Seat Cushion Suggestions

[G-Man]

With the stock seat, I was hurting after 500 miles and it took 3 days to recover.  The Ultimate has been great for a couple of 600 - 700 days, but the end of that second day can get a bit rough.  For the 3 days out to Spearfish, I'm thinking the seat, and my a$$ are gonna need some help.  Any suggestions on a seat cushion/pad?  Preferably removable.

[Robert]

Sheepskin cover did it for me.

[Momz]

Air Hawk Seat cushion,.....try one and you'll agree that it's worth the cost. 

[Chrisj CMA]

Air Hawk Seat cushion,.....try one and you'll agree that it's worth the cost. 

Air hawk was too thick for me, felt like I was sitting on a mountain......ButtBuffer gel pad was all I needed with the stock seat.  never had to squirm or adjust, just ride

http://www.buttbuffer.com/product/classic-butt-buffer-top-cushion/

[Jess from VA]

I think the Airhawk (properly inflated only a third to half way, give or take) or the sheepskin, are the best choices.  Anything with gel retains heat, polymer pads do not.

Some have had some help from compression fit underbritches (like the Underarmor microfiber boxer-jock), but in any kind of heat, they made my fanny sweat and made me really miserable.

Other than that, moving feet up on hwy pegs and back to boards/pegs periodically, changing butt pressure points, also helps a lot.

A good spanking after about 8 hours is probably also a good idea, but I have no experience with this.  

[wiggydotcom]

Before getting my Russell Day-Long I had an Airhawk cushion that extended my interval to butt burn. It's correct to only inflate it to the point where you are sitting on air. It still sets you up a tad.

[old2soon]

Stock seat on my I/S with a sheepskin and have done as much as 600+ miles in a day.  AND I was ready to ride again the next day.  And a backrest.  My backrest IS NOT for sale for ANY amount of money!  RIDE SAFE.

[Hoosiervalk]

Hey old2soon what kind of backrest do you have on your I/S ? and where did you get it?

[R J]

Stock seat on my I/S with a sheepskin and have done as much as 600+ miles in a day.  AND I was ready to ride again the next day.  And a backrest.  My backrest IS NOT for sale for ANY amount of money!  RIDE SAFE.

I 2nd what the old man says.

BACK REST is a must.

[dpcarson]

Sheepskin cover did it for me.

x2

[Momz]

Air hawk was too thick for me, felt like I was sitting on a mountain......ButtBuffer gel pad was all I needed with the stock seat.  never had to squirm or adjust, just ride

http://www.buttbuffer.com/product/classic-butt-buffer-top-cushion/

I too have a Butt Buffer but I prefer the AH as you can adjust the amount of cushion that you need at any particular time.
And I also use a Sheepkin.

[DenverDave]

Best prices on seat cushions   


http://www.bikercushion.com/default.asp

[old2soon]

Hey old2soon what kind of backrest do you have on your I/S ? and where did you get it?

     I have the Utopia backrest. A board member just before I joined had wrecked his I/S. He had a spare seat with the backrest already installed. At that time the Utopia was $100.00 by itself. I got the seat with the backrest installed for $150.00. Case of the right place and the right price at the right time!  Nuther words-I fell into THAT deal!  RIDE SAFE.

[GiG]

G - Since when is Spearfish 3 days?
That's only 2000 miles from you 
I've got a gel pad that I take off at night and when the bike sits in the sun, ~$90...

[Firefighter]

I ALSO USE THE AIR HAWK, THE SECRET IS TO JUST HAVE ENOUGH AIR SO AS YOUR BOTTOM CAN MOVE OR ROLL SIDE TO SIDE. I RIDE IN THE HEAT, AND SWEAT AND WET BOTTOM CAUSES THE MOST DISCOMFORT. THE CHAMBERS IN THE AIRHAWK LET AIR CIRCULATE SOMEWHAT WHICH ALSO HELPS. I HAVE CARRIED A BEAD SEAT COVER ON A TRIP BUT ALWAYS ENDED UP WITH THE AIRHAWK BACK ON.

[solo1]

Sheepskin

[Strider]

I have the sheepskin from Alaskan leather on the Vstrom - helped a lot.

[G-Man]

G - Since when is Spearfish 3 days?
That's only 2000 miles from you 
I've got a gel pad that I take off at night and when the bike sits in the sun, ~$90...

Commiserated with Evan and it looks like 700 miles first day, 600 the next, and 500 the last.  Gonna pick up Cheryl in Rapid City (she's flying) on the way in to Spearfish.

[Oss]

I need to order a new alaska sheepskin myself,  varmints ate the one I have

Let me know when you order and I will give you the $ for one for me

http://alaskaleather.com/collections/sheepskin-buttpads

You can borrow the AirHawk anytime

I havent used it since I got the RussellDayLong years ago

Oss

By the way we can do the ride in 2 days if you are willing to take shorter stops for gas.

Leave at 530am first day will get us near Chicago or to Indianapolis  (if you REALLY want to avoid the city traffic)

And I will TRY to not tap my foot while I wait for you to get back on the bike.  

You hook up the blinker buddy yet??

[Big Bear]

So what size from Alaska leather fits the stock interstate seat?  The site only lists Valkyrie but I have read on the site that the Interstate seat is bigger than Standard or Tourer.

Thanks for your help. 

[old2soon]

I fergitted to mention I got my sheepskin at Ikea.  Seems to me it was in that $50.00 area at the time-3 or 4 years ago??  I know when I bought it it was snow white but now kinda dingy grey!  RIDE SAFE.

[Mr Whiskey]

Here's ya a link to all the most popular ones listed here...........(scroll to bottom).
For us it was BeadRider with Alaska Leather Sheep on top, ('till we got the Ultimate).
http://www.best-motorcycle.com/seats/seat-pads.shtm

[Mr Whiskey]

Hey G-Man, if you want an Air Hawk one jus' went on the classifieds from a trusted member at a price that wont last long!

[Tailgate Tommy]

+1 on the Alaska sheepskin. Really helps in the hot weather. I had an Airhawk but it didn't seem to help me much. I have a Ultimate Big Boy and it is much better than the stock is seat.

[santa]

Wal-Mart auto department. Seat cushion for car. I have one with over 20,000 miles on mine and still using it. Cost I believe was around $19.

Santa

[Big Al of Tennessee]

Never owned a Russell Day Long.

OSS and ERIC,,,say they are the answer.

Although,,Mr. Corbin makes his harder and I don't have butt burn.

Although my ass still gets tah hurting in the hip area.

But Burn is caused by improper proportioning to your ass.

The real cause is lack of blood flow.

It goes to sleep.

Too Soft and this happens more often.

Too Hard, well you ache.

Russell Day Long,,,Highbinder says if you have too, sell the farm , but get one.

BRIT MAN uses the Hagge Taxi Driver Beads with some success.

[eric in md]

   i got a seat for you g man..    honestly sheepskin real sheepskin not a fake one,, works great  or a beaded seat cover from somewhere .. i hate walmart . any where but there . lol 2000 miles 2 days of messing around ..   been there now i wont pull out of the driveway without a russell day long . love them

[Willow]

... but I have read on the site that the Interstate seat is bigger than Standard or Tourer.

Incorrect read.  They're different but not larger.

[cookiedough]

About 3 years ago I got my sheered black sheepskin cover here for a tad over 100 bucks fully covering my stock I/S seat and down the sides as well.  Seems pricing went up now to 120 and 140 bucks though here:  http://www.wildthingsfur.com/sheepskin_seat_covers.asp  You could just do the driver's seat a lot cheaper though here under 100 bucks if no passenger goes with you.

If in the area, they can cut and fit whatever color to your liking in about 1 hour usually to custom fit it to the VAlk I/S seat like they did mine, just had to wait for it is all. 

I got the sheered kind (short napped) but I would think the much longer sheepskin fur would be more comfy (more cushion) in the long run, just didn't like the looks of it, but is same price and you can get different colors here as well not just black.  It does help and has straps going under seat they sew on in back and front and stays put o.k..  My butt now doesn't get as sore on the stock I/S seat can go another 100+ miles or more with sheepskin.  I tried the airhawk seat cushion and worked as well, but lifted me too far in the seat felt uncomfortable with it (too high) plus I had too much air in it as well ONLY blow up to get you off the seat just barely is all you need.

Anything will extend your miles to ride, but my butt I think would get sore over 500 miles with any seat setup of any kind.    A good backrest and upfront hwy. pegs (some got mick-o-pegs) and all helps extend the miles some as well.

[Jess from VA]

The real cause is lack of blood flow.

Yes it is Al.  My semi comedic reference to a spanking above was in relation to blood flow.  After many hours' riding, I sometimes stand on the boards and swat myself on the rear with vigor a few times to get the blood flowing again.  I try to do so out of public observation since it evokes in people an image of kinkiness or masochism or insult that has nothing to do with the actual purpose of the exercise.  Sometimes even a good seat and cushion does not prevent a really sore bottom, and increasing blood flow does provide relief. 

Unless you have a female on board, this is something you have to do for yourself without assistance, lest you become an honorary member of The Village People.   

[Oss]

I followed right behind you going down the BRP to Inzane Jess

 

Thankfully the fog was pretty thick much of the time

With time I had forgotten that memory, like when I accidentally open one of
Stan's pic posts

 

[Jess from VA]

 

[dpcarson]

I just bought a plain 4" black sheepskin rug for our standard.  Amazing to me how the shape of the rug almost perfectly matches the shape and counter of the stock seat.  We punched a couple holes in it and used some leather lace to hold it in place.  First ride on "huggy Bear" was about 6 hours in July and it was the most comfortable six hours ever and kept the butt cool also.  We loved it for almost a year until the dog decided it looked like a chew toy.  I always told my wife if we started riding longer trips again we would absolutely have one again.  We then got an ultimate seat which she loves.  It is much better than the stock but I still would like the cushion of the sheepskin again.

[MarkT]

One truth is, butt comfort is very personal.  About the only consistent reports I've seen, has been concerning the Russell Daylong seats.  On the good side.  Have seen pretty consistent reports on how bad the OEM seats are, 97-98 IIRC.  Experienced that myself. I've had 4 seats.  The best was my modified Rood saddle mod - http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Rood_Saddle_Mod/rood_saddle_mod.html but sold that for a Mustang 4 piece when wifey wanted a good pillion.  It was pretty good after a long break-in - but never as good as the Rood saddle mod with a polymer pad inside and the foam underneath reshaped.  Sold the Mustang setup for an Ultimate Big Boy which looks great but was never as good as #2 & #3.  Got an Alaska Leather sheepskin some years ago which helps especially for rain riding but still get butt burn.

Got the GOTF coming up, as well as Inzane.  Thinking of checking out the Airhawk.  Maybe that will work for me.  I could just break down and have a Russell made.  But love the look of the Ultimate.

[Jess from VA]

When I had an old worn seat, I used the Airhawk all the time (except short, cold, winter, run-the-bike-for-an-hour or two rides) and it was great for me.  Now that I have a brand new Ultimate, I don't run or need the Airhawk for day riding.  But what I will do and recommend, is deflate it completely and put it in the bags, and then on longer rides and trips, after a half day and you are just beginning to get sore, then pull it out, blow it up and use it.  When I ran it all the time, after a long day, I would sometimes pull it off for the last couple hours.  Often, what you need most is just something different from what you have been sitting on all day.

If you get an Airhawk Mark, do not get a large, get a medium.  They are exactly the same size under the butt/thighs, but the large just has a longer nose that will lay up on the tank, and lift your boys higher right at the front, than the Ultimate already does (except the Kingboy).  Also the rubber Airhawk costs more but has a two-year warranty, and the polymer costs less but has a one-year warranty.  ROHO that makes them is not particularly friendly on warranty, and will not honor one 10 minutes after it expires.  A hole is easily fixed, but if a vulcanized seam between the top and bottom pieces fails, it is unrepairable.  I made the mistake of standing on my boards (to let the wind blow the heat out of my clothes), then dropping down to the seat one time and blew out a side seam, and it was history.  Otherwise, they are pretty tough.

[G-Man]

 Often, what you need most is just something different from what you have been sitting on all day.

Now why can't I convince my wife of that one??!!??   

[Jess from VA]

 Often, what you need most is just something different from what you have been sitting on all day.

Now why can't I convince my wife of that one??!!??   

Baaaaad.   

Because one only gives a sore butt...... the other gives you a sore knife wound.

[Tailgate Tommy]

One truth is, butt comfort is very personal.  About the only consistent reports I've seen, has been concerning the Russell Daylong seats.  On the good side.  Have seen pretty consistent reports on how bad the OEM seats are, 97-98 IIRC.  Experienced that myself. I've had 4 seats.  The best was my modified Rood saddle mod - http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Rood_Saddle_Mod/rood_saddle_mod.html but sold that for a Mustang 4 piece when wifey wanted a good pillion.  It was pretty good after a long break-in - but never as good as the Rood saddle mod with a polymer pad inside and the foam underneath reshaped.  Sold the Mustang setup for an Ultimate Big Boy which looks great but was never as good as #2 & #3.  Got an Alaska Leather sheepskin some years ago which helps especially for rain riding but still get butt burn.

Got the GOTF coming up, as well as Inzane.  Thinking of checking out the Airhawk.  Maybe that will work for me.  I could just break down and have a Russell made.  But love the look of the Ultimate.

Mark, I have one that you are welcome to borrow anytime if you want to try one out.
Tom

[RDAbull]

Gary, you could do what I did.
Grow a bigger Ass.
Or order a RDL, the other thing I did.

[3fan4life]

With the stock seat, I was hurting after 500 miles and it took 3 days to recover.  The Ultimate has been great for a couple of 600 - 700 days, but the end of that second day can get a bit rough.  For the 3 days out to Spearfish, I'm thinking the seat, and my a$$ are gonna need some help.  Any suggestions on a seat cushion/pad?  Preferably removable.

Since no-one else has gone there.................