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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 29 Dec 2008
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Air hawk custom seat
Another seating idea,There seems to have been quite a few threads of late about cusome seating. I just had an idea, how about buying a airhawk then removing 'x' amount of foam from seat and then re-straching the seat cover back over and restaple?
Before I go out and try this..they are not cheep! There seems to be many people who love their airhawk is there any one who does't?
Thanks George
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  #2  
Old 29 Dec 2008
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yes......but.....
It's achievable, but.........what about the inflation tube? It sticks out the back left corner to inflate / deflate the airhawk. I suppose you could leave a slot or buttonhole to get to it but why bother? Just use it as it is supposed to.

Roger.
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  #3  
Old 29 Dec 2008
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OK thanks I will get one and then go from there, I will report back if I do it.
George
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Old 30 Dec 2008
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Sorry.... I quite like mine ;-)

It extended my comfort range on the CBF from 50 miles before I had to stop and get the blood running through my legs again to 100 miles.

Just use it as it's designed - it adds hardly any height to your seating position.

m
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  #5  
Old 30 Dec 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerfromsark View Post
Another seating idea,There seems to have been quite a few threads of late about cusome seating. I just had an idea, how about buying a airhawk then removing 'x' amount of foam from seat and then re-straching the seat cover back over and restaple?
Before I go out and try this..they are not cheep! There seems to be many people who love their airhawk is there any one who does't?
Thanks George
Been there and done that

I have installed an airhawk under the seat and I can tell you that after riding around OZ for the past 4 months and clocking up 35,000km it is the ducks nuts!

I posted a thread over at the VSRI forum

This is a photo of the finished seat, not the best looking around, but you need slack to allow bladder movement.




I love my airhawk and would not consider riding without it. I just recently traded my 06 bike on an 09 version with ABS, I swapped seats so I could keep the airhawk


So, bikerfromsark, go for it, it works, I have even had comments from people saying how soft my seat looks

Cheers
TravellingStrom
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  #6  
Old 15 Jan 2009
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The above look good solutions.

I sold my airhawk, as, to me, it created more problems than it solved..
Contrary to popular belief, they do not stop numb bumb just prolong the onset.

My own 650 Transalp seat was ok for about hour, I cut and replaced a section of foam, giving a 2 - 2 1/2 hrs or so until I get some discomfort (similar to 1hr as stock).

The air hawk gave maybe 3 hrs max to get to the same point.

Downsides to the Airhawk;

* On cold motorway journeys, my legs funnel air which travels through the seat & 'blows' up my lower back giving me a cold bum/lower back - More discomfort than a numb bumb!
* They get wet and seem to hold lots of water which is not nice.
* They move around when getting on/off the bike.
* Need quite a bit of fiddling to get the inflation right.

Couple all the above with they look ugly, are very expensive, nickable and easily punctuerd....

Phil
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  #7  
Old 15 Jan 2009
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Numb bum
A triangular piece of sheepskin, with pelt, is ideal. It gives you warmth, air circulation, and isn't clammy like the gel pads. I've just come back from an 18k km trip Oslo-Goa, used the skin every day, and had a minimum of bum related problems. My route took me to both hot and cold enviroments, and the sheepskin took care of my seat under all conditions. It is of course easy to detach and steal, but went into my pannier, when I took the inner bag into hotels.
Peter, in Oslo
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