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.

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?

[nathanwhite]

Clearly you are doing it wrong.

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

[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 . 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).

[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.