I would like to pose a question regarding seat pads/cushions...I have a stock 2001 solo seat on my 800. It looks very comfortable and for the first 15 or 20 miles it feels okay..BUT...after that it really starts to make my butt ache...I usually do a round trip of about 80 miles or so going out to my research farm and it gets really uncomfortable about halfway there and back. My wife is not going to let me spend the money on a Corbin or other aftermarket seat, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a seat pad/cushion that would help alleviate the issue. I am not a small guy (6 ft - 230lb), but I have an old man flat butt. My budget is $100 or less......anyone?
Thanks.
I had this really sweet lady in Ohio send me a pro pad for Christmas last year, because she bought one for her husband and he liked it and she thought I am a nice guy so she bought me one also and I used it my whole trip and it was great.
http://www.whitehorsegear.com/pro-pad-air-series-seat-cushions
lets the air flow under your butt and keeps you off a wet seat in a rain......lots of advantages.....
I am a normal size person 5'11" and 245 lbs.......and works really well for me, also my seat is custom done for my nice butt....130 km is a nice easy ride and never even know you were out of your recliner.....
I had the same issue with my 2001 Voyager 1200. I bought a sheepskin made for the bike seat and it was a lifesaver. But maybe my problem was different, I called it butt-burn, rather than butt-ache.
I tried a sheep skin and it did not work anywhere as good as this pad I got from my favorite Ohio Girl......
Quote from: OR_Seedman on August 14, 2016, 13:07:51 PM
I would like to pose a question regarding seat pads/cushions...I have a stock 2001 solo seat on my 800. It looks very comfortable and for the first 15 or 20 miles it feels okay..BUT...after that it really starts to make my butt ache...I usually do a round trip of about 80 miles or so going out to my research farm and it gets really uncomfortable about halfway there and back. My wife is not going to let me spend the money on a Corbin or other aftermarket seat, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a seat pad/cushion that would help alleviate the issue. I am not a small guy (6 ft - 230lb), but I have an old man flat butt. My budget is $100 or less......anyone?
Thanks.
I'd like to know more about your Research Farm. Tell us or reply via private message if you would prefer.
8) you can be a test subject on it....... ::) :o
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 14, 2016, 14:25:41 PM
I am a normal size person 5'11" and 245 lbs.......
Hate to break it to you, but 5'11" and 245 lbs is not a normal size ;)
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 15, 2016, 10:20:55 AM
8) you can be a test subject on it....... ::) :o
Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Quote from: Pilgrim on August 15, 2016, 12:02:18 PM
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 14, 2016, 14:25:41 PM
I am a normal size person 5'11" and 245 lbs.......
Hate to break it to you, but 5'11" and 245 lbs is not a normal size ;)
Hahahahaa.
This forum is funny.
OK Pilgrim let us not get off topic, but I am the correct height for a person 7' 3" so I am a bit under tall...........
height or weight???
ok...about my research farm...I am a turf grass breeder...I develop new and improve cool season turf grasses like perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. I have obtained the first US Utility Patent on Spreading Ryegrass (received in 2010). I also market all over the world and license varieties out to other companies like JR Simplot, for which I receive royalties. my product line is call "Natural Knit" and it is spec'd on most of the major Portland and surrounding area city projects. It is also required on all University of Oregon projects and was featured in the Olympic Trials for track and field at Hayward Field (U of O). Anyway, my research farm is where I do all of the research and development.... you might say I am in the grass business...but not the kind they smoke out here...
:o well you can send me some seeds and I'll try and grow it on my front lawn........I am up for having a test front lawn.....
I actually sell quite a bit in the Toronto area...has been extensively test a University of Guelph...Dufferin Lawn Life Products is my distributor up there...in Mono. It would be cheaper to buy up there than to ship from here... :D
Still looking for a recommended seat pad or cushion....or I may take my seat over to a local upholsterer this winter and have it refitted with some gel inserts and some memory foam....
ok I can only tell you that after my first summer on the stock 800 seat I was not impressed. I took the seat to a local lad who has a really good reputation for doing motorcycle / car / boat / snow machine seats. I showed him what I was after and what I wanted.
I had him look it over and then he told me what he was going to do, and it was as I wanted but the gel foam / pad would not run to the edges as it would not hold its form. So he did what I asked for, he then covered it and gave it back to me, I came home put it on the bike and then sat on it and watched a few hockey games sitting on the bike. It was very comfortable.
At Drift In 15 I saw a lot of seat pads, sheepskins, I was happy with mine as it was, this Christmas the ever lovely Mrs. GB sent me my Pro Pad Air pad......and so I used it to ride to Sparta this summer and for the rest of my trip and my butt was in heaven.
I will admit a few times after say 5 hours my butt was getting sore, but then about 6 hours it was really nice and comfortable. I really like it because if you get caught in a shower it keeps your butt off the seat enough to keep it semi dry and allows the air to flow under you and drys your pants quickly.
That is my 2 cents worth for my under height for my weight issue......
Quote from: OR_Seedman on August 15, 2016, 18:11:16 PM
ok...about my research farm...I am a turf grass breeder...I develop new and improve cool season turf grasses like perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. I have obtained the first US Utility Patent on Spreading Ryegrass (received in 2010). I also market all over the world and license varieties out to other companies like JR Simplot, for which I receive royalties. my product line is call "Natural Knit" and it is spec'd on most of the major Portland and surrounding area city projects. It is also required on all University of Oregon projects and was featured in the Olympic Trials for track and field at Hayward Field (U of O). Anyway, my research farm is where I do all of the research and development.... you might say I am in the grass business...but not the kind they smoke out here...
Very cool! Thanks! I am into Fescue and other grasses that don't need much mowing. I despise the typical American lawn. People spend two to four nights a week mowing their friggin' lawns! How can they use their time that way!? Not to mention the noise and the fumes. What a waste.
Actually...my spreading ryegrasses only need to be mowed every 10 days to two weeks...even in the summer under irrigation...they don't grow as much vertically (vertically challenged...LOL) and are 2-3 time thicker than regular ryegrass turf...even lower maintenance than tall fescues, of which we are the pioneers of the dwarf types...
Anyway, once I find a cushion that I like (both looks and comfort), I will post a review....I just wonder why the stock solo seats look so comfortable, but are such a disappointment on longer rides....must use standard cushion foam or something...
Everybody's butt is different...My stock solo is quite comfortable, up to, and including 850 miles days.
Quote from: Troll on August 16, 2016, 18:59:07 PM
Everybody's butt is different...My stock solo is quite comfortable, up to, and including 850 miles days.
Agreed. My seat is comfortable and I have no complaints.
All good on the eastern front!
OR, I was in your same boat on my 2up seat. I searched around and found a set of gel pads from Saddleman that I scored for about $80 and I peeled back my seat cover and carved out some of the foam, then restapled the cover back in place. Solved the problem completely! One word though.....you need a high powered staple gun to sunk the staples into the plastic seat pan. You'll need a really good electric one or an air powered one to do it right. Here's what it looked like when I was installing the gel pads: http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/library/Drifter/Drifter%20Seat?sort=3&page=1 I used silicone sealer to attach some thin foam over the gel pads so you wouldn't be able to feel the edges of the gel pads when it was done. Indian Fan has the seat now, and he can vouch for it's comfort I'm sure.
Has he gotten it out of the back of his truck yet?
I'm not sure yet, but he looked pretty excited to have it, so I'd guess so.
That looks like a good winter project....before I start longer rides next spring...
Actually, the whole job only took about an hour. I watched a couple of episodes of Family Feud while I did it, and when they were done, so was I.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058O293Y/ref=pe_344980_204999960_em_1p_0_ti
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 23, 2016, 10:50:55 AM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058O293Y/ref=pe_344980_204999960_em_1p_0_ti
Is this like the one you have?
same one and I would never trade it.......
ordered this one a few days ago from Amazon....will let you know how it feels after a trip to the coast...
Diamond Plate Gel/Memory Foam Motorcycle Seat Cushion - One Size
:o so you going to ride all the way to the Pacific........
yup...all of about 120 miles round trip.... 8) No wonder so many people on this forum give you flack...you a funny guy! ;D
Quotewill let you know how it feels after a trip to the coast...
ok got your link to open now, same company it seems but my pad has more a woven cover that lets the air flow under you and the water to flow out from under you.
just remember what some of the members keep saying no pictures it never happened......
Mine with inserts and I trimmed it myself. Just can't take credit of the upholstery...
Quote from: OR_Seedman on August 14, 2016, 13:07:51 PM
I would like to pose a question regarding seat pads/cushions...I have a stock 2001 solo seat on my 800. It looks very comfortable and for the first 15 or 20 miles it feels okay..BUT...after that it really starts to make my butt ache...I usually do a round trip of about 80 miles or so going out to my research farm and it gets really uncomfortable about halfway there and back. My wife is not going to let me spend the money on a Corbin or other aftermarket seat, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend a seat pad/cushion that would help alleviate the issue. I am not a small guy (6 ft - 230lb), but I have an old man flat butt. My budget is $100 or less......anyone?
Thanks.
Mr. Seedman and old Drifter here are some pictures of my seat pad and some measurements. I tried to find it on the web and seems they might not make them anymore.
The one I have is the Air Series seat pads. Second top row in the first picture.
First pictures shows the rubber bottom with the 2 straps to hold it in place on the seat.
Second picture is of the weaved top sort of a net type of top.
Third picture is of the weave and it is deep and dense sort of a cushion, very comfy.
Fourth is the tag on the pad and it has a phone number 800-403-2714, then it says propadinc.com the rest is wore out
last picture shows the measurements I got off the pad.......
Thanks for posting this. Now I know it's the first one that you posted. It's the "pro pad" and it's the same size. http://www.whitehorsegear.com/pro-pad-air-series-seat-cushions
I'll be ordering soon.
The pad I got seems to work pretty well for about 50 miles....then the discomfort starts (but not nearly as bad as without it) I found a gel seat supplier online that will also take your seat and do a gel pad installation, large memory foam over that, with smoothing foam over the whole seat and ship it back within 3 business days of receiving it for $170 total. they have good reviews and for that amount, I am willing to be without my ride for a few days. Here is there contact info:
Kno Place Upholstery Co.
13069 Pine Cliff Cr.
Rapid City, SD 57702
KnoPlace@aol.com
Quote from: CDNRatMan on August 24, 2016, 15:13:10 PM
Mr. Seedman and old Drifter here are some pictures of my seat pad and some measurements. I tried to find it on the web and seems they might not make them anymore.
The one I have is the Air Series seat pads. Second top row in the first picture.
First pictures shows the rubber bottom with the 2 straps to hold it in place on the seat.
Second picture is of the weaved top sort of a net type of top.
Third picture is of the weave and it is deep and dense sort of a cushion, very comfy.
Fourth is the tag on the pad and it has a phone number 800-403-2714, then it says propadinc.com the rest is wore out
last picture shows the measurements I got off the pad.......
Well I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here but I just managed to get a hold of a used air hawk seat pad, which I see you've got as well. I can't really stand my seat either on my Valkyrie or my drifter for more than two hours, so I'm going to try this thing this year and see how it goes. I don't plan to even strap it to the seat because it's going to be used on both of my bikes. I'll just put it in the saddlebags when I'm not on the bike. If we can get enough warm weather for me to ride for two hours in the next few weeks or whatever, I'll report in how the air Hawk seat pad works for me. BTW I had one on my triumph Bonneville some years ago, because that seat was more like a torture plank, and it enabled me to ride for 200 miles a stretch with little discomfort, so I imagine with the more comfortable drifter seat I should be able to ride all day now with the air hawk pad. We'll see.
Since I now have the springer seat on my 800, I have decided to go ahead and send in my factory seat to be re-done at the place I listed above, since I have some time before I do any long rides.....went out today. I will post about how it feels when I get it back and try it out.