Hi guys, just joined the forum. I just got back from the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Pkwy on my 2010 Cross Bones. Past experience with my 2001 FXSTI convinced me to install a gell pad in the new Bones seat. It was a great ride, except that it rained for 4 of the 6 days, and I was staying in a tent.

After 2100 miles I have a good perspective on the Bones ride. I had to learn a new way to hang onto the handlebars, to keep hy hand from going numb, and I had to stop about half way through a tank of gas to get off and let the blood flow back into my butt.

Do any of you have suggestions for making the ride more comfortable?

 

Sounds as though you need to rethink the ergonomics of your bike.
Get rid of the overpadded seat, change grips, adjust or change the handlebars. I've never had any of the issues you mention on my Bones. I'm 5,10 180 lbs. The most comfortable seat HD makes is the unpadded version of your seat. It ain't about the amount of padding/gel. It's about the shape. As to having to find a new way to hang on to the bars.........Something ain't adjusted properly.
The two most comfortable seats I own are the one on my Bones (HD) and the one on my Hawk GT (Corbin). None of them are soft seats. And I have a Corbin coming for my WR also.

 

Have you had your springer front end serviced...many of them are set up WAY too tight at delivery.

I've ridden my bones all day long and have never had any comfort issues.

 

meatsack - how can I tell if my setup is too tight?

 

Either buy a manual and check the springer settings yourself or take it to a shop. Mine were set up tight from the factory (common problem). Though the front was stiff...it wasn't a horrible ride. The dealer adjusted mine properly at 500 mile inspection...cost $85.00.

 

i put the barebones saddle on mines and 16'' apes now i love life on her. i went from a 2007 street bob and hateded it bc that stock saddle blows... btw where you get ur back rest deal that looks wicked i want ones now just bc.... PM me


russ

 

I'm 5'1" and rode my bones across Canada and USA and back. I had a Mustang seat but hated it as it constantly irritated my tail bone injury. I've reinstalled the original seat with shorter springs and a lowering kit so I'm once again flatfooted on the ground. I also had to move the handlebars in just a wee bit closer. My ride can't get any better. I love my bones.

 

Mine is a very comfortable ride as well. I have a windshield that I use when I'm doing a lot of freeway riding, otherwise at over 55mph I have to "hang on" to the bars. I also have an aftermarket seat with more back support and it's lower.

 

I agree, I changed to a less padded seat but upswept in the back, I rode the entire Blue Ridge in June and brought a gel pad just in case. Last year I used it with the stock seat but never used it once in 1400 miles with the new less padded seat. The upsweep in the back takes some pressure off my backside.

 

as far as hand going numb, i had the same problem, its from squeezing the grip to hard wile riding....i bought a flap thingy that velcros to the grip and has a paddle thing that you can just push down with your palm...works sweet, you can kinda see it in this pic