Seat pads

[msb]

Anyone have, or had experience riding on one of these? Thx.

https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/airhawk-r-seat-pad.html?gclid=CMfD7ae8iswCFYdlfgodY34M3w

[wiggydotcom]

I used to have one. It increased my riding comfort level with my stock seat. You'd think nothing could be better for your rear than a cushion of air, right? But it only prolonged my ability to avoid butt burn by about 30 or 40 miles. And it does make you sit up higher in your seat, naturally.

The proper method of use, if memory serves me correctly, is to inflate it quite a bit and then sit on it and let some air out until you're just sitting on a cushion of air without bottoming out.

Mine eventually split apart at a seam. Once that happens, there's no fixing it. I threw it out. Laste a couple years.  As a side, note, A gel cushion acted about the same. It marginally extended how far I could go before giving my rear a rest.
I'd suggest as an alternative is to go with a better seat. I went with a Russell Day Long and it was definitely the right choice.

[Jess from VA]

I have a regular riders medium (the large is the same size exactly, except for a longer nose to interfere with your boys and lay on the tank) in neoprene.  Neoprene rubber costs more, lasts longer and gets a 2-yr warranty.  The cheaper polyurethane only gets a 1-yr warranty.

I really liked mine and rode it in all but cold weather.  It is especially good in hot weather and long rides.  A corbin seat drove me to it, but after the Corbin went away, I used it on my old big boy too.  Like an air mattress, proper inflation is no more than half or a bit more (and only raised me in the seat a little bit).  Fully inflated you bob around.  The non slip cover keeps it in place solidly (even on hard braking) and I never used tie downs.  It would be easy to steal (and expensive) so it went in my bags at all stops.  Since I got a brand new Bigboy, I have not used it as much, and have not been on many long rides lately.  For me, it made riding all day possible with no complaints.  

They are very well made.  I like to stand up on the bike to stretch and to blow the hot air out of my clothes, and I once plopped down too hard and blew out a side seam.  A hole can be repaired like any innertube, but a seam tear is unrepairable.  The company (ROHO) is not friendly; I asked if they could fix it, they asked me to send it in.  After they got it, they told me it was a week or two out of warranty so they would not fix it, then they wanted an inspection fee before they would return it.  I called that BS, and told them what to with it.  Good product, lousy customer service.

Gel cushions retain heat (the last thing you need in hot weather).  Polymer cushions do not retain heat.  I think the Airhawk is the best cushion made, but just like for seats, people have vastly different opinions and experiences.  

I believe the R-cruiser is simply a redesign of their regular Medium, with a jacked up price.  I would recommend a regular medium in rubber.

http://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Medium-Cruiser-Airseat-Cushion/dp/B00A9ZCAAY/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1460516382&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=Airhawk+Medium+Cruiser+Pad+-+14in+x+14in+%2C+Size%3A+Md

[The emperor has no clothes]

If I remember you are going to Inzane this year. You can get cushions and sheepskins but you will be disappointed in my opinion. I hesitated for years in getting a Russell because of the cost. In retrospect I should have done it to begin with. With my stock seat on my standard about 6 hours in the saddle was it. Back to back 400-500 mile days were killing my butt. On my I/S with the Ultimate seat it was a little better but by the end of the day riding my butt was hurting and I wanted off. Once I finally took the he plunge and got the Russell I can ride 12 hour days and I will be tired and sore in the shoulders but my butt is fine. It has made long distance riding great. You may not have enough time to get one before Inzane but if you can you won't be disappointed. 

[msb]

Thanks all for the responses.
MH, you are correct... I am looking for a temporary improvement on my 12 year old Corbin (which I've really liked actually, but my which now 12 year older butt is starting to disagree with me on) for my long ride in June. Have debated for a couple of years between the Russell and Ultimate, but I'm a bit of a procrastinator and have yet to pull the trigger. If the co-pilot was along for this ride (she's unfortunately not), she would have gone out and purchased the new seat herself, although she gamely did a couple of 11 hour days last year to Spearfish on the Corbin.
Jess f/ VA...thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

[Dino]

Get the Airhawks  , great product and well worth the investment.  I have both Riders and Pillion. We use them with stock seats and it really extends the comfort level on long distance. You will have to experiment on the amount of air that works best for you. The smallest amount of air makes a big difference.

[gordonv]

Mike, I bought one last year, haven't been on a long ride yet, so haven't used it yet.

You are welcome to borrow it anytime you want to.

Meet up on Thursday? I can bring it with me. I'll be at the GW maintenance day Sat, in N Van, you could meet there, and then go ride up to Whistler.

[Alpha Dog]

I used to have one. It increased my riding comfort level with my stock seat. You'd think nothing could be better for your rear than a cushion of air, right? But it only prolonged my ability to avoid butt burn by about 30 or 40 miles. And it does make you sit up higher in your seat, naturally.

The proper method of use, if memory serves me correctly, is to inflate it quite a bit and then sit on it and let some air out until you're just sitting on a cushion of air without bottoming out.

Mine eventually split apart at a seam. Once that happens, there's no fixing it. I threw it out. Laste a couple years.  As a side, note, A gel cushion acted about the same. It marginally extended how far I could go before giving my rear a rest.
I'd suggest as an alternative is to go with a better seat. I went with a Russell Day Long and it was definitely the right choice.

This has been my case with the one I bought last year.  The one shown appears to be a new redesigned one and may be better.   I only use mine on one of our all day group rides.  I will use stock going out and airhawk coming back to give some relief.  I see a Russell in my future also a drive over to Indiana to get a seat redone by Astech I believe.  For the price of less that 200 I will give them a shot first and wait there while they do it with an appointment.

[MarkT]

I've had lots of different seats in the 19 years I've had Valks, with varied degrees of success. Also have an Alaska Leather sheepskin and have used polymer pads. 5 years ago did a 10-day 4,000 mile ride through Alberta on the wing - my butt was bruised for a month. Last fall I had a Russell made for my butt.  I had put it off due to the cost - but decided I was done fooling around, was going to get a great soln.  First long ride two weeks ago to the GOTF near Galveston. About 800 miles on one day, 300 the 2nd both ways.  WOW what a difference.  No butt pain at all.  I could have gone much further.  Should have done this years ago.  Here's the seat you may have seen this pic before.  BTW the sheepskin is still a good idea for riding in the rain - absorbs the water running off your coat so you aren't sitting in it.  I prefer to wear jeans not rain pants.

[baird4444]

My Valk came with the extra Corbin so I put it on and couldn't believe how thin it was. My mechanic told me to keep it on for 2 weeks and if I didn't like it he'd buy it from me. BUT YEA, who'd of thunk that 1/4" padded seat would be so comfy. For road trips I use a beaded seat pad and switch it off and on every other  fill up. It's the beaded taxi seat cover from Auto Zone for $9.99.  I just cut the heavy nylon fishing line and unthreaded 2 of the corners to fit the narrow of the Front of the seat. It just rolls up and gets bungied to my bag when not being used. I did several 5, 6, and a 700 mile days last year it was great; another benefit is better airflow with the beads....
             - Mike