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How many of you ride, that have had previous back surgeries? I had bulging discs between t2 & t3 in 2011, had them lasered out and had been fine since. My wife and I went for a nice Sunday ride for about 3 hours or 4 hours up around the Mississinewa reservoir. Everything seemed fine. Rode to work the next day and it nailed me. It's been killing me for about 5 weeks now. An X-ray and 2 MRI's later they its same location but hitting left nerve instead of the previous right side. (07 ultra with factory shocks). Is better shocks going to make that much difference. Or, am I just pushing my luck?
I have a very bad back and I would never be able to ride without a back rest first off. Secondly if I am going more than a hundred miles or so I wear a kidney belt like they did years ago. It really helps keep my posture straight and offers a lot of support.. Good luck with your back .
I've been that reservoir ( long time ago ) ... I have had back problems for years, and while there isn't anything that has totally resolved the issue, I've gotten a great deal of relief with the addition of a riders back rest. Maybe you could borrow one from a local rider to try?
Do you ride with a backrest and highway pegs? These are a must have in my opinion. I've had 2 back surgeries myself. 1st in '93 L5-S1 blew out on both sides. Looked like a jelly fish on the MRI. 2nd in '08 had a bulging disc trimmed down. Contracted spinal meningitis after the 1st surgery so that slowed my recovery time down but bounced back really good after the 2nd surgery. Had been down in my back again for the last 2yrs. Turns out it was a bad gallbladder so we're all good again. I'd do just about anything to be able to ride and I suspect your no different so don't give up hope.
New shocks would probably help to a degree but as long as the inflammation is causing nerve problems your best bet would be steroid shots, physical therapy, or surgery. Good luck.
3 bulging disks (2 torn), 10" yaffe bars, back rest, highway pegs, hammock seat, progressive monotube shocks in the front and the harley hand adjustable shocks for the rear (also tried Ohlins 3-3, prefer the harley). My bike rides very comfortable but after all the upgrades the thing that helps the most is stopping more frequently and stretching. I can still ride from tank to tank if I want and be fine that day, but I pay for in the following days!
Good shocks on rear! Have fusion of L3-4-5. A sharp rap from a raised hwy seam at 80MPH is agony. Super Shox help me a lot. They do replacement hearts, lungs, knees, hips, even ankles. Would love a replacement lower spine!
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