long haul
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- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2020 9:04 am
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- Motorcycle: 1997 Honda gl1500 se
long haul
What's the most comfortable seat on the market for my 97 wing ? My ass is about the only thing that bothers me on the long rides. Trip to Laconia one year, thought I lost it, couldn't feel it for a few miles. I tried the jell pad, didn't like that, made me feel like I was sitting to high. I even had new foam installed, didn't really make any difference.
- minimac
- Posts: 931
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- Motorcycle: 1993 GL1500 Aspencade
2006 Yamaha Morphous
2011 Silverwing
Y̶a̶m̶a̶h̶a̶ ̶M̶a̶j̶e̶s̶t̶y̶
S̶u̶z̶u̶k̶i̶ ̶B̶u̶r̶g̶m̶a̶n̶ ̶E̶x̶e̶cutive
Re: long haul
For long distance comfort, it's really hard(no pun intended) to beat the old fashion seat beads. !0,000 taxi drivers can't be wrong.
- MikeB
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Re: long haul
Take a break every 100 miles or so. Your butt will thank you.bigballs2 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:10 pm What's the most comfortable seat on the market for my 97 wing ? My ass is about the only thing that bothers me on the long rides. Trip to Laconia one year, thought I lost it, couldn't feel it for a few miles. I tried the jell pad, didn't like that, made me feel like I was sitting to high. I even had new foam installed, didn't really make any difference.
MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- dingdong
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1993 gl1500A
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Re: long haul
A good sheep skin helps a lot. More padding and also wicks the moisture. However nothing is perfect.
- detdrbuzzard
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Re: long haul
there is no best seat for the long haul what you need is the best seat for you. i have a road sofa on my wing which has worked well for me but i've never had another seat ( not even the stock seat ) to compare it to. its time to replace or re-cover the road sofa and what i want needs to be just over an inch higher
'99 ST1100, '93 se
'75 cb750k, '79 cb 750f, '79 cb750 superK
'99ST1100, sunL70
'06 ST1300a
.... william
'75 cb750k, '79 cb 750f, '79 cb750 superK
'99ST1100, sunL70
'06 ST1300a
.... william
- MikeB
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2017 - GL1800 Audio Comfort
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Re: long haul
I have only used the stock seat; for well over 350,000 miles combined on all the GL1500's I've owned. I just take a break when it is time to give it a rest.bigballs2 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 16, 2020 2:10 pm What's the most comfortable seat on the market for my 97 wing ? My ass is about the only thing that bothers me on the long rides. Trip to Laconia one year, thought I lost it, couldn't feel it for a few miles. I tried the jell pad, didn't like that, made me feel like I was sitting to high. I even had new foam installed, didn't really make any difference.
However, I don't have the same problem you have. I just noticed your screen name.


MikeB
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
1998 - GL1500 w/184,500 miles ~ 2017 - GL1800 w/13000 miles
USAF Avionics Communications Tech - 1968 - 1986 / Flight Engineer C-130E - C-141B - 1986 - 1992. Retired
Industrial Maintenance Tech - 1992 - 2014
Retired in Tacoma, WA
- kwthom
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Re: long haul
What clothes are you wearing?
Wicking clothing “wicks” the moisture (aka sweat) away from your skin, which makes you feel more comfortable when you're active. Wicking clothing is also usually made of a synthetic material that doesn't absorb wetness.
Wicking clothing “wicks” the moisture (aka sweat) away from your skin, which makes you feel more comfortable when you're active. Wicking clothing is also usually made of a synthetic material that doesn't absorb wetness.
Effective 07/02/2022, in a self-imposed "social media detox" - focusing on offline social interactions and actions.
- tamathumper
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Re: long haul
Can't beat a bead seat and Duluth Trading Bullpen undergarments.
'03 GL1800A - Warning: fopen() [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: Sense of humor not found on line 2
- Viking
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1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: long haul
Yeah, it is pretty much as individual as each of us. I, personally, use some of that special wicking underwear (mine are from LDComfort) and ride on an Ultimate seat. I tried a Corbin, but could not sit on it for a long time. On the other hand, others have had Corbins and swear by them. A Road Sofa was mentioned, as was the stock seat, which some find great. I didn't. Beads and gel are both solutions for some, but gel did not help me, and I could not find a bead pad that I liked. I had a sheepskin on a Harley, but when I tried it on the Goldwing it was way too hot. It is a journey that each of us have to take on our own. I do feel for ya tho, or I did, when I had a stock seat. Now I just ride.
- offcenter
- Posts: 1004
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76 GL-1000
77 Honda Trail 90
Re: long haul
I feel that the stock seat on my '99 is the most comfortable seat I've ever had on a bike.
I guess it all depends on the size and shape of your ass and how you fit the seat.
I guess it all depends on the size and shape of your ass and how you fit the seat.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- OL_ROAD_DAWG
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Re: long haul
Stock seat works great for me. Of coarse I stop for breaks every so often to stretch my legs,pee break and just to check things out
You can't leave footprints in the sands of time by sitting on your butt
and who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time
and who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time
Re: long haul
I've been using the stock seat and doing fine, but we just got back from a ten day trip and I was starting to feel it. My wife used an AirHawk pad for this trip (replacing both a gel pad and a foam pad) and she loved it. I'm thinking about swiping it from her to go on a long ride on my own to try it out.
/dwight
/dwight
Every day is a good day for a bike ride. Some days are just better than others.


- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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Re: long haul
I have spent 20+ hours at a time on my Corbin seat, and was tired...but not sore. I'll never use any other kind of seat.
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Re: long haul
I do take a quick break then afterward go back on the road.
- bellboy40
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Re: long haul
As others had said, finding a good seat is highly personal. What works for some, you may find is like sitting on a board. What I have found works for me is the Airhawk pad. You just blow in some air with your lung power, it doesn't take much, and then put it on your seat and sit down with your feet on the pegs. Then just let a little air out until you sink down into the pad some. You should be about 1/2 inch off the seat when you have the correct amount of air in it. It really doesn't take much air for it to work properly. A little experimenting with the air pressure will probably get you where you like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Cruiser- ... B013RGDGQ8
https://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Cruiser- ... B013RGDGQ8
- NKYWinger
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Re: long haul
I use an Airhawk pad also. Works great and is WAY cheaper than buying a custom seat. YRMV.
--John--
FTCS(SS) USN Ret.
'06 GL1800 Motor Trike
'83 GL1100 Aspy (SOLD)
'03 GL1800
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GWRRA 339547 KY - 'G'
DS# 1547
FTCS(SS) USN Ret.
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Re: long haul
Good morning,
I’m new to the forums and new to riding a Wing, 5 weeks ago yesterday, but I’ve just crossed the 2,500 mile mark and what killed me when riding anything over 50 miles is my tailbone. I’m 6-1, 240, which is part of the problem. One of my friends suggested an air hawk, so I bought one and IMO it helps the tailbone but doesn’t help the cheeky part of my butt. But I can deal with that better than I can deal with the tailbone pain. It does make me sit up quite a bit higher too, guessing a couple inches as I don’t squish down into the seat as much.
I’m new to the forums and new to riding a Wing, 5 weeks ago yesterday, but I’ve just crossed the 2,500 mile mark and what killed me when riding anything over 50 miles is my tailbone. I’m 6-1, 240, which is part of the problem. One of my friends suggested an air hawk, so I bought one and IMO it helps the tailbone but doesn’t help the cheeky part of my butt. But I can deal with that better than I can deal with the tailbone pain. It does make me sit up quite a bit higher too, guessing a couple inches as I don’t squish down into the seat as much.
Last edited by SWDahmer on Sat Aug 01, 2020 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: long haul
Airhawk pad for sure.
My wife and I have been using them for many years now and we both love it
Can't beat the cost as opposed to a new or custom seat
My wife and I have been using them for many years now and we both love it
Can't beat the cost as opposed to a new or custom seat
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
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Re: long haul
LOVED my CORBIN. At first they seem hard, but it's the shape and fit and lack of hot spots that matter more, like the old steel seat on grandpa's tractor, it fit all day.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
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- bstig60
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Re: long haul
I have had a RDL seat on 3 Goldwing's, the first two were 1500's and the seat had a velour insert. It was the most comfortable seat I have ever ridden. My current 1800 has a vinyl (FAKE LEATHER) RDL on it. The first 1500 had the seat on it when I purchased it and it was moved to the later model 1500. My 1800 had the RDL when I bought it. I got lucky because both PO's were about my size. The secret to Russell Day Long seats comfort is that they are custom made for the riders height, weight and build. I normally ride from gas stop to gas stop without any issue.
Bill
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Re: long haul
My solution is a sheepskin on stock seat. I was riding long days with rain and butt damage. I just wasn’t enjoying the experience until I got that woolly Pad. Cheap, portable, effective. It does look like you’re setting on a dead animal! You can always say you brought your lunch.
Re: long haul
I have found that the Airhawk Is the best option. No more sore butt after 6-8 hour long rides. Airhawk is a inflatable seat cushion that you adjust. The best $80 I ever spent on my bike 
2004 GL1800 got 110,000 rounds and looking for another hundred 
- azabransky
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:55 am
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Motorcycle: 2016 Goldwing
Re: long haul
I'm another AirHawk fan. I bought mine for a 1986 GL1200, used it for more than a few 700-800 mile multi-day rides, never looked back. I recently upgraded to a 2016 GL1800, moved the AirHawk to the new ride and still feel the same way about it. The only problem I've had on the new ride is I can't feel the heated seat when using the AirHawk.
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Re: long haul
I also use the Airhawk and I stop at no more than 100-150 miles to walk around and get the blood flowing. I do stretches and knee bends as well. I've seen folks with $1700 dollar seats and they also use the Airhawk! For now, I'm sticking with my stock seat after 80K miles.bellboy40 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:47 am As others had said, finding a good seat is highly personal. What works for some, you may find is like sitting on a board. What I have found works for me is the Airhawk pad. You just blow in some air with your lung power, it doesn't take much, and then put it on your seat and sit down with your feet on the pegs. Then just let a little air out until you sink down into the pad some. You should be about 1/2 inch off the seat when you have the correct amount of air in it. It really doesn't take much air for it to work properly. A little experimenting with the air pressure will probably get you where you like it.
https://www.amazon.com/Airhawk-Cruiser- ... B013RGDGQ8