Seat questions

[elraque]

My longest ride so far has been about 330 miles in one day.

After about 200 miles (2 gas stops) the stock seat started biting my backside. 

The stock seat is pretty comfortable, but you know that kind of burning, chafing of the cheeks that happens when you've been sitting on the same square foot of seat for about 4 hours (okay, 3 hours, give or take)? Well, that's the kind of burning, chafing bite that I began to feel.

I know I'm gonna have to toughen up. But I'm also thinking about upgrading the seat.

Would a "gel pad" (around $125) reduce the BCB (burning chafing bite) described above?

The next step up is a Corbin or Mustang seat, about a $500+ upgrade. Would the $500 investment be a significantly better way to deal with the BCB? Is the difference in comfort (for 200-400 miles a day maximum) worth the $$$?

The top of the line solution seems to be a Russell seat, to the tune of about $1200.

What are your experiences and what are your recommendations?    (Other than that I need to toughen up or die like a wimp.)

[fudgie]

If your talking about chaffing from getting monkey butt, another seat wont matter. Use a woolie or beaded seat cover. The wool traps in air and allows the air to circulate, resualting in a dry butt. I was a skeptic till about 3 yrs ago.  Wool is a must when we travel.

[Chrisj CMA]

A gel pad will make a big difference until you find the right seat.  I rode a stock seat with a gel pad for a couple years before deciding on an Ultimate, worked great....For makeing that decsison on a seat...dont go by pictures or sales pitches......actually sit on some, let your backside decide!

[98valk]

www.buttbuffer.com  inserted under the seat cover and a woolie is what I use.

[SANDMAN5]

You didn't mention the Ultimate seat..my choice. I've heard good
things about the Russell, but never tried one. the Mustang is ok,
but the Ultimate is much better. Wouldn't keep a Corbin if it was
free. Never tried a gel pad or woolie for any length of time so I
don't know much about them. All of this, of course, is IMHO.

[Redline +]

If you're only riding 300-400 miles/day max you could upgrade to the 2000-2003 Honda seat, around $100. Add a sheep skin and you're good to go.

Redline 

[Jess from VA]

For the money, you won't get a better ride (with any seat) or a less-sore butt.

http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1279231443.74092&pid=2299&product=AirHawk   (new cheaper version)

http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?cart_id=1279231443.74092&pid=2278&product=AirHawk  (what I've run on multiple bikes and seats for years)

[Robert]

I had the Corbin seat and would not recomend it for a few reasons, customer service and just lousy wear to be among the complaints. But what did work out is a custom made seat and it was the same price as the Corbin.
http://www.jeffreyphipps.com/

[Dougger]

I tried a Buttbuster insert, which wasn't any better than stock.
Go to Diamond Seats, ride all day.
I have had then on 2 Gold Wings and finally on my I/S.

diamondseats.com

[elraque]

www.buttbuffer.com  inserted under the seat cover and a woolie is what I use.

What is a "woolie"? Is that a brand name or a nickname?

[Cattman]

http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com/servlet/StoreFront

[Farther]

I'm got the Bead-Rider, which is great for air circulation but I prefer the stock '03 standard seat for the low cost option.  The wool looks very good.  If money was not an issure I would have a Russel Daylong seat as it doesn't change your riding position unless you spec it that way.

[NITRO]

I have gel inserts in my stock IS seat. The gel is nice for preventing pressure points, but only adds to the monkey butt problem. Using an alaska leather sheepskin cover has made an incredible difference.

[2qmedic]

I finally broke down last year and purchased a Ultimate seat. It was worth the price of admission for me. My back is more comfortable also, even with out the backrest.

I also have a bead seat. Best $35.00 I ever spent on the Valk. Alot of the problem comes from the sweat during the summer. With the bead seat, no sweat, no chaffing, you don't have to worry about a blistering hot seat when you get back on the bike .

An added bonus is that when you get caught in the rain, the seat of your pants will not get soaked by a puddle of water because there is 1/2" of space between you and the seat. 

Ride safe and enjoy,

[Oldswimr]

 http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=172067&catid=20&brand=52398&trx=PLST-0-BRAND&trxp1=20&trxp2=172067&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-BRAND

Swear by it..

[Dougs2000IS]

Well Guys/Gals: I'v had my valk for about 6 months now. Stock seat on to begin with. GF liked it very much. I did not, It hurt my tailbone. I found a leather Corbin on ebay which I love. Unfortunately GF does not like it at all. So I found a big boy ultimate  which neither one of us like. So I think I am going to keep the corbin seat and chop up original stock seat and make it work for GF. Gota make her happy or nobodies happy. So good luck finding the correct seat. I am going to get a wooly next also.

[R J]

www.buttbuffer.com  inserted under the seat cover and a woolie is what I use.

What is a "woolie"? Is that a brand name or a nickname?

"woolie" is a sheepskin.........         I currently  have a 'Ultimate' with a sheepskin when on trips.......        The beads referred to above, always seemed to leave little dimples in my butt.  To me that hurt more than the monkey butt.



The above is my shaggy sheepskin.  It just tosses on the regular seat and held there with the backrest post.   Very easy to take off if it starts to rain.


I think the best seat IMHO is the Russel Daylong...........

Don't buy a seat on others opinions.    Test ride a seat you are considering and make up your own mind...

[big papa bear]

had to get rid of the stock seat and went with a mustang with back rest.it is alot better BUT still not
great I am still looking

[ptgb]

Had them all.... stock, modified stock, alaska sheepskin, airhawk, memory foam, sheepskin over memory foam, beads, Mustang, Ultimate King Big Boy (I'm not kidding... had or have them all).

Three words (trust me)...

Russell..... Day.... Long     

Last one I'll ever buy or need.

[MP]

LOVE my Russell Day longs, have on two bikes.

MP

[elraque]

I remain amazed at the wealth of information available in this group, and at your willingness to share your experience to help the "new guys" out.

Thanks to you all!.

I'll be doing some test riding now, before I commit to spending any big bucks. I predict that there's a woolie in my near future...

[Bone]

elraque I went back and read your first post on this thread. I'm still using the stock seat on my 98 Tourer so I can't suggest a better seat, I'm sure there are many. You mentioned conditioning and I feel that is very important. I live in Michigan so my riding is seasonal. Each year I start out with short rides and gradually increase the time on the seat.  Your butt will toughen, this May I rode cross country doing 500-600 mile days (stock seat) and my bottom was OK.
Make sure your clothes are comfortable sitting in for long periods of time. A new seat will be a great help in comfort.

[PhredValk]

I got a sheepskin from Ikea, $39.95. Rode from Alberta to Ontario over 4 days (about 2300 miles) on a stock 99 I/S. Except for the 19 hr/950 mile first day (learning a lot about distance riding, won't do THAT again any time soon!) I've been relatively sweat/pain free. And thats in 30 celcius plus weather, wearing leather jacket and chaps...
Fred.