Riding and sciatica nerve pain
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
Likes: 9
From: Shreveport, LA
I have had 2 lumbar surgeries. I always had terrible left leg pain after riding---tried rotating my handlbars forward so I had to lean slightly forward--back was no longer straight up/down. completely solved my scatia problem from riding. I still get it if I am on my feet too much at work though.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 100
Likes: 7
From: Tampa, FL.
Did the MRI, it is a herniated disk L4-5. Need to strengthen the stomach and leg muscles. Only ridden 30 miles for the past month and it is getting better everyday. My chiropractor like the sitting position on the streetglide so planning to rent the SG next week and see how my leg behaves.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 480
Likes: 17
From: Northern Virginia
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
I think it's all related to pressure points, weight distribution, leg positioning (which impacts your pressure points) and being able to change your posture to a few sustainable positions when you're riding. Oddly I have sciatica going on when I drive my Jeep for an hour or 2 but I can ride my Superglide for 7 or 8 hours and be fine. I've put a Sundowner seat on her, which is wider than the stock seat I had. I also have had a full hip replacement on the left side and that can get a little stiff. At the end of this past riding season I moved from the SG's mid to forward controls, which I'm sure is what you have. I put some Kuryakyn stirrups on to support my heels and to give me a few more options for positioning my feet. Feels very comfortable but I haven't done more than a 2 hour stretch with the new setup. I'd recommend trying to find an HD ergonomics guy and / or asking whether they've got someone with the same issue on their staff. I suggest the latter knowing that my dealer will really try to help and not just see it as a chance to sell me something.
Good luck, man.
Good luck, man.
Go to the Harley Website and see which dealership near you has "Fit Shop". They can take a look at how you are positioned and make suggestions for seats and bars, or bar position
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
You bike needs to fit YOU,
Remember one size does not fit all!
AND you need to use proper posture.
Remember one size does not fit all!
AND you need to use proper posture.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,219
Likes: 7,786
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
I suffer from a bad disk in my lower back (which is prone to causing me sciatic pain) and last summer when riding my Dyna with the forward controls for long rides it caused ALOT of problems with the sciatic nerve . In my case giving pain in the right leg . What I found after buying my Road King (which was just bought because of a great deal) was that I didn't get any more sciatic pain after riding . I would have to say that it's the seating position and having my feet a bit more under me . This puts your back straighter than the sometimes sloutching position when sort of leaning back with the forward controls . It takes some of your weight off your spine and allows you just adjust seating position more too . I would think the wider seat has helped some too , but I'd say mostly the seating position .
But your most makes me hesitate...spending all that money to end up having more pain in my back and right leg. My lower spine is compressed, so some disks are bulging. Often my right leg goes numb/pins and needles down to my toes. (not just riding..often after getting out of my car, or getting up from the couch.
What height are you?
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
Try stretching before and after you ride. I am talking about possibly sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and reach for your toes. Back in my football days I had seen my coach doin that and just thought he was trying to keep up with the players. He told me that he had similar problems like you are referring to....Can't hurt!