Yep, seamless cotton undies are the dog's danglies
(no pokey underwires are a must too... only relevant to some, obviously... in saying that though, I remember a deft trick by Tiffany Coates that made great use of the underwire... okay, maybe only comfy ones then)

Besides the sheepskin - which I used for sizable trip, but ended up putting out to pasture because I just started to get grossed out by it LOL - get hold of a gel pad. The ones used under horse saddles to prevent discomfort/chaffing are perfect. Nothing like a lovely cushioning for your tushy!

You could always include regular seat shuffling and clenching to get the blood flow going, if all else fails!

And on the 'tired' side of things:
Fluid intake is crucial! If you keep yourself hydrated, you are less likely to be fatigued because of dehydration (which is an automatic 10% loss of 'oomph'!... apparantly). Invest in a camel bak.

And SING

Sing to yourself, take photo breaks (which will get your poor hiney out of the seat for a while) and keep your brain awake. If you spend 30 minutes looking for anything purple whilst riding (for example), you're more likely to be more alert than if you were just day dreaming about the beach you were to reach in 3 hours time (which you wouldn't be able to do anything on because of having to wait half an hour for your left butt cheek to revive... unless you're the 'make an entrance' type, and don't mind throwing yourself off your bike in order to get off )

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I did Mexico a few years back on a 1200 Triumph Trophy. The seat was a real rectal reorganizer after about a hundred miles or so. You know the story: Left cheek ho, right cheek ho, stand on the pegs, the spreadeagle strech, left leg back, right leg back, etc,etc.. I stopped for gas in Monterrey and they had line of small inflatable kiddie toys hanging up. I chose Kermit the Frog. I looked at him and said "Kermit, this is gonna hurt you more than it will me". I sat on Kermit for the duration of the trip. I got some horrified stares from kids in passing cars looking at Kermits little arms and legs and bulging eyes sticking out from under my butt. They'd give me the kid look equivalent of "Bastardo!". I'd look back with the "Oh yeah well what?" look. Anyway, I now have become a fan (already mentioned) of the Airhawk seat. It's a bit pricey but when we're talking butts, its like sitting on a cloud. Don't inflate it too much though. Do as they recommend in the instructions. Smooth riding, Smitty

I use an Airhawk which is brilliant. A recent 3500kms in five days without so much as a twinge. The negatives are the extra inch or so it adds to ride height, which can effect exposure to wind and make it more difficult to reach the ground (at least on my high Pegaso), and they don't have a very good setup for attaching to the original seat. Nevertheless, I don't hesitate to use it for long rides.

I don't think you can beat a quality custom seat, such as a Corbin, but if you don't want to invest 5 or 6 hundred bucks on a seat the Airhawk is the best cushion I've ever used.

I tie mine on using leather workboot shoelaces. Pull the laces through each of the attaching eyes on the seat and lash the two ends of the leather lace together just below the attaching eyes with(i used fine polypropolene thread) thread. Now the laces are double strength. Depending on the bike you can tie them off to the frame below. Works great, seat doesn't move, and looks good too! Being leather, the laces tie off well and don't come loose.

Easiest way to attach a sheepskin - double sided tape

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Rich
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/richardandlisa
www.youtube.com/richparkie

Score! Three magic words that will solve anyone's arse complaints:

AIRHAWK. AIRHAWK. AIRHAWK.

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http://ridefar.typepad.com

i used a full shepskin on a recent 8500m trip round N/W Africa great for sitting on on/off the bike great for sleeping on . i fixed it to the bike with a long thin bit of inner tube cut spiraly this also held the seat inplace on my 1100gs when the locks broke/jammed with sand in the desert & made removing both the sheepskin & the seat quick & easy . keep the sheepskin full it makes nice backrest & great to sleep on even in a hamock it keeps you warm.
cheers Kev

Im a CHEAPSKATE! so what I find is this.... you know those Beaded cushions the Taxi Drivers used to/ still use in Hot Countries?

Get one, a bust one is ok.... measure to fit seat plus 2 inches/50mm.(4 beads more each side.....) cut it 50mm bigger still, remove the "extra" extra beads and tie off. fix 2 elastic or 3 if you like straps to the cover, so it fits on the seat, VOILA, Comfy Bum! no sweat..... as air circulates, you also get a "Bum Massage" as you ride! so no more Numb Bum......

Martyn

Ordered an Airhawk but ended with a Corbin seat I really like. Now the new Airhawk(small) is for sale $100

I upgraded my R1200GS seat to a Sargent and then added a sheepskin from <Alaska Leather> Home of the Sheepskin Buttpad - Motorcycle Seat Cover What a difference. On a tour of Canada last year my butt BURNED on the stock seat. Now, it is like sitting in a recliner!
Also, while I love BMWs (only bike I have ever ridden), but their stock seats are terrible. I believe after the war the Nazi doctors were unemployed and they all got jobs designing seats for BMW.

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Ride Safe!
Kurt Nugent

My Motorcycle Travel Site
My Photography Site
Where is Kurt???

Glad I'm not the only one, my latest refrain is:

"My new helmet is greeaatt! My helmet is quiii-et! My visor don't steeaam uppp...."

The acoustics in there are fantastic. Anyone else make stuff up or do you stcik to the classics? ..."Got ma motor runnin...head out on the highway..."

Or am I just going nuts in this damn office job...

Matt

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

I bought a sheepskin halfway across Africa, as I was experiencing coccygeal calamity after 40 miles. A tailor in Kenya sewed it on - not ideal after rain, but it dried quickish in the sun. It didn't make a huge difference to the backside situation apart from allowing free movement of air under the nether parts, which is a bonus.

The things that have made the biggest difference to my gluteal gemutlichkeit are
1) Snug undies. Loose fitting boxers are the devil.
B) Buying a CB1000 - leaning forward a bit, and having a saddle the size of Heathrow airport allow all day comfort (downstairs anyway.)

I don't think it's quite the bike for a TDF - Alaska trip, so I'm probably going to buy an Airhawk for whatever I swap the CB for in 6 months.

You might want to take up smoking - it's a great excuse to stop every hour, although there's a vocal minority of doctors who insist the health benefits aren't all they're cracked up to be

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Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick