It seems that the older I get the more people I know who have lower back problems, including myself. Following are a couple of tips that address the lower back. The first may be obvious to most of you, but the second may come as a surprise.

If you have a backrest or just a seat with a modest riser in it you should bend forward before hitting a bump. Note that this is in addition to putting your weight on your foot pegs. When the rear wheel goes over a bump your backrest can hit your lower back as if it was a baseball bat if you do not get away from it.

Wear a good set of leather chaps! These are constructed in such a way as to provide a sturdy wide leather band covering the lower back. When you are in a sitting position this wide band of leather provides an amazing amount of lower back support. Not only is this support of value while you are riding, but if you were to ever hit the ground with your back that leather band will provide as much protection as a piece of thin steel.

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