I agree with the backrest! Think I will try smokindave's advice...It definitely can't hurt.

 

I ride with a kidney belt,backrest,and will sometimes take a motrin..

 

I have had back problems for YEARS and nothing will completely solve the problem, BUT
the back rest, exercises, and other suggestions will make it better. Of course, every
back problem is an individual complex problem and there is NO ONE REMEDY FITS All...................hdman

 

Sleepin on the ground might have drug ya down a bit. And th backrest....all iI can say of ....Ahhhhhhhhhhh!

 

I solved mine by not sleeping on the ground anymore. Even with back rest, air mattress in the tent, stretching, ect. when i started staying in motels, back pain ended. Old lady is a lot happier also, lol.

 

I've found a ton of crappy hotel mattresses over the years.
My 15 dollar inflatable air mattress (for camping) hasn't let me down yet.
Plus the old lady likes "relations" in the tent better than some public mattress... go figure. Nothing like walking barefoot over someone else's boogies and chewed finger nails praying you don't get bed bugs from some nasty *** who has the personal hygiene of a Rat. I'm talking any kind of hotel no matter how 'Clean' or expensive looking.
At least do a good inspection before laying your head down on that public pillow. Hotels = yuck.

Ditto on the backrest.

lp

 

1)Stretch your hamstrings-regularly. 2)Stretch your hamstrings.

Saved my life. Might not help you since we don't know specific issue.

If aspirin / advil etc. does not help - I bet stretching your hamstrings will.

Pat

 

Appreciate all the replies. Adding a backrest and need to generally think about the fitness aspect of touring. Hit the gym, drop weight, regular stretching and do some ab work. I rode to work today and feeling better. Slapped on an old weight lifting belt and that helped a lot--but as posters said, do not want to let that become a substitute for training my core.

I am sticking with my tent though--done a lot of camping and it's not about the ground.

80 Degrees in Maryland today!!

 

Backrest and advil! Won't leave home without them! Like you, had back problems for years, but with the backrest, I can ride all day. without it ....... only an hour or so.

 

The exercise tips are excellent. Many of us now sit in front of the computer 10 hours a day to pay the bills. That leads to weak backs, tightened leg muscles, tendons, etc. And riding the motorcycle takes a strong back, strong leg muscles, etc. Great advice!

jackl