pressure
in joints which secrete synovial fluids
whose function is to lubricate joint
surfaces, making movement easier
better and more enjoyable,
whatever your doing..

this includes even small or subtle
movements, as are or should be
part of just riding a motorcycle..

as some wise person once observed;
'use it or lose it'...
 
#14 ·
If you've taken a MSF course they should have scolded you for not riding with the balls of your feet.

I like stretching on the bike
At lights i'll do a quick stand stretch (i'm tall so I can flat foot) sometimes stretch my neck out and look back (cant see everything behind you in a car like you can on a bike!), wiggle my hands around
While riding im trying to figure out a stretch for the throttle other then to let off or movie arm position, for the left hand i'll stretch as needed sometimes resting on my hip.
As for my back while riding i'll change from the more sporty crotch on tank to scoot back to the rearpillion and keep my posture straight (standard)

Caution of sciatica while riding, stand up and stretch or kick a leg out if you have to.
 
#15 ·
I like stretching on the bike
At lights i'll do a quick stand stretch (i'm tall so I can flat foot) sometimes stretch my neck out and look back (cant see everything behind you in a car like you can on a bike!), wiggle my hands around.
I like to do that too, when I have time . . . BUT . . . and this is important . . . be SURE to keep the bike in first and look behind you until the traffic behind you has come to a full stop. You should be ready to make a quick dart into an opening you have selected if the traffic coming from behind isn't stopping. Only after there's traffic stopped behind you is it safe to snick the transmission into neutral and engage the clutch so you can stand and stretch out your back and limbs . . . .
 
#16 ·
Since you are in the military (still?) Im assuming you are in good shape. But Im going to give the advice anyways. Have you tried back and ab exercises? Ive lost a lot of weight since December and started working out a few months ago. With a stronger back now Ive noticed the bike is a lot more comfortable to ride. Ive also heard of back exercises advised by doctors for general back pain.
 
#17 ·
Last summer I spent a lot of time riding a Harley Davidson and by the end of the summer I could hardly walk due to a pinched nerve in my back. The riding position of the Harley caused inflammation and caused me to have extreme pain in my left hip. I have been riding my 250 for 2 summers and my back never bothered me and I commute 60 miles 1 way (1 hour 15 minutes). As Mentioned earlier move around in the saddle, and stretch. Pay attention to how you relax at home, or in the office all of which can cause back pain. When my hip was hurting I changed just about everything I did all the way down to not sitting in my lazy boy chair and laying in my bed. Good luck my friend.


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#18 ·
old habits die hardest, including where and how
we sit.. sitting is today a very common position..
people sit on chairs for many work situations
then sit on chairs or worse lounges to relax,
watch videos etc, and to eat food..

as a long time traditional karate student/teacher
and serious daily yoga practitioner and meditator
there is no doubt, that sitting positions will and
must and cannot but effect major joints incl
your spine from pelvis to neck..

what we do most often [repetition] and for longest,
and within which we move our major joints
[eg, trying to get comfortable etc]
are all methods used to reset joint range of movement..
ie, for those interested in joint health and efficiency
these methods are used to create full movement..

those sitting in chairs or lounges etc typically dont
use this method for improvement, rather use it
to accelerate degradation and the opposite of
general joint health and function...

sitting on [but not, in] a motorcycle can be,
beneficial for all major joints, depending how
you actually 'sit'.. just like any, position
held for any length of time..

as rider56 notes, slumping encouraged by sitting
even within some motorcycle ergonomics can
[and will] cause focus of stress' in the spine
and other joints radiating therefrom..

for many if not most people today, just riding
a typical motorcycle should be therapeutic..

back health and function is fundamental to
any physical skill and effects 'everything'..
also feeding input to your back for support
[or not] are support structures of shoulder/
arms/hands and pelvis/hips/legs/feet..
even fingers and toes...

fortunately for us, our motorcycle ergonomics
are fairly neutral for stressing the spine etc,
and should be somewhat therapeutic even for
those with poor postural alignments/habits
if they attend to riding the motorcycle
as a different, special, activity/skill..

not just another form of slumping..
not just another version of one-sidedness..
we have our clutch and gear lever on the left
and our brake and foot brake lever on the right,
plus various other hand uses both sides..

being a single track vehicle with vertical alignment
we are 'taught' by simply riding to sit in neutral
positions to the motorcycles center of gravity..
we can take advantage of this by merging with
those realities, relaxing/releasing existing
uneven postural habits of sitting etc..

its helpful and beneficial for riders
to do simple major joint movements
under some loading, such as squats
with balance [back on a wall perhaps]
or pushups [elbows in, controlled]
perhaps standing, off a wall..

also any simple stretching such as forward
bending [unhurried] and torso twisting
[swinging arms lightly] plus making fists
and lifting heels up onto balls of feet,
are potentially very, beneficial for
riding and for just living..

just mimicing a normal yawn motion
can be very, beneficial.. just that..

these are things anyone can do
before, going out to go riding..
when stopping for a rest during
a longer ride [highly recommended]
and even with caution during some
parts of the ride itself..

motorcycle riding as a therapeutic tool
:)
 
#19 · (Edited)
I don't know how you sit your motorcycle, but I added a set of these adjustable footpegs:

Billet Adjustable Riser Foot Pegs Honda CBR250R ABS 11 12 13 | eBay

I personally have them in the lowest position to give me more legroom and take it easy on my old knees. You can also adjust them up, forward/rearward, or any combination in between. I do not ride so aggressively that the reduced lean angle is a problem. But then, if you adjusted them anywhere but down, it would not be a problem anyway.

Edit; Forgot to say:

By sitting on the motorcycle, I mean are you leaned forward, or are you sitting with your spine mostly upright. I find that on motorcycles where i sit more upright (cruisers, touring bikes) sudden bumps can compress my spine and cause jolts of pain. Even though I do not have back problems. Hitting those same bumps when on a sport tourer causes no pain as my spine is not vertical so the jolt is not transmitted. My back flexes a little as per the original design. Sport bikes are out of the question as I find the racing crouch quite uncomfortable for more than a half hour ride. My knees, not my back are the problem.
 
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