A bridge too far? I need some ass-istance with ride comfort

[arcane12]

Setting the scene - A mere 120 odd km trip to Auckland from Hamilton. One cruiser - chosen for comfort. 100 km's later, and I am wondering if I can make it all in one go. I do, but each bump on the Highbrooke bridge is a fresh jolt of pain in my rear end.

So gentle reader, what advice can you give?

To fill out the backstory more, I am a larger guy, 179cm (around 5'11"), and 115ish kg's. I am riding a Suzuki Boulevard LS650 (S40) 2007. It has a Ventura L-bars that seems to have been rubbing on the swing arm.

I was not too worried previously, as my current commute of around 40kms seems reasonable comfortable, with maybe a slight discomfort developing near the end. On the above trip I had to stop at 100kms on the way back 'for coffee' to give myself a rest. I was keen to go on a group ride, or to the Pukekohe drags to meet up with the LOR crew, but I now fear any ride longer than my commute. :sobstory:

Options I am looking into are: Messing with the ride height on the adjustable shocks. I will look at this first, though, unless the previous guy was an idiot, I am assuming it has been set at the best setting to stop the L-bars for the pack rack rubbing on the swing arm. Still worth a look. :scratch:

Option 2: Gel seat, or something like it. Probably a Jusit, maybe splash out to Airhawks if I can be sure they will fix the issue, or at least extend the range as far as my gas tank (200 odd kms).

Option 3: Adjusting my riding position, either by where/how I sit, or bars/footpegs. I feel reasonable comfortable with my position, except when I move around to help my ass, though a little extra leg reach would not go astray.

Option the fourth: Commute on bike, cage the longer trips. Only group ride with guys that like to stop every hour for coffee, scenery etc. Could work, but there goes the East Cape trip!

So, what say you, oh learned forum browsers? :shifty:

[nathanwhite]

Clearly you are doing it wrong.

A couple of low cost mod's should be all you need

http://www.davesdailydose.com/pics/p/2/harley_davidson_chair_motorcycle_funny_pimped_sofa _humor_cool_haha_lol_rofl_smiles.jpg

[Tigadee]

Get more foam into your seat or else a better seat. That's the best solution. (Or a sheep skin seat cover...)

Messing with the suspension can help but compromises the ride, especially on corners.

[Blackbird]

I've been through the whole gamut of seat comfort aids, mainly driven by the 1600 km in 24 hour Grand Challenge rides I've done over the years. For what it's worth, I started with a good quality sheepskin which helped a bit, but wasn't outstanding. On my Blackbird, I had the stock seat re-shaped and re-foamed by the Rider seats people in Tauranga. Cost well over $500 at the time but I could literally ride all day on it without undue discomfort. If I'm planning for more than (say 600 km days) on the Street Triple, I slip on an Airhawk pad. Not quite as good as the Rider seat on the 'bird, but still very effective - did the Grand Challenge on it with no problem. My arse was probably the only thing which didn't hurt :laugh:. The secret with the Airhawk is to only put half a lungful of air in it. I've just got a 9" x 13" Airhawk pad which was imported from the US for about $140 all up. You pays yer money and takes yer choice......

Hope that helps a bit,

Geoff

[GTRMAN]

Hate to say it but maybe a different bike? Something where you can put some weight on your feet is going to help. Or have a chat to a suspension specialist (Robert Taylor springs to mind) as it sounds like you could be overwhelming the rear shocks as well.

[bogan]

At 115kgs, I'd be surprised if the rear shocks don't at least require re-springing, and possibly re-valving to suit.

[munster]

McDonald's Motor Trimmers (http://www.trimit.co.nz/) in Tauranga re-did my M50 seat, have ridden Pukekohe to Wellington in a day wth no issues whatsoever.

Like Blackbird said, well over $500 (actually $632 + GST), but in my opnion worth every cent.

They do a real quality job and surprised me with extras like the pillion seat now acting like a back rest. Also, lifted me up & back an extra inch (6'3" 105 kg's).

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k204/munster4x4/NewBikeSeat2.jpg

[Gremlin]

You need to look at all the factors involved in comfort.

First, how many km has the bike done? It's possible the suspension needs a service (or more). Suspension never lasts forever, has to be serviced, and if not correct for your riding style and weight, adjustments may need to be made.

Second, riding position. Just because you're not hunched up in the fetal position on a sportsbike doesn't mean it's going to be comfortable. A common issue with some cruisers is a bad riding position, where you have curvature of the spine in your lower back. This is never good for your spine as it tries to take the strain of bumps in the road at the curvature (also related to how the suspension is dealing with those bumps). Not a simple fix like another seat, but seat, peg and bar ratio needs to be looked at, along with overall position. First see whether you may have this issue.

Third, seat. Obviously the easiest thing to look at, either adding a pad on top (synthetic or sheepskin etc) or customisation of the seat. As you prod it, if it's too hard then obviously it will feel like a plank, but equally, too soft isn't going to give you hour upon hour of support. There is also an element of hardening up or conditioning. Commuting doesn't really prep you for long rides, but if you're regularly riding then your arse should get used to it. Like anything, if you're constantly in a position your body gets used to it and the muscles being used get stronger.

[F5 Dave]

Without a doubt I would be choosing a more comfortable bike as you are sitting all the weight on your arse.

that said 120k is nothing, absolutely nothing that should cause you issues. A mate had an LS & used to tour on it.

The shocks will be poked, they would have been nasty from new & with your weight totally overwhelmed & smacking against the bumpstops. Sorry that sounds mean, but cruisers have limited travel & the compromise in spring & valving has to be for an average chap. Suzuki often get this wrong anyway & the RF900 & first Bandit 12s were seriously undersprung even for an 80kg fellow.

If you are getting jolts over bumps then you need shocks & you are doing your back no favours as is. Talk to Taylor, but it is an investment that may be worth more than the bike unless you want to keep it. Either way most bikes may need to be resprung to get the best for you.

[arcane12]

Bugger. Some great feedback, thank you.

Sounds like the suspension is worth looking at. It has done almost 23000 kms. I am wondering now if it's a triple threat. I have been reading other people complaining about the S40's seat being rather painful. However with my weight (which is in the process of dropping, and over this summer I plan to work at it more), and the current suspension set up I think it's aggrevating the issue.

I wonder if L-bars are part of the problem? If the swing arm is hitting it, the jolts from that won't be doing me any favours. Perhaps whipping it off and doing without my Ventura pack for a while might be worth it. And get it professionally looked at too. And a gel seat. I do know my ass can be sensitive - sitting on a park bench, or on crappy movie seats for too long (Lord of the Rings, Centreplace) and it complains. Though the newer cinemas are all good!

Food for thought, thank you.

[skippa1]

I do know my ass can be sensitive - call me Lord of the Rings
Food for thought, thank you.

Get a bike that is more suited to your size....and test ride it for a decent distance before you buy it

[skinman]

+1 for looking at the seat, I replaced mine with a Mustang (orsum but expensive think around 800)
had to fit pullbacks to get the bars within reach afterwards as that seat moves you up & back.
in general I would say the stock Boulevard seats are not that great though they may have improved with the later model stuff

[Hitcher]

Mac McDonald. McDonalds Motor Trimmers in Tauranga. Rider seats. Three-in-one.

Good value and a seat customised to fit your arse.

[manxkiwi]

Cruiser style isn't really my cup of tea. The first time I ended up riding one I thought 'just ride it without preconceptions and see'. Well I didn't even get to end of the road before I realised that cruisers, although they look like they should be comfy, they're very far from it. The small of your back cops it straight away and you end up supporting your upper body by hanging off the 'bars.

I would go with some of the others and look for a different style of bike if you want to be comfortable over a distance. Probably not what you want to hear, but alas that's my opinion anyway.

Remember, test rides are your freind.

[Oakie]

As a cheap start you can try cyclists padded shorts. About $30 I think. Apart from that I've used a sheepskin and for less pressure on the pressure points on a long trip I've slid bubble-wrap between seat and sheepskin. Big bubbles though, not the standard small ones. Funny too when you climb on and a bubble pops when you sit down.

[arcane12]

For the moment changing bikes is off the books maybe in 6 months I could afford it, but for now not so much. Plus being on my restricted for a good while longer I am not looking to change bikes until I am on my full.

On the ride home I noticed the ride was a bit jarring. I did take it for a good test ride, but short of taking it out for an hour or more, I don't know if I would have noticed. Being new to bikes, it didn't feel much different to the scorpio, ride wise. Perhaps that should have been the warning. However, it is definately hitting the Ventura L-bar, and I am wondering if without them, it will be better.

If I can get home at a respectable hour tonight, I plan on whiping those bars off. Without the hard jarring every time I hit a bump, I think the ride could improve. Plus really, if the bike can handle 2 up, it must be able to handle me?? Or is that a fallacy that just because it has 2 seats, it can handle 2 people. A Scorpio can handle 2 (regular sized people).

[arcane12]

As a cheap start you can try cyclists padded shorts. About $30 I think. Apart from that I've used a sheepskin and for less pressure on the pressure points on a long trip I've slid bubble-wrap between seat and sheepskin. Big bubbles though, not the standard small ones. Funny too when you climb on and a bubble pops when you sit down.

Bubble wrap. That is funny enough to try! And silly enough it will probably work :EEK!:

[munster]

Is the rear shock pre-load adjustable?

[arcane12]

Yes. It has 5 settings, according to the manual. I am wondering if it has never been adjusted, after the L-Bars went on. I could skip straight to adjusting them first, though I might try to entice my motorbike savvy friend around with pizza, so I can have someone eyeball it when I am on it. Though maybe the pizza is the problem... Wonder if he will come over if I only had salad on offer?

[GTRMAN]

Yes. It has 5 settings, according to the manual. I am wondering if it has never been adjusted, after the L-Bars went on. I could skip straight to adjusting them first, though I might try to entice my motorbike savvy friend around with pizza, so I can have someone eyeball it when I am on it. Though maybe the pizza is the problem... Wonder if he will come over if I only had salad on offer?

Maybe you could post a pic of the setup, sounds strange that a pack rack could be rubbing on the swingarm. Sounds more like you are just hitting the bump stops on your shocks. Though there are guys here infinitely more qualified to comment.

[James Deuce]

It sounds to me, if the "L" rails are hitting the swingarm, that the standard suspension is woefully under-sprung for your mass and combined with being seriously under-damped isn't affording the suspension control you need for comfort, stability and maintaining chassis control within design parameters. The standard suspension will be set up for a 65kg rider on its default settings. You have a bunch of issues to address to fix all of your issues though, but as you say your license restrictions and the other issue that affects us normal people mean it will be worthwhile doing it.

It would be worth your while to at least phone Robert Taylor and see how he can help or if he has some relatively inexpensive options to improve the rear-end of your bike.

More seat foam isn't necessarily better from a comfort perspective. The type of foam is really important and McDonald's Motor Trimmers understand that better than most. I don't like gel seats as they feel to me to be the seating equivalent of a '60s automatic gearbox. May have to try the bubble wrap though. That sounds like fun.

[ktm84mxc]

There's a very good auto trimmers in Morrinsville who do a lot of MX and jet ski seats recommended by Ben Townley , as there close to you pop along for a chat and take the LS.
You may need to change the handle bars to get your weight more forward so as not resting on your tail bone area, I'd also look at wearing a back support eg a MX kidney belt.

[Big Dave]

Show us a pitcha of what is hitting where?

[F5 Dave]

There's a very good auto trimmers in Morrinsville who do a lot of MX and jet ski seats recommended by Ben Townley , . . .

With all due respect, that would have to be the weakest recommendation ever. I mean that dude won't be doing much sitting:bleh:

[MSTRS]

Setting the scene - A mere 120 odd km trip to Auckland from Hamilton. One cruiser - chosen for comfort. 100 km's later, and I am wondering if I can make it all in one go. I do, but each bump on the Highbrooke bridge is a fresh jolt of pain in my rear end.

So gentle reader, what advice can you give?


Cruisers are notoriously UNcomfortable for any sort of distance riding.
Get a tourer. Or anything with a 'neutral' sitting position...meaning your legs are not stretched out or really compressed (sportsbike pegs) and your body is leaning forward a little.

[arcane12]

Cruisers are notoriously UNcomfortable for any sort of distance riding.
Get a tourer. Or anything with a 'neutral' sitting position...meaning your legs are not stretched out or really compressed (sportsbike pegs) and your body is leaning forward a little.

It's hard to find a tourer on the LAMS list. And the choice between a sport bike and a cruiser for comfort? Actually, the Boulevard has a pretty neutral sitting position, and even the legs aren't that stretched out. Could be my height as well that make it like that. Anyway...

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required). It no longer bottoms out on the L-Bar on bumps and such, so fingers crossed, it will help. The ride seemed somewhat nicer, on the bumps at least, though I think gel seating might be in order.

272833

As you can see there is a spot that has been rubbing. I could not get a decent picture of the bar, but you'll have to take my word that there is an equivalent spot on the bar above.

On a side note - I must remember to wash the bike before taking it for a 'test ride'. New settings and all. Well hopefully I can hide from the family long enough this weekend to wash it!

[GTRMAN]

It's hard to find a tourer on the LAMS list. And the choice between a sport bike and a cruiser for comfort? Actually, the Boulevard has a pretty neutral sitting position, and even the legs aren't that stretched out. Could be my height as well that make it like that. Anyway...

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required). It no longer bottoms out on the L-Bar on bumps and such, so fingers crossed, it will help. The ride seemed somewhat nicer, on the bumps at least, though I think gel seating might be in order.



As you can see there is a spot that has been rubbing. I could not get a decent picture of the bar, but you'll have to take my word that there is an equivalent spot on the bar above.

On a side note - I must remember to wash the bike before taking it for a 'test ride'. New settings and all. Well hopefully I can hide from the family long enough this weekend to wash it!


That is the belt guard dude, attached to the swingarm but not the swingarm. and if they are rubbing together your shock is way under sprung for your size, or rooted, likely both.

Get it replaced

cheap option here http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/parts/Suzuki/1198.aspx but if you can afford it, take it to Dr Bob

[arcane12]

That is the belt guard dude, attached to the swingarm but not the swingarm. and if they are rubbing together your shock is way under sprung for your size, or rooted, likely both.

Get it replaced

cheap option here http://www.bits4bikes.co.nz/parts/Suzuki/1198.aspx but if you can afford it, take it to Dr Bob

Sorry about the mix up of terms, my google-fu must have failed me. I thought the generic overall term was enough to go by. As I said, it no longer rubs now, I think it was poorly set up by the previous owner, and I could have discussed it with the guy at the dealership more before buying. My mistake.

I have emailed CKT to see what he recommends.

[James Deuce]

The previous owner may have weighed a great deal less than you and maxxing the preload on a shock actually reduces its abilities to cope with extremes. Suspension is a compromise and on a budget bike it is often the thing most compromised.

[munster]

I was able to adjust the pre-load (which was set to 3) and set it to 5. Setting the pre-load without a spring compressor is hard! (a little jury rigging required).
The proper Suzuki tool cost me $10.80 from Colemans.

[Tigadee]

As a cheap start you can try cyclists padded shorts.

But those only protect your gonads and not your tailbone or bum though... If there were padding for the bum, that'd be a good cheap start for reducing vibrations up the spine and lower back.


Big bubbles though, not the standard small ones. Funny too when you climb on and a bubble pops when you sit down.

Bet it'd be an even bigger laugh if the bubble wrap were inside your pants!

[Conquiztador]

But those only protect your gonads and not your tailbone or bum though... If there were padding for the bum, that'd be a good cheap start for reducing vibrations up the spine and lower back.

Bet it'd be an even bigger laugh if the bubble wrap were inside your pants!

Cycle pants and bubble wrap!!! What next? Nappies and a lazy-boy?? Start to build those gluteus maximus as it sounds like you might have a skinny ass. :nya:

[Tigadee]

Nappies and a lazy-boy?? Start to build those gluteus maximus as it sounds like you might have a skinny ass.

I've got a flat ass with a soggy bottom, thanks to a childhood too much in front of the TV and Commodore 64/Atari/Sega... :o

[ducatilover]

Fluff around with the preload first, it's free and easy.
Then look at peg/bar positions
Then seat
Then putting real suspenders on it

Or, find a nice touring type bike or a higher quality cruiser (Let's face it, the S40 is uber budget)

[wysper]

All the seat things and suspension are probably the biggest.

Also as others have said, despite their name, cruisers aren't all that cruisy to ride most of the time.

But another factor is bike fitness. The more you ride the more you get used to it. If normally you only ride about 20min at a time, then the odd time you do 2 hours it will be a bit of a stretch. This would be true of any physical activity you do.

You might want to consider that too, that you will get more used to longer rides the more of them you do.

Still no harm in doing your seat and suspension though!

[munster]

Let's face it, the S40 is uber budget

Yes, and you can do this with it

http://www.rycamotors.com/ and that is a cool use of an S40

Saw it (roughly) done to one at the Hawkes Bay Harley Club Spring run last September.

[wingnutt]

I sympathise, 'monkey butt' can really hurt, I have been through the whole gambit trying to beat it and this is my view of it.

Monkey butt is caused by heat and sweat buildup between the seat and you I say this, because I find I dont
suffer from it all during the winter only summer months.

so you need to get find a way of cooling your butt, or stopping the sweat from starting, any type of baby powder ( I shit you not) can help for a while but doesnt last.

I settled in the end for an air hawke, it is not 100% but certainly will give you longer distance riding, and the recovery on the side of the road is shorter

good luck.