MC seat causes heart attack?

**schoeney** · 08-10-2013, 10:22 AM

A guy over in the ST forum had a heart attack. Both he and his doctor suspect his recent long distant ride was a contributing factor.

Rider says his seat just kills him w/pain and doctor suspects it cut off blood flow. A bunch of other members started chiming in with other stories of medical issues caused by long distance riding.

Needless to say he will be getting a new seat.

This hits home with me as on my way back from the VBA rally I did an 800 mile day and my seat was painful. Had to stand on pegs every hour or so for relief. I immediately bought a DLR seat when I returned. I did take extended breaks to cool down and move the legs.

Moral of the story is be safe, take breaks (off the bike), and don't push it too hard.

**glwilson** · 08-10-2013, 10:41 AM

Good advice...

Have heard of problems with others who sit all day... potentially not a good thing...

Old Bear · 08-10-2013, 05:55 PM

It isn't healthy to sit all day in your house! Ask any truck driver about the ills of sitting for extended periods. Our bikes are gonna be worse than either of those. At least with a quality seat and the footpegs, I have a variety of leg, foot and sitting positions I can do. Makes a huge difference in comfort.

Sin City Stan · 08-10-2013, 08:16 PM

This is a known problem with air travel.

blowndodge · 08-10-2013, 10:23 PM

I know the ride I led to Golden Co and back gave the boyz heart attacks trying to keep up.

**Idaho** · 08-11-2013, 06:35 PM

Every time I ride long distance I'm mindful of keeping my legs moving. I use different positions on the pegs and I "stand" on the pegs and floorboards to help flex my leg muscles. That helps to keep blood from pooling in my legs and stems off fatigue.

waterman · 08-12-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I know the ride I led to Golden Co and back gave the boyz heart attacks trying to keep up.

I heard it was slow going with the leader.

waterman · 08-12-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

nd doctor suspects it cut off blood flow.

That could be deadly to BD. Nothing like cutting oxygen off to your brain when your sitting on it.

Ok, on the serious side. Getting off more often makes the ride more enjoyable rather than thinking about the aches and pains in your legs. I have plenty of positions I can move my legs to that help but it still isn't the same as walking around.

MarkG · 08-12-2013, 11:05 PM

I was given some good advice a few years ago. Stop for fuel every 1.5 hours, 90 to 100 miles regardless. Walk around for a few minutes, drink some water, then get back on the bike. You do not get nearly as sore, stay more alert, and helps with the circulation problems.

**schoeney** · 08-12-2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkG

I was given some good advice a few years ago. Stop for fuel every 1.5 hours, 90 to 100 miles regardless. Walk around for a few minutes, drink some water, then get back on the bike. You do not get nearly as sore, stay more alert, and helps with the circulation problems.

That is a good plan.

**cnc** · 08-13-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

I know the ride I led to Golden Co and back gave the boyz heart attacks trying to keep up.

If your sitting on them, your pants are too tight Brad.

Seriously, besides moving my feet and legs around to different positions, I found that moving back and getting the edge of my butt up on the front of the passaenger seat once and a while did a lot to prevent numbness and restore circulation in the rest of my butt.

vulcanguy · 08-15-2013, 07:55 PM

Hi!
When I had my 05 Nomad, I installed a Mustang seat in 06, & trust me, I never had a backside issue again! I could ride all day on the Mustang, highway pegs also help :)
I sold the seat to a friend when I bought my Goldwing in 2012.

Just my 2 cents...

id-man · 08-15-2013, 10:39 PM

Can you really stand in your floorboards? I've been afraid to try it. I ain't light, pushing 250lb. If a floorboard were to give out it'd be instant soup.

**schoeney** · 08-16-2013, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by id-man

Can you really stand in your floorboards? I've been afraid to try it. I ain't light, pushing 250lb. If a floorboard were to give out it'd be instant soup.

You were probably asking Bud but when I had my Nomad I could "stand" on my boards. It was more of I "rose" out of my seat for a 10-15 seconds to get some airflow and move the blood. Not great but helped. 200 lbs here so a bit easier.

On my ST I can stand on the pegs like a dirt bike as the pegs are directly under me . I can do that as long as I want. But with my new seat not really necessary.

**HwyRider** · 08-16-2013, 08:50 AM

You can stand on the boards. They will hold your weight but you have to kind of crouch instead of standing because of the position.

08-10-2013, 10:22 AM	#1
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	MC seat causes heart attack? A guy over in the ST forum had a heart attack. Both he and his doctor suspect his recent long distant ride was a contributing factor. Rider says his seat just kills him w/pain and doctor suspects it cut off blood flow. A bunch of other members started chiming in with other stories of medical issues caused by long distance riding. Needless to say he will be getting a new seat. This hits home with me as on my way back from the VBA rally I did an 800 mile day and my seat was painful. Had to stand on pegs every hour or so for relief. I immediately bought a DLR seat when I returned. I did take extended breaks to cool down and move the legs. Moral of the story is be safe, take breaks (off the bike), and don't push it too hard. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-10-2013, 10:41 AM	#2
glwilson Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 8,575	Good advice... Have heard of problems with others who sit all day... potentially not a good thing... __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." "You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts." *Former VBA NCR Assist Regional Leader* Formerly: 2004 1500FI Bronze Nomad: 2009 & 2014 HD Ultra Current Rides: 2017 HD Ultra Limited & 2011 Can Am Spyder RTS-SE Attended: VBA National Rallies 2009, 2011, 2015; VBA/NCR Regional Rally 2010, 12, 14, 16 and several rides throughout with regional members. VBA Member #652 HOG Member #3935417
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08-10-2013, 05:55 PM	#3
Old Bear Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 1,432	It isn't healthy to sit all day in your house! Ask any truck driver about the ills of sitting for extended periods. Our bikes are gonna be worse than either of those. At least with a quality seat and the footpegs, I have a variety of leg, foot and sitting positions I can do. Makes a huge difference in comfort. __________________ Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles!
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08-10-2013, 08:16 PM	#4
Sin City Stan Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 3,746	This is a known problem with air travel. __________________ Oldest Saloon In Nevada http://www.pioneersaloon.info/ "Sin City Stan" Henderson, NV VBA #01004 VROC #29365 2004 Nomad 1500L5 +100 "The Bike" 2009 Nomad 1700 (past) 2004 Vulcan Classic 800 (past) 2010 Cortez - 2011 Crescent City - 2012 Kanab - 2013 Estes Park
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08-10-2013, 10:23 PM	#5
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	I know the ride I led to Golden Co and back gave the boyz heart attacks trying to keep up. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-11-2013, 06:35 PM	#6
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Every time I ride long distance I'm mindful of keeping my legs moving. I use different positions on the pegs and I "stand" on the pegs and floorboards to help flex my leg muscles. That helps to keep blood from pooling in my legs and stems off fatigue. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
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08-12-2013, 11:05 PM	#9
MarkG Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,255	I was given some good advice a few years ago. Stop for fuel every 1.5 hours, 90 to 100 miles regardless. Walk around for a few minutes, drink some water, then get back on the bike. You do not get nearly as sore, stay more alert, and helps with the circulation problems. __________________ Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564 Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Maggie Valley '11\|Kanab '12\|Estes Park '13\|Red Lodge '16\|Custer '18
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08-15-2013, 07:55 PM	#12
vulcanguy Advanced Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Aylmer Quebec Posts: 987	Hi! When I had my 05 Nomad, I installed a Mustang seat in 06, & trust me, I never had a backside issue again! I could ride all day on the Mustang, highway pegs also help :) I sold the seat to a friend when I bought my Goldwing in 2012. Just my 2 cents... __________________ Some days your the pigeon...some days your the statue! "Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. " Last edited by vulcanguy; 08-15-2013 at 07:58 PM.
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08-15-2013, 10:39 PM	#13
id-man Advanced Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Cape Cod Massachusetts Posts: 822	Can you really stand in your floorboards? I've been afraid to try it. I ain't light, pushing 250lb. If a floorboard were to give out it'd be instant soup. __________________ 2004 Nomad 1500FI - weeeeeeeeee!
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08-16-2013, 08:50 AM	#15
HwyRider Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 4,629	You can stand on the boards. They will hold your weight but you have to kind of crouch instead of standing because of the position.
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