| Author | Message | ||
     Blackbelt |
I got sad news from my doctor today. I had a run of tests on my back and legs to find out why my legs go numb after riding my Firebolt. Re-cap - I attened a Judo seminar last July (I have been in Martial arts for 22 years... hence Blackbelt). and I was working with a novice in this style.. well while he was doing a simple hip throw, his knee gave out and mid throw I landed the small of my back onto his heel.. OUCH! after that the numbness started. So the doctors ran an MRI, EMG, and X-rays. I have 3 slipped discs and fused vertibre... NICE!! The slipped disc is causing a nerve bundle to pinch in certain sitting/riding positions. the EMG test (big ol needle in my legs) found that if I have my feet under me in "standard" riding position it is only getting about 25% signal to my feet/ankle area... but forward controls are 100%. So I am being forced to not get another buell. If I continue to ride in that position then I could perminetly loose feeling in my left leg.. SUCKS!! So i am switching to a "forward control" style bike. I love the Nightrod special, but not loving the price... lol even used sucks.. so I will stay on the board once in a while to say hay, and keep tabs on all you guys... I must say I was very bummed when I found that a Buell would not be a "Smart" choice.... So this is Blackbelt (adam) saying Buell stay strong, and keep putting smiles on peoples faces for me.. lol see ya guys around. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Go sit on some triumphs. The riding position on my Bonnie is about as neutral as it gets. Some of their cruisers have the forward controls if that's the route you need to go. I'd ride a Thunderbird Storm in a minute if that's the style/ riding position I was into or needed. If stupid amounts of power is what you're into, Rocket 3 all the way. Those things are really comfortable. Good luck, stick around and share you're next bike search with us, most of us like all different types of bikes and enjoy hearing reviews from fellow Buellers. | ||
| Sifo |
Triumph Tiger! Reminds me of sitting on a bar stool!  | ||
| Crusty |
I admit to being a little biased, but if you need a bike that has Cruiser Ergonomics, yet want decent handling, you might look at a Moto Guzzi California. I've met several folks who have well over 100K on their bikes and still love them. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
That's a bummer black belt. Hope you find a suitable replacement and keep on riding. "you might look at a Moto Guzzi California. I've met several folks who have well over 100K on their bikes and still love them." +1 Crusty. I have heard good things about them as well. And they are not something you see out and about every day. | ||
| Etennuly |
Sorry to hear about your back problems. That sucks in so many ways. That riding position thing is so different for everyone. My lower back was operated on 21 years ago, I still have problems and limitations. One of the things I was concerned about was being able to ride again. I took 10 years off then started on a used Honda XL 250 to see if I could ride again, and to my surprise I found that riding actually relieved my back issue. I rode a City-X for a year mostly having knee problems from being folded a bit too much. Then I got my Uly and straightening out my legs made so much difference. I frequently ride just to relieve back pain, 200 miles on the Uly works every bit as well as a half hour on my inversion table. Best of luck to you. | ||
| Fahren |
+2 on the Guzzi. The Tonti frame makes for excellent handling (so they say, and so I want to find out sometime for myself). And the Guzzi V-twin sound..... great stuff. They can also be had for reasonable money, used seems good, as most I have seen have low miles and are barely broken in. In short, is this a "problem," or is it an "opportunity?" Sorry to hear about the accident, though. Take good care. | ||
| Blake |
Adam, You've given up on treating the injury? Get a couple more 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions from some good doctors. | ||
| 86129squids |
Things are still new. "Time and perseverance are the greatest warriors." Tolstoy Do due diligence in rehab, see what happens. Good luck! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Blackbelt, I'll just reiterate what everybody else says, get further opinions on your back, follow the treatment & go shopping. Do the research necessary, like finding out at what angle which joints need to be to function correctly for you. Then go & try different bikes, tell the salesman you want a day long demo & why. There's nothing worse than spending a shedload of money on a vehicle after a 20 min test drive then finding it's awful after an hour or so. I've been having trouble with "dead arm" for years, Osteopath says it's cervical vertebrae compressing, I get lots of advice to give up riding altogether, but that's not going to happen. I am though seriously considering trading the XB in on a Guzzi Stelvio to ease the riding position. Vern how's that inversion table working out? been thinking about getting one, but you're the first person I know who's actually got one. | ||
| Britchri10 |
Please do more rehab. I had to sell my X1 'cause of my bad back. (I ride a Uly now) Inversion tables: Excellent benefits for me! I was born with Congenital Spinal Stenosis & I have had L4-L5 laminectomy + discectomy + a lifetime of rugby. I use the table about once a month but more often if my back is especially sore. It really helps. (Don't drink beer before you use it though!) Chris C | ||
| Glitch |
You could always get back on a Honda   Honestly though, I hope everything goes well whatever happens. | ||
| Blackbelt |
Glitch you suck.. lol yeah, thanks everyone for the thoughts and well wishes.. I am not leaving riding NEVER!!!! I know the forward position feels good (rode my father in laws Ultra for a good ride.) right now I love the styleing of the Nightrod Special. and i rode the 2012, and loved it. not as much as the 50 in the photo obviously... lol | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Dang the luck! I hope it works out for you bro! Get a Ural! | ||
| Xb1125r |
Aprillia Tuono are pretty upward seating position sorry to hear about dude, sucks | ||
| 86129squids |
BTW- Now that I'm commuting on a 79 GL1000, I'm really appreciating the ergos- still gotta tweak a few things, find my throttle rocker (DANG ARTHRITIS!!), and stuff. Plus, I'd forgotten how comfy it is behind the barn door that is a Vetter Windjammer... Keep us all posted on things! | ||
| 86129squids |
Oh- keep in mind that even though you like the VR, it's $$$ to buy, won't hold resale worth a crap, and the stealerships will rape you for servicing... For lots less dough, you could score a schweet Vmax, put a pipe on it, and call yerself a badass! My $.02 is, start watching Craigslist for cheap, pre-90's jap bikes- there are tons out there for cheep, many of the "UJM"s have comfy ergos, and back then there were lots of interesting bikes... | ||
| Road_thing |
Buddy of mine had both knees replaced last year, found he could no longer ride his old BMW GSPD. He bought a Triumph America for the forward controls and is very happy with it so far. Hope you find either a bike that'll fit for you or a doctor with a better solution! rt | ||
| Steeleagle |
My V-Rod Muscle has the forward controls, but my back (bulging L-4, L-5) is a little sensitive to the (relatively) upright positioning with no option to stand and take the pressure off my back and butt. Some folks allegedly use the passenger pegs, but I'm not that flexible! For "treatment/prevention" I continually focus on stretching to keep the back issues under control, along with all the "core" exercises to strengthen the muscles hiding under my gut. The riding position is still a little "taco'd" due to the reach to the bars and the forward controls. I know a 2007 Nightrod I was looking at before I got my Muscle had the MID-controls that appealed to me, so I'm not sure if that's the setup you were referring to in your post. FWIW, I have the 1" lowered pegs on my 1125R and actually more comfortable riding it long distances than the V-Rod. | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch you suck.. lol Yeah, like you could come on here and say, I'm buyin' a Harley, see y'alls later, and not expect something, you gotta be kidding me!  | ||
| Daves |
Get a Uly! More comfy than my FLH, handles better, way more power, wheelies. There just isn't a downside.  Wish I had one, someday I will. | ||
| Blackbelt |
I couldn't help myself Glitch... lol I just like the styling of the Nightrod... lol and the Nightrod Special has forward controls, not mid. I may try out a CR just for giggles.. cause the V-rod may be out of the question since my wife's job is getting hit hard with insurance costs... so we shall see.. I never said See y'all later.. i have been here long enough to know I would get something from someone.. lol  | ||
| Glitch |
I never said See y'all later.. Yeah, I know, besides, you'd make it sound funny anyway | ||
| Glitch |
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| Blackbelt |
NICE!!! someone has too much time | ||
| Etennuly |
Innes, I got a good one. "Teeter hangups" something, worth the money. Takes a few sessions to get used to it and what shoes/boots to wear(I use my high leather riding boots)as to not rip out leg hair and stretch the chin skin too far. Adam, maybe you can find someone who has an inversion table to try, a swimming pool is a great thing to have available also. | ||
| Blackbelt |
yeah, I have an inversion table... I am sure my constant training either helps or makes things worse.. lol like most Life'ers in Martial Arts I have temporary memory loss and forget I am not 18 any more. My mom showed me a photo of me when I was 20, and I am doing the full splits between two chairs.. lol yeah can't do that no more.. nor wish to... | ||
| Phelan |
You could always get a nice Dyna (shameless plug). My dad is selling his. http://amarillo.craigslist.org/mcy/2920160005.html |
