Author Topic: Tips for long distance comfort (Read 7318 times)

dickturpin · « **on:** 01 June 2018, 07:44:41 pm »

So, yesterday I rode back from Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre to my home on the Yorkshire coast. About 350 miles over 11 hours as I took the scenic route.
Much as I love my fazer I do have an issue with comfort on a long haul...admitidly it would probably be he same on any bike after that duration.
I have tried putting different foam in the seat and that has helped.
So what is the secret to comfort on long trips? Share your secrets here.....

robbo · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 June 2018, 08:07:41 pm »

Since last year I've used Moto Skiveez, which are similar to cycle shorts but are dedicated for motorcycling. They come in 3 styles depending on the type of bike you ride (adventure,sport,cruiser) so that the padding is in the right places. I chose the adventure, not cheap, but they do work. I've done 600 mile plus days with no problem, and I'm certainly no spring chicken. They are particularly useful if you have more than one bike, or borrow your mates, as you'll always be comfortable no matter what.

Dudeofrude · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 June 2018, 08:08:18 pm »

Buy a goldwing...... or a car 😋😝

red98 · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 June 2018, 08:10:20 pm »

Regular stops for me .....I have drained the tank without a stop before but generally I need a stretch at about 100 miles , depends what sort of riding , when iam up in scotland with great A roads and scenery I'll ride all day no problem , stick me on a motorway and I need a break at 50 miles......

fazersharp · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 June 2018, 08:40:11 pm »

Quote from: Dudeofrude on 01 June 2018, 08:08:18 pm

Buy a goldwing...... or a car 😋😝

That amount of time in a car is just as bad, I think I can sit longer on my bike than I can in my car.

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 June 2018, 10:12:20 pm »

How tall are you? If you are over 6 foot then you will have problems getting comfortable all day, I can only suggest stopping for plenty of breaks.

I recently rode 537 miles in one day and by the time I got home I was about seized up - the last 50 miles was where pain set in. I had lots of breaks where I could walk around, plenty of coffee and a few smokes but as I have now quit the fags I'll just have to walk around breathing in fresh air...

Bretty · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 June 2018, 11:28:35 pm »

I literally today got a secondhand seat with the intention of experimenting, reshaping, adding gel inserts and recovering.
I do loads of touring. Anything beyond 200miles / 3hrs is torture! on my 600.

I think I want to go a little firmer and build the nose up a little.

steve 10562cc · « **Reply #7 on:** 02 June 2018, 07:01:46 am »

Buy an FZ1 gen2 enforced rests stops built in to the bike as standard

they only do about 100miles per tank of fuel if your lucky

dickturpin · « **Reply #8 on:** 02 June 2018, 08:03:40 am »

6' tall so knee comfort is an issue later in a long journey but biggest problem for me is butt ache! I may try some sort of foam top-up cushion...those shorts mentioned look interesting though.

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #9 on:** 02 June 2018, 12:14:26 pm »

Butt ache does set in quite early.
Best mod I did to my FJ1200 was to have the seat re-upholstered with an extra inch of foam added. Superbly comfortable but the downside was that I also had to raise the handlebars by an inch. Cost about £100.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #10 on:** 02 June 2018, 12:37:01 pm »

Man the f**k up

948 miles is the most I've done in one hit. Coped with that by having plenty of short rest stops (coffee, fag, and back on the road), less than 100 miles between stops. Usually, I'll have a little walk around while stopped. A longer break for lunch.
I have found that merino wool boxer shorts make for a much more comfortable experience, although I still get a bit saddle sore on a trip of that length. Last time that was largely due to the heat though, that had been with me throughout a two week tour, riding every day but one. I still have the standard seat, no modifications, on mine, so could probably improve matters there a bit, but it has never seemed that bad (i.e., bad enough to spend money

).

Dudeofrude · « **Reply #11 on:** 02 June 2018, 02:59:36 pm »

Quote from: steve 10562cc on 02 June 2018, 07:01:46 am

Buy an FZ1 gen2 enforced rests stops built in to the bike as standard they only do about 100miles per tank of fuel if your lucky

Haha finally another gen2 owner that gets mileage as shit as mine 😅

Gnasher · « **Reply #12 on:** 02 June 2018, 03:05:58 pm »

Ride more it's just like riding a horse if you don't do it enough you get saddle sore

Bretty · « **Reply #13 on:** 02 June 2018, 03:34:56 pm »

I don't really do 'manning up', but the man in me does do fixing and improving stuff. I'll have this project on the go this week...

Trebus · « **Reply #14 on:** 02 June 2018, 10:01:32 pm »

Ive got one of these and they do work
https://www.bumbags4bikers.co.uk/BumBags/p1264230_5788757.aspx

Mick-H · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 June 2018, 10:36:02 pm »

Quote from: Gnasher on 02 June 2018, 03:05:58 pm

Ride more it's just like riding a horse if you don't do it enough you get saddle sore

+1
Try a Corbin. loved mine very firm to say the least but also very supportive.

celticbiker · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 June 2018, 07:48:49 am »

Quote from: Mick-H on 02 June 2018, 10:36:02 pm

Quote from: Gnasher on 02 June 2018, 03:05:58 pm
Ride more it's just like riding a horse if you don't do it enough you get saddle sore

+1
Try a Corbin. loved mine very firm to say the least but also very supportive.

Sounds like my Mrs

Reshaping the seat to suit yourself is the way to go Bretty but building up the nose is a mistake, it'll put huge amounts of pressure on your lower back.
I did a TDM seat a couple of years ago. Got one off ebay that had the front built up (that's how I know) and reshaped it to suit.

Bretty · « **Reply #17 on:** 03 June 2018, 11:27:36 am »

What's that composite foam you've use and where do you get it? Getting the right density / firmness is difficult when buying foam over the internet.

Rather than build up the nose, I just want the seat pan area to have a slight backwards tilt, as I feel like I'm sat on the slope pushing me forwards.

Bretty · « **Reply #18 on:** 03 June 2018, 11:30:28 am »

I do have an interesting idea for fitting some adjustability.... Cheap cheap air wedge.. And if it doesn't work, I just leave it deflated with the seat standard.

dickturpin · « **Reply #19 on:** 03 June 2018, 04:56:16 pm »

Quote from: Bretty on 03 June 2018, 11:30:28 am

I do have an interesting idea for fitting some adjustability.... Cheap cheap air wedge.. And if it doesn't work, I just leave it deflated with the seat standard.

Now that looks like an interesting idea...

5LV · « **Reply #20 on:** 03 June 2018, 09:56:38 pm »

Did le Havre to Rome on the 1000 non stop.
Crampbuster for the throttle, decent screen for protection and slightly jacked pegs which took the weight off the base of the spine.
Did my place to Rome in 22 hrs.

Bretty · « **Reply #21 on:** 05 June 2018, 09:19:58 am »

I don't think I will go to this much trouble.. but it wouldn't impossible to fit a set of air pads like this into the seat With the valves poking out the bottom of the base to allow 100% adjustability. Only £30 for the set.

This has the gears going in my head.. although I generally believe that keeping things simple is best.

dickturpin · « **Reply #22 on:** 05 June 2018, 03:29:31 pm »

Quote from: Bretty on 05 June 2018, 09:19:58 am

I don't think I will go to this much trouble.. but it wouldn't impossible to fit a set of air pads like this into the seat With the valves poking out the bottom of the base to allow 100% adjustability. Only £30 for the set.

This has the gears going in my head.. although I generally believe that keeping things simple is best.

Your idea got me thinking also...the air wedges on ebay sell for just a few quid and the rubber pump bulb could be left attached for adjustments without any fear of scratches. I just think the 160mm square ones maybe a tad too small.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F222465362947

D

red98 · « **Reply #23 on:** 05 June 2018, 07:28:26 pm »

mmmmmmmmm got me thinking too....

slappy · « **Reply #24 on:** 05 June 2018, 08:44:34 pm »

Never mind sticking the air bags in the seat, just shove them down the back of your pants.