Tips to improve comfort?
Supporter
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 12
From: Monroe, NC
I do Iron Butt rides ranging from a 1000 to 10k miles in short amounts of time. I have a 49 state in 10 day ride coming up next month, 11k miles from NC.
Best suggestions are these.
Get a good seat, either a Mustang or Corbin seat with a backrest ( I have a Mustang Seat for sale on the classifieds now)
Get some highway pegs and set them up to offer yourself as many foot positions as possible. I have a set of Long Adjustable mounts and they are even with the brake so you can move your feet around and stretch.
I ride without getting off for about 2 tanks, filling up while seated but on the second stop I get off and stretch your back and lower legs.
Last suggestion is never lock your elbows while riding. If you lock your elbows it transfers a lot of the movement from the handle bars to your shoulders which will lead to upper back and shoulder pain
Hope this helps. Setting the be up for long distance is trial and error and takes some time to get the rider configuration for yourself but when you do you can spend countless hours on the seat with little to no pain.
Best suggestions are these.
Get a good seat, either a Mustang or Corbin seat with a backrest ( I have a Mustang Seat for sale on the classifieds now)
Get some highway pegs and set them up to offer yourself as many foot positions as possible. I have a set of Long Adjustable mounts and they are even with the brake so you can move your feet around and stretch.
I ride without getting off for about 2 tanks, filling up while seated but on the second stop I get off and stretch your back and lower legs.
Last suggestion is never lock your elbows while riding. If you lock your elbows it transfers a lot of the movement from the handle bars to your shoulders which will lead to upper back and shoulder pain
Hope this helps. Setting the be up for long distance is trial and error and takes some time to get the rider configuration for yourself but when you do you can spend countless hours on the seat with little to no pain.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 3
From: Third Coast TX
A seat cover (Sheepskin) makes a huge difference on multi-day runs. Use it on alternate days to make a noticeable difference.
I made one back in 2003 and still use it. Takes 30min and cost $9, I dyed mine Gray.
Here's a pic of my 01 FLHT with it installed:
from the "Wash-Mit" plans on Gadgets site: http://www.gadgetjq.com/sheepskin_cover.htm
It makes a huge difference in hot or cold weather. When it gets rained on it dries quickly. I always thought that they looked Funky..but it beats a red Butt.
I made one back in 2003 and still use it. Takes 30min and cost $9, I dyed mine Gray.
Here's a pic of my 01 FLHT with it installed:
from the "Wash-Mit" plans on Gadgets site: http://www.gadgetjq.com/sheepskin_cover.htm
It makes a huge difference in hot or cold weather. When it gets rained on it dries quickly. I always thought that they looked Funky..but it beats a red Butt.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 927
Likes: 256
From: North Arkansas
I catch myself doing this... and know better. Shopping for diff bars as soon as i get some $$
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 4
From: On. Canada
Anti Monkey Butt!!! Trust me...it works wonders on the a$$!
For him:
Attachment 377201
For her:
Attachment 377202
For him:
Attachment 377201
For her:
Attachment 377202
I'm not very comfortable with the OEM handlebar and am looking to install 12-14 inch Apes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
I think we all have things that work for us---all great ideas. As for me, being an avid cyclist, who does a few 100 milers every riding season---I can't wear my riding shorts on the Harley because my shorts are snug (as they should be) because they should not move with the motion of pedaling. If they work for you--Cool!
I do wear compression shorts from under armor tho---I buy them to fit just a little bit looser than my cycling shorts and I buy the ones that have the venting in the butt and groin areas. I also use anti-monkey butt stuff called DZNuts when cycling, but its a cream that prevents friction from cycling and contains medicine to help prevent rashes ..for the Harley, I'm a fan of Gold Bond Powder.
I also have the black pad that Harley sells---it has holes in it and is meant to be cooler. It truly works. In the summer, if my butt gets sweaty, I can put that thing on, take off, and immediately feel the breeze going through that pad.
I do wear compression shorts from under armor tho---I buy them to fit just a little bit looser than my cycling shorts and I buy the ones that have the venting in the butt and groin areas. I also use anti-monkey butt stuff called DZNuts when cycling, but its a cream that prevents friction from cycling and contains medicine to help prevent rashes ..for the Harley, I'm a fan of Gold Bond Powder.
I also have the black pad that Harley sells---it has holes in it and is meant to be cooler. It truly works. In the summer, if my butt gets sweaty, I can put that thing on, take off, and immediately feel the breeze going through that pad.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
what works for me - may not for you -- my bike is all stock seating -- can easily do many days of 450 plus miles -- again, it fits me --
Here is what I have learned in my years -- its not the miles, its the hours it takes to do the miles -- I have gone on short lunch rides of less than 200 miles which in essence take 5 hours or more -- makes me more tired than knocking off 600 in 10 hours
Here is what I have learned in my years -- its not the miles, its the hours it takes to do the miles -- I have gone on short lunch rides of less than 200 miles which in essence take 5 hours or more -- makes me more tired than knocking off 600 in 10 hours
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