Suggestions for hard seat problem

[Beemer]

I've got a Suzuki Goose and the seat on it is incredibly thin and hard - it's basically a dense foam pad (not a vinyl covered foam one like most seats) that is only a couple of inches thick.

I've only had the bike six months and it's already created problems that required surgery - no bull! Female motorcyclists and cyclists suffer from cysts in delicate parts of our anatomy, caused solely by pressure from hard bike seats. As you can imagine, I don't want to experience this again but I also don't want to give up motorcycling or change the bike. My specialist suggested padded cycling shorts under my bike gear, but I have a big enough bum as it is without EXTRA padding, so I think changing the seat is a better option.

Any ideas on how to go about this? The seat seems to be attached by a single screw, but it's not a standard sort of seat and I doubt I'd be able to replace it with anything from another bike. Can a seat be made with better padding - and if so, who does them? I don't really want to use a sheepskin either, so any suggestions would be welcome.

[jrandom]

I fear that your signature is horribly apropos to this thread.

...

(SWK will be along shortly to recommend a custom seat manufacturer, which should do the trick.)

[Beemer]

I fear that your signature is horribly apropos to this thread.

...

(SWK will be along shortly to recommend a custom seat manufacturer, which should do the trick.)

Well done to spot that - but unfortunately it's me that is bothered by it, and not Hitcher!

[Blackbird]

Get it reshaped at McDonald's motor Trimmers in Tauranga. Check this post out for details: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=10174. I'm over the moon with the job they did on the Blackbird. If anything, the seat is harder than the original 'bird one, but they shaped it for a European bum!

Sublimely comfortable and don't even think about it now.

Cheers

Geoff

[MSTRS]

Charmans in Napier are not bad at this sort of thing either.

[Paul in NZ]

You could try a gel pad.

http://www.gelpad.net/

Expensive last time I looked but I understand the yanks rate this type of technology highly.

Cheers

[tracyprier]

You could try a gel pad.

http://www.gelpad.net/

Expensive last time I looked but I understand the yanks rate this type of technology highly.

Cheers
Mate of mine got a gel pad from here http://www.amspecialtiesusa.com/gelpad.htm

Swears by it.

[mstriumph]

wat's WRONG with sheepskin???

that's positively unantipodean!!

after all - a couple of million baaaaaarbara's can't be wrong??

mutter mutter mutter

[jrandom]

wat's WRONG with sheepskin???

they smell funny in the rain, and look ghey.

[Patrick]

wat's WRONG with sheepskin???

that's positively unantipodean!!

after all - a couple of million baaaaaarbara's can't be wrong??

mutter mutter mutter

How does sheepskin go in the wet??? (Honest question here, not a dig...)

[WRT]

Anywhere in NZ that stocks the gel pads? Would be quite keen on them, but would like to make sure they are going to be the right size for the seat. I hate buying things "site unseen", especially when they come in several different shapes and sizes.

[Lou Girardin]

How does sheepskin go in the wet??? (Honest question here, not a dig...)

Sheep like it.

[Beemer]

Get it reshaped at McDonald's

Thanks, but my arse has already been reshaped by McDonald's thanks very much!

Seriously, I most likely will need a new seat made - as mentioned (and you can see by my avatar), the Goose seat is basically a dense foam pad similar to the stuff you get in gardening kneelers - it doesn't so much need reshaping as having extra padding added to it. The gel pads sound a good idea, I may investigate that further - but as WRT says, what size would be right - it's not like the Goose is a known brand in the US!

And sheepskin does look very poofy unless it's still attached to a sheep, and they smell revolting when wet.

[Paul in NZ]

And sheepskin does look very poofy unless it's still attached to a sheep, and they smell revolting when wet.

True but since we pay about $8 for them at the local sallies and throw them out once they are manky... Who cares...

If you contact a gel seat person just trace out the size of your existing pad and fax it or send meaurements. That style of seat is not uncommon.

Still. Up to you

You can make a new seat base out of alloy and get it uphostered but it will raise you in the saddle a lot and cange everything from wrist angle to foot position. Maybe just use the Goose for the twisties and it might be cheaper to buy a tourer for the long stuff...

Then again, I know what it's like to have a fave you want to keep using.

[Bonez]

they smell funny in the rain, and look ghey. Better to look ghey and comfortable than gay and have a pain in the arse. :drinkup:

[mstriumph]

How does sheepskin go in the wet??? (Honest question here, not a dig...)

wet?

you mean you get your bike WET? :dodge:
------------------------------------------

seriously [yep - i can be, but not often :rolleyes: ] it probably goes soggy in the wet .... but this is west australia so i don't have much chance to find out.
when i lived/commuted in wellington i found that "keep on riding" tended to keep it dry it's butt lol] - that and undercover parking at each end .......

[mstriumph]

they smell funny in the rain, and look ghey.

i'll bet the economy is thanking the powers that ten million sheep don't think the way that you do ............... :laugh:

... but come to think of it, wet sheep DO smell a bit .... fishy ......
hmmmmmm - mebbe that's an aphrodesiac iffen you are a sheep of the ghey variety?

[Bonez]

i'll bet the economy is thanking the powers that ten million sheep don't think the way that you do ............... :laugh:

... but come to think of it, wet sheep DO smell a bit .... fishy ......
hmmmmmm - mebbe that's an aphrodesiac iffen you are a sheep of the ghey variety?Time to toss in a few sheep jokes gal. :spudwave:

[Blackbird]

Seriously, I most likely will need a new seat made - as mentioned (and you can see by my avatar), the Goose seat is basically a dense foam pad similar to the stuff you get in gardening kneelers - it doesn't so much need reshaping as having extra padding added to it. .

Fer God's sake woman :argh: , that's what McDonald's did to my Blackbird. I had the "full works" - all that was left was the seat base. They stripped all the foam off it and completely rebuilt it using different density foams. I take it that you actually have a metal or plastic base on your deat which new foam can be laid up on?

[Paul in NZ]

Fer God's sake woman :argh: , that's what McDonald's did to my Blackbird. I had the "full works" - all that was left was the seat base. They stripped all the foam off it and completely rebuilt it using different density foams. I take it that you actually have a metal or plastic base on your deat which new foam can be laid up on?

I think the Goose just has a piece of foam glued to the tailpiece... AKA racebike...

[Blackbird]

Ouch - that DOES sound uncomfortable

[Beemer]

I think the Goose just has a piece of foam glued to the tailpiece... AKA racebike...

I haven't tried taking it off yet, but that's what it appears to be - a dense foam pad (NOT a vinyl-covered foam pad) that is held on the bike with a single screw through the pad towards the front. It may well be attached to a base but it doesn't appear to be at first glance. As for the pillion pad - that is pretty much what Paul says - an even thinner piece of foam that covers a small storage area! I would definitely NOT want to be sitting on that for long!

So I'm thinking it would be a new seat from scratch rather than a rebuild - has anyone had this done?

[Oakie]

I cut up a sheepskin a couple of weeks ago just to use on long trips, but just for the hell of it I threw it on for the 10km commute this morning. Luxury ... pure bloody comfort. It's like wiping your ass with 4 ply extra soft dunny paper after you've previously been using sandpaper. :love:

[Paul in NZ]

I haven't tried taking it off yet, but that's what it appears to be - a dense foam pad (NOT a vinyl-covered foam pad) that is held on the bike with a single screw through the pad towards the front. It may well be attached to a base but it doesn't appear to be at first glance. As for the pillion pad - that is pretty much what Paul says - an even thinner piece of foam that covers a small storage area! I would definitely NOT want to be sitting on that for long!

So I'm thinking it would be a new seat from scratch rather than a rebuild - has anyone had this done?

Yes, but you need a base to upholster to. Get a sheet of alloy (old road signs are usefull here ah hem) and cut it to shape. Sort out the fixings (ie how are you going to attach it)

Start with a thin layer of VERY dense foam, add a layer of less dense etc and get it covered.

Voila

[Groins_NZ]

I've got a Suzuki Goose and the seat on it is incredibly thin and hard - it's basically a dense foam pad (not a vinyl covered foam one like most seats) that is only a couple of inches thick.

I've only had the bike six months and it's already created problems that required surgery - no bull! Female motorcyclists and cyclists suffer from cysts in delicate parts of our anatomy, caused solely by pressure from hard bike seats. As you can imagine, I don't want to experience this again but I also don't want to give up motorcycling or change the bike. My specialist suggested padded cycling shorts under my bike gear, but I have a big enough bum as it is without EXTRA padding, so I think changing the seat is a better option.

Any ideas on how to go about this? The seat seems to be attached by a single screw, but it's not a standard sort of seat and I doubt I'd be able to replace it with anything from another bike. Can a seat be made with better padding - and if so, who does them? I don't really want to use a sheepskin either, so any suggestions would be welcome.


Give up motorcycling?

[TLDV8]

I can't remember where i saw it,might have been Sargent seats in the US..but it was a bladder type seat cushion that you could put air into. (fwiw)

[clint640]

I would call a few of the local auto/marine upholsterers, they won't all have bike seat expertise but chances are there'll be someone who can help you.
Improving on most motorbike seats is not rocket science by any means, making a truly great seat is a bit of a rare talent tho.

Cheers
Clint

[F5 Dave]

Well check this out for a comfy seat & no the gloves usually aren’t there. Add the unyielding seat to the scrunched up riding position (I’m no midget, average sizing) & what are you complaining about? :whistle:

But seriously folks, my YZF had a thin seat & I got Charmans to recover it & stick another layer of foam in it. Quite cheap too.

While not a miracle it is much better. Try this & send away for some outside gel pads, apparently they are only any chop when mounted on top of the seat.

[Cajun]

My father in law is owner of McDonald Motor Trimmers.

Anything is possible, evne tho seat is only pretty much a piece of board with a bit of foam glued to it, we can recover it.

Most seats use to 'soft' foam. they are nice and soft when new, but after a few km/h get compressed and turn hard. and next to useless.

We are based in Tauranga. But you can courier seat to us, we work our magic and courier it back to you. We have a qualityed metal fabiactor working with us, so we can modify/make/fix anything that we need. But what i remember from riding a goose. 2 years ago i am pretty sure we can work something out. If ya can take a couple of digital pictures of your seat, would be best

Send me a pm, and i let you know more

BTW
Those gel pads - are okay, not great, unless done correctly the gel in middle could cause more damage, they need be inserted in to a 'pocket' so don't damage the foam/vinyl cover.

[Beemer]

Thanks Cajun, far better suggestion than Groins - give up motorcycling - what are ya?

And just to clarify something in one of my earlier posts, when I said my seat had already been reshaped by McDonald's, I was being fascetious - I meant my arse had been reshaped by eating at McDonald's (the fast food chain), NOT that my bike seat had been unsuccessfully reshaped by McDonalds, the motor trimmers! I just got a PM from someone saying they had their seat reshaped by them and he was sure they'd fix it if I wasn't happy!

What I'll probably do is have a chat to a few people who know way more about seats than I do, figure out the best option, then probably get in touch with someone like McDonalds to do the work. It does need doing, I love the bike but it's like sitting on a 4x2! The other option is already being explored - I'm having my spare boots built up to see if it makes enough of a difference for me NOT to sell the Beemer. If I keep that bike, then the seat isn't a problem!

[magicfairy]

I had a seat lowered by McDonalds and I was really pleased with the job they did.
Very quick , it was couried back the day after they got it, looked great and although the seat was now thinner, the superior foam made it much more comfortable.

[inlinefour]

I've got a Suzuki Goose and the seat on it is incredibly thin and hard - it's basically a dense foam pad (not a vinyl covered foam one like most seats) that is only a couple of inches thick.

I've only had the bike six months and it's already created problems that required surgery - no bull! Female motorcyclists and cyclists suffer from cysts in delicate parts of our anatomy, caused solely by pressure from hard bike seats. As you can imagine, I don't want to experience this again but I also don't want to give up motorcycling or change the bike. My specialist suggested padded cycling shorts under my bike gear, but I have a big enough bum as it is without EXTRA padding, so I think changing the seat is a better option.

Any ideas on how to go about this? The seat seems to be attached by a single screw, but it's not a standard sort of seat and I doubt I'd be able to replace it with anything from another bike. Can a seat be made with better padding - and if so, who does them? I don't really want to use a sheepskin either, so any suggestions would be welcome.

Was not used to it at all. Rode it for a while and once I got more keen and got the riding pants out, all my sore arse troubles kinda ceased. :mellow:

[Beemer]

Was not used to it at all. Rode it for a while and once I got more keen and got the riding pants out, all my sore arse troubles kinda ceased. :mellow:

Sorry, but it's not a matter of "getting used to it" - I've just come out of hospital after being operated on for a cyst that was directly caused by the hard seat - so it stands to reason that the more I ride on this hard seat, the more likely I am to have a recurrance! At more than $2000 (private hospital), this is not a path I want to travel down again.

I have proper riding gear, it's a problem that only affects women, so a better padded seat is the only way to improve the situation.

[inlinefour]

Sorry, but it's not a matter of "getting used to it" - I've just come out of hospital after being operated on for a cyst that was directly caused by the hard seat - so it stands to reason that the more I ride on this hard seat, the more likely I am to have a recurrance! At more than $2000 (private hospital), this is not a path I want to travel down again.

I have proper riding gear, it's a problem that only affects women, so a better padded seat is the only way to improve the situation.

I'm just voicing what helped for me. Our anatomy is somewhat different ahe. Seat modification could be a key, I also got my syspension changed on my bike to a softer ride. Dunno if it helped my arse, but it helped the overall ride. I do know that if I was experiencing the problems that you are facing, that I'd also look at what sort of bike I might need to change to. Oh, and I test piloted a bike up north for speedygirl. It had one of those sheepskin covers on it. Without a word of a lie, it was the most comfortable thing I have ever sat on <_<

[Bonez]

Oh, and I test piloted a bike up north for speedygirl. It had one of those sheepskin covers on it. Without a word of a lie, it was the most comfortable thing I have ever sat on <_< It's a petty some folk cannot grasp that simple concept. Peer pressure sucks.

[inlinefour]

It's a petty some folk cannot grasp that simple concept. Peer pressure sucks.

You mean people are making others not put a sheepskin onto their bike seat? Anyone is welcome to ride with me on the sprotbike, with accessories, on whatever bike of their choice. The only thing I really remember from my teenage years is being on the out with the "cool" crew. I was never good at doing what they said we should do, or anyone else for that matter. Not much has changed when I think about it... :blink:

[heavenly.talker]

Thanks, but my arse has already been reshaped by McDonald's thanks very much!


This was going to be my suggestion grow a bigger arse for some more cushioning...lol

This is what I did in my case lol!


Reading that you have been working on this option and it's not giving you comfort I would suggest you go down to a upholsterer. They will take the seat, rip the covering off and reshape it to fit the ...um...forementioned area :-) This means it will still fit onto the bike with no problem.

You will then have as much comfort and support that you need to minimise any potential pressure spots :-)

Sometimes being a girl sucks huh!

It only costs a couple of hundred to get this done. Well worth it! :niceone: :sunny:

[FROSTY]

Beemer-try the sheepskin route. --Heres the secret though-get a BLACK sheepskin and dont use the long "hair" version -the best are short hair.
if the skin is black it doesnt get noticed and definitely makes a big difference to ride comfort.

[Bonez]

Beemer-try the sheepskin route. --Heres the secret though-get a BLACK sheepskin and dont use the long "hair" version -the best are short hair.
if the skin is black it doesnt get noticed and definitely makes a big difference to ride comfort.Sheep skins also protect the m/c "seat" from harmfull UV rays. Shit that sounds like a sun lotion ad. Also easy on ya piles.

[FROSTY]

Thinking about it--Im kinda wondering if your goose has had the seat modified beemer.
Im sure the goose has a normal sprotbike seat--ie 30mm of foam with a Vynle cover

[Jackrat]

I had this seat done by an upholsterer in Pukekohe.
It has velcro holding it in place and even though it's only about an inch thick it's very comfortable.
I just asked him to make me a comfy seat an came away very happy.

[Bonez]

I had this seat done by an upholsterer in Pukekohe.
It has velcro holding it in place and even though it's only about an inch thick it's very comfortable.
I just asked him to make me a comfy seat an came away very happy.
Looking good JR. Ace bars next is it?

[Jackrat]

Looking good JR. Ace bars next is it?

Nope,I got em' already but they don't look right with the 16 inch back wheel.
Will go to an RD400 18inch back wheel once I get round to finding an paying for one.I've been dragging the chain on that because the RD set up is a disc rear and I'll have to change/add other things to make it all work.
And all that has to wait because I have no shed to do anything in anyway.
We're in a state of transition at the moment so everything is on hold for a while.

[Beemer]

Thinking about it--Im kinda wondering if your goose has had the seat modified beemer.
Im sure the goose has a normal sprotbike seat--ie 30mm of foam with a Vynle cover

Bought it new, stock standard. The seat has a tiny plastic bit that the bulk of the foam is attached to, and the rest of the foam (like on garden kneelers and bed rolls but heavier) sort of hangs off the edge of this and moulds itself to the shape of the bike - if that makes sense! No vinyl cover, which is why reshaping it with different foam isn't an easy option - there is nothing that covers it so a cover would need to be made.

May have to steal the cat's short-haired black lambskin off the husband - he's been using it!

[oldrider]

So what has happened to the seat? Or is this just another one of those drift off into the ethos of threads with no outcome.
I really want to know what happened. Seriously, how did you solve the problem?:spudwhat:and how's your :moon: Cheers John.

[Beemer]

So what has happened to the seat? Or is this just another one of those drift off into the ethos of threads with no outcome.
I really want to know what happened. Seriously, how did you solve the problem?:spudwhat:and how's your :moon: Cheers John.

Well, nothing so far, took it for the first ride since hospital on Tuesday and it certainly hadn't softened any! I'm going to look around for a nice short sheepskin (black, of course!) and give that a try. I did have my boots built up so I could perhaps ride the Beemer with more confidence, but I don't think that is a goer. It has made a difference but not a huge one, and it hasn't altered the bike's width or very upright riding position.

Who knows, maybe neither the Goose nor the Beemer are THE bike for me - there may be something just right waiting in the wings - or in the inventor's mind!

Oh, and the arse is just fine, thanks John!

[oldrider]

Boy oh boy, that was quick! Thanks and good luck with it, cheers John.

[Beemer]

Boy oh boy, that was quick! Thanks and good luck with it, cheers John.

Got no work on at present and I've got a rotten cold so nothing much else to do than reply to emails and surf the net!

[trumpy]

Please PM me Beemer with contact info. One of my company's specialties is adaptive seating and I have done bike seating for women with even more severe issues than you (combination of clever foams and careful shaping).
Glad to help if it keeps you riding.

[Kjell]

I don't think the soreness is just a female thing...

After riding the Goose for a couple of hours, over SH1 north, my butt feels like...nope can't think of any family freindly words to say. I usually ride about five hours, stopping for gas and coffee, after a few twistees.

One screw and two pin holes hold the seat on. Not much too it apart from the foam. The gas station I usually stop at on the rides know me now, because I stop and start rubbing my arse.

I have complained to the roading manager up north, he's a dive buddy, he just tells me to get a cruiser, at which I tell him to buy a canoe.

If anyone has any further ideas, let this sore ass know. Seat change, and if possible a cowl to replace the rear 'seat'.

[Paul in NZ]

Check this out...

http://www.mgcycle.com/specials.html

The Pro Pad dry polymer sheepskin covered seat pad .....

Looks the shizz... Has a gell inner I think..

[Beemer]

I don't think the soreness is just a female thing...

After riding the Goose for a couple of hours, over SH1 north, my butt feels like... nope can't think of any family friendly words to say. I usually ride about five hours, stopping for gas and coffee, after a few twistees.

If anyone has any further ideas, let this sore ass know. Seat change, and if possible a cowl to replace the rear 'seat'.

That thin pad on the back would be a pillion's nightmare! The seat is plush compared to that! A cowl would be a nice idea...

As for the soreness only being a female thing, no, I don't think it is, it's just that women have a lot more, shall we say, plumbing in that region that can be aggravated by constant pressure! Unfortunately it's something female cyclists have to contend with as well - and you know how little padding there is in a bicycle seat! Soreness I could put up with because it goes away, but my surgeon said I can carry on riding the Goose as it is, but it's likely I'll be visiting him again in the near future if I do. Considering the cost of the recent operation to remove the resulting cyst, I'd rather spend money on resolving the seat problem than on a hospital visit!

[SARGE]

I can't remember where i saw it,might have been Sargent seats in the US..but it was a bladder type seat cushion that you could put air into. (fwiw)



funny you should mention that ...




i put air into my seat on the way to work after a hard night of Curry and Lion Red