Question for those that had rotator cuff surgery and also ride an Interstate?

[Popeye]

Just wondering if you felt the handlebar mounted fairing was to heavy for you after the surgery? If not, how long from the surgery til you were riding again? Had my surgery on 10/27 and have bee told the recovery will take a long time. I am thinking it will be summer before I am back on 2  wheels.

Sorry if these seem like strange questions but I have alot of free time on my hands and getting back on a bike is something I like about a lot.

Thanks,

Popeye

[six2go #152]

Popeye:
I have not had the surgery myself but my Mom did and a buddy at work had it done too. Two entirely different results. Mom wouldn't do the post op therapy because it "hurt", and ended up with a frozen shoulder with little mobility. My buddy screamed and cried his way through therapy and returned to normal in a relatively short time. The main thing is; DO YOUR THERAPY. Don't worry about riding for awhile, you're in Illinois and it's Winter. I would think that by Spring or early Summer, you should be ready to go.

[fudgie]

Could go for a road glide. 

[Garland]

I had mine on right shoulder about eight years ago. I am 100% now. I don't recall not being able to ride for more than 6 weeks or so. As soon as I was out of a sling I was back on the road...

[Momz]

I"ve had two spinal chord surgeries. The first in 2008 and was told I'd never be able to drive a car again, but six weeks after the operation I was riding in the "Vallahala Voyage" relay.
My last surgery was in May 2010 and I was advised not to ride again. But since Aug 7th I've put over 10K miles on my Valk.

Remember THERAPY WORKS, as well as having a "Hard A$$ attitude".

[Thunderbolt]

before I was back in the saddle.  What you do for the first couple of months is use the other arm for the strenuous parts and just use the weak one for balance.  Keep on with your therapy, I just did my last therapy session about a month ago.  I was going once or twice a week and doing some at home.

[Popeye]

Thanks for the replies.

Fudgie, I am a considering Road Glide.  If I get a Road Glide, need to change the handlebars to the Heritage Softail handlebars, much more comfortable riding position.  Would also like  to find one with
a Tour Pak.

May rent one in the spring. The fairing would be like my 1200 Wing, so not much different.

I start my fourth week of therapy on Monday and yes the therapy does SUCK. Lots of pain to work
thru.

Popeye

[big turkey]

I had the Rotator Cuff Surgery.

My rotator cuff was so bad, my shoulder dislocated 4 times before surgery.

Magic number is usually 3 times.

Once reparied could not do anything for 3 weeks and then therapy.

No screaming, had a lot of therapy before, both mental and physical.

But we will stick with the physical for now.

You may want advice on the other kind once you have been out of the saddle for a long time.

Therapy is tough, but remember you are trying to get back what you will be using for the rest

of your life and that is a good motivator.

So try hard and don't get discouraged.

If your therapist is not pushing you enough to make you mad , then get another therapist.

Good Luck

And I don't think that little plastic fairing on the front of my Interstate would make one iota of

a problem regarding shoulder surgery.

If it does your done riding anyway.

Try hard and think of all that riding you are going to get to do with that new shoulder.

Al

[JCAL]

I had the left rotator cuff surgery, 97 percent torn in Dec 23 two years ago. Strictly but aggressively followed Doc's orders and the rehab program! Sold my 03 GL 1800 and did not ride for 10 months until October the same year! Found a 99 Interstate in next state, drove over bought it and and rode it home 200 miles no problem.  Was cautious after buying it until I passed the first year.  Doc. told me I should take it easy for a year. Arm is great, good as new!  Surgery rehab was very painful but I soon learned that the sooner i worked through the pain the sooner it went away.  Oh and don't be afraid to take a few days off of rehab just to rest from the painful process.  I took off a week but still did my exercises at home.
Good Luck and I pray your surgery is completely successful!

[BudMan]

I had a full overhaul on mine just over two years ago.  It was a massive injury including torn labrum, severed bicep tendon, and calcification removal thrown in just for good measure.
It was done in mid June and I from Oklahoma City to Topeka KS over a mid August weekend.  I was still in physical therapy at the time and although I had no problems with the ride; however, the following Tuesday at PT I was severely chastised by the therapist because it was evident I had digressed in my progress.  No lasting damage was done, but that was definitely too much too soon.

[fudgie]

good luck with the therapy. Just keep in mind that you want to ride and that should help you push threw it.

[Popeye]

good luck with the therapy. Just keep in mind that you want to ride and that should help you push threw it.

That is what is keeping me going.  I  think about riding daily and can't wait to be back on 2 wheels.

[eric in md]

hey popeye, my hardheaded brother has had both of his done now he rides a goldwing  only off the bike a couple weeks .. just becareful thats all .. ride safe and i wish you the best

[scotty]

  Ihad rotater cuf repair and 2 bone spurs , drive a truck for living ,back at work in 3 weeks and riding ,just keep it moving , will freeze up ,THERAPY ! really works .

[Valkahuna]

Thanks for the replies.

Fudgie, I am a considering Road Glide.  If I get a Road Glide, need to change the handlebars to the Heritage Softail handlebars, much more comfortable riding position.  Would also like  to find one with
a Tour Pak.

May rent one in the spring. The fairing would be like my 1200 Wing, so not much different.

I start my fourth week of therapy on Monday and yes the therapy does SUCK. Lots of pain to work
thru.

Popeye

I've had a RoadGlide since 1999 besides my Valk IS. That frame mounted fairing is FANTASTIC since it takes all of the weight and effect of the wind off the HandleBars!

I've kept the stock HD RoadGlide bars, and adjusted them so that seated normally, my hands are only about six inches above my knees. I do have the HD low profile pillow touring seat, which gives me a better lower back support, and slightly lowered seating position. I'm 6'1". I have three herniated disks in my neck, three buldging, and a badly herniated disk in my lower back and the RoadGlide is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden in 46 years!!!

I know a lot of guys on this board bad mouth HD's all the time, but IMHO, most of them have probably never ever ridden one. That RoadGLide combination is sweet. Before everyone goes balistic, I love my Valk IS as well, and though it is not as comfortable a long distance mount, it is more fun to ride, and is a fantastic ride as well. Best of both worlds is how I see it!

Good suggestion Fudgie!

[Popeye]

Thanks for the replies.

Fudgie, I am a considering Road Glide.  If I get a Road Glide, need to change the handlebars to the Heritage Softail handlebars, much more comfortable riding position.  Would also like  to find one with
a Tour Pak.

May rent one in the spring. The fairing would be like my 1200 Wing, so not much different.

I start my fourth week of therapy on Monday and yes the therapy does SUCK. Lots of pain to work
thru.

Popeye

I've had a RoadGlide since 1999 besides my Valk IS. That frame mounted fairing is FANTASTIC since it takes all of the weight and effect of the wind off the HandleBars!

I've kept the stock HD RoadGlide bars, and adjusted them so that seated normally, my hands are only about six inches above my knees. I do have the HD low profile pillow touring seat, which gives me a better lower back support, and slightly lowered seating position. I'm 6'1". I have three herniated disks in my neck, three buldging, and a badly herniated disk in my lower back and the RoadGlide is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden in 46 years!!!

I know a lot of guys on this board bad mouth HD's all the time, but IMHO, most of them have probably never ever ridden one. That RoadGLide combination is sweet. Before everyone goes balistic, I love my Valk IS as well, and though it is not as comfortable a long distance mount, it is more fun to ride, and is a fantastic ride as well. Best of both worlds is how I see it!

Good suggestion Fudgie!

Valkahuna,

Thanks for the reply.  I have a couple of questions about the Road Glide.

1) How is it in the rain?  Better or worse compared to the Interstate?

2) Passengers, do they prefer one over the other? Just wondering about
    which one gives the passenger more wind buffeting?

Just want to make sure that my wife is comfortable.

Thanks,

Popeye

[Valkahuna]

Valkahuna,

Thanks for the reply.  I have a couple of questions about the Road Glide.

1) How is it in the rain?  Better or worse compared to the Interstate?

2) Passengers, do they prefer one over the other? Just wondering about
    which one gives the passenger more wind buffeting?

Just want to make sure that my wife is comfortable.

Thanks,Popeye

Popeye:
Clarification: My IS has Std. Honda WS, no Baker wings or other deflectors other than IS Pods, RGlide has STD. HD WS, no lowers, etc.
1)Rain: IS is slightly better IMHO. RGlide WS is much furter away in front of me, so water that comes off top lip of WS (not much though) tends to find its way to my face. I do like not looking through the shield better on RGlide. In my opinion WS on IS is too close to my face.
2) Passenger: She claims buffeting to be about the same on both. I do own a taller than std (by three inches) WS for RGlide I bought for that reason, and other than me now having to deal with the top edge of the WS to look through or over, she claims it made no difference - so I took it off again and went back to standard.

The seat on the IS is longer, front to back on the IS, so there is about six inches more space between our bodies and this is good on hot days. Advantage - IS.

Either case you can't go wrong.  

For me, the RGlide has the advantage because I sit "in it" not "on it", and with the RGLide WS being farther away, it makes things feel more spacious. Also, the built in fairing compartments on the RGlide are hard to beat.

In my opinion, the biggest difference is that the RGlide handles MUCH lighter at low speed, especially with my wife on the back. The fairing weight being carried by the frame is unbelievable at what a difference it makes in  handling and buffeting while passing trucks. I did spend a lot of $$$ in my HD motor to make it perform to MY Standards (but I am a power freak!) The IS is a better performnce bike at faster pace. Brakes are much better on the Valk IS.

Rent a RGlide for a day and decide on your own. We are talking about what I think are the two best touring bikes there are. Hard to go wrong either way.

[Popeye]

Valkahuna,

Thanks for the reply.  I have a couple of questions about the Road Glide.

1) How is it in the rain?  Better or worse compared to the Interstate?

2) Passengers, do they prefer one over the other? Just wondering about
    which one gives the passenger more wind buffeting?

Just want to make sure that my wife is comfortable.

Thanks,Popeye

Popeye:
Clarification: My IS has Std. Honda WS, no Baker wings or other deflectors other than IS Pods, RGlide has STD. HD WS, no lowers, etc.
1)Rain: IS is slightly better IMHO. RGlide WS is much furter away in front of me, so water that comes off top lip of WS (not much though) tends to find its way to my face. I do like not looking through the shield better on RGlide. In my opinion WS on IS is too close to my face.
2) Passenger: She claims buffeting to be about the same on both. I do own a taller than std (by three inches) WS for RGlide I bought for that reason, and other than me now having to deal with the top edge of the WS to look through or over, she claims it made no difference - so I took it off again and went back to standard.

The seat on the IS is longer, front to back on the IS, so there is about six inches more space between our bodies and this is good on hot days. Advantage - IS.

Either case you can't go wrong.  

For me, the RGlide has the advantage because I sit "in it" not "on it", and with the RGLide WS being farther away, it makes things feel more spacious. Also, the built in fairing compartments on the RGlide are hard to beat.

In my opinion, the biggest difference is that the RGlide handles MUCH lighter at low speed, especially with my wife on the back. The fairing weight being carried by the frame is unbelievable at what a difference it makes in  handling and buffeting while passing trucks. I did spend a lot of $$$ in my HD motor to make it perform to MY Standards (but I am a power freak!) The IS is a better performnce bike at faster pace. Brakes are much better on the Valk IS.

Rent a RGlide for a day and decide on your own. We are talking about what I think are the two best touring bikes there are. Hard to go wrong either way.

Thanks for the info.  I do plan on renting a RG next spring, once I get the OK from the Doctor. I have talked to a couple of RG owners and they rave about how they handle,  especially on windy days.

I loved my Interstate but found the Electra Glide Classic a more comfortable ride for me.

[Valkahuna]

Good luck to you. Either way is great - just ride and stay in the wind!

[fudgie]

Jeez you 2 are making me jeolous.  RG are my favorite. Always wanted a SE in orange/white/black. The black denim with red pinstripe has caught my eye this year. Someday maybe. Working on getting some bills paid this winter since her truck is paid for. Momma wants her bike. 

[Popeye]

Jeez you 2 are making me jeolous.   RG are my favorite. Always wanted a SE in orange/white/black. The black denim with red pinstripe has caught my eye this year. Someday maybe. Working on getting some bills paid this winter since her truck is paid for. Momma wants her bike.  

Fudgie,

If I had the money, I would get a 2009 SE RG, the Gray/Silver one or the 2011 Road Glide Ultra in Black. With 2 still in college, that won't  happen, so will see what is available next spring. This is the first time in 22 years thar I have not had a bike in my garage.

What kind of bike does Kit want?

Popeye

[fudgie]

What kind of bike does Kit want?

Popeye

750 Shadow Ace/Areo. Is her goal. Spirits dont fit her. White & silver.

[Stude]

 I had it done along with spurs removed at the same time. My full recovery time was around 10-12 weeks. The best thing you can do is push yourself to do the therapy, I started out 5 min per waking hour exercising then icing it down. Worked my way up to 15 min out of the hour, I still have full range of motion after 12 years.