Seat comfort

[DC]

Its only a problem when you are stopped, or slowing to a stop... so just keep riding and avoid traffic!

I think I need a seatbelt or something.  The bike wants to take off out from under me.   

[chief]

A 1500 is a lot of weight to manage.  That's why I pretty much keep a tight grip most of the time.

Its only a problem when you are stopped, or slowing to a stop... so just keep riding and avoid traffic!

[DC]

A 1500 is a lot of weight to manage.  That's why I pretty much keep a tight grip most of the time.

[Troll]

That relax thing is easier said than done. I tell all my students that they are not trying to hold onto a bucking bull for 8 seconds, but they still complain on Sunday morning of sore arm muscles...they all work too hard!

[John Hopkins]

I did a seven hour ride on my bike last week and I didn't have any problems, well if you don't count clipping a couple of car mirrors with my grips while filtering at 50mph..

I think my seat is standard, the road was good except for the catseyes and line markings that make it difficult to keep in a straight line..I ended the ride in comfort with only cold fingers to complain about..

Some of the stress of riding may be caused by gripping the handlebars to tightly, It is not likely that any of us could hold the bike up once it starts to go so you might as well relax your grip and enjoy the ride..

John.

[chief]

Back rest! Back rest! Back rest! Did I say back rest? Makes all the difference in the world on long trips.  I don't have on the Drifter yet but after taking a long trip on a dresser last summer I'm sold.  It took all the stress out of riding. My back felt great even after hours on the road

yeah, I agree. I made one since finding one my color was really difficult. it really helps.

[jmbo]

Back rest! Back rest! Back rest! Did I say back rest? Makes all the difference in the world on long trips.  I don't have on the Drifter yet but after taking a long trip on a dresser last summer I'm sold.  It took all the stress out of riding. My back felt great even after hours on the road

[pcarrell]

Yeah, but is it OK to mix Rats and sheep?

[DriftinGirl]

I did not attach it any way other then the back of it I tucked under the netting holding my pack on. It is a real chunck of sheepskin so it has the hide underside and it sticks to the seat. Bought it from a plac ethat sells sheepskin and sheep products at their farm. One thing is to wash it on a really gentle cycle and let it dry natural, I rolled it up in a huge towel and it worked out ok.......smelled like wet dog for a few days in the laundry room...lol...

Real sheepskin is a must..not only does the hide side grip but,, back when I was working, nursing studies showed the fake sheepshins actually scalded patients behinds!

[DC]

As someone who has spent almost half my life in the cab of a truck or car I learned that lesson really early, even at a desk job do not sit on your wallet, mine is not thick with money but cards and stupid stuff we collect over time..........

Reminds me of that Seinfeld epsiode where George has back problems from sitting lopsided, due to his huge wallet in his back pocket.   

[CDNRatMan]

  As someone who has spent almost half my life in the cab of a truck or car I learned that lesson really early, even at a desk job do not sit on your wallet, mine is not thick with money but cards and stupid stuff we collect over time..........

[David Baker]

I purchased a Butt Buffer at Carlisle Bike Week a couple years ago (They cut us a break, We bought two and payed in cash) I generally use it on long rides, It was nice to pick it up at the show as you can try the various models they have to get a proper fit. One thing I've learned on long hauls... Put your wallet in your front pocket or inside vest pocket. lqtm

[pcarrell]

I cut the top center of the foam so that the gel would fit into it.

Yeah, I hogged out the foam and added a different density foam, then the gel pad, then a thin layer of a lighter foam sheeting across the whole thing (so the cover would be smooth and not show the lines where I had done the work).  When I was done, it was all at the same level I had started at (I did add some foam towards the upper rear of each seating pad just to add a touch more cushion.  It's the very low density foam, so it didn't really reshape the seat.), it just had different foam.

In the second pic you can see the pillion is done and ready to have the cover put back on.  The front isn't done yet in that pic.  It looked just like the rear before I added the cover.

[Troll]

PC, your jellybean green seat looks familiar....I was pretty happy with mine until I did a 600+ day on it in 100 deg. weather...by the time I got home, I could feel the seat pan in a not too good place. I did the gel thing, but I did it a little differently. I cut the top center of the foam so that the gel would fit into it. I added about 1/2" of flat washers to the front seat mounting bolt on the bike, and that changed the angle considerably. Now I'm sitting down into the dish of the seat instead of having the weight concentrated on the pubic bone. I have about 4000 miles on this set up, so far, and it's pretty good.

[CDNRatMan]

  Mind if I was going someplace were I was going to leave the bike unlocked or open to the public I would try and hide the sheepskin. Before when I would tour I would leave stuff on the bike find a garage with an attendent and give them a few bucks to watch the bikes and park close to his station.

[pcarrell]

I didn't care for my F&S 2up so I pulled the cover ans hogged it out and added new, foam rubber, then covered that with gel pads, then added light density foam on top.  reconnecting the cover was the trick.  You'll need and industrial strength staple gun and some silicone sealant (for the dish in the seat).

(Click on pics to enlarge)

[chief]

At one point we bought one of those air/rubber deals for my wife, and my brother-in-law got one for his bike. We tossed ours it really made things worse. It creates hot spots "monkey butt" and you don't have the feeling of being firmly seated... which was troublesome for me... who likes to feel like they are slipping off the bike.

I have seen the sheepskin used. You have to take it off every night. Also if you wouldn't leave your lid unlocked, you won't want to leave this one unlocked either. So, while it works, its a bit of a pain. But it may be less of a pain in the butt, than the pain in the butt!!

[CDNRatMan]

    I did not attach it any way other then the back of it I tucked under the netting holding my pack on. It is a real chunck of sheepskin so it has the hide underside and it sticks to the seat. Bought it from a plac ethat sells sheepskin and sheep products at their farm. One thing is to wash it on a really gentle cycle and let it dry natural, I rolled it up in a huge towel and it worked out ok.......smelled like wet dog for a few days in the laundry room...lol...

[greenbarn]

that does look comfy, ratman.  do you have to fasten it on there, with what?  or does it just lay on there?  Where do ou buy something like that, I'm guessing it would be kinda nice.

[CDNRatMan]

 I rode the bike to my sisters about a week after I got it. Had not been on a bike for any long trips in about 8 years. I suffer from really bad arthritis in both legs and lower back, that was one reason to not been riding for so long but then decide to try again, anyway, I figured I could get 160 kms to a tank, and so had my trip planned to be stopping every 150 -160 for fuel and to get off and move around. On the trip down it was the stock two up seat no sheep skin. While visting my sister she mentioned that she used a sheepskin on her seat on the Harley Dresser they use to tour with. Her husband said it made a huge difference, so I said I would try it and went and bought one, made the ride a more comfortable ride to some extent, not as hot or sweaty. Found it made a difference.

[mmedur]

I'm just glad I read the first posts before the last, or I might have gotten the wrong impression here...

MMedur, I also had the stock solo, and found it rather uncomfortable - likewise in the tailbone area.  I ended up going with a Corbin 2-up.  Wanted a 2-up anyway.  I like the corbin.
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I see now how that rearward little strange. I would love to go with the Corbin, but I have already spent too much this year on the bike.

[Petemoss]

lqtms

[greenbarn]

...I have about 5 inches and 40 lbs on you right now.

Before you got the sheepskin had you had any discomfort?

I'm just glad I read the first posts before the last, or I might have gotten the wrong impression here...

MMedur, I also had the stock solo, and found it rather uncomfortable - likewise in the tailbone area.  I ended up going with a Corbin 2-up.  Wanted a 2-up anyway.  I like the corbin.

[mmedur]

Yea the militate vehicles are certainly hell on the backside. They jacked my lower back up so badly thati am constantly stiff. And I have about 5 inches and 40 lbs on you right now.

Before you got the sheepskin had you had any discomfort?

[CDNRatMan]

  I have a stock seat, and am 5'11" and a portly but well carried 240lbs. I have ridden about 5 hours with only fuel stops so far and I found a nice sheepskin was the answer for my comfort, or perhaps all those years of bouncing around in military vehicles has killed my buttocks receptors to feeling.....