Air Hawk R

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

I just did my first long-ish day ride from Frederick MD to Buena Vista VA and back. I went down to the MG National meet. (no pic i packed everything but a memory card ) I will skip the road stories and just get the the point.

I went on a stock Griso 8V and had a blast but around 300 (431 total) mile mark I was starting to do the saddle dance. Since I am hooked on the Griso and am now hooked on longer rides I would like to set up the seat. I just started looking at the Air Hawk since most people love theirs. The AH R looks like it would fit the bike and my ass. I am asking what do you think? I have never added to a seat and have no experience of my own to pull from.    

[Rincewind]

To a certain degree your butt itself has to be broken in to long distance riding.  If this was your first long day it's to be expected that your butt hurt because it's just not used to it.

During a recent trip I tried an air hawk for a few hours.  I was impressed.  It is nice cushion with only slightly feeling squishy.  

During the same trip I tested the Bead Riders seat beads, which I couldn't stand.  I have had Butt Bufffer medical gel pads installed on another bike, and they were ok but I liked the Air Hawk better for seat modifications.  That said, my favorite aftermarket seat solution was a Sargent Seat that I had bought for a previous bike.  If you plan on keeping your Griso for a lomg time, you may want to consider a new seat.

[steve.ski]

Pretty good smattering of opinions here regarding the airhawk. I tried one and didn't like the detatched feeling while riding.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,72324.0.html

Air vs. Gel

[Justin]

I like beads over my Corbin when it's hot. I'm thinking of an Airhawk for the cooler weather though. Beads suck when it's cold. Anyone I have ever talked to with an airhawk on their bike loved them. The trick is not over inflating. It should just be enough air to lift your butt off the stock seat.

[steve.ski]

I like beads over my Corbin when it's hot. I'm thinking of an Airhawk for the cooler weather though. Beads suck when it's cold. Anyone I have ever talked to with an airhawk on their bike loved them. The trick is not over inflating. It should just be enough air to lift your butt off the stock seat.

Understood on the inflation thing. I tried a bunch of different air pressures, I just could never get it right and got a bit tired of fiddling with it. I realized that I had my gel/memory foam/sheepskin pad patiently waiting for me to use it again. No fiddling with that one, I can just get on and ride.

[doorguy]

I just purchased an Air Hawk R. should get it by the weekend.

I have been using an Air Hawk Medium Cruiser on my 1150 GS's Mayer seat and am fairly pleased.
As mentioned. you only want enough air to get up off the seat. Felt like I moved side to side with too much air.

With Air Hawk's guarantee, I figure I'm only out shipping if I don't like it.

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

Please give me/us a update when you get some seat time with it.

[sprint_st]

Got one a few weeks back.  Ran a couple 300 mile rides and put about 700 miles on it last weekend.  Have an R1200GS.  Put a Sargeant seat on but although better than stock still had "junk" issues plus hard points of the butt.  Air Hawk wasn't perfect but could ride all day without any major problems.  Still had to stand up once in a while, still had to move around some, BUT major discomfort went away.  In all, it is a product I would recommend.

[bomber]

it really is an individual thing . . . . .some love 'hawks, other never get used to em.

Sheepskin buttpad is a less spendy alternative (loved mine til it went walk about), as are taxi driver beads (which I cannot abide) . . .

With the 'Hawk return policy, I'd just jump in -- another person's opinion on the matter is not likely to match your experrience 100%.

[loadedmind]

I've had an airhawk for a few years now.  Personally, I had to remove mine after a few hundred miles despite experimenting with the inflation level.  Each person will have their own experiences as stated by others here, but it just caused more issues for me.  It could be that my airhawk wasn't the right size or something since I used it on a bike I bought after buying the airhawk.  I may end up selling mine and going with a Sargent seat mod.  Like others said, make sure you get a few long distance rides in before settling on a decision.  It could just be that your butt needs to get broken in.

[sprint_st]

Just one last point.  I had the original Airhawk and it was just OK.   The new R is much better.

[HipGnosis]

If you're new to riding long distance, you might (also or first) check into riding shorts or compression shorts.
They're are made of hi-tech material w/o any seams between you and the seat.
I kick myself every first long ride of the year when I forget mine.
I got an AlaskaLeather wool pad to do trips on my BMW, but I found my Ninja 650 needs it more.  

[ConPilot1]

I wouldn't sweat it. 300-400+ miles is a pretty good day for somebody who's not doing that stuff all the time.

I know myself I'm looking to get off the bike for the day around 400.

[vulcanbill]

I concur that it's probably a bit presumptuous to judge your saddle when it is probably very likely that it is your butt that is the weak spot.  The only real way to know for sure is to let me take that same trip on your Griso and I'll let you know if the saddle is up to the task or not.  

I'm an odd bird in that I generally have no issues with stock seats.  In fact, I just swapped the Sargent on the VFR for the stocker for commuting duty.  Think of rides like that as you would think of any other semi vigorous activity.  You wouldn't expect to go out and run sprints for a few hours and have no after affects.  But after running sprints for long enough, you'll no longer be sore.  Same with riding in most cases.  I'd make sure you're giving the bike a fair shake before going to great lengths to mod it for what might not be wrong.    

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

I will look into the shorts.
I have not had a chance to do another longish day,but i will keep working on my butt.

Thanks to all for the help

[sprint_st]

I will look into the shorts.
I have not had a chance to do another longish day,but i will keep working on my butt.

Thanks to all for the help

Riding longer distances has, at least for me, as much to do with what I'm wearing as the saddle.  Certain brands of underwear are almost certain to give me ass rot in a short time.  Blue jeans aren't the greatest either.  Breaks, shifting position, standing up help.  Aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, etc can help too.

[Justin]

I will look into the shorts.
I have not had a chance to do another longish day,but i will keep working on my butt.

Thanks to all for the help

http://www.ldcomfort.com/

The BEST riding under garments available, and worth every penny. There's a reason when you go to different LD and Iron Butt events, that's what everyone is wearing  

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

Thanks Justin   I might save some side money and get them.

[ConPilot1]

Thanks Justin   I might save some side money and get them.

Psst.

Save your cash, go to Walmart and get the "Starter" brand of thin-stretchy wicking nylon underclothes.

Amost 4,000 miles of riding in 2 different trips in 12 days wearing them and no problems.

They're good stuff and much less expensive than the name brand stuff.

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

I will look into that as well.  Thanks