Comfort Modifications

[The Moo]

Hello, well - I have had my GS 650 for about 6 months and have been abit of a fair weather biker during the winter months. Now - I have rather madly volunteered (pending various things) to be part of the "Pink Way Around Britain Challenge" riding the Carlisle - Fort William part - with hubby and some other good people whom I hope to get to know soon etc.
I ride around London doing, normally, 30 miles an hour --- occasionally doing faster speeds - but rarely since I got this bike. I have not added much to the bike except engine bars and metal panniers ......so
In terms of riding for 10 hours or so - I would like to get suggestions from people about comfort. Comfort in terms of the seat; comfort in terms of the ride (at speed); comfort in terms of buffeting (from the wind!!) and so on.
Please could I get suggestions from people in the know - so that I don't have to sing "I've got a numb bum" for too long on the ride
Ta!

 

[Viking]

What about an Airhawk comfy seat for your tender derrier... available from Bykebitz on 01252-870900 ....works wonders I'm told ... Go on spoil yourself... your worth it

 

[ozmick]

I had a GS650 and the BMW taller screen is pretty affective. Not sure if they do one but a laminar lip may help with the buffeting. Living in Oz I used a sheepskin cover for the seat which kept the numb bum at bay for a while longer. (It took me a long while to get used to seeing sports bikes with sheepskin seat covers!). Another penny pinching trick you can try is to get one of those cheap rubber mats with the nodules on and cut that to fit your seat then fit nodule side down.

 

[wildernessrob]

Airhawk!

 

[The Moo]

Airhawk!

please explain! I am a novice and could not find an airhawk -- whatever it is - on the site suggested.
sheepskin sounds good -- how does one attach it?
and - which screen would be good? a high one from BMW -- is that the Dakar one I think I heard Hovis mention before?

 

[Big Lee]

http://www.airhawk.co.uk/ There you go!

I`ve got one too & they do stave off numb bum for ages

 

[ozmick]

The sheepskin I had was shaped for the seat. It has elastic ends and belts that warp under the seat. Nice and secure. The windscreen is not the Dakar one, its a taller screen for the GS.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hello, well - I have had my GS 650 for about 6 months and have been abit of a fair weather biker during the winter months. Now - I have rather madly volunteered (pending various things) to be part of the "Pink Way Around Britain Challenge" riding the Carlisle - Fort William part - with hubby and some other good people whom I hope to get to know soon etc.
I ride around London doing, normally, 30 miles an hour --- occasionally doing faster speeds - but rarely since I got this bike. I have not added much to the bike except engine bars and metal panniers ......so
In terms of riding for 10 hours or so - I would like to get suggestions from people about comfort. Comfort in terms of the seat; comfort in terms of the ride (at speed); comfort in terms of buffeting (from the wind!!) and so on.
Please could I get suggestions from people in the know - so that I don't have to sing "I've got a numb bum" for too long on the ride
Ta!

Just done 800 miles this weekend on my 2006 Dakar, with standard Dakar seat and screen

Seat was ok for 2 hours before numb bum......impressed

Screen.......might as well take it off for the feck all use it was, why bother?? More fresh air and not much buffetting

 

[gasman]

Ultimately, there's no real cure for numb bum except getting used to it. All the seat modifications do is postpone it, so you last 2 hours rather than one. Bear in mind too, that pads etc will make the seat height higher. I reckon if you're going on a long trip with several hours riding a day, you generally start shifting around in the saddle after a couple of hours but after a few days it stops bothering you.
Getting a good windscreen setup, on the other hand, can make a huge difference to your comfort. Generally takes a while and a lot of fiddling to get it optimal.

 

[sparkplug]

Ultimately, there's no real cure for numb bum except getting used to it. All the seat modifications do is postpone it, so you last 2 hours rather than one.

Up to a point that's true, but the Airhawk is the only one that totally removes pressure points (designed originally for long term wheelchair users). My knees start complaining before my bum does and a good stretch of the legs is required (the real reason for engine bars )

They do a money back guarantee if you are not totally satisfied, so I'd suggest trying it as you stand to lose nothing and if it works for you so much the better.

Again, although the Airhawk will raise seat height a tiny bit, they are designed to be used with very little air so will raise it less than a sheepskin. Maybe a centimetre extra on my bike.

 

[The Moo]

Up to a point that's true, but the Airhawk is the only one that totally removes pressure points (designed originally for long term wheelchair users). My knees start complaining before my bum does and a good stretch of the legs is required (the real reason for engine bars )

They do a money back guarantee if you are not totally satisfied, so I'd suggest trying it as you stand to lose nothing and if it works for you so much the better.

Again, although the Airhawk will raise seat height a tiny bit, they are designed to be used with very little air so will raise it less than a sheepskin. Maybe a centimetre extra on my bike.

What size for the 650 GS -- in terms of the Airhawk? Mind you I suppose I could just pick up the phone eh?? :dance MAny thanks guys for all your input - its been really interesting and VERY helpful for a wee novice like me! Ames

 

[sparkplug]

What size for the 650 GS -- in terms of the Airhawk? Mind you I suppose I could just pick up the phone eh?? :dance MAny thanks guys for all your input - its been really interesting and VERY helpful for a wee novice like me! Ames

I'd suggest, as discretely as possible, that it's more to do with ..er.. how do I say this discretely?

How big's your arse?

I'd suggest either the Cruiser Large or Small as shapes for the 650.

full dimensions and pics here should help you decide.