So after getting new tyres yesterday I thought I'd go for a little tootle and I had forgotten how beautiful Wales was but after over 200 miles I feel like John Wayne's horse had its way with me!!! Its been a great day, saw a few speed triples and street triples, thruxtons and a daytona 595 and even had a chat to a really friendly guy on a harley at some traffic lights which was unexpected. Bike didn't overheat and fan only came on 3 times during the whole journey all in town traffic First time at horseshoe pass but definitely won't be the last.
I bought an Airhawk seat for the Z and swear by it on long runs. The standard seat is by no means uncomfortable but for really long days in the saddle I needed something extra. Longest day out so far has been 798 miles and there's no way I could have survived that without the Airhawk. Well worth the money IMO.
I bought some leathers yesterday which was going to try out today but weather has put a dampener on that so will see how they feel then cycling shorts are next cheapest option
I think I looked at these not long after I got the bike but if I'm honest price put me off initially, do they sit in position or do they move around on the seat?
The secret with them is not to over inflate it. If you do, it makes it feel like there's a hinge in the middle of the bike! They really do not need too much at all. Just enough to not feel the seat is enough. But yes, they stay in place and are brilliant for long miles. Oxford do one but i've only had the airhawk one and it's well worth it.
Mine's around 8 years old now but still as new. As Ducatitotriumph has said, correct inflation is critical. Initially I was using way too much air and it felt like I would fall off the bike on every corner! Yes, they're not cheap, I bought the neoprene version but they do (did) a cheaper version, PVC I think.
I tried some of these before getting the Airhawk and hated them but I think the mistake I made was buying cheap ones made of Lycra. Only used them once under leather riding trousers on a 600mile run to Scotland and back and the last 200m with hot sweaty nads was torture and probably didn't do much for my fertility.
I've just had a little ride to try out the leathers and already feels better, ached a bit but I think most was from yesterday, I'm going to try a decent ride when I can and see how I feel then if still not great i might consider one of these, thanks for the input guys, always good to get recommendations. What bikes have you all got with the airhawk on?
You might be expecting too much from your riding gear and seat in terms of comfort v mileage. Like a lot of people on here I’ve had lots of different bikes over the years and ridden long distances on them all and I’ve yet to find a bike I can go all day on in complete comfort, even my latest, the supposed king of tourers the GS. I’ve bought comfort seats previously for long trips and wondered if I was any more comfortable cos I always end up having a rest after an hour or so, usually when it’s time for petrol. Actually the best way to cover long distances is to minimise your stops so combine your fuel stops with a toilet break and food.
Not expecting miricles as I know suoersport is the wrong type of bike for that but would like to go further than 30-40 miles before starting to struggle . I think the leathers will help mainly due to me not slipping around the seat as much and not being so restrictive but yea your right with the stops, luckily there is always one that doesn't fill up at the same time as everyone else so usually half a tank and we have to stop I've been asked to go ride around Scotland, I've said no chance
AirHawk, not cheap, think mine near £100, but well worth it to me. Ken. PS. Make sure you get the best size for your bike style.
I've done the home to Stranraer run numerous times on full on sportsbikes with only fuel stops in years past for the annual (sometimes 2) pilgrimage to NI and thought nothing of it. I wouldn't like to do it no though. Compared to a GSXR/R1 (don't even mention a 1198SP!) the ZZR is an armchair and that, in it's turn feels radical compared to the Street Scrambler.
