Question ref Airhawk...

twizzle · Mar 23, 2010

I'm off to the Picos in May ( I went to the Pyrenees last year and the Jura the year b4..and suffered a major sore arse) i was thinking of an Airhawk and have to decide between the Medium or Large Cruiser..... I'm probably going to get one from the good ole USA using ebay as they are about £88 + post/packing/customs..... compared to £160 here...

Are they widely used by peeps on this site, and which is the preferred option... Medium or Large, they appear the same width, the Large being a couple of inches longer??

Apologies if this ? is the equivalent to "which oil should i use" or "why has the paint fallen off my 1200" :augie

DLBass · Mar 23, 2010

I've been using a medium for the past 4 years on various bikes including my current 1200 GSA. Wouldn't be without it, and much cheaper option than modding your saddle everytime you change bike. As you suggested I got mine on ebay.com from the US.

The big trick is to run an airhawk with virtually no air in it (in fact even less air than that). Otherwise they are a bit like an airbed to ride on, which is a bit unsettling. Highly recommended!

Canuck · Mar 23, 2010

I've got a medium and I don't think you would want it any bigger. I'll sort a photo out tomorrow for you to give you an idea of how it would fit on the seat.

twizzle · Mar 23, 2010

Thanks Canuck..

elevensies · Mar 23, 2010

you need to know if you really really want an airhawk,

if you do a search for putnams, or look up cheap airhawk in the gs mods section i think its at,

they are 6 quid, inflatable cushions designed by a company who produce NHS stuff for patient care, anyhoo

i have one and i have it covered with a sheepskin from lambland, 10 quid i think, so i have a blow up sheep on my bike :augie

the putnams job looks like this

twizzle · Mar 23, 2010

Thanks i'll have a look... 6 quid is a lot cheaper then a £100.......or even £160.....from rip off britain.

elevensies said:
you need to know if you really really want an airhawk,

if you do a search for putnams, or look up cheap airhawk in the gs mods section i think its at,

they are 6 quid, inflatable cushions designed by a company who produce NHS stuff for patient care, anyhoo

i have one and i have it covered with a sheepskin from lambland, 10 quid i think, so i have a blow up sheep on my bike

the putnams job looks like this

elevensies · Mar 23, 2010

also forgot to say, if your abroad on bike and some theiving scum can easily whip your airhawk as they command good prices, its only time before they latch onto this.

Canuck · Mar 23, 2010

elevensies said:
also forgot to say, if your abroad on bike and some theiving scum can easily whip your airhawk as they command good prices, its only time before they latch onto this.

I just whip it off and strap it around my belly... isn't that what everyone does... I've seen the pictures!

twizzle · Mar 23, 2010

i know 100 quid seems easily achievable on ebay.... and it would be a pain having to remove it every time i park up......did you fit the elastic to yours??

elevensies said:
also forgot to say, if your abroad on bike and some theiving scum can easily whip your airhawk as they command good prices, its only time before they latch onto this.

Canuck · Mar 23, 2010

I'm handy with a sewing machine and have the following solution... Just sew on some webbing loops and attach homemade straps with connectors hidden under seat (or I'll sew on elasticated shock cord). Someone would need to cut it off then if they wanted it. Mind you I just usually tuck it in the panniers if I'm away from the bike for more than a day.... takes about 15 seconds to get off and on.

elevensies · Mar 23, 2010

twizzle said:
i know 100 quid seems easily achievable on ebay.... and it would be a pain having to remove it every time i park up......did you fit the elastic to yours??

yes really easy, where i put the elastic there were some poppers so it could be rolled up into a pillow?

really easy, fits well, i can have it running flat or put a spot of wind in should the need take me, and its covered by my sheep so you cant see it,

only piccy i have of blow up sheep sorry, i used this pic earlier on another thread, and you cant even see the putnams thing, and no one wants to steal the sheep :nenau

but it all works :bow

roadrubber · Mar 23, 2010

elevensies said:
yes really easy, where i put the elastic there were some poppers so it could be rolled up into a pillow?

really easy, fits well, i can have it running flat or put a spot of wind in should the need take me, and its covered by my sheep so you cant see it,

only piccy i have of blow up sheep sorry, i used this pic earlier on another thread, and you cant even see the putnams thing, and no one wants to steal the sheep

but it all works

Nice solution. Looks like those cushions can be found as "Putnams Inflatable Stadium Cushion"s for a tenner including post at http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk.
How is that sheep tethered, does Lambland provide suitable straps for that or is it a sowing machine job..?

Kritou · Mar 24, 2010

Medium Airhawk is the best size - vinyl version has lasted for six years and looks good for many more. A simple webbing type strap with a plastic "snap buckle" around the saddle holds it in place and makes it dead easy to stow and adjust fore and aft on long rides. Minimal air pressure needed - just enough to effectively "increase" the area of your arse, in fact your bum should be touching the seat in places

MarkShelley · Mar 24, 2010

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203852

This is my original thread after discovering the budget arse-friendliness of the Puttnams cushion. I could not find the site where I originally bought mine when I started the thread so look down the thread a bit because somebody else did find it and added a link to it where it can be bought for about £7.

twizzle · Mar 24, 2010

Thanks Mark, for £7.00 it's worth a try... i'm going to order one now...

twizzle · Mar 24, 2010

Ordered... £7.64 delivered..... let's see if it works... i'll try it on my trip to the Picos this year and do a direct comparison to a standard seat....

i see it also doubles up as a pillow, i always camp :ymca

on my bike trips so it will be great if it has a dual purpose......

Arse by day, head by night.....

If it does not work then hey ho it was only £7.64.........

thauma · Mar 24, 2010

+1 for the cheap air pillow. I got mine from one of the travel accessory shops.

I would say that adding a sheepskin cover makes the bike look pig ugly, however it is s GS and the difference it makes to the comfort is exceptional.

So find yourself a local sheepskin supplier (offcut will do as you don't want a full blown shag pile rug :augie

) shouldn't cost more than a tenner and you'll be in heaven. I got mine from one of the 'country fairs', combine it with some elastic and a bit of velcro and the jobs a goodun.

Stewart H · Mar 24, 2010

Another vote for the inflatable cushion underneath a sheepskin, as others have said almost no air in the cushion is needed.

Stewart

MarkShelley · Mar 24, 2010

http://www.lambland.co.uk/shop/motorcycle-seat-p-1190.html

Here is a link for for your cheap piece of sheepskin.
When I first came across the website I thought it was a themepark for Welshmen.