My buddy I used to race motorcross with is fused in 2 spots and still race's all the time with no troubles.

 

I just had a ruptured disc 6 weeks ago. Luckily I didn't need a fusion, but a discectomy at L4/5. The ortho surgeon said NO bike, let alone atv's, for at least 6 months. He said a fusion might take a bit longer to fully heal, but in the end, a full recovery would be possible. He warned me to stick to the program and let everything fully heal to minimize the risk of rupturing it again. He said by 6 months I can probably start riding the bike again, but the atv's would probably have to wait a bit longer.

I feel like I could ride now, but I know I shouldn't. My back gets stiff when I sit too long, and even with a backrest on my bike, it would get sore fast.

So to answer the op's question, yes, you should be able to ride again. But I will also recommend to follow the doctors orders. They know what they are talking about.

I can tell you the sitting around during this healing time is driving me insane. I'm on light duty and bored at work. I come home and can't do hardly anything fun and am bored as hell at home too. I just keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end.

 

My back is fused L5 to S1 as well (hit by car on traffic stop, plus poor genetics), and my neck is fused C5-C6 (wrecked a dirt track racecar...took 6 months to learn how to walk again). I still ride. I catch hell from the Doc when I go for followups, but I gave up career, racing, etc...riding is the one thing I couldn't give up.

I did finally go to a trike, knees weren't doing the job with RG any more.
I'm always available by PM's if you need to talk to someone who's been there

 

Had L4 & L5 fused 10 years ago. Still ride. Get sore often doing normal tasks, back will never be good again. But I can still ride. Know my limits, take many breaks on rides, stay off real rough roads. I also put on better rear shocks called Super Shox and that helped a ton. I'm only 71 and plan many more years on my RK.

 

One more question might also be appropriate. How "fragile" will you be afterwards? Will you be more prone to serious injury from a minor incident, such as loosing your footing on gravel and just just tipping over? If such a follow up injury occurs, might you wind up in a wheel chair or be bed ridden for ever more? I know we all take that chance but will you be more at risk in even a minor mishap? If so, you will need to balance the outcomes of various possibilities.

 

This is the key. Compliance. If you're compliant with your doc, and your PT/OT treatments after the surgery then you will probably be fine. Just be patient and follow the program.

 

I appreciate all of your responses. I have a good surgeon from UCSF but I have not even brought up the motorcycle to him. I will wait until recovery is well in progress.

 

Probably the best move.
And good surgeon is always key....I credit the Neuro Doc from Jefferson University Hospital for getting me back together well enough to live a fairly normal life. Rehab will suck, you'll probably curse at the PT at least once, but give it your 110%

 

Stick with the PT, it will hurt like hell, worse than you can imagine. May even seem pointless - IT WORKS.

 

Had an L4/5 fusion done way back in 1985 by the number one nuero guy in the world. Used cow bone (which explains why I moo loudly in moments of passion now. My poor wife!) I know fusion technology has come light years since then, so no advice there for you.

But I was riding the next summer after surgery and have ever since. Good advice from previous posters on a back rest. I have the Legends sliding tour pak and when riding solo, its the most comfort I've ever experienced on a motorcycle. Best ergonomic mod I've ever done!