The 9, with the right seat will keep you comfy enough for long rides. Your feet will e out in front of you. I really like mine.
Hopefully someone can help me.
Ok heres the deal in December i had back surgery and am currently Healing from it. Although i am healing just seems a little bit to slow for my tastes. Well the problem i am having and concerned about is riding. My doctors told me i can't ride my horse anymore nor can i train horses. I was informed i can continue riding my motorcycle. I currently have a 1985 yamaha maxim 700r. But the doctors told me that i would do much better with a bike that has forward controls instead of directly below me. I am curious if any one has had back surgery and any suggestions about riding? I am just curious about what i can do to make my rides as comfortable as possible. I bought a 2008 kawasaki vulcan 900 classic lt. I am really hoping to be able to enjoy the freedom of riding a motorcycle since i can't ride horses anymore. any and all help would be appreciated. Thank you very much
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I didn't have back surgery, but I'm working hard trying to avoid it with some issues located between L2 and L3.... I'm overweight and was riding a Concours 1400. The Doc said to get off the bike and stop riding (for 4 months). At the end of 4 months he did say I can try riding again, but I had to get rid of the Concours and try a cruiser with a custom seat. Since I love Kawi, the Vulcan was my choice.
While I'm still working through my issues and don't ride more than an hour at a time without stopping to stretch, things are much better. I did a Classic LT with a Russell Day-Long seat (telling Russell of my issues and asking them to work a seat best to help with lower back problems). Below is a picture of my current ride... So far so good and I'm in the middle of upgrading to a Voyager (a seat is on order from Russell now).
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Just thought I'd share what's helping me so far.
While I'm still working through my issues and don't ride more than an hour at a time without stopping to stretch, things are much better. I did a Classic LT with a Russell Day-Long seat (telling Russell of my issues and asking them to work a seat best to help with lower back problems). Below is a picture of my current ride... So far so good and I'm in the middle of upgrading to a Voyager (a seat is on order from Russell now).
Just thought I'd share what's helping me so far.
Back rest will be a must. I blew out my L4 or L5 12 years ago and didn't have insurance so I just suffer through it, plus I have heard too many horror stories about back surgery. I have the Mustang seat w/backrest and it helps tremendously.
thank you guys very much i appreciate the help
Both my wife and I have had back surgery, and we love to ride. I will also add that neither of us has gotten any relief from our surgeries either. There is actually a real term for it, (FBSS) Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Hope you get some relief!
My 900 had a mustang seat on it when I bought it, decent but still not soft enough. Upgraded to the Ultimate seat and we both love it. It did push me forward a bit compared to the mustang. But an easy adjustment on the hwy pegs was all that was needed there. That coupled with the sissy bar pad for her it's been great. I don't prefer a backrest for me at this time, sits me up too straight. Which is good for posture of course, just not for me. The Ultimate seats are very expensive, but to date it's the best mod I have done coupled with the 8" mini apes anyways. The bars have eliminated my neck pain as well. The oem beach bars had me leaning forward a bit and always had to hold my head up. Pain got real bad when wearing helmet. That Russell seat in previous post looks real close to the Ultimate seat for the driver, but a bit small for the passenger I think. More room for the wife on mine I believe. The Ultimate sissy bar pad was much better than the oem or the mustang one I did have as well. They compliment each other perfectly with comfort and dimensions. We also still stop at least every hour for a quick break, but at our age honestly that would probably be happening even without the bad backs. Good luck!
My 900 had a mustang seat on it when I bought it, decent but still not soft enough. Upgraded to the Ultimate seat and we both love it. It did push me forward a bit compared to the mustang. But an easy adjustment on the hwy pegs was all that was needed there. That coupled with the sissy bar pad for her it's been great. I don't prefer a backrest for me at this time, sits me up too straight. Which is good for posture of course, just not for me. The Ultimate seats are very expensive, but to date it's the best mod I have done coupled with the 8" mini apes anyways. The bars have eliminated my neck pain as well. The oem beach bars had me leaning forward a bit and always had to hold my head up. Pain got real bad when wearing helmet. That Russell seat in previous post looks real close to the Ultimate seat for the driver, but a bit small for the passenger I think. More room for the wife on mine I believe. The Ultimate sissy bar pad was much better than the oem or the mustang one I did have as well. They compliment each other perfectly with comfort and dimensions. We also still stop at least every hour for a quick break, but at our age honestly that would probably be happening even without the bad backs. Good luck!
Both my wife and I have had back surgery, and we love to ride. I will also add that neither of us has gotten any relief from our surgeries either. There is actually a real term for it, (FBSS) Failed Back Surgery Syndrome. Hope you get some relief!
My 900 had a mustang seat on it when I bought it, decent but still not soft enough. Upgraded to the Ultimate seat and we both love it. It did push me forward a bit compared to the mustang. But an easy adjustment on the hwy pegs was all that was needed there. That coupled with the sissy bar pad for her it's been great. I don't prefer a backrest for me at this time, sits me up too straight. Which is good for posture of course, just not for me. The Ultimate seats are very expensive, but to date it's the best mod I have done coupled with the 8" mini apes anyways. The bars have eliminated my neck pain as well. The oem beach bars had me leaning forward a bit and always had to hold my head up. Pain got real bad when wearing helmet. That Russell seat in previous post looks real close to the Ultimate seat for the driver, but a bit small for the passenger I think. More room for the wife on mine I believe. The Ultimate sissy bar pad was much better than the oem or the mustang one I did have as well. They compliment each other perfectly with comfort and dimensions. We also still stop at least every hour for a quick break, but at our age honestly that would probably be happening even without the bad backs. Good luck!
What did you do about the Helmet Because i had a lot of pain in my neck wearing a full helmet, I don't really like the looks of the half helmet but when they weigh less than half of what my full helmet weighs i am thinking of buying one so i still have a helmet but yet not the weight. what did you do to solve the problem
Just putting on higher bars got me sitting more upright and not leaning forward anymore.
In my career I have seen one patient that was pain free after having back surgery. It just stabilizes the problem so it does not worse. If you are having neuro compromises then you should have the surgery....... Just my experience with it.
Different surgical procedures on the back come with their own set of (potential) issues, depending where on the back the surgery was done. My wife had surgery done in the lumbar area of her back to help with a herniated disc. While this helped, it didn't completely eliminate the back discomfort. She happily rode both a Honda ST1300 and a GL1800 Gold Wing until arthritis forced her to go to a lighter bike. We got her a new '10 Vulcan 900 Classic LT which she loved with a Russell Daylong saddle on it.
That being said, I have to say that a lot of comfort issues can be dealt with, with the proper seat. The Russell Daylong is a true custom made seat that is fashioned for the individual, based on the person's needs, and they are very good at doing just that. Yes, they are expensive, but what value to you place on your personal comfort while riding? And yes, they are a bit odd-looking, but again, you don't see the seat when you are sitting on it.
I hope you can find just the right combination that makes your riding enjoyable and comfortable.
That being said, I have to say that a lot of comfort issues can be dealt with, with the proper seat. The Russell Daylong is a true custom made seat that is fashioned for the individual, based on the person's needs, and they are very good at doing just that. Yes, they are expensive, but what value to you place on your personal comfort while riding? And yes, they are a bit odd-looking, but again, you don't see the seat when you are sitting on it.
I hope you can find just the right combination that makes your riding enjoyable and comfortable.
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