Pain in the backside

[stuwr8]

Having owned a GS1200 several years ago, It suddenly struck me that it was the only bike I had been almost completely happy with. So 5 weeks ago I bought another one. A brand new shiney bright white R1200GS. Loving it. Except for one thing, that is proving to be a real pain in the arse. I'm not a small man, and the pain in the base of my spine caused by a particularly hard lump of plastic to the rear of the seat is becoming a real issue. I bought an Air Hawk inflatable seat. It helps, But after a couple of hours in the saddle, the pain is enough to divert much of my attentions away from the road.
Anyone have any similar problems, and more importantly has anyone found a solution?

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Upgrading suspension front & back on my F800 as you read this.. Hopefully for my bike I wont need to upgrade the seat, however I found that a cheap putnam's inflatable stadium seat works well (Obviously the air-hawk is much better).

 

[Deleted User O]

Bar risers or adjust the angle of the bars

 

[Bryn]

Having owned a GS1200 several years ago, It suddenly struck me that it was the only bike I had been almost completely happy with. So 5 weeks ago I bought another one. A brand new shiney bright white R1200GS. Loving it. Except for one thing, that is proving to be a real pain in the arse. I'm not a small man, and the pain in the base of my spine caused by a particularly hard lump of plastic to the rear of the seat is becoming a real issue. I bought an Air Hawk inflatable seat. It helps, But after a couple of hours in the saddle, the pain is enough to divert much of my attentions away from the road.
Anyone have any similar problems, and more importantly has anyone found a solution?

09 1200 SE... seat is the same one as the ADV... not particularly comfortable... so took both seats to Melvin Hunter

http://www.motorbike-seats.co.uk/

He's carved a bit out of both and inserted a 'gelastic pad' which looks like a waffle and about as thick... now the seats are much better... in fact SWMBO said the other day 'didn't even think about the seat... its so comfortable'

He said he'd changed the geometry of the front seat slightly as well...

£130 the pair

I know its all subjective... but it seems to have improved the situation for us

He's in Coventry... and if he's not too busy he'll probably do it while you wait , which is a big bonus

 

[tunnie]

i find the 09SE &ADV seats rock hard compared to my 56' GS, which has a lot more give, maybe its just age

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

only used a sergeant seat other than the stock one and its so much better. Having nothing else to compare it to I can only recommend a sergeant but it definitely is a far better seat to stock.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Try changing the seat angle using the height adjusting bars in different positions

 

[OldCroc]

Seats are about as subjective as tyres, screens, oil etc. In my opinion its more to do with the geometry of your arse vs the seat rather than anything else. You can sit on a log all day as long as neither you or the log has any sticky-outy bits.

I did a 200 mile trip one day on comfort settings and my rear was starting to complain. The next day I did the return trip on Sport setting and felt fresh as a daisy when I got home. Same seat - same journey - same time so what's that all about?
I agree with Grinning - change some settings before spending money - it may work.

OldCroc

 

[Big Nick]

I've found the Airhawk good for around 4 hours riding by which time I'm ready for a break and leg stretch anyway. Try experimenting with it more with varying amounts of inflation

 

[Ash]

Try changing the seat angle using the height adjusting bars in different positions

front on high setting back of seat on low setting.
Made mine much better.