Kidney Belts???

Can anyone help me here please?

Why do people wear kidney belts, other than to tuck in the beer-boep of course?

I have seen many people wear them. Is it to prevent lower back-pain, or is it to actually protect your kidneys from bobbing up and down all the time?

On Saturday we rode A LOT of very rocky terrain on the plastic bikes, and maybe I am lucky, but I never suffered from back-pain from rides like these. On the plastic bike I sit almost all of the time. But on the GS, I stand most of the time. (JohnST, you know we BMW oaks LOOOOVE to stand and pose all the time ).

So, why wear a kidney belt?

I wore one once on a long trip, but it only made me feel warm and uncomfortable, and couldn't really tell the difference.
But I believe we are lucky Sharkie.. and still young!

Guys, Take note what bikes we ride????????
Kidney belts needed???. I guess, [b]NO.

The kidney belt has a multitude of purposes. First off, it provides your kidneys some support. It also supports your core when you ride, so protecting your lower back. Finally it provides warmth in an area, that is very prone to getting cold. You may not feel your kidneys getting 'cold' on a cold wet ride but they do and it can lead to infection.

Now, kidney belts are more for MX riders, the reason is they have to sit a lot of the time as the way they corner demands it. When you enduro ride, you stand up a lot and your legs can take the shock that were you sitting, would be transferred into your kidneys and lower back. However, even though you are standing most of the time, the belt will still help you because as I mentioned it supports your core which is fundamental to lower back health.

You could get away with never needing or feeling the need for a kidney belt, but it is one of those things that really cannot hurt to have one. Most ballistic vests now come with an intergrated kidney belt. So if you have one of those, you already have the protection offered by the kidney belt.

You can never have too much kit right?

Morpheus

I have been riding since 1976, and have probably done more than 200 000kms in this time by bike, albeit on tar mostly, and i have yet to feel the need to wear one.
Personally - Skarkie's got a point and i think it will put preasure on the bladder - as we get older. But then again Morpheus also makes a valid point in this regard.
Boils down to a personal decison to wear or not to wear.

Kidney belts are not required for road riding. Even the worst tar road is no comparison to real hardcore offroad riding.

Kidney belts were not invented purely to make money, in the early days of offroad riding, riders were finding they were getting severe lower back pain. The pain was eventually traced to inflamed kidneys due to repeated shock. The solution originally was to wear a lifting belt which bolstered the core, keeping the lower back rigid and providing inner bracing for the kidneys.

Over time the kidney belt evolved to what it is today. You can do without it, just like you can ride without any kit, however, we all know that is stupid as a fall will have you wishing you were wearing kit. Same with a belt after a few years of heavy offroad, you will wish you were wearing one but by that time it may be too late.

They cost R200 and do the job why take the chance, just wear it when offroad riding and save yourself hassles down the line.

Morpheus

Thanks Morpheus,

Your inputs makes alot of sense.

I will definatly NOT be doing LESS off-road riding in the future, I will actually do more and more off-road riding, on both the GS and the plastic bike.

So getting a kidney belt can only be for the better, the way I see it. And at 200 raaant, it is worth it I guess. And it will probably last a long time as well.

I wear a kidney belt on long trips, not for the kidneys but rather for the support of the core. I find I get less tired in the lower back when wearing one. It may also be age but at such a low cost why take a chance that you may regret later In the end a matter of choice

Kidney belts were designed for Harleys (those without rear suspension) and Land Cruisers.

In the very early days of motorcycle riding, there was no rear suspension at all. Riders had a sprung seat to soften the blows somewhat, but they really hammered their kidneys going over the rough roads of the time.
Enter the sprung rear suspension and things got a lot more comfortable and the kidney belt became less and less necessary, especially in warmer climates. . .

Core muscle strength and condition is the BEST way to prevent lower back pain. I found 20 minutes in the sporty riding position of my R100s used to cure me of any impending lower back discomfort. (Good excuse for a ride!)

I would agree that punishing off-road riding is probably the time to wear a kidney belt to prevent the organs bouncing about - like a sports bra does for the ladies. I've got one, but I never wear it. During our Extreme Gold ride (6 700km in 11 Days) I never felt back discomfort of kidney pain - thanks to the suspension engineers at BMW etc.

K-belts would work like a girdle, 'controlling' wayward waistlines, but the same side effects as a girdle would result (restricted blood circulation). Recent research also indicates that ladies wearing bras for extended periods also restrict blood flow and lung function with associated increased risk of breast cancer.

So, lots of stomach exercises in front of the TV and save the cost of the kidney-belt towards something more useful - a Leatt brace or back protection board and ankle and knee protectors.

Ride safe, ride yourself stronger

Richard H wrote:Recent research also indicates that ladies wearing bras for extended periods also restrict blood flow and lung function with associated increased risk of breast cancer.

HooRay for women's lib. Burn the bra

THAT gives away your age...!

PS: Males with low sperm counts are encouraged to omit underwear so the two factories are cooler and work more efficiently- like the Scots under the kilt?

Richard H wrote: - like a sports bra does for the ladies. I've got one, but I never wear it.

Really ?????

Sharkie wrote:

Richard H wrote: - like a sports bra does for the ladies. I've got one, but I never wear it.

Really ?????

Richard is there something you want to tell us ???

Richard H wrote:I would agree that punishing off-road riding is probably the time to wear a kidney belt to prevent the organs bouncing about - like a sports bra does for the ladies. I've got one, but I never wear it.

Read the whole sentence...I've got a Kidney Belt that I don't wear...and for the same reason that Sharkie doesn't - IT DOESN'T FIT AROUND THE BOEP!
PDK, I'd have to know you MUCH better than I do before I would want to tell you about the other stuff I DO wear...

Regardless of how well i know you Richard - i dont want to know - TMI