I just picked up my 2004 ST1300 and I rode a brief 50 miles and my back is hurting bad. I am 65 but think in reasonable shape. Maybe I got spoiled with my former GW which had a drivers back rest. Is that an option for ST's? I am going to use a back brace/weight lifting elastic belt in the mean time. I am hoping I need to just get my 'road legs' back. Anyone else?
My Back is Killing Me!
- Thread starter Jeffgrig
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- 2013 ST1300 A9
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No. I've had bad backs, 2 collapsed discs in the lower spine and excrutiating sciatica. Found it difficult to sit down anywhere and I used a 'back chair' with a tilted forward seat and pads for knees - so you were half kneeling and half sitting - with back vertical.
But when I was coming out of this issue, I found that the most comfortable place to be was on the ST1300. I could (and did) ride for hours.
Mind - getting feet down to the ground required a bit of forward planning, and I had walking poles in the top box for when I got off.
When the ST1300 first arrived, I sat on one. It was terrible - so much weight on my wrists. I was leant too far forwards. I stayed with my ST1100A for a few years. IT was four years later when I tried again and sat on one with a bar riser fitted. So I bought one brand new in 2007 - brand new ST1300A6, fitted a bar riser.
I suppose it depends where your back pain is. I can imagine that between the shoulders could be an issue, but I've never had it. First rides after winter, I get pains across my chest - which was worrying until I realised what it was. Sub-consciously gripping the bars too tight and wrestling the bike rather than riding with it. It only takes a couple of rides.
But when I was coming out of this issue, I found that the most comfortable place to be was on the ST1300. I could (and did) ride for hours.
Mind - getting feet down to the ground required a bit of forward planning, and I had walking poles in the top box for when I got off.
When the ST1300 first arrived, I sat on one. It was terrible - so much weight on my wrists. I was leant too far forwards. I stayed with my ST1100A for a few years. IT was four years later when I tried again and sat on one with a bar riser fitted. So I bought one brand new in 2007 - brand new ST1300A6, fitted a bar riser.
I suppose it depends where your back pain is. I can imagine that between the shoulders could be an issue, but I've never had it. First rides after winter, I get pains across my chest - which was worrying until I realised what it was. Sub-consciously gripping the bars too tight and wrestling the bike rather than riding with it. It only takes a couple of rides.
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On a few bikes I've owned I also found my back would start to hurt after several hours. I wore a back brace to take care of it and that worked well. When I travel for STOC events I usually try to pack a bag on the back seat to use as a really nice back rest and that also worked well.
I think I do recall a few owners of the ST1300 who found a back rest to add-on... but I might be wrong about that. Memory is much worse than my back.
I think I do recall a few owners of the ST1300 who found a back rest to add-on... but I might be wrong about that. Memory is much worse than my back.
Depending on your physical size, the stock 1300 forces many riders to lean forward a bit. Adding risers - various manufacturers from Heli bars to used examples from defunct companies (MCL is one)) can solve this problem. Many of us abhor the stock seat, and use a Sargent, RDL, or other brand to change the angle of their hips and provide more support. Some of these custom seats can incorporate a back rest.
I had utopia backrests on both my st1300’s. They still make them.
They are in Ohio. You probably need risers so you can comfortably use the backrest. I usually rode a few hours before I needed them. Nice and adjustable. Just put one on my 24 wing.
www.utpr.com
They are in Ohio. You probably need risers so you can comfortably use the backrest. I usually rode a few hours before I needed them. Nice and adjustable. Just put one on my 24 wing.
www.utpr.com
I forgot to mention but this new bike does have the risers. The previous owner leaned against a filled dry bag on long trip in a kind of ad hoc backrest. Utopia! That's the name of the backrest I had on my GW. It changed the game for me totally.