5000+ Miles of purely casual riding in six months. Time to think about comfort...

[ChrisBiggsUK]

Well, it's official, when I bought my bike it had 5,100 miles on it, which for a 19 year old bike was rather good.  It now has 10,500 on it so in the past six months, I have done more miles than in all of the bikes first 19 years combined.  Quite proud of myself for getting out there whatever the weather and getting the practice in (I'm already taking the next steps toward getting my full license).

Anyway, I have started to notice that my slightly portly middle aged derriere is tending to get a bit sore after being on the bike for a while and as such I now ask you fine grizzled veterans what it is that you do to relieve aforementioned soreassness.  Yes, I know that isn't a word.  I have only had two cups of Coffee this morning though so at present words are not my forte.

I keep seeing adverts for a product (https://uk.ripplimpactgear.com/collections/motorcycle/products/apex-rides) and am curious as to what people think.  Not necessarily just of that product, but similar ones.  Do such things work? What do you use? Do you just tough it out like the iron butted legends that you are?  Thoughts, feelings, input, suggestions, gripes and more are most welcome.  

And while I await your wisdom, I shall acquire coffee number three.

[Fiddlesticks]

Well, I cut out bread, but I don't think that's what you're getting at

 

You can get inflatable or gel seat pads which might be worth a look. The cool covers we have on the Explorer don't give much extra softness, but seem to help by allowing airflow between seat and rider.

[JRH]

@ChrisBiggsUK I was pondering the same question yesterday after 190 miles.  I’m usually ok but haven’t done too many long rides this year.

I’ve looked at those shorts and wondered. I think you should get some then you can be the forum guinea pig. .

Edited Saturday at 09:07 by JRH

[S-Westerly]

I've got some similar things and apart from making you look like a baboon and reducing wife to hysterical laughter they aren't bad. I reckon they are good for 100 extra miles of reasonable comfort. On the Ducati I also had a portable gel seat that helped as well. Current bike has a more comfortable seat but I still use the exotic base layer for anything over 200 miles.

[Hairsy]

I highly recommend having a memory foam insert into your seat. I've had this down on two bikes and they've made a big difference.

 

From memory, cost of the last one was around £50 including return postage.

 

I used a company called Acorn Upholstery (best way to contact them is via Facebook) and will definitely use them again.

 

They can either refit your original cover to make it look OEM or put a new and / or custom cover on there. I chose the original.

 

You can see some of their work on their Facebook page.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

4 minutes ago, Hairsy said:

I highly recommend having a memory foam insert into your seat. I've had this down on two bikes and they've made a big difference.

 

From memory, cost of the last one was around £50 including return postage.

 

I used a company called Acorn Upholstery (best way to contact them is via Facebook) and will definitely use them again.

 

They can either refit your original cover to make it look OEM or put a new and / or custom cover on there. I chose the original.

 

You can see some of their work on their Facebook page.

Would that be these people?;

https://www.acornupholstery.com/motorbikes

If so, I may give them a look.  If the cost of a comfy seat is only about £50, whereas the cost of a pair of shorts is £30, I think that getting the seat done would probably be a better use of money.  EIther way, it gives me another option and options are good.

[Hairsy]

Yes, that's them. Very helpful guy.

[bud]

The old school method was always a sheepskin fleece. But if it's only £50 to have the seat done. That's got to be a winner.

[Hairsy]

Just checked my emails and it was actually £64 but for 2 seats.

[ChrisBiggsUK]

2 minutes ago, Hairsy said:

Just checked my emails and it was actually £64 but for 2 seats.

So, £30 some odd a seat?  Just gets better and better!  I'll have to shoot them a message then as at that price it is cheaper than a single pair of shorts.

[RideWithStyles]

Those pants are similar to cyclists wear… and one step closer to an adult nappy, especially in the feel of it.

give them a go by all means, not that expensive and close to the normal cycling brands so definitely worth a pop if it’s only very mild discomfort over a long time.
but if your still struggling, the position your put in by the bike for the riders triangle points, which exact points hurt will give clues.

if it’s your coccyx then too much pressure is is based back (slouching) so moving your upper body forward (more bars forward) or sitting further back will relieve. If it’s too far forward then you get issues (similar to professional cycling) strain and foist on the areas between your Anus and frontal tackle.

If the middle under thigh or half butt is going numb or sore the seat unit might be a bit firm but not wide enough or too wide and angled as it edge digs into leg giving nerves and blood vessels a hard time as that is how your unique body is wired up. Raising the seat might help the knees but put slightly more pressure slightly on you inner legs… 

Edited Sunday at 00:11 by RideWithStyles

[onesea]

20 hours ago, Fiddlesticks said:

Well, I cut out bread, but I don't think that's what you're getting at

 

 

I started making my own bread cut out the additives and that certainly made a difference.  Again not the answer the OP is looking for. 

 

Now my usual break the mold answer. 

 

Most touring or comfort seats seemed to get mixed reviews. At plenty £££.

 

I tried various things when I started riding to make the seat more soft, with little success.

 

I gave up I have learned to deal with it, standing

On both legs when at traffic lights wriggling. Standing on foot pegs periodically, adjusting my bum on the seat back or forward an inch as soon as I feel numbness.

 

A break to wiggle butt every couple of hours.

 

When I got my Enfield within a week I had done  6 hour ride.  I didn't even think about a numb bum on a new to me bike I just did it.

 

 

[veracocha]

I recently bought a new bike (BMW F900 XR) and the journey from Brighton to Birmingham was excruciating. I might well have sat on an oak beam. So disappointed I tried Apex shorts and that provided mildly better comfort but after an hour I was defeated and ready to sell the bike. Then I read about Wunderlich aftermarket seats so another £400 for one of these. Although an improvement over the oak beam it still didn't offer the comfort my now sold Yamaha Tracer 7GT provided (all day comfort).

 

Then I came across a seat on ebay that had been to C&C seats in Leicester that I took a punt on for £150. This seat is a gamechanger. Gel insert, woven fabric and a delight to tour on. Remarkably, it's four years old and still holding well but should I need another seat for any bike I'll be paying them a visit. 

[bud]

17 minutes ago, veracocha said:

I recently bought a new bike (BMW F900 XR) and the journey from Brighton to Birmingham was excruciating. I might well have sat on an oak beam. So disappointed I tried Apex shorts and that provided mildly better comfort but after an hour I was defeated and ready to sell the bike. Then I read about Wunderlich aftermarket seats so another £400 for one of these. Although an improvement over the oak beam it still didn't offer the comfort my now sold Yamaha Tracer 7GT provided (all day comfort).

 

Then I came across a seat on ebay that had been to C&C seats in Leicester that I took a punt on for £150. This seat is a gamechanger. Gel insert, woven fabric and a delight to tour on. Remarkably, it's four years old and still holding well but should I need another seat for any bike I'll be paying them a visit. 

I don't know what it is with modern bikes. They seem to make the seats uncomfortable, so they can sell you an option one.

[Yorky]

6 hours ago, bud said:

I don't know what it is with modern bikes. They seem to make the seats uncomfortable, so they can sell you an option one.

Totally agree with you there @bud

What other reason is there to manufacture a "comfort" seat.

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