Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Long rides - "comfort" gear

Folks

Have any of you any suggestions for what to wear on long rides to enhance - er - comfort in the gluteus maximi area? I'm not wanting to go for the Iron Butt award but would value recommendations on how to avoid "numb bum" syndrome.

Siggy

just 3 words
Corbin man Corbin

bead seat.

cat seat pad tests

stop every hundred miles or so depending upon conditions. Buy a Corbin or similar saddle with backrest. Cannot underestimate the value of the backrest. A good windscreen can also take the strain off of the shoulders and neck.

Note: I have a very bad back, but I would assume the benefits of the backrest apply to most riders.

Believe it or not.. it works. Riding shorts

I am still a fan of the Triumph touring seat.

Soren

I am still a fan of the Triumph touring seat.

I've grown quite fond of mine as well, but I do see how a backrest could come in quite handy for the long hauls..

Cheers,
Brad

Soren and MrUnix,
You two really are 'iron butt' riders. I can't wait to get my custom built seat, and put my touring seat on ebay for 99 cents. My wife even thinks the stock pillion is more comfy. The touring seat is very soft and giving, but the rebound gives me the monkey butt at around 70 miles.
The rebound is a killer.

Chy is right. riding shorts are a valuable asset to riding comfortably on a cheap saddle. If you are not going to get a custom saddle, buy some smooth boxers (with no seams in back) and leather "riding" pants - not leather jeans. The leather riding pants have a smooth panel under your butt, and you can sit on a board for hours. Blue Jeans are a no-no. The texture of denim matches the nerve endings in your butt almost perfectly - shutting the nerves down.
I guess you can tell - I am a butt man.

Siggy,

What you wear or don't wear matters. Levi's have that infernal seam right above the seat's pockets and if you ride like Yota (sans undergarments) those seams will wear ya a new one. The oem saddle is too soft and will give ya a case of the monkey butt. Do get off the bike every 100 miles or couple of hours to stretch. This applies whether or not your have the stocker or a corbin! Yet you may accomplish the same thing by shifting your bum round the saddle. Lift up a cheek at a time, letting the breeze flow under your bum and above the saddle. Sit on your left hand. Sit forward in the saddle. Sit towards the rear. Shift to one side of the saddle. Time in the saddle will condition your arse for longer rides. The stocker's softness causes hot spots. Shifting your bum will thwart full development. Think of it as turning a bed ridden human in order to prevent bed sores. Consider this, have you ever experienced a padded saddle of the equine variety? Either english or western. Why is that? Cause soft padding causes hot spots and hampers precise control. The stocker being covered in Vinyl doesn’t help too much either. On hot rides, a piece of leather positioned on your saddle will help keep your bum from sweating (profusely) and can keep the hot spots away a bit longer.

Geez Moe!

I get up, nuke yesterday's coffee in the microwave and first thing, read a dissertation on "monkey butt". We need to red flag these posts somehow . But I agree, for most people (your results may vary qualifier here), too soft a seat can be uncomfortable for the reasons you mention. When I used to work for a living, none of the people I knew who rode around on horses used a padded type seat. That type riding was little less sedentary and in my case spent some unplanned time on the ground looking up at my "ride" .

JH

Moe,
Having read that insightful disertation, there is no disputing that you are the all knowing, ever powerful, always wise 'A$$Master'. Now, if you could just lend Wendle a hand at some of that butt waxing he is promising.

My wife even thinks the stock pillion is more comfy.

I'm going out on a limb here, but I take it you have an America, not a Speedmaster

Cheers,
Brad