Is it the seat or me?

[cee2cee]

I have a Breva 750 with what i think is the standard seat.  I love riding the bike but it does not take too long on the bike for my back to begin to hurt, which makes long rides rather unpleasant.  I actually added a riser to the handlebars thinking less of a forward lean might do the trick, but no such luck.  Now, just to add some information before making a comment,  I have a desk job and  sit. on and off for 8 hours with no problem plus i just don't have any back problems any other time.  I ride a road bicycle for about an hour 4-5 times a week, which you if you have ever seen any  bike racers know that the position is a froward lean and again no problems.  I have read a number of post about guy's butt getting sore from riding too long on uncomfortable seats, but that's not my case, the seat feels rather comfortable.  Just wondering if anyone else who has a Breva with the stock seat had/has this problem and if anyone had changed the seat and if so what was your experience? 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Man, that's a tough one. Maybe build up your core strength? If you ass isn't hurting, it's probably not the seat.

[Arizona Wayne]

My lower back is shot and therefore to be able to ride comfortably for hours my 750 Breva seat is perfect as is.  I have to lean forward some or have a back rest on a MC.  So in your case it sounds like you need a handlebar that will allow you to sit upright for comfort on  your Breva.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I have a 1200 Sport and love the stock bars because they put more weight on my hands and less on my butt. This s summer I rode to be he national rally, I put in several 400 mile days with no seat or hands complaints. I think you went the wrong way in raising the handlebars... It puts more weight on your butt which sounds like what you DON't want. I vote for you to lower the handlebars which will give you less seat pain.

[canuguzzi]

Sitting for 8 hours a day, on-off will do miracles for your health. These miracles can manifest themselves in various ways, eventually.

Try standing at work unless you're in some prominent position or location that would make you look like a tryout for some campaign slot. It could be all that sitting is messing up your body enough to show up when riding the Breva, never know.

Sometimes we will go to great lengths to change bars, seats, boots, helmets and all that while ignoring what we do every days for hours on end that really messes with our bodies and general well being.

Not saying it isn't the seat, bars or anything else, just saying that a contributor could be sitting most of the say because if nothing else, the damage done there is cumulative, sooner or later it will show up.

[timonbik]

I HAVE A 750 BREVA with standard seat.  I find that after an hour or so I get a sore tail bone.  I am personally not a fan of these scooped out seats and much prefer the old style bar seats that allow you to slide back and forth and change your position while riding.  I have found that adding a waffle gel pad and sheepskin has helped but still not as good as my Ducati Multistrada which has a great stock seat.

[cee2cee]

Guys, let me add a few more facts.  When i said i sit at a desk for 8 hours i should have said i have a desk job....but I stand and walk around a lot.  Plus I am extremely active, riding 14 miles per day 4xs per week on a road bike at a fast pace, in excellent health and at 5'10" 166 lbs no issues with core strength trust me...Oh and I am 66 years old.  Also as mentioned, i don't ever have any other back issues, none.  I think as one poster said I may simply be better off with a bike that allows me to sit more upright.  Perhaps a dual sport...any suggestions both MG and other brands? 

[sign216]

I recall a Breva 750 rider, from Spain I think, who said the Breva had a very comfortable seat.

It's all very dependent on the specific combination of rider + bike. 

I found bar risers to be very helpful, but if they aren't doing anything for you then ... perhaps a V7 with it's flatter seat might let you ride longer and still keep the Guzzi feel. 

[balvenie]

Guys, let me add a few more facts.  When i said i sit at a desk for 8 hours i should have said i have a desk job....but I stand and walk around a lot.  Plus I am extremely active, riding 14 miles per day 4xs per week on a road bike at a fast pace, in excellent health and at 5'10" 166 lbs no issues with core strength trust me...Oh and I am 66 years old.  Also as mentioned, i don't ever have any other back issues, none.  I think as one poster said I may simply be better off with a bike that allows me to sit more upright.  Perhaps a dual sport...any suggestions both MG and other brands?

It's a mystery You did not hurt yourself but you have pain.
As a survivor of chronic pain, I suggest that you see a physiotherapist and have him poke and prod while you lie face down, for a while. Get a referral to someone good.
And Good Luck

[rboe]

I blame the seat or the wife.  Both are handy for that. 

[Arizona Wayne]

Guys, let me add a few more facts.  When i said i sit at a desk for 8 hours i should have said i have a desk job....but I stand and walk around a lot.  Plus I am extremely active, riding 14 miles per day 4xs per week on a road bike at a fast pace, in excellent health and at 5'10" 166 lbs no issues with core strength trust me...Oh and I am 66 years old.  Also as mentioned, i don't ever have any other back issues, none.  I think as one poster said I may simply be better off with a bike that allows me to sit more upright.  Perhaps a dual sport...any suggestions both MG and other brands?

I am 72 yo, 205#, 30" inseam and love my stock Breva seat/handlebar.    My wife loves the back half of the seat too.  We put in 500 mile days.  I really don't understand what you are complaining about.

[Muzz]

I have a 2003 Breva, which has the stock seat, and have owned it from new.

The biggest comfort aid was fitting a sheepskin, and a very scrawny one at that, especially after about 10 years. I have had over the last five years some "health issues" which involved constant leg pain along with a hip failure. The Breva had the most comfortable seat in our house. It was the only place I could get any pain relief sitting down; it made going for a ride REALLY something to look forward to.   In spite of having a back that gives the odd twinge it has never given me any problems while on the bike. It fits me like a glove.

I am 5' 7" tall and have a 30" inseam. I have done 400 mile + day rides before and the comfort from the stock seat is great (with the sheepskin fitted, not so good without).

[balvenie]

constant leg pain

Would it be sciatica, Muzz?

[Nic in Western NYS]

My experience with different bikes is that the cruiser position is hard on the coccyx/tailbone/spine, the standard position is hardest on the butt, and the sport position is hardest on the wrist/shoulders. fwiw/ymmv

[charlie b]

I would suggest trying more forward lean, not less, especially since the bicycle position is 'comfortable' for you.  I find that the more upright I sit, the worse my lower back pain.

The lower back issue can also be due to leg position, how far forward or back the pegs are.  I like the pegs just in front of my hips and high/low enough that my thighs are parallel to the ground.

[Groover]

I had this exact issue when I had a different bike. It was an HD Fatboy. I tried risers, pullback risers, 2 types of bars with different angles and 3 different seats. After all that research, labor and money, my back would still hurt even between my ride from home to work, which is about 20 minutes no matter which configuration I used.

I have zero of those issues with my G5, and I mainly attribute that to love... I love my bike and that makes all pains go away  , but I really do think it has to do with the fit of the overall bike to my size and the banana seat which allows me to move around. I'm 5-9", ~180lbs

I have a similar lifestyle as yours from what you describe.

Unfortunately, if you are looking for a newer model, I can't think of one that doesn't have the staggered seat or bucket seat configuration.

I guess the moral of the story is... don't go down the rabbit hole in replacing a bunch of parts if you are not 100% in love with your bike. If you have a half inkling in maybe liking a different model, I'd try if possible to go test ride one and see if that fits you better.

Good luck!

[trippah]

I think the suggestion of a slightly more forward lean might be right; my Suzuki Savage had bars that allowed me to sit upright, which was comfortable for about 1 hr, then came the lower back pain.  Sounds like you're fit enough generally, although perhaps the position and the jarring combined are attacking your back.  Softer setting on the shocks maybe?
Best of luck with it...

[Noguzznoglory]

04 Breva bone stock. Only discomfort I feel is the butt. 5'9" , 31" i seam

[lucky phil]

Guys, let me add a few more facts.  When i said i sit at a desk for 8 hours i should have said i have a desk job....but I stand and walk around a lot.  Plus I am extremely active, riding 14 miles per day 4xs per week on a road bike at a fast pace, in excellent health and at 5'10" 166 lbs no issues with core strength trust me...Oh and I am 66 years old.  Also as mentioned, i don't ever have any other back issues, none.  I think as one poster said I may simply be better off with a bike that allows me to sit more upright.  Perhaps a dual sport...any suggestions both MG and other brands?

What exactly does "back pain" mean? Lower, mid, upper? sharp, dull ache? After exactly how long in the saddle?
Ciao 

[Carlo DeSantis]

I would suggest trying more forward lean, not less, especially since the bicycle position is 'comfortable' for you.  I find that the more upright I sit, the worse my lower back pain.

The lower back issue can also be due to leg position, how far forward or back the pegs are.  I like the pegs just in front of my hips and high/low enough that my thighs are parallel to the ground.

 :1:

This is my experience as well -- and as Charlie says, you're already comfortable with the bicycle position.

Best,

Carlo

[cee2cee]

Thanks guys for all the input.  Will try riding a bit more forward and see how that works.  As for the type of discomfort, [I guess i should not have used the word pain] it  seems more  muscular, as opposed to skeletal discomfort along the middle to lower back.  Once I get off and maybe have the misses give a little rub it is fine or just walk around a bit it goes away.  I am gong to try to ride a few different bikes over the next couple of months to compare. 

[Muzz]

Would it be sciatica, Muzz?

No. Started off with Poly Myalgia Rheumatica  but over a period of time also grew a bony protruberance that pushed on the spinal chord. A very astute physiotherapist (used to be the physio for the All Blacks) saw it and was able to alleviate it by putting me on the rack. Has transformed my life!

Been a stink five years.