Well guys, the FJR was officially sold on Saturday and it pains me to say this, but it looks like my days of riding are done. Some of you that know me and have been riding with me recently know that I've had more and more difficulty not only maneuvering the FJR at slow speeds and getting it parked, but also getting on and off the bike.
Without making this a sad sob story, (hoping I may get some good advice at the end of this) at 35 years old my body has taken a beating. I spent over a decade in law enforcement as well as having spastic cerebral palsy. My case was mild enough that unless I was very tired, I could adjust for minor issues with balance and gait. As I've aged the ability to hide my impairment has become less and less and the pain has continued to tick upward. I didn't think it would affect my riding abilities until I got much older, that unfortunately didn't happen.
When I attempted to get on the bike last October I had instant and extreme pain in my right hip. I thought nothing of it and rode the 1700 or so miles to Alabama (SFO meet) and back to Oklahoma. I enjoyed myself, but when I got back home it took a full week to recover. From that point on, anytime I got on the bike that pain returned, even when I only got on it to move it around the garage. The pain lasted days, and made it unbearable to put any weight on my right leg (which is my dominant leg) Due to the C.P. I do not feel comfortable with only one foot down, and definitely not my weak leg.
After reading several medical studies and talking with doctors the culprit appears to be osteoarthritis in my hip. This was caused by hip dysplasia and wearing things out early (kind of like my shoes). I talked to my wife and she knew that something was wrong when I didn't feel comfortable riding two up anymore. I told her the situation and she brought up an instance where I look like a noob just moving the bike in the driveway for the tree trimmer. She hates to see blue go but understands that motorcycle riding isn't enjoyable if you're in constant pain.
Anyways I've milled over the idea of looking for very low slung bikes with an upright riding position or a trike (after retirement of course). Any thoughts from you all, and anyone else with hip arthritis that would like to chime in, I'd be more than grateful to get some input.
Other than that you guys have been a lot of help, I've met some great people along the way and I'll continue being on Facebook (Abel Stose). You all had some very kind and helpful words of wisdom when my dad was killed on his Harley almost three years ago too. Please ride safe, wear your gear, and keep your head on a swivel!
Throwing out one last pick of the kiddos. I bought the 06 right around the time my boy was born. He just turned five yesterday. My daughter is 2 and a half.
Without making this a sad sob story, (hoping I may get some good advice at the end of this) at 35 years old my body has taken a beating. I spent over a decade in law enforcement as well as having spastic cerebral palsy. My case was mild enough that unless I was very tired, I could adjust for minor issues with balance and gait. As I've aged the ability to hide my impairment has become less and less and the pain has continued to tick upward. I didn't think it would affect my riding abilities until I got much older, that unfortunately didn't happen.
When I attempted to get on the bike last October I had instant and extreme pain in my right hip. I thought nothing of it and rode the 1700 or so miles to Alabama (SFO meet) and back to Oklahoma. I enjoyed myself, but when I got back home it took a full week to recover. From that point on, anytime I got on the bike that pain returned, even when I only got on it to move it around the garage. The pain lasted days, and made it unbearable to put any weight on my right leg (which is my dominant leg) Due to the C.P. I do not feel comfortable with only one foot down, and definitely not my weak leg.
After reading several medical studies and talking with doctors the culprit appears to be osteoarthritis in my hip. This was caused by hip dysplasia and wearing things out early (kind of like my shoes). I talked to my wife and she knew that something was wrong when I didn't feel comfortable riding two up anymore. I told her the situation and she brought up an instance where I look like a noob just moving the bike in the driveway for the tree trimmer. She hates to see blue go but understands that motorcycle riding isn't enjoyable if you're in constant pain.
Anyways I've milled over the idea of looking for very low slung bikes with an upright riding position or a trike (after retirement of course). Any thoughts from you all, and anyone else with hip arthritis that would like to chime in, I'd be more than grateful to get some input.
Other than that you guys have been a lot of help, I've met some great people along the way and I'll continue being on Facebook (Abel Stose). You all had some very kind and helpful words of wisdom when my dad was killed on his Harley almost three years ago too. Please ride safe, wear your gear, and keep your head on a swivel!
Throwing out one last pick of the kiddos. I bought the 06 right around the time my boy was born. He just turned five yesterday. My daughter is 2 and a half.
