Motorcycle shorts

[Aidan1150]

I am heading of on a motorcycle trip in a couple of weeks and will be riding a NX500 Honda I think. I am a bit concerned that it won't be as comfortable as my Corbin saddled 1150 so I had a look at trying some motorcycle shorts such as these

Have any of you tried these? £38 isn't too expensive, but I'd like some feedback before ordering.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Posh Pete]

Why not buy an air cushion of some sort that you can remove from the bike quickly?

 

[GBClassic]

Hi
Not quite like them cos the ones I bought had armor in. Not ccomfortable

I have a silicone seat pad that works to soak up the strain, but it adds an inch to the seat height.

George

 

[OnHellas]

If it was me I’d just get on the bike and go. Get used to the seat and suck it up.

However, that approach isn’t for everyone. If I was going to try something it’d be attached to the bike rather than an item of clothing that will potentially get hot and sweaty and not be the easiest thing to wash and get dry overnight for the next days ride.
That’s if you’re a hotel/campsite sink clothes washer type of traveller.l?
Laundrettes are of course sometimes available.

 

[enabb]

Sheepskin

 

[Aidan1150]

Why not buy an air cushion of some sort that you can remove from the bike quickly?

Tried one of those many years ago Pete, but felt too "remote" from the bike. Not for me I'm afraid, thanks all the same.

 

[Victor c]

I’ve recently bought a pair of the Rippl shorts, and probably put around 500 miles on them between my R1250gsa and Speed Twin 1200 over the past couple of weeks.

I bought them because following our recent euro tour, in the extreme heat, the lower part of my arse cheeks were quite tender, even with a Cool Cover fitted to the gsa seat. They do make a difference for me on both my bikes, but I still feel a little discomfort. However, this could be due to me still being a little tender. Would I buy them again? Yes, as outside of the padded benefit, they are extremely comfortable to wear under my Bull-it riding jeans, even in the hot weather. In combination with a Cool Cover, they should make a hot, longer tour ride more comfortable

The practicalities -
The delivery is quite slow. Looking at the tracking, I suspect they come from China, not a UK warehouse. Mine took 8 days in early July.
The sizing is quite generous. I am normally a 36 inch waist, so ordered a large. I cycle a fair bit, so have chunky thighs, otherwise, a medium may have been a better option.
They dry really quickly when washed (providing you squeeze the water out of the padding).
As I mentioned above, they are extremely comfortable to wear. They don’t have a centre pad, so don’t feel like you’ve crapped yourself, as you do with cycling shorts.

 

[trebor]

I use the Rippl shorts for long journeys. They enable me to stay comfortable in the saddle for about 1.5 to 2 hours, instead of an hour. So they are effective, for me, but not as effective as the blurb makes out.
Today I have a Cool Cover arriving to see if that helps further.

 

[Aidan1150]

If it was me I’d just get on the bike and go. Get used to the seat and suck it up.

However, that approach isn’t for everyone. If I was going to try something it’d be attached to the bike rather than an item of clothing that will potentially get hot and sweaty and not be the easiest thing to wash and get dry overnight for the next days ride.
That’s if you’re a hotel/campsite sink clothes washer type of traveller.l?
Laundrettes are of course sometimes available.

I have often washed base layers etc on three/four week trips and hung them out on the balcony ready to go again next day so that's not a worry.

My second bike is an F800 with a Rallye seat which is only 150 mile comfortable so my thoughts turned to multiple days riding on a seat that might well be uncomfortable, or may well be grand but I'd like to have an option. I tried an air cushion many years ago but I felt removed from the feel of the bike and didn't really like it. Similarly, as suggested by @enabb I tried a sheepskin too which didn't seem to offer anything really.

Thank you indeed @Victor c for your input which is very useful. I'm not flying out until Friday 14th so I might just buy a pair to have so I can test them if the bike proves to be uncomfortable.

Many thanks to you all for your thoughts. I appreciate it.

 

[Aidan1150]

I use the Rippl shorts for long journeys. They enable me to stay comfortable in the saddle for about 1.5 to 2 hours, instead of an hour. So they are effective, for me, but not as effective as the blurb makes out.
Today I have a Cool Cover arriving to see if that helps further.

Thank you @trebor I think at £38 they might be worth a punt.

 

[Barnoe]

I ride as is.

If i start getting a numb arse i stand on the pegs for a couple of minutes while riding.
been doing it for years.
I even do it on motorways at 60mph

Saves buying and fitting extra stuff.

 

[snelly]

Tried one of those many years ago Pete, but felt too "remote" from the bike. Not for me I'm afraid, thanks all the same.

I've done some big milage days with air hawk seats between 400 and 900 mls with no problem at all; but like you say they're not for everyone; ever since i started riding inthe seventies anything over 80mls or so has always had me fidgeting but i just used to tuff it out; the air hawk changed that for me. I have'nt done any sort of milage for a few years now; but that's a different problem;

 

[Gee-]

Go "Superman look" and pull on a pair of Cycling shorts with extra padding, pulled over the top of your Klim biking suit.."see below"


Cape Optional.................Blue coloured pants? that would look silly!

 

[trebor]

I use the Rippl shorts for long journeys. They enable me to stay comfortable in the saddle for about 1.5 to 2 hours, instead of an hour. So they are effective, for me, but not as effective as the blurb makes out.
Today I have a Cool Cover arriving to see if that helps further.

Further to my previous post, for me it's not so much the seat is too hard, but the edges of the seat digs into the backs of my thighs. They then start to ache after about an hour and find myself standing on the pegs for a short while to ease it, but the relief only lasts a short while, before I have to stand again.

 

[Fireflyer]

They look a bit like glorified Lycra cycling shorts. Just be aware that like cycling shorts they may not come with a provision to allow easy access to pee.
Be prepared to sacrifice your dignity as you stand there with your leathers round your ankles and your arse hanging out the back as you drain all those coffee stops

 

[Barnoe]

I find wearing extra layer such as jogging shorts or jeans under my Klim trousers just adds to the numb arse effect.
Layers underneath bunch up crushing bollocks and stopping good bloodflow around your bum.

I wear very thin stretchable shorts only under my trousers and its seems to work best,

Its the same as the logic in your sleeping bag, wearing clothes to keep warm is worse and is uncomfortable making for a restless night.

IMO anyway

 

[Santa-2512]

moto skiveez are another option i believe


Not cheap but do offer some comfort

 

[brut33]

Try a motorcycle gel pad...
https://share.google/KrxrBbYgrWCfgnlcX

 

[Mr Derek]

I tried a pair of these motorcycling under shorts. Made no difference to when arseache set in. They now have pride of place in the back of a cupboard somewhere. I plan on trying a sheepskin next. They seem to work for more people.

 

[Smartbazza]

I am heading of on a motorcycle trip in a couple of weeks and will be riding a NX500 Honda I think. I am a bit concerned that it won't be as comfortable as my Corbin saddled 1150 so I had a look at trying some motorcycle shorts such as these

Have any of you tried these? £38 isn't too expensive, but I'd like some feedback before ordering.

Thanks in advance.

Aidan, yes i have a pair and I recommended them to three mates who also have them now. GS1300 seats are shockingly uncomfortable and these are game changers.

They are a godsend if riding a bike you haven't ridden before or in the saddle for long days on roads that are not overly twisty. I also bring with me on my trips to Gran Canaria.

Barry