Going to be doing some big mileage in July on a trip down to Spain and the Pyrenees and my ex swears by Air hawk seats pads. Only thing is, the original one is £170, quite expensive to keep your bum comfy, so since he bought his, the company has brought out Air Hawk 2 - made of cheaper materials - polyurethane rather than neoprene and half the price. There are also quite a lot of AH2’s on ebay for sale, so could get one for less than £50. However, they don’t give many clues as to what are the discernible differences are.
Has anyone tried both? if not, opinions of the Air Hawk 2 would be really useful. Thanks
Nope I need it - have done a few 250+ mile rides over the last couple of weeks and after 150m my bum starts to ache, I have to wriggle around to get comfy, start focussing on when the next tea stop will be etc. Think my plan is to buy a Used AH 2 (on Ebay 2nd hand ones are selling for at least £55 with postage), try it over the next couple of months, if not quite good enough, I can sell it and get my money back and then upgrade to the higher quality one. Just hoping to find someone who had already done this and learn from their experience.
Am wondering what Mark, Ang et al use for their Iron Butt challenges?
I’m interested in this too actually. I’ve invested in memory foam and gel being added to my seat (by a company called Viking Vinyls, recommended by Wasp), and it’s made a difference, but I’m also considering an Airhawk or similar for the longer journeys. The other day I did 265 miles in a day for work, and by the end I was in pain…
Yup - the ER6-f seat is not comfy for longer rides. I did see a courier with a bead mat (similar to the ones taxi drivers use) and he said it really helped. This company in the States will give you an idea what they are like - http://www.beadrider.com/
However, the issue with the Kawa seat is the depth of the padding and the width of the seat don’t give a lot of support. I begin to notice the seat after even as little as an hour in the saddle (whereas the KLV seat is fine for MUCH longer).
Are you taking Kermit to Spain? That is a long way on an ER6 (it’s a long ride on any bike, but you know what I mean).
Get the neoprene one. The difference between the two is the Neoprene can be repaired, the Polyurethane one can’t. If the poly one bursts, splits or developes a leak out of warranty it’s get a new one.
I use an Airhawk on the FJR all the time. And I used it on the GSXR1000 for last years Iron Butt.
Ang used one on the last Iron Butt ride after the first 400 miles.
They don’t suit every bike, and they are very strange to ride on it takes a bit of getting used to. A lot of people buy them and sell them on without giving them a chance.
Saying that the south of Spain is not very far you should be ok without one.
Says the man who can ride a 1000 miles in a day!:w00t: The ER’s seat is not the most generous when it comes to padding and although I have a lot of my own padding (before anyone else says it :)) for some reason my bum gets a bit numb and uncomfy after about 150. Am expecting to be doing at least 300 miles per day, so will definitely be getting one. Think I will try a 2nd hand ‘2’ to see how I get on with it - if it turns out to be the cat’s pyjamas then I may well sell it on (resale value is very good) and then upgrade to the AH original.
I think I paid £110 for both foam and gel, and it certainly has made a difference. I think my real problem is that I sit at the very front of the seat, and there just isn’t much seat there, which is why I’m thinking of getting something extra on top. I do think they did a good job, was very professional and you can’t see any obvious difference, it’s all internal (I watched them do it). You’re welcome to take a look next time we meet. In fact if you’re anywhere near the Ace tonight then let me know and I’ll probably pop down, have been feeling poorly for the past couple of days and am now itching to be out on the bike (but can’t go too far, have to pick the wife up after work).
Corbin seats are supposed to be pretty good. I sat on one at bikesafe and it felt pretty good under the old cheeks. The seat on my CBR is actually pretty comfortable for some reason. I’m thinking about a Corbin though. The CB500 seat was huge. You could slide up to the pilion seat either if you fancied a change or sit on the tank and swing your legs around. Very versitile bike.
