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willyt

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I purchased a KTM 1090 adventure r late last winter for a trip I'm planning to the Arctic Ocean next year. I've been riding most of my life, mostly cruisers, and I find I can only ride the LTM for a couple of hours before the back pains start. I have done all the usual things such as ensuring handlebar height and lean angle is correct, I've also been consciously paying attention to my riding posture. I can routinely ride my Harley's 8 hours plus per day, only stopping for gas and a quick bite to eat. I've been thinking about trying a back brace. Has anyone ever tried one? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
 
At set of risers (2") in my case helped with a similar issue. Pushed the bars back and up.
My pain or ache was more across the top of my shoulders from leaning over too much on stock position.
 
Exercise might fix that. You’re probably stressing muscles in a way your back is unaccustomed to, a trainer or physiotherapist can give you some simple routines that you can do in under 5 minutes a day. I’ve done that twice, once for knees and again for my back.

I do a few stretch and squat reps in the shower every morning and that’s made me good for the last 10 years.
 
sburns said:
At set of risers (2") in my case helped with a similar issue. Pushed the bars back and up.
My pain or ache was more across the top of my shoulders from leaning over too much on stock position.
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I looked at the riser height with the help of a local shop. Height is good, the pain I'm experiencing is in my lower back.
 
Mad Mike said:
Exercise might fix that. You’re probably stressing muscles in a way your back is unaccustomed to, a trainer or physiotherapist can give you some simple routines that you can do in under 5 minutes a day. I’ve done that twice, once for knees and again for my back.

I do a few stretch and squat reps in the shower every morning and that’s made me good for the last 10 years.
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I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week since I retired in January. I had a trainer help with my exercise routine. As I get older, I understand the importance of regular exercise and stretches in particular.
 
willyt said:
I've been hitting the gym 3 times a week since I retired in January. I had a trainer help with my exercise routine. As I get older, I understand the importance of regular exercise and stretches in particular.
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Be sure to tell your trainer what hurts when you ride. Better option would be to have your family doc refer you to a sports physiotherapist - mine is a miracle worker, but she’s way east in Perth.
 
I can sympathize regarding ergo comfort on a 1090.

I had a KTM 990 SMT previously and was in absolute agony within 3 hours. The pain was in my tailbone, hips and lower back. I changed seats and it improved.

I bought my 1090 in 2019 or 20 and have made comfort a priority, as I wanted to take advantage of the 400km. range. I added a Corbin seat which made a HUGE difference, and also Knight Designs lowered pegs (7/8" of an inch). I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis in both knees and the pegs have been a godsend. I also added a set of accessory pegs to my crash bars that fall under my calves to stretch my legs out.

The downside of the seat is that it's wider than the stock seat and splays my legs a bit, raising my feet and making the already unnecessarily tall bike a bit more awkward, particularly off road.

The upside is I'm able to ride for 8 or 9 hours with only short breaks for gas, and get off at the end of the day free of pain or stiffness.
 
If you can't strengthen your core enough before the trip then a brace may help you through it. My guess would be that your Harley's have forward controls and your legs are holding your upper body up a bit to compensate.
I have no problems riding my 1290R for 1000km a day so although and wouldn't call it an uncomfortable bike (1090/1190/1290 are all pretty similar in terms of comfort and ergos).
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