I'm new to the GS ownershipness club, and being short in years and stature have a lowered one. I'm slowly tweaking it to make it as comfortable as possible, givi airflow now fitted (though do get a weird "thrumming" on top of the lid), knox risers with the bars back seems to have sorted the shoulder pain but damn....my ass is sore! Rode to Bristol and back last week, and as it was miserable weatherwise I just sat on the M25, M4 and (briefly) the M5 rather than trying any other more scenic routes. Ass was sore for about 2 days, even with cycling shorts on. I'm currently torn between the Airhawk (good reviews, but sounds like some faffing) and Sargent, which seems fairly well loved from what I can see on t'internet. Failing that, I will try for more padding on the ass by careful applications of cake....
Pain whilst riding
- Thread starter keymandave
- Start date
Are you used to doing longer trips on any bike (i.e. other than the GS)? Anyone whose body is used to short trips will likely suffer discomfort when doing a longer one but it's all a case of acclimatising whether it's your rear end, your shoulders or anything else. The body needs to learn how to adopt and maintain a particular position. Another example of this is cycling - TdF riders spend all day on a saddle that would be torture to many people after little more than a few minutes but that's because they're used to it.
Give it some time and use it as an excuse to go out on the bike more - don't rush to change seats.
Give it some time and use it as an excuse to go out on the bike more - don't rush to change seats.
comberjohn
Registered user
If you're a short arse like me, be aware that the like of an Airhawk will noticeably add to your seat height.
When I went to a Comfort seat on my old K100LT, it became a bit near the limit due to another inch in seat height.
While I agree with sproggy about rushing out to spend money, most on the forum would agree that the stock seat is not good for long distance.
I could only stick mine for about 100 miles. Bought a low Sargent seat second hand and now, bliss.
Most was 840 miles in 24 hours. Not saying my bum was perfectly ok, but not too bad.
If you had to buy an Airhawk new, you could pick up a good Sargent or similar secondhand for similar money.
When I went to a Comfort seat on my old K100LT, it became a bit near the limit due to another inch in seat height.
While I agree with sproggy about rushing out to spend money, most on the forum would agree that the stock seat is not good for long distance.
I could only stick mine for about 100 miles. Bought a low Sargent seat second hand and now, bliss.
Most was 840 miles in 24 hours. Not saying my bum was perfectly ok, but not too bad.
If you had to buy an Airhawk new, you could pick up a good Sargent or similar secondhand for similar money.
Yeah good point I suppose. I've done more longer trips since I've got her as she's more comfortable for longer trips....but as i've set my sights on longer trips, i've become more uncomfortable! Done a lot more motorway work on her as getting anywhere that involves the M25 during the week between 7-10am just makes a lot more sense getting there on a motorbike. Did a few days in Romania back in June where we flew out and hired bikes, and we did a good 6-8 hours in the saddle each day then on f700gs's and they were no where near as sore as a 6 hour round trip to Bristol and back! I guess the difference is a lot more movement with the twisties out there on the trans alpina and transfagarasan....The moral then perhaps is more twisties and less motorways 
Cheers - will have a look around. 2nd hand Sargent does seem to be the same price as Airhawk. You've answered one of my as yet unasked questions about whether the airhawk makes the seat much higher. I think i'll go for the Sargent option. I've only had the bike about 4 months, but managed to get in longer and longer jaunts on the motorway with work stuff and the time saving (and enjoyment) vs sitting in the car is certainly reducing the further I go.
That said, i'd never have done as much or gone as far on any of my other bikes (albeit only 5 in 3 years of riding), and this is the first bike I've had where i've not been thinking about what bike to get next!
comberjohn
Registered user
Yeah, they get you like that. I don't bother going to bike showrooms anymore because I can't think of anything else that appeals to me.
Not the money, just content with what I have. Besides, when you've had them for a while and bought seats, lights, exhausts, etc. You can't be bothered to start over again. I'm planning to still have mine when the clock turns 100k. Only another 63k to go!
Not the money, just content with what I have. Besides, when you've had them for a while and bought seats, lights, exhausts, etc. You can't be bothered to start over again. I'm planning to still have mine when the clock turns 100k. Only another 63k to go!
Bendy toy
Registered user
I'm 5ft 8ins and found my legs are not long enough for the Sargent/Corbin style seats. The edge digs into my thigh. The Kahedo/Touratech is more like the OEM seat for style but MUCH more comfortable. If you have the leg length go for the Adventure height TT seat - better padded than the standard (GS) height). Saying that both are very good indeed.
I bought used seats until I found one that suited my needs. Those that didn't suit me I sold on for minimal overall costs.
I bought used seats until I found one that suited my needs. Those that didn't suit me I sold on for minimal overall costs.
Are you on a lowered GS Bendy? I've read that the Sargent is actually lower than stock seat...but that it doesn't make a difference as it is a little wider.
Sounds like a good idea, there's some on ebay and as you say they don't seem to lose much price, so buy and try will be my approach.
comberjohn - Yup totally agree, can't fault mine as of yet (although servicing is a tad pricey, but I guess you get what you pay for). Winglets and seat to be sorted for me, then I think I should be good until the bike rolls off to bike heaven, which hopefully won't be for a very long time!
Sounds like a good idea, there's some on ebay and as you say they don't seem to lose much price, so buy and try will be my approach.
comberjohn - Yup totally agree, can't fault mine as of yet (although servicing is a tad pricey, but I guess you get what you pay for). Winglets and seat to be sorted for me, then I think I should be good until the bike rolls off to bike heaven, which hopefully won't be for a very long time!
comberjohn
Registered user
Find a good independent for servicing. I'm sure someone here can recommend someone not too far away from you.
Got a Sargent on loan from a mate....not sure what to make of it. much firmer than the stock one. Can't say it was more comfortable as seemed to make me quite sore quite quickly in the nether regions...But definitely supported me differently to stock...guess I need a long run to tell
Bendy toy
Registered user
My bike is a standard height GSA. I believe the Sergent would be comfortable but being so wide I would need a low version which can't have much padding. The low seat makes the GSA bars feel like ape hangers and you sit like a Hardley rebel. Not for me, thanks.
Ive used my GSA without any of the bodywork fitted - just the AF330 screen and no winglets. You get more draught around your ribs the top half turbulence is still loads better than the GSA screen. Great for summer.
comberjohn
Registered user
I've the low Sargant seat and when I first got it I thought that I'd made a big mistake. It felt like it had less padding than the stock one. But, it just works. For me, anyhow.
Something else that may have a bearing on comfort are the foot pegs.
Standard GS ones are narrow and short and make you less inclined to put much weight on them, even to ease your seating position. The adventure ones are much wider and many say more comfortable. I went for a compromise and fitted 800 GS ones.
Cheap to buy second hand, wider than stock and have removable rubber inserts. Others available, too.
Next time on the bike try to be aware if you are reluctant to put much weight on them.
Something else that may have a bearing on comfort are the foot pegs.
Standard GS ones are narrow and short and make you less inclined to put much weight on them, even to ease your seating position. The adventure ones are much wider and many say more comfortable. I went for a compromise and fitted 800 GS ones.
Cheap to buy second hand, wider than stock and have removable rubber inserts. Others available, too.
Next time on the bike try to be aware if you are reluctant to put much weight on them.
I can second that - I had SW Motech wide footrests on my previous bike (Transalp) and I just can't get on with the tiny little things on the GS - they certainly do affect comfort but they're also an important contact point with the bike. I'll be buying SW Motech ones for the GS very soon having established earlier today that I can't get just the GS-specific fitting kit to re-use the ones I kept from the Transalp.
Bendy toy
Registered user
I suspect that mountain bike platform pedals would be great as GS footrests. Big and flat would be no good for gears and brake but swivelling (like - erm - pedals) could be great. A special mount would be needed and (maybe) something to limit the pedal turning radius.
Google images "platform pedals
Google images "platform pedals
800GS ones fit straight on then comberjohn? I had about an hour and half out on the Sargent yesterday, mainly on twisties. One definite observation was that it was "slippy" on it compared to the stock seat. I guess it all just takes getting used to it. GOt a run up to the peaks next weekend, so if I can use it for that, I think i'll get an answer as to whether it works for me or not!
comberjohn
Registered user
Yes, picked a pair up on eBay for £40 from a breaker. Looked like new and a straight fit.
I use mine on the road, apart from the occasional gravel track, and wanted the rubber grips as I need to use the foot rest to swing my leg over. The rubber inserts are easily removed if you prefer the serrated type.
Highway pegs are another popular brand around here for footrests, too.
By the way, don't use any polish such as Mr Sheen on your Sargent seat. It does make it too slippy. Just a wash when doing the bike.
I use mine on the road, apart from the occasional gravel track, and wanted the rubber grips as I need to use the foot rest to swing my leg over. The rubber inserts are easily removed if you prefer the serrated type.
Highway pegs are another popular brand around here for footrests, too.
By the way, don't use any polish such as Mr Sheen on your Sargent seat. It does make it too slippy. Just a wash when doing the bike.
Got a couple of hundred miles in on the Sargent seat....is slippy but just means grip a bit more with knees and ride more smoothly....Still get a bit of a bum ache, but seems to be much milder, come on later and be on my buttocks, rather than down the erm "gusset" area before which was going numb on long journeys!
Got a longer trip this weekend which will entail some motorway action, though I'll try and find some nice roads if I can be bothered to brave basecamp to plot the routes on.
Can't bloody well get enough of the GS though....just had a couple of hours on mainly lanes riding with my mate on his fireblade chop streetfighter thing....no difference in pace. If anything I was quicker on the rougher twisties.
My poor old R65 is sat in the garage and I dunno if she'll even start at the moment!
Got a longer trip this weekend which will entail some motorway action, though I'll try and find some nice roads if I can be bothered to brave basecamp to plot the routes on.
Can't bloody well get enough of the GS though....just had a couple of hours on mainly lanes riding with my mate on his fireblade chop streetfighter thing....no difference in pace. If anything I was quicker on the rougher twisties.
My poor old R65 is sat in the garage and I dunno if she'll even start at the moment!
Cheap option....stock seat high front low back plus a sheep skin from Lamb Land for about £30, travelled across Africa with this set up with long hours in the saddle. I have a spare kicking around somewhere so it you want to try it more than happy to send over....has the added benefit of looking like a hard over lander as well.
Expensive option....Wunderlich ergo seat....got one very cheap from a pal who went to the WC version. Firm but just did 8 hours in the saddle with fuel breaks coming back from Italy...first impression is bloody hell that is hard....then you realise your arse doesn't hurt.
Or go to Tony Archer as other have said.
Expensive option....Wunderlich ergo seat....got one very cheap from a pal who went to the WC version. Firm but just did 8 hours in the saddle with fuel breaks coming back from Italy...first impression is bloody hell that is hard....then you realise your arse doesn't hurt.
Or go to Tony Archer as other have said.
I'm definitely getting there with the bike since my original post.
I've now got a lowered bmw seat which I find ok but just a little hard. I have ordered a Lambland seat cover. I've also brought the bars towards me a little which seems to have eased the pain in my shoulder, however I am still going to invest in some rox risers.
Since fitting the Givi Airflow screen & wiglets I get absolutely no wind blast at all.
I've now got a lowered bmw seat which I find ok but just a little hard. I have ordered a Lambland seat cover. I've also brought the bars towards me a little which seems to have eased the pain in my shoulder, however I am still going to invest in some rox risers.
Since fitting the Givi Airflow screen & wiglets I get absolutely no wind blast at all.
I've purchased a Sargent off ebay - did a run up to the peaks and back this weekend and no worries comfort wise. Is harder than stock, and slightly wider but that works well for me.
So with the airflow, the rox up and back risers and Sargent I'm pretty much there! Have winglets to fit at some point, but the wind blast isn't too bad.
Only problem now seems to be a bit of pain/numbness in the right hand wrist, though hard to tell if this is from bike, mouse or a combination of the two!
So with the airflow, the rox up and back risers and Sargent I'm pretty much there! Have winglets to fit at some point, but the wind blast isn't too bad.
Only problem now seems to be a bit of pain/numbness in the right hand wrist, though hard to tell if this is from bike, mouse or a combination of the two!
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