Saddle sore...

chasestudio · Post by **chasestudio** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:55 am

For the majority of my riding I find the seat on my R1150R comfortable, surprisingly so, and apart from a little more leg room I'm pretty happy.

However, I've got a couple of road trips coming up so I've been looking at inflatable and gel seat covers like these:

http://www.airhawk.co.uk/

http://www.thefastone.co.uk/products.asp?cat=21

Has anybody any experience of using these, or something like them?

Red R1150R, Surrey, GB

sloopy_farklehump · Post by **sloopy_farklehump** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:50 am

I looked into getting an airhawk about a year ago. I found most people thought they were a worthwhile investment. I, however, couldn't bear to part with that much cash so I picked up a sheep skin seat cover. I haven't looked back. I don't know why an inch or so of dead sheep works but it does.

Lion_Lady · Post by **Lion_Lady** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 4:29 pm

I've got an Airhawk. Love it.

Yup, its pricey, but it is produced by the same folks who make seat pads for the wheelchair bound

so you KNOW it does the job.

If you don't like it, you can return it to the company for your money back.

P

Post by **OU812** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 5:08 pm

Those seem reasonable to me. I had my seat recovered in leather with gel packs installed. $450! Ouch.

Butt, I must say, I can ride all day.

budhenderson · Post by **budhenderson** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:30 pm

I vote for the Airhawk - I have one and love it.

Sit · Post by **Sit** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 8:41 pm

Alaska buttpad. The sheepskin looks a bit odd on a bike, but your butt will love you. I rode with one for quite a while and have loved it. Longest time in saddle with it was over 13 hours with no problems. Took it off last time I washed the bike and decided to not put it back on. Within 30 minutes on my next ride, I had decided the thing was going back on when I got home. I love it!

http://www.alaskaleather.com/

I got a rally special and it is great.

sillyjax · Post by **sillyjax** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 9:08 pm

I LOVE my AirHawk pad. I have used it for the last two years and it is FANTASTIC! I will admit, however, that my seat will be redone by Don Weber (Mr. Ed) in May this year. Needless to say, Don says I will be able to hit at least 600 miles with very little butt angst...will be great to leave home yet another item.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:09 pm

The Alaska Buttpad is a great product, and at around $30.00 (for a #2) you can not go wrong. Den

GJBushman · Post by **GJBushman** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:14 pm

I have both an Airhawk and a Sheepskin. For the money the sheepskin is a better option. The Airhawk does wonders but it also raises you up about one inch. You also lose friction. Your rear is sitting on a cushion of air and will "float". So if you are not used to this sensation it can be strange. Countersteering can be unusual. Go with the sheepskin, or a good pair of leather pants.

Jonny_L · Post by **Jonny_L** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:28 am

I've just got an airhawk on my 1200GS. I got it coz my sargent seat was giving me problems

The one on my old R was lovely though if you're thinking about going down that route.

It's really weird to get used to as it's literally like sitting on a cushion of air. I only just tried it today though so can't really comment yet, though I think I'm gonna use it for longer journeys and take it off when I hit the twisties, as it'd be odd to shift about on.

You're welcome to come and have a look at mine if you want, I'm in East Horsley, near Guildford.

Post by **OU812** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 4:05 pm

After a 200+ mile day, I have ordered the sheepskin. I figured it can't hurt.

I was riding with VES, and all he had for a seat on his CBR WAS an Airhawk. So something can be said for those. But I can not spare the inch in height.

Post by **OU812** » Fri May 04, 2007 6:12 pm

Well, after a quick 100 miles, I must say, it's the best $40 I have ever spent on my bike!

I ran the straps under the seat, just not to rub the paint.

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:09 pm

OU812 wrote:Well, after a quick 100 miles, I must say, it's the best $40 I have ever spent on my bike! I ran the straps under the seat, just not to rub the paint.

So you got it huh? Good to hear it works.

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Fri May 04, 2007 8:24 pm

OU812 wrote:After a 200+ mile day, I have ordered the sheepskin. I figured it can't hurt. I was riding with VES, and all he had for a seat on his CBR WAS an Airhawk. So something can be said for those. But I can not spare the inch in height.

Yup, like he said. I have an Airhawk on my CBR, just on the seat pan. I totally got rid of my stock foam and cover. That setup is much more comfortable than the stock seat ever was. I couldn't ride my stock seat for 30 minutes without getting butt burn, but I road the CBR around Lake Michigan and down to St. Louis and back with just that Airhawk.

It works best (the instructions explain it) if you have just enough air in it so that you're just floating above your seat (maybe between 1/4" to 1/2" at the low spot). Just enough pressure so you're not bottoming out. That way it conforms to your butt, and you get a custom contoured seat.

Also, it's not just a single air bladder, it's multiple pockets, so outside air circulates between the pockets and keeps your butt cool.

As for serious sport riding (where you're shifting your weight off the bike) it's not going to work. It's too mushy and the air shifts around as you move from one side to the other.

As Steve pointed out, it's designed by a company that makes hospital beds that prevent bedsores... same technology.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sat May 05, 2007 8:43 am

My poor mans Airhawk...

No it didn't go Pop,Pop,Pop when I hit bumps in the road..

DJ

Post by **OU812** » Sat May 05, 2007 10:07 am

DJ, don't tell me that is for real. You did not ride with that on your seat, did you?

You staged it for us, right?

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun May 06, 2007 6:01 am

You staged it for us, right?

No wrong...not kidding..

.......maybe just a little..

...I did this some time ago.

Being the poor man that I am...and not able to buy Airhawks down under (btw..now we can but they're mega bucks)..I thought..Bubble pack might work.

I only rode around the block with it..and it felt pretty good...

I thought I could just roll it up and stick it under the seat and if I start getting a numb-bum on a long ride I could just whip it out and sit on bubbles..

I actually find my stock seat pretty comfee..I rarely ride for more than an hour or two without a short stop...One day I'll give the bubble wrap a good test.

DJ

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:19 am

You know, I wonder... has anyone tried putting those wooden beads on their seat? You know what I'm talking about? You can buy them for car seats. They're suppose to be really comfortable.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun May 06, 2007 8:39 am

I've heard that those beaded seat covers work..I wonder if they leave little dimples on the seat when you take it off..and also dimples on your a***..

I don't have much built in padding on my a*** and I can't imagine them being all that comfee.

DJ

Post by **OU812** » Sun May 06, 2007 6:52 pm

Looks like you get good air flow with the beads.

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