WANT TO STAY IN THE SADDLE LONGER AND MORE COMFORTABLY?
Add a kidney belt to your road-riding apparel.
My first kidney belt supported my guts and lower back in the 70′s during a tremendous amount of dirt bike riding. Man, do those things make offroad moto-life more enjoyable.
At some point after I started riding the pavement, I brought along the same kidney belt and found that I could ride much longer and with less fatigue whenever I wore the thing. 30 years later it is still a staple in my riding arsenal.
Basically, the belt keeps your innards from shaking around and it also supports your lower back. When I put mine on, I typically pull in my gut, tighten the wide kidney belt, and lock the hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners.
There are many choices of kidney belts, including varying degrees of additional back protection, and of course different sizes. Even though there is a greater selection of these belts available, compared to the 70′s, I’ve never found one as good as my first one. Nowadays, the majority of kidney belts are secured via hook and loop fasteners. But I find they wear out after about a year or so of heavy use and the fastening system can then detach by itself while riding.
My first one had metal hooks and metal fasteners that offered a variety of positions for different waist sizes. Like the modern versions, this one also included some elastic fabric so the belt would give a little as you straddled your seat, and because of the metal hooks and metal fasteners back then, the snug fit just wouldn’t detach.
The earlier one also had stainless steel strips, ensconced in rubber for back support. You can find that on some of the modern ones, but the fastening system will not last as long. Regardless, I wouldn’t go for a longer ride without one!
You should be able to buy one from any motorcycle accessories dealer, although more often than not, they will be with the dirt bike apparel.
Do you have a favorite kind of motorcycle kidney belt?
One of the best thing I found to use as a kidney belt is a back support device like the ones used by warehouse workers to help support the back while lifting. They are made of a lighter material ,breathe better and are less expensive.
If your an off road rider it should be something you always use, I always did, however if your a street rider, unless you have an exstreamly bad back, why would you wear one. I’m over 70, have always had back issues, ride over 20k per year, have rode all my life and do not use one. I think a lot has to do with the seat and your position on the bike. I ride an FJR, ride up to 400 miles per day and lucky enough to not have issue in that regard.
Any info on the best leather kidney belt on the market ?
I use a Fox dirt bike kidney belt for my touring and it feels great. I would higly recomend whenever your are riding for more of an hour or so.
I also ride with a kidney belt and find it adds support to the back. But for even more comfort, after the ride a couple of belts to the liver work well too.
I ride a GoldWing and it rode fine then I had the Traxxion suspension put on it and what a difference, but for the unexpected bumps and hole the kidney belt sounds like a good idea.
How about this: When your older (like me at 69), you’ll want to get off the bike almost once an hour to take a leak or a fanny break or to get some water. I don’t consider the ride to be an endurance contest and after all, it’s the ride, not the destination.
Kidney belts can be uncomfortable in hot/humid weather. The question then becomes how much the comfort it offers in terms of being able to ride longer is offset by the temperature. I guess that would vary from person to person.
So, how comfortable are they during really hot, humid weather? I rode down from Toronto during early July and the dashboard thermometer read 103. Seems all that belt would do would be to make you sweat all the more. Thoughts?
I started using a kidney belt a couple years ago. One of the best things I ever did to increase my comfort level on longer rides.
I purchassed a leather “lifting” belt for my kidney belt. Ido not use it around town, but on rides over 30 minutes I strap it on. Makes a world of difference!!
Thanks for your suggestion. Will try a kidney belt.
I use a leather lifting belt made by Schiek. It has a two-prong buckle with the holes about an inch apart so it is very adjustable and will not release while riding. However, it does not provide the custom fit that a velcro closure would. The front is almost as wide as the back so it provides support both in the front and back of the torso. The belt also provides plenty of padding all around and is very comfortable. I live in the South and do not find it to be anymore uncomfortable on hot days than fabric type belts. I do not wear the bbelt unless I am going on a long ride, but would not do such a ride without it.
I’m not a dirt rider, but I was introduced to kidney belts for street riding and I wear one most of the time.