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Message started by WD on 03/26/05 at 22:49:09

Title: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by WD on 03/26/05 at 22:49:09

I've had two lumbar surgeries in less than 2 years. Bone and disc sections removed. Doc says I can ride again, I'm hopeful but not convinced.

You've seen my bike by now on an earlier post (It runs...sort of).  Risk riding the rough rider bobber, or go ahaead and sign it over to my stepson and get another bike? Or hang it up?

What would you folks do if in my situation? I'd love to keep riding, not sure I can.

Help???
-WD

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by bobo383 on 03/26/05 at 22:58:24

I'm afraid I'd have to keep at least one bike so I could say to myself "I can ride anytime I want"  

Probably would never do it if I hurt so bad, but just knowing I can makes all the difference in the world to me.

Same goes for at least one car, one gun, one knife, etc....

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by sluggo on 03/26/05 at 23:01:21

i've blown two at top, and a herniated on the bottom
have had two surgeries on the top.
still riding,

i don't think i'll every quit. as long as i can kick start the darn thing. oh yeah i don't have to. i guess that will prolong things.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Paladin on 03/27/05 at 00:10:31

Since you are asking us instead of a bunch of non-riders I think I know what you want -- justification to keep riding.

My father survived Omaha Beach.  After the War he joined the Detroit Police Department.  In the '50's he survived a heart attack.  And then another.  The doctors told him what he would have to give up to live.  He told my mother, "I can't do that."  "So don't" was her reply.  His last heart attack was in '62.  Is life so precious that we must give up doing what we love to prolong it?  My father did not think so.

What is the purpose of life?  I cannot accept that the purpose of life is simply to live and produce more life. For me, the purpose of life is to enjoy this great Earth and to help others to see the joy and beauty so that they too can enjoy their brief existence.   We cannot choose how we die.  We can choose how we live.  You can choose to ride.  Or you can choose to sit on a porch swing remembering how you used to ride.  No one can choose for you



Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by WD on 03/27/05 at 00:34:22

I know exactly what I want to do. And am going to TRY to do. It's more a question of Savage bobber, stock replacement, or another bike entirely. The orange bike ought as well be a rigid.

I can (barely) manage an hour in the fullsize truck. Lumbar stability has not returned. I've had two herniated/popped discs cut on, have one that is torn on two sides. L3-S1 discs are toast, almost completely dried out.

I'd love to rde again. I know an old coot in the area who ride a 2000ish LC1500. He has had 11 (yes, 11) fusions! However, the 1500 has a viable suspension. And costs WAY too much.

When I get my settlement, I want to buy a bit roomier scoot. Maybe a VN800 or Drifter 800. Something along those lines. Or do the shocks on the S40 hold up better than the older ones? I really like the Savage/S40, not sure I can make one smooth enough to be comfortable for more than 20-30 minutes at a stretch now.
-WD

Oh. If I can't ride, so be it. Can still cut them up.  8)  

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Toadie on 03/27/05 at 06:04:46

WD only you can make the decision.  If you want to ride then start out slow and see how it feels.  I personally would rather take small trips than no trips at all.  I never imagined when I started riding how much a part of my life it would become.  Everytime I have an errand to run or have to go somewhere I always ask myself do I have to take the Mustang or can I take one of the bikes.  Only you know your limitations.  Personally I would at least try riding.  Remember that you haven't ridden in a while and your muscles are not use to it anymore so you will be sore and uncomfortable at first so start slow and build up to longer trips.  Hope that you are able to get back on your iron horse and enjoy it as much as you use to.  Good luck and ride safe.  Toadie aka Kim

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by slavy on 03/27/05 at 07:36:24

Life shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the
> intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well

> preserved body. But rather, to skid in broadside,

> thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly

> shouting.... "Wow! What a ride! Thank You,

> Lord!!!"

Ride safe !

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Ed_L. on 03/27/05 at 07:39:55

WD, from what I know of you from all your posts your life has revolved around riding. As a newbie I am amazed as to how much riding has become a part of my life in only a year and can only imagine what it means to you. I've got a bad right hip that hurts to the point of where I have to pull over sometimes and walk it off, I still am planning to ride as long as I can. All I can tell you is that if you can ride then ride. Even short rides are better than nothing. Hope you can get back in the wind soon, Ed L.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Paladin on 03/27/05 at 07:50:58

You need to cushion/reduce the jolts to the spinal column, eh?  How are the legs?  The cruiser seating position might not be the best for you.  A standard position, with the pegs below instead of forward, allows you to stand up on the pegs so that the legs take the jostling rather than the tush.  You can do it on the Savage and I do over one set of RR tracks on my daily commute, but it is a strain compared with a dual-purpose bike such as the DR650SE.  At 5'9" I'm uncomfortable on the 33-35" seat heights of the dual purpose bikes, but it might be an option for you.



Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Lee on 03/27/05 at 08:05:24

[Risk riding the rough rider bobber, or go ahaead and sign it over to my stepson and get another bike? What would you folks do if in my situation? I'd love to keep riding, not sure I can.]

Sign it over to your stepson and get yourself a bike with standard ergos so that your body weight is oriented forward over the tank into the handlebars instead of compressed downward  through your lumbar vertebrae into the saddle.  With the pegs under your feet  instead of out in front, you'll be able to rise ever so slightly out of the saddle as you go over bumps, and ride in good health for many years to come!

Lee

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Diane on 03/27/05 at 08:12:58

As I read the original post I started thinking of all kinds of things to say but by the time I got to the bottom of the page everybody else had pretty much covered them all.  Maybe you need to start slow, maybe you need a different bike, maybe you need some Advil or all of the above.  Where there's a will there's a way.  Your "mental" happiness can have a great influence on your physical wellbeing.  Just do it.  

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by thehoghunter on 03/27/05 at 09:02:30

Go with a normal bike with good suspension - add more with a solo spring seat - and keep riding.  You like to chop them up then do it - make one that will discourage any bumps from getting to your back.  Add air suspension!

Best of luck with it WD!

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by gitarzan on 03/27/05 at 17:39:09

Anytime I take a ride that's outside of the county, I wear a back brace.  Makes a ton of difference.

Frankly, if it became a matter of the Savage being a little rough, I'd investigate getting a bike with a lusher ride.   I like my thumper, but not to the point of it being it or nothing.  Not by any means.  



Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by WD on 03/27/05 at 18:21:58

I'm looking at getting an older CB750 or similar. I like the older lines. Maybe I'll have to investigate the newer Trumps.  I like the BMW tourers, but, man alive, that's a chunk of change.

I wonder of the late neighbor's '50 Chief would work? Can get it for next to nothing, hasn't been run since about 1970, at the latest...
-WD

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by sluggo on 03/27/05 at 18:52:23


Paladin wrote:
You need to cushion/reduce the jolts to the spinal column, eh?  How are the legs?  The cruiser seating position might not be the best for you.  A standard position, with the pegs below instead of forward, allows you to stand up on the pegs so that the legs take the jostling rather than the tush.  You can do it on the Savage and I do over one set of RR tracks on my daily commute, but it is a strain compared with a dual-purpose bike such as the DR650SE.  At 5'9" I'm uncomfortable on the 33-35" seat heights of the dual purpose bikes, but it might be an option for you.




with my new flat bars it is much easier to lift the butt off the seat for the bumps i know are coming.

it's a matter of leverage, the pullbacks didn't make the angle of the dangle correct.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by gitarzan on 03/27/05 at 19:12:10

That's one thng I miss about my old RD350.  Buttbuzzer it was,  I could stand up for potholes, RR tracks, curbs, etc.  With a cruiser, you just gotta slow down or loose your dental fillings.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Lee on 03/27/05 at 19:31:14

[I'm looking at getting an older CB750 or ]

I'm more than a little partial as an owner/rider, but take a good close look at the Yamaha XS 650, a great little twin with a solid following and excellent vendor support.  Plus there are a ton of them out there since they were manufactured from "71-72 on through '83.  It's a choice you won't regret.  

Lee


Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by bobo383 on 03/27/05 at 19:46:50

Yamaha XS650 is indeed nice has a heck of a following.  Plus it's old enough that there ain't a million of them on the road.  Uniqueness is cool.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by gitarzan on 03/27/05 at 19:50:54

AND there was enough of them made that parts are EZ to find.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Lee on 03/27/05 at 19:58:18

Not to mention the fact that it's half as easy to keep two cylinders running instead of four -- and hopefully not twice as hard as one!

Lee

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by RadarORiley on 03/28/05 at 10:33:10

I had my first ride on a bike when I was about 6. My Uncle, who lost a leg in WWII bike accident took me. He was my mentor through the years, riding until he was in his 70's. On the days he hurt too bad to ride, he drove his car. Didn't seem to be a big thing to him, ride when you can and drive when you can't. I have tried to adopt his philosophy. I sold my bikes after lupus diagnosis, but found that living means just that. Do what gives you joy in life and you will always have joy in your life. Now I ride when I can, drive when I can't.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by cphilip on 03/28/05 at 10:52:32

Let soup you up a Jazzy WD!  ;D Visit the scooter store and pick ya out one and we hop it up for you!!!

Just kidding ya dude. Get a small light bike and get out there. Something you can pick up and hold easy. But just ride.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Susan on 03/28/05 at 11:55:53

WD -- You sound like you have a great attitude and are going to keep on riding when you can. Good for you. Regarding the suspension, I have heard that the newer Savages/S40 are definitely better than the older ones. Jon D told me that. Also the new seat on the S40 appears to be better. Could be an option.

Title: Re: To ride again...or not? Opinions?
Post by Red_Wine on 03/28/05 at 13:00:37


WD wrote:

What would you folks do if in my situation? I'd love to keep riding, not sure I can.

Help???
-WD


WD, just follow your instincts, if you feel you can ride, do so, even if it just to get a 6-pack by the corner store. Whe  you feel you can't ride, walk or drive the cage, just make sure the 6-packs are kept cold...  ;)

RW


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