Tips to improve comfort?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Tips to improve comfort?
I recently traded my '08 Heritage Softtail for a new '14 Ultra Limited. This is my first touring bike, and I'm planning a three week cross country road trip.
I've done many 300+ mile days and a few 700+ mile days, but I've never ridden that many miles day after day for weeks.
What tips do you long distance riders have to improve comfort in the saddle?
The one lesson I learned a long time ago was to wear bicycle shorts under my jeans (the padded kind) and those work great. Anything else to make long distance riding more comfortable?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I've done many 300+ mile days and a few 700+ mile days, but I've never ridden that many miles day after day for weeks.
What tips do you long distance riders have to improve comfort in the saddle?
The one lesson I learned a long time ago was to wear bicycle shorts under my jeans (the padded kind) and those work great. Anything else to make long distance riding more comfortable?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 687
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I recently traded my '08 Heritage Softtail for a new '14 Ultra Limited. This is my first touring bike, and I'm planning a three week cross country road trip.
I've done many 300+ mile days and a few 700+ mile days, but I've never ridden that many miles day after day for weeks.
What tips do you long distance riders have to improve comfort in the saddle?
The one lesson I learned a long time ago was to wear bicycle shorts under my jeans (the padded kind) and those work great. Anything else to make long distance riding more comfortable?
Thanks for any suggestions!
I've done many 300+ mile days and a few 700+ mile days, but I've never ridden that many miles day after day for weeks.
What tips do you long distance riders have to improve comfort in the saddle?
The one lesson I learned a long time ago was to wear bicycle shorts under my jeans (the padded kind) and those work great. Anything else to make long distance riding more comfortable?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Rider backrest. Spacers to move the floorboards out a bit. Compression underwear (bicycle shorts probly suffice). Highway pegs to stretch out a bit. You might try a sheepskin seat cover too. Helps w/ butt burn.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
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Supporter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 10
From: Shenandoah, TX
Ape hangers, seat, sheep skin, highway pegs, and backrest. = long rides. The rest is just for show.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 927
Likes: 256
From: North Arkansas
From Lake Chuck LA, we rode 2 to 300 mile days often to get in some hills or somewhere interesting. Often pushing hard the first couple of tanks. Once, in a summer storm along I-10, we had stopped under a bridge, waiting it out a while. Up came a harley and joined us. We talked, shared destinations, then on to stories of previous trips. This guy had been up to Sturgis, Daytona, grand canyon and more.
One of his biggest suggests that we put into practice right away and I found to help was... take breaks. 'Once you get tired stiff and hurting, you are done' he told us. Not a big long time consuming stop, but get off, get some blood flow back, smoke one... if that's you thing, stretch out a bit.
I started stopping and at least walking around my bike a couple of times at 50 miles... about an hour.. and had to stop around 100 miles to fill up. This helped me, even on those 500+ mile days. Big touring bikes, maybe not so often but find your zone. Your milage may vary
One of his biggest suggests that we put into practice right away and I found to help was... take breaks. 'Once you get tired stiff and hurting, you are done' he told us. Not a big long time consuming stop, but get off, get some blood flow back, smoke one... if that's you thing, stretch out a bit.
I started stopping and at least walking around my bike a couple of times at 50 miles... about an hour.. and had to stop around 100 miles to fill up. This helped me, even on those 500+ mile days. Big touring bikes, maybe not so often but find your zone. Your milage may vary
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Last year we did a 6,300 mile trip in 3 weeks including some 500 mile days. Did nothing special except for a Corbin seat. Bars and everything else was stock.
We stop about every 100 to 150 miles for gas, bathroom, and a walkabout. The key to long distance riding is to ride enough to be used to riding. If a person is only riding a few miles a week around town, it's going to be hard to get used to being on the bike for long periods.
Bill
We stop about every 100 to 150 miles for gas, bathroom, and a walkabout. The key to long distance riding is to ride enough to be used to riding. If a person is only riding a few miles a week around town, it's going to be hard to get used to being on the bike for long periods.
Bill