Hi. I posted a question in the Dyna group, and now I'm posting one to the Bagger crowd.

I currently ride an '08 Fat Bob, and have for the past three months. Everything was great on the test ride, loved it, and for the few short rides I had after buying it. Well, along came a group ride with some friends, and I couldn't make it to the one-hour mark without some serious lower back pain and minor tingling/numbness in my right leg. It's happened every time I ride over an hour.

Everywhere I've read tells me it's a seat/handlebar combo problem, and to modify the bars and seat to something a little further back. I'm wondering if I should just trade it back in or sell it and get a Road King. Obviously the aggressive forward-lean riding style is murder on my back. I wanted to get some thoughts from you all. If you've had the back issues, and whether or not a RK would be better for my back...

I'm an Army Aviator, so my back is naturally fooked as it is. I'm not giving up riding...I just want a comfortable ride...
Thanks.
Matt

 

Adjust the seating position to a more upright position (forward foot controls are still ok). Choose a seat which supports your lower back, such as a Sundowner (or add a backrest). Both may not look as cool but are more comfortable. A windshield helps for speeds above 75 mph.

 

Welcome to the wacky world of trying to find a *&$^%! seat that works!

With a bagger, you have a load of options in seating...dual, solo, gel, custom, spring, air ride (Police...which I like a lot), bars, back rests and the like. I'm battling with back pain too, and am finding that using a back rest (either via HD or the ole lady!) makes a big difference in my comfort level. I'm riding the police air ride seat now, and as much as I like the feel on my keester, my back is getting sore and I occasionally get a bit of tingling in my left leg, probably from sciatic nerve issues. Even the kind of underwear you use can have an impact on your comfort! Cotton/seamed undies=bad, compression spandex(underarmor)=good.

It's not an easy problem to solve. Every Harley rider I know has a pile of seats in the garage. I wouldn't ditch your bike immediately, as there are options for seats and bars. I know for sure that leaning forward, straight-armed all the time, is murder on my back....neck mostly. So, having some flex in the arms, and a wide, supportive seat really helps. Most of the stock HD seats have seat foam that's about as supportive as wet dog poop. Firmer works better, although it may feel too hard initially.

Oh, and THANK YOU for your service, from a fellow (fixed wing) aviator.

 

I have a bad back meself. Got stabbed between L4 and L5 back in '85 and had to have the disc removed. Still have sciatic pain every now and then and stuff like but that goes with the territory, hey I'm still walking right.
I'm on an Ultra now with the stock bars it came with. I get a pain between the shoulder blades from the ride setup, I need higher bars and maybe 2 inches back so I can "hang" my hands, the seat is supportive to lower back.
My last ride was a 2007 softie standard. Forward controls extended 2 inches, homemade solo seat (only lightly padded to reduce seat height) and 14" reach for Jesus apes.
It was perfect. I thought it would give me grief being bent like a staple and bouncing everywhere on a board but no it was all good.
Thing is we're all different and no matter what you expect or are told to expect the results will vary. Best advice I ever got was to sit my bike with my eyes closed while my buddy held it up. I scooched my *** round to comfy on the seat and feet in their best place then hung my hands where they felt they should go, hence how I set up the Softie.
Maybe a good idea is to grab every chance to set someone elses bike you can, feel the fit and ride it if possible. Something will suit you and you'll know it for right.
Good luck.

 

My personal thoughts would be , seat/backrest , handlebars , floorboards or pegs , in this order.
I've been an auto mechanic for 33 years , rear ended twice (badly) on a motorcycle , back surgery in '98 , degenerative disk disease currently , so comfort is always an issue for me.
Easiest way to go would be get the RK and do these things.
Harder way is to keep your bike and do these things.
I personally cannot ride for more then 30 minutes without a backrest.
My grip size is touchy because of nerve damage in my forearms and hands.
The seat comes first as the bars and boards are relative to that position
The backrest was the first item I added (the first day I had the bike).
The bars are needed to alleviate upper shoulder , neck , and hand problems.
I had a Mustang seat on my last bike and I loved it , this seat is pretty fair stock so far.
The touring models are designed primarily for long distance comfort , that's why there's so many happy old guys at this forum.
Mustang looks to have a seat/backrest for you if it's comparable to a Dyna glide or wide glide.
Russell can build you a seat for nearly anything that is a motorcycle.
http://www.day-long.com/
Good luck with your search and thanks for your service to this great country.
Mick

 

First of all, thank you for your service and sacrifices defending our country.

That said, you might try going to a good sports-injury-based physical therapist - NOT a chiropractor! - and getting advice on special exercises to rid you of that pain permanently.

I suffered with LBP for over 35 years due to a congenital defect that was aggravated by a stupid skydiving accident when I was 19 till I did that & now I'm pain-free for life regardless of what I'm doing. Doing exercises every morning for the rest of my life is a major PITA, but it beats the hell out of being in pain all the time.

Wishing you the best of luck.

 

I have the same problem on my FXD. Then I sat on a Street Bob with those mini apes and it felt great. As soon as I can I'm switching the bars over. No need to get rid of the bike man!

 

What worked for me is a Sundowner seat, Adjustable rider backrest, 12" Chubby apes and Harleygoodies floorboard spacers. I'm now comfortable on long runs, and also have the rear floorboard spacers for the wifey.

 

I've heard first hand from buddies there sundowners are A1, floorboards , handlebars and sitting straight will help alot. I have a built in kidney belt in my leather coat and it really helps me to sit straight up or at least some support. I beleive the RK is the same frame as the touring models. The windshield will also take the stress off your body which will lower back pain.My 89 flh was down a couple weeks back and I took the 02 wide glide for a 4 hour trip to the drags and I'm telling you for sure my body wasn't happy, I could do that distance plus on the decker and do it again the next day without a problem.

 

Its a no brainer that you can't beat a bagger for comfort but even then there are many improvements and modifications to be made before YOU are comfortable.