Hi fellas,I have got a quick question for you out there who may know a thing or two about riding after back surgery. I just had a herniated disc repaired and can expect to be off work and riding for quite some time. My question to guys is this!!! I need a new seat for my 2004 Wide Glide that has a driver backrest on it. Fellas, I want the most comfortable one on the market so please help me. Which one do I go with, cause there are lots out there!!!

 

Just guessing, but everyone is going to say Mustang with the backrest. After all I have read, that sounds like the best thing out there.

 

Comfy seat is important, yes, but so is having handlebars at the right height and positioning. Nuetral back position vs leaning forward or back while riding can make a big difference if you have back problems.

I tried a Mustang solo seat and it moves me back far enough that I reach forward too much for rides over 1 hr.

 

im also out with back problems and found that the mustang seat with the back rest keeps me from slouching-more upright position-i had a regular mustang 2up on there before so i still sit the same distance from bars/pegs but the wider mustang seat with b/r sits me a tad higher,no big deal.rode 2 hours round trip other day with short breaks when before i could only ride about 15 min at a time-not saying its the ultimate fix but its sure helped!

 

I may be in the same boat if things don't work out. What level was your herniated disc? I had surgery at L-4 and 5 about 30 years ago but the problem has returned. I have been having a lot of discomfort and as a result, about a week ago they did a block in hopes of resolving the issue. If it doesn't, and right now, I really don't think the block is working, the next step is surgery. I really don't want to go there again. Like you, it will mean a lenthy absence from work and riding. With summer and good riding comming, I would REALLY hate to miss most if not all of the good riding season.

I like you may be looking into a new seat. Right now, I still have the stock seat on my 03 Low Rider. And in all fairness, I think it is pretty comfortable. My back hurts more after driving my car for hours than it does from riding. I sit pretty straight up and my feet sit pretty well on the stock front pegs and I don't have to lean way forward to reach the grips. But if a better seat will get me back on the bike IF I have to have surgery, I will certainly do it.

 

My wife had surgery in 06 to "fix" a disc, lasted her for a while and the pain was back. She was stuck in a pain management loop until we headed north to Spokane. We could see in the MRI the disc had partially collapsed but out local specialist told her there was nothing significant. The doctor at Sacred Heart recommended fusion (L4-L5) which she had done 2 months ago. At 6 weeks she was feeling better than ever and at her follow up she was told to go back to normal life (including horseback riding) but be careful. The change has been amazing and she is feeling great. Hope you guys can get a similar outcome.

 

I had the surgery Saturday on my L5 S1 disc. The injury happened while I was at work so that was a good thing!!! The doc said I will have to be out of commission for a while, but I am 28 and very healthy and fit, so the healing time may not be that long. I have a great wife who will look after me well, which also speeds recovery!!

As for my bike, I have 16 inch apes on it, so I may have to look at swapping them for ones that may position m better for more comfort. I really don't want to change the bars cause I have had apes on almost every bike I have owned and I love them.

 

I had a surgery at l5 S1 and a fusion at l4-5,that was four years ago,a comfortable but supportive seat is a must.After replacing the stock FXD seat(a must) with another HD seat I finally ended up with a Mustang vintage.I don't have a backrest as I find the front of the passenger seat works for me.I also like my mid controls because my legs can take some of the shock when riding on rough roads.I will upgrade to better shocks next.There is no substitute for keeping your back and abdominal muscles strong though,walking at least 4 days a week is almost mandatory.

 

[quote=RAWHIDE07;8117862......I also like my mid controls because my legs can take some of the shock when riding on rough roads.I will upgrade to better shocks next.There is no substitute for keeping your back and abdominal muscles strong though,walking at least 4 days a week is almost mandatory.[/quote]

Yup, the mid controls will definitely help to keep your spine from absorbing all of the hit. Like you also mentioned, better shocks!!! 12" and under shocks won't do much for your back, you need some travel to allow the suspension to absorb most of the shock. If you ride with forward controls this is even more important.

 

I had back surgery a couple years ago as well. I'm a younger guy (33) and have found that the position of the handlebars is a bigger factor for me. I installed some riser spacers to get my seating position more upright.