Shotgun Shock and bad backs/shoulders
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
Shotgun Shock and bad backs/shoulders
I've seen thread after thread about how bad-*** the Shotgun Shock is, anywhere from looks to making the ride smoother, etc., and I'm impressed with what I've been reading here. One is absolutely going on my scoot in the future.
One of my Brothers is having a lot of lower back and shoulder pain, which is keeping him closer to home and fewer and further between on rides. He's got a nice '03 Heritage with a stock, original suspension.
My question isn't one of the "coolness factor", or the "it smooths out the bumps" comment - I totally get those already - but what kind of help might he see from adding one to his bike? I'm assuming it will at least help with the back issues, but maybe it (or it with a front end mod like the monotubes) would also help with the shoulder issue. Anyone have any firsthand experience?
I *WISH* I had one on one of our bikes so I could let him see for himself, but that'll be a while yet. Nobody around here has one that I am aware of. No doubt, it'd get a lot of attention and potential interest, especially with the level of involvement I have with the motorcycle community, doubly so with the clubs around here.
One of my Brothers is having a lot of lower back and shoulder pain, which is keeping him closer to home and fewer and further between on rides. He's got a nice '03 Heritage with a stock, original suspension.
My question isn't one of the "coolness factor", or the "it smooths out the bumps" comment - I totally get those already - but what kind of help might he see from adding one to his bike? I'm assuming it will at least help with the back issues, but maybe it (or it with a front end mod like the monotubes) would also help with the shoulder issue. Anyone have any firsthand experience?
I *WISH* I had one on one of our bikes so I could let him see for himself, but that'll be a while yet. Nobody around here has one that I am aware of. No doubt, it'd get a lot of attention and potential interest, especially with the level of involvement I have with the motorcycle community, doubly so with the clubs around here.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'm finally able to stay in the saddle longer without pain, and that's still with the stock seat. (bad back here)
Before I was good for about 100 miles before getting off to stretch my legs.
Now I can easily last for a tank of gas, no problem.
The ride is so improved in already planning on upgrading the front suspension this winter to really complement the SS.
Before I was good for about 100 miles before getting off to stretch my legs.
Now I can easily last for a tank of gas, no problem.
The ride is so improved in already planning on upgrading the front suspension this winter to really complement the SS.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,392
Likes: 184
From: Big ol Titties
I got a herniated disk in my lower back and another bulging disk mid back. The SS helps a lot with the sudden jolts and smooths out the ride. That part is obvious enough though, can't say it helped on any shoulder discomfort (got a bad one of those too). I'm sure it will help his back some, a good seat with back support does wonders too. What kind of seat is he running? The only thing I found to help my shoulder was apes, gets me more upright and takes some of the preasure off my shoulders and back.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
I'm finally able to stay in the saddle longer without pain, and that's still with the stock seat. (bad back here)
Before I was good for about 100 miles before getting off to stretch my legs.
Now I can easily last for a tank of gas, no problem.
The ride is so improved in already planning on upgrading the front suspension this winter to really complement the SS.
Before I was good for about 100 miles before getting off to stretch my legs.
Now I can easily last for a tank of gas, no problem.
The ride is so improved in already planning on upgrading the front suspension this winter to really complement the SS.
I don't notice too much in the front end, but damn it man, do I notice the big bumps in the back. Is this kind of like the "you can only hurt in one place at a time" thing - you notice the back end because it's the worse of the two, but once the back end is solved, the front stands out like crazy? That would make sense to me...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 5
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Unfortunately I can't comment on an improvement in the SS only because the factory seat is too small for me. I need a seat that has more padding in the back because the way I sit, I end up sitting on the two metal bolts that hold the seat down.
I'm still learning how to tune mine but what I can say is that it's better then stock shocks!
I'm still learning how to tune mine but what I can say is that it's better then stock shocks!
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
I got a herniated disk in my lower back and another bulging disk mid back. The SS helps a lot with the sudden jolts and smooths out the ride. That part is obvious enough though, can't say it helped on any shoulder discomfort (got a bad one of those too). I'm sure it will help his back some, a good seat with back support does wonders too. What kind of seat is he running? The only thing I found to help my shoulder was apes, gets me more upright and takes some of the preasure off my shoulders and back.
As far as I know, so he's running both the stock seat and the stock bars. Not sure if he's got a backrest for it. He runs solo and 2-up about evenly. He says the seat is comfortable, but it's the jarring from the roads that really is sucking. He had a Lo with 12 inch apes on it, and that bike was harder for him to run. We'll look at that stuff, though, and see. I'm looking to go with apes on my Slim for the reasons you mentioned - take a bit of strain off of the lower back and bring me more upright.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
Unfortunately I can't comment on an improvement in the SS only because the factory seat is too small for me. I need a seat that has more padding in the back because the way I sit, I end up sitting on the two metal bolts that hold the seat down.
I'm still learning how to tune mine but what I can say is that it's better then stock shocks!
I'm still learning how to tune mine but what I can say is that it's better then stock shocks!
I'm not sure what mileage he has on the Heritage, but those are the original shocks, too... so they've got to have a good bit of wear on them.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Big ol Titties
Buckhorns might help your buddy if he didn't like running the apes. Not the best looking bars but if it keeps you in the saddle all day who give a flying fark. I ended up going with a mustang wide vintage touring seat and it has pretty good lower back support without going full blown backrest. Before I got the seat I was looking a grasshopper backrest, works with the stock heritage seat and only runs around 100 bucks iirc.
http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/harley-davidson/
http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/harley-davidson/
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Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Sweet. What are you thinking with the front end? Ricor Intiminators, Progressive monotubes, or something else?
I don't notice too much in the front end, but damn it man, do I notice the big bumps in the back. Is this kind of like the "you can only hurt in one place at a time" thing - you notice the back end because it's the worse of the two, but once the back end is solved, the front stands out like crazy? That would make sense to me...
I don't notice too much in the front end, but damn it man, do I notice the big bumps in the back. Is this kind of like the "you can only hurt in one place at a time" thing - you notice the back end because it's the worse of the two, but once the back end is solved, the front stands out like crazy? That would make sense to me...
Still researching...
What I notice most now is how I feel all the bumps in the front but nothing in the rear, strange feeling.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 5
From: Virginia Beach, VA
The seat issue is my problem, too - on the Slim. I find myself sitting on the back edge of the seat, and then the ECM cover in the seat just hammers on my tailbone any time I hit a good bump. Worse yet, I'm still running on the stock shocks...
I'm not sure what mileage he has on the Heritage, but those are the original shocks, too... so they've got to have a good bit of wear on them.
I'm not sure what mileage he has on the Heritage, but those are the original shocks, too... so they've got to have a good bit of wear on them.