Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: HANDLEBARS AND CONTROL, seat, position

Question
mY QUESTION IS IN REFERENCE TO THE HEIGHT, WIDTH, AND PULLBACK ON BARS. OWN A 2003 HONDA VTX 1800C MODEL. I ALSO INSTALLED A CORBIN TOURING MODEL SEAT. THIS SEAT LOWERS ME SOMEWHAT AND SEEMS TO MOVE ME AWAY FROM THE BARS. I HAD BACK SURGERY IN 05 AND ENDED UP WITH SOME NERVE DAMAGE IN MY LEFT LEG.I AM WANTING TO BRING THE BARS TO ME TO THE POINT I CAN ACTUALLY LEAN BACK INTO THE SEAT AND BACKREST AS IT IS MEANT TO BE. I'M ONLY GOOD FOR ABOUT 50 MILES OR LESS BEFORE I HAVE TO GET OFF FOR A WHILE. I THINK A CHANGE IN POSITION WOULD ACCOMPLISH THIS BUT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT HANDLEING AND CONTROL.

THE NUMBERS ON THE STOCK BARS ARE=1"DIA. 3"RISE 36"WIDE 14" PULLBACK 9" CENTER.

I HAVE ALREADY PUT 6"RISERS ON TO COMPENSATE A LITTLE. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE RISE IS O.K. AND I SHOULD LOOK FOR A HIGHER OR NARROWER SOLUTION. I ALSO PUT BOLT ON HIGHWAY BARS BUT I CAN'T LEAN BACK TO REACH THEM COMFORTABLY

IM LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR SUGGESTIONS

Answer
There are several things at work here, but mainly 1) cruiser-style motorcycles put a lot of weight on a rider's lower back and 2) most riders older than about 20 need to take frequent breaks to keep from getting stiff and sore.

It is possible that modifying your handlebars will ease the pressure on your lower back, especially if you're able to use a backrest. The handling and safety of the motorcycle should not change, but the way it "feels" to steer the bike will probably be much different.

You should investigate the idea of moving the footpegs/floorboards farther back (rearward) and keeping the bars where they are. This will take away some of the pressure on your lower back and place it on your legs. If you're leaning more forward to reach the bars, your back will be straighter, too.

Your best bet would be to find a different kind of motorcycle where you sit more upright (standard-style motorcycle) or even more forward (sportbike-style motorcycle). Lots of people look at sportbike riders and think "doesn't that hurt your back?" The reality is that most of the weight is on the wrists and feet, and the back is generally straight.

There are probably other cruiser-style motorcycles with a more upright seating position, as well. You'll need to shop around and sit on several bikes to find what works best for you.

I'm 38 years old and cannot ride a cruiser-style motorcycle for very long at all--my lower back aches after a half hour. On my sport-touring bike (I own a VFR, but also look at the FJR, ST1300, etc.) I can go 600-700 miles a day. I still need to stop every 100 miles or so, but the riding position is much more comfortable for trips of any appreciable difference.