Stock seat is messing up my trip

[528Hz]

I left to Prudhoe bay from NY, so far made it to chicago area in one shot. I am going solo, so I make very few stops, other then I got caught in a heavy rain and hail in NJ and PA so I made friend with a buncha overpasses ::003:: But after about 3 hours of just riding and stopping for gas for a few minutes seat gave me a bad arse pain. By the time I finished this 900 mile section, my butt was in extreme pain and riding has become very unpleasant. I'd like to continue on but the though of sitting in that seat makes not want to ride it anywhere. Prior to this trip. I have done a few 400 mile trips, but it was with a group and we stopped every 40 minutes. This time is when I really got to know this seat. What would be the best approach to somewhat rectify this while I am on the road. Maybe some of you guys have some tricks. Not sure if its the shape or needs more softness.
I have a VTX 1800 with Ultimate seat, gosh I am missing it right now so bad. I am almost considering turning back and taking out my cruiser for around the country trip instead. I really looked forward to going there :'( ::010::

 

[DinX]

::26::

 

[Karson]

Overnight an Airhawk seat cushion to one of your destination hotels. You might also stop at a hardware store to get the supplies for the seat mod to level out the forward tilt of the seat. That's the best 3 dollar remedy you can try. Tank grips for your legs.

Also, gold bond powder and lots of it.

Stay in touch...

 

[20valves]

BICYCLE SHORTS under your riding pants!! ::008::

Personally, I think the problem is that you ride too damn far in one day! 900 miles is a manly day in the saddle for sure. Good luck. 8)

 

[528Hz]

::26::

::015:: I tried my fleece jacket, didn't help, but then it wasn't as puffy and fluffy ::025::

 

[dcstrom]

Or try one of these;
https://www.beadrider.com/shop/category.asp?catid=2

If you can't get one from beadrider you can get a beaded car seat cover from Walmart and cut it down to size.

 

[528Hz]

Overnight an Airhawk seat cushion to one of your destination hotels. You might also stop at a hardware store to get the supplies for the seat mod to level out the forward tilt of the seat. That's the best 3 dollar remedy you can try. Tank grips for your legs.

Also, gold bond powder and lots of it.

Stay in touch...

Got the gold bond, I use it on hot days. I got a dealer map at airhawk site who has air hawk cushions on the way, calling them now. I don't really have any hotel reservations anywhere so I don't know where to overnight to. I'm just stopping wherever after I leave chicago area on Wednesday morning ::012::
Going to portal, ND to cross the border. If I get that seat solved, I can make it in one shot ::001::

 

[528Hz]

BICYCLE SHORTS under your riding pants!! ::008::

Personally, I think the problem is that you ride too damn far in one day! 900 miles is a manly day in the saddle for sure. Good luck. 8)

I dont mind riding that much in a day. I can ride my vtx 24 hrs a day, those ultimate seats are so friggin awesone, like ridin a couch

 

[stevepsd]

Have you done the seat bumper mod yet? That helps alot in-and-of-itself, maybe not a cure-all but trust me it's a BIG help.

 

[coastie]

Man, what a pain in the ass ::025:: Yea you need to do the seat mod. A bad seat will ruin a trip.

 

[Catsbum]

::26::

Sheepskin is your Friend

 

[HoebSTer]

You have to also remember it has been HELL LIKE HOT there in the midwest. This will enhance any butt-burn quickly. You will need to get air to your arse, maybe call ahead for some LD COMFORT shorts that the Long Distance riders use. To me it is like night and day. Seat beads also help the air get to the sweaty bits!!! Other than that, cut the thickness of the back four rubbber bumpers on on the seat. This will take the tilt off of it and make it feel liek you are sitting in the seat a little more than on the seat. Back to the shorts or riding pants, anything COTTON will hold moisture longer causing more pain in ARSE! If you cannot get LD shorts, then find something at an REI or comparable which have a breathing fabric which Wicks moisture away, then apply your choice of powder to the Bum!!!! Good-Luck!!!

 

[MidlifeMotor]

BICYCLE SHORTS under your riding pants!! ::008::

Personally, I think the problem is that you ride too damn far in one day! 900 miles is a manly day in the saddle for sure. Good luck. 8)

This is the best temp solution. Find some bike shorts with a chamois in the crotch/butt area. They will fit under your jeans/pants. The down side is when you walk around it feels like you pooped your pants, but it's better than monkey butt. I just rode from Las Vegas to Phoenix. It was 115 when I left Vegas and a cool 106 when I arrived in Phoenix at 1030 pm. My combo of blue jeans and tighty whiteys was not a good one, but what did help was standing up when I could. At speeds of 65 and lower I feel comfortable standing up for 30 seconds or so to stretch out. I have stood up at 80 mph but I don't recommend it.

I don't think the manufacturers put a lot into stock seats because they know most serious riders will replace them anyway and the casual riders won't notice what junk they are. I also put a duffle bag stuffed full of my clothes on my passenger seat and bungee cord it down. The bag acts like a back rest I can push into. It takes a lot of pressure off my bottom. Looks hillbilly but I don't care.

My hat is off to you for doing 900 miles in a day. I am a member of the pillow butt club.

 

[tpak]

+1 Bicycle shorts - you might also get some chamois butter at the bike shop - LD bicycle riders/racers use it all the time - relieves chafing like gold bond but it's slippery - Gold bond might work better in this situation

+1 Sheep skin - just get there and go to AK Leather yourself and I hear they will make you one while you wait

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've done a couple of 1,000+ mile days with just the seat mod, no problem. I also just rode back from Colo to Md while it was 115f.


That said, I make sure to stand up every 15-20 minutes.

 

[528Hz]

what is that bumper seat mod you guys are talking about?
I got a twin size roll of memory foam at target for 20 bucks. Cut it up and put a 7 inch layer over the seat, ran bungees front and back over pass seat to hold it in place. it compresses so I don't actually end up sitting much higher, maybe in inch or little more. I guess will find out how that works tomorrow.
Thanks for the recommendations fellas ::003::

 

[stevepsd]

what is that bumper seat mod you guys are talking about?
I got a twin size roll of memory foam at target for 20 bucks. Cut it up and put a 7 inch layer over the seat, ran bungees front and back over pass seat to hold it in place. it compresses so I don't actually end up sitting much higher, maybe in inch or little more. I guess will find out how that works tomorrow.
Thanks for the recommendations fellas ::003::

The stock seat has a forward tilt to it....it is higher in the back than the front. Makes it really uncomfortable, and you don't really notice exactly what the problem is, other than it's very uncomfortable, and just does not feel 'right'.

To fix it assuming you have the seat in the HIGH position, you make the 2 middle rubber bumpers shorter (which sit on the adjustable seat height bracket). Quickest way on the road is to cut off about 1/2". If you use the seat in the LOW position, then you would cut the 4 rear-most rubber bumpers. It really does make a huge difference.

See here: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?topic=2306.0

 

[dcstrom]

You mean you did a 900 mile day WITHOUT doing the seat-levelling mod? Man, you must have balls of steel! Do that fix, before you do anything else.

 

[528Hz]

I am not married and have no kids. What else to do? ::013:: thanks for the mod info, will definitely do it since I have also found the front tilt somewhat bothersome ::003:: ::022:: ::001::

 

[Colonel Panic]

::26::

So sitting on a dead cat helps with saddle sores???