i love my forwards, but if you have a back issue then go mids if for no other reason than:

If you hit a pothole, divet/bump/etc... on forward your just going to have to eat the shock and brace for it. With mids you can kind of lighten your load and let your legs take the shock.

I hope that makes sense, I was tooling along the other day after about 2hrs on the bike and didn't notice a crease coming over a hill until to late, that hammered my lower back almost as bad as my old hard tail did.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Nice to know (in an odd sort of way) that there are others out there with back problems that can still ride.

When was going to PT after my disc herniation, I would ride my VFR (rearward controls), as that was more comfortable than my Wing or any of my cars.

 

i have 2 compressed lower vertebrae. i have forwards with mid pegs cc seat with backrest. and i had mean city cycle rework a 2 up sundowner. my back likes both seats good enough. and have thought of adding switchback floor boards.

 

I was blown up in Iraq and have 2 large rods and 2 small rods with fake rubber disc all over my spine. And I have better luck with the forwards. ON the bike with mids I have highway pegs so I can strech when needed. I have a hd made and foldedable with reverse pegs dyna forwards for sale at the moment.

 

I broke my #5 lombar years ago so having good back support is what works for me. Switching to a deep bucket seat (first a sundowner , now mustang w/backrest) was the best thing that ever happened to my back. All day comfort as compared to 2 hr. rides (at the most) on the stocker. Its mids only for me. Getting quality suspension (front & rear) also really helps

 

Bad back here also, like "Wykd" wrote above, with the mids you can lighten the load off your back, kind of like riding a horse/bicycle/dirt bike going into a jump, your legs can be used like a suspension. With the forwards you can't stand up and your back takes all of the shock.

I have forwards and went with 12" Street Glide air shocks, they smooth out the ride by taking out the road chop, but unseen potholes or road irregularities are still a problem with forwards.

 

Bad back here too. Mustang vintage wide with backrest. I have mids with forwards. Works pretty good for me

 

I run the mids with highway pegs on my Super. Better for back and as someone already comment can carry load on mids when need to. I also have Fatbob seat which seems to position me better. the highway pegs are nice for a short position change but I'm usually on the mids. And I'm 6'0" about 190.

 

I am 5ft7 with 30" inseam. I have 2 herniated disks in my lower back L4/L5 and L5/S1. I also have 2 bulging disks in my neck. I have the forwards on my Fat Bob and have no complaints whatsoever. To that point, I haven't ever ridden with the mids, as my Fat Bob is my first bike. I also haven't really gone on any really long rides... maybe a couple 300 mile days, but no soreness or issues.

 

Started out w/ forwards, but went with mids because of the back pain. Works (and feels) better for me to be sitting more upright. I put forward pegs on to stretch when I want or need to, but love the mids - more control of the bike and it's easier to pick my *** off the seat when needed (rough road). I'm around the same size as you at 5'10 and a 32" inseam. Good luck and enjoy your new ride!