Author Topic: Anybody switched from a cruiser to a bandit and......??? (Read 4661 times)

jbrough7 · « **on:** April 18, 2006, 09:57:13 PM »

gotten a sore back? Weird - had the bandit almost two weeks and had a sore back the whole time. Not sure if the bike has caused it or if it is one of a million other things concurrent with old age (46).

Anybody else wince when they throw a leg over their best girl?

Jim

theroamr · « **Reply #1 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:35:36 PM »

I notice the opposite. If I dont work out for awhile by back stiffens up. The fact I slouch in my desk chair all the time at work doesnt help either. The cure for me seems to be to ride the bandit more. I think it has to do with the fact that when riding it forces you to seat correctly, shoulders squared, back straight and not rounded. It is therapy for me.

deepink · « **Reply #2 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:54:01 PM »

Quote from: "theroamr"

I notice the opposite. If I dont work out for awhile by back stiffens up. The fact I slouch in my desk chair all the time at work doesnt help either. The cure for me seems to be to ride the bandit more. I think it has to do with the fact that when riding it forces you to seat correctly, shoulders squared, back straight and not rounded. It is therapy for me.

I'm down with you on this one. I seem to sit more correct when on the bike. Which tends to be a relief. But I am almost always a little sore in my lower back after a really long day of riding. Probably just the stress of cornering, and holding on tight.

curiousmike · « **Reply #3 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:59:58 PM »

Never been a cruiser owner, but i'll hazard a guess.

On the cruiser, your back might be more up and down.

On the Bandit, your back has a slight curve to it.

Perhaps you have great posture, and haven't spent anytime in a slightly bent over angle and you're "exercising" new muscles.

Maybe you don't put any weight on your wrists, and use your back to support you more?

Try using your feet and digging knees into the tank to help support you more.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2006, 10:30:02 PM »

You may find that it goes away as you get used to the new position. It did for me. At first I was sure I was going to need a different set of bars - something a little taller with a touch more pullback. (I'd considered risers, too, but they tend to cost as much or more than a new set of bars and IMHO, a bar change looks much cleaner than risers.) After a month or so, I became used to it and have no complaints.

Many cruiser riders find riding a standard like the Bandit is actually easier on their back since many cruisers force you into a slouch or their riding position puts more pressure on the tail bone.

fritobandito · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2006, 03:05:52 PM »

My last bike was a 1985 Honda Shadow VT1100. That bike forced me into a slumped posture. It was hard on the back and tailbone especially. The Bandit is more comfy to me. My only pains are from my elbows (tendinitis) and upper back from holding my head up. But, I haven't spent that much time on it as of yet. If anybody wants to improve their physical stature, then I recommend reading a book called "Three Minutes to a Pain Free Life". The book explains all about physiology and how the muscles, tendons and joints work. Then, it gives you a series of stretches that you do everyday that takes approx. 3 minutes to do in order to maintain healty muscles and joints. I've been doing them for about three weeks now and I can tell you that my elbows are feeling better and I don't grunt as much when I get up from my desk anymore. I'm 46 also. Ok, that's it for the plug. Just trying to help.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2006, 05:07:52 PM »

'three minutes to a pain free life' - Divorce takes way longer than that!

I'll take a look - thanks for the tips.

There are so many variables, i never know what the problem is. I quit smoking for 6 weeks so put on weight and I know that pulls on your back and hurts you. also, i am wearing my motorcycle boots a lot more and they might be doing it.

I've had fewer escapades between the sheets, so maybe that's doing it!

Is that way too much info or what?

Jim

smooth operator · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2006, 09:35:56 PM »

Try working out your abs more. The stronger your abs the easier it is on your back. I'm a tile setter and natural stone mechanic. Plus working out when I can, my back is strong. But my knees kill me after working all day. And especially with the rear sets, I need all the leg room I can get. That is what keeps me from switching to a all out sport bike,I don't think my knees would take it for a long run.

mike · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2006, 07:57:36 AM »

You'll get used to it... Just need to strengthen the abs and lower back...

One thing that will help, is do some stretching before riding, just some 5-10 count straight legged toe touches will loosen your hamstrings, hips and lower back..

I actually have to do those all the time from a sciatic nerve injury I had doing heavy dead lifts when was 19. The physical therapist said those toe touches really help not just your hamstrings, but hips and lower back as well-which is what I really needed with that pinched nerve in my lower back running down through my hips and ball joints in my leg/hip area. They really will help you work the kinks out.

btw, I rode a Harley Sportster as a trade with a riding friend one Sat afternoon for about 200 miles. I was used to the Bandit, and doing 300 was easy for me on the B12. Man, within 100 miles on the Harley my ass was asleep, legs going numb, and that night my tail bone felt sore. I had to take a walk to wake everything backup below my lower lumbar.

You just need to get used to the new position is all, it is actually better for yor body in the long term-establish good posture so everything is supported ergonomically. Bad posture does eventually lead to injury prone stuff, you're just used to the bad slouch cruiser position, you probably had to go through growing pains with that bike too when you first started.

Try the toe touch stretches, they do help loosen ya up before, and pull the stiffness out afterwards.

jbrough7 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2006, 08:08:10 AM »

Thanks, Mike. That's interesting about the cruiser position vs. on a standard and i've heard the same thing. I'll give the toe touches a try...I had the sciatica thing too 25 years ago and had part of a lower disc removed to take the pressure off? Not too bad now but still it's usually sore...especially if i sit around and read or watch tv or just basically do nothing.

I always think I'm like a beaver with his teeth growing out if he gets lazy!

Thanks again.

Jim

jeepskate99 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 22, 2006, 10:24:38 PM »

Quote from: "smooth operator"

Try working out your abs more. The stronger your abs the easier it is on your back. I'm a tile setter and natural stone mechanic. Plus working out when I can, my back is strong. But my knees kill me after working all day. And especially with the rear sets, I need all the leg room I can get. That is what keeps me from switching to a all out sport bike,I don't think my knees would take it for a long run.

The abdominal muscles are the foundation of your body. If your back is suddenly sore I am willing to bet my Bandit that your abs aren't as strong as they could be.

Have Blue · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2006, 07:43:03 PM »

Exactly my impression after the first B12 ride today, taller and more pullback. It isnt my back it bothers though, its my neck. I find I'm looking more upward that I'm used to. The B12 puts more weight on my wrists than my GSX. Going to give it a month and see if I get used to it.

Blue

Quote from: Red01

You may find that it goes away as you get used to the new position. It did for me. At first I was sure I was going to need a different set of bars - something a little taller with a touch more pullback. After a month or so, I became used to it and have no complaints.

tacoman · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2006, 01:44:12 PM »

The bandit was the first bike I could ride all day and not be in agony. I'm with the ab muscle advice too. Start doing some sit ups, it won't take much but it will really improve things for you. Depending on what kind of shape you're in, start with 10-15 every other night and progress from there. It will really strengthen your core.

Cargo7 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2006, 10:46:03 PM »

I'm 6'1" (boots on) and 210 lbs and ride a stock 03 B12. The first thing I noticed on this machine is that my back actually feels great while riding. If you sit back towards the break in the seat then there's no pressure on the tailbone at all and bumps are soaked up more by your pelvis than your back.

This was not the case with my last machine - an XJ1100 Maxim "lowrider" where I'd have to hike my butt up on top of the passenger seat to take the pressure off of my back on longer rides. The Bandit bars are fine on my wrists as-is (again the XJ was brutal because of the extreme pullback and was finally the primary reason why I sold this bike).

I find that my neck is the muscle area that takes a bit of getting used to after the winter doldrums. I've ran through a tank of gas or more on many rides and feel great when I step off for the day.

PaulVS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:04:43 PM »

I've become a crusader of sorts.

The stock tires and handlebars on a 2nd Gen Bandit are majorly horrible.

I've ranted in many other posts here about both.... but the bottom line is that the handlebars need to be an inch higher and have an inch less pullback... and the tires need to be replaced with Pirelli Stradas, Metzeler Roadtecs, Shinko Advance's, or Avon Azaros.

When you do those 2 things - you have a bike that is 200% improved.