Cheap Fixes For Numb Butts

I cannot bring myself to lay down 3-4 hundred bucks for a new seat... So, I went on the hunt, and I found this site a few minutes ago...

This could be a good mod to try in the winter.

http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/index.php

Here's a few more options spanning the spectrum from inexpensive to more...

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/index.php?m...mp;filter_id=63

Get some cheap (Giant brand or such) bicycle shorts. Man it makes a difference on a long day...

DarthLefty, Aug 21 2008, 06:11 PMGet some cheap (Giant brand or such) bicycle shorts. Man it makes a difference on a long day...

Even underneath jeans?

Yes, for me anyhow.

That first link is actually really good, I figured it was going to be a one or two page thing but it's a lot of info.

ECX585, Aug 21 2008, 04:14 PM

DarthLefty, Aug 21 2008, 06:11 PMGet some cheap (Giant brand or such) bicycle shorts. Man it makes a difference on a long day...

Even underneath jeans?

I just got a pair of padded bike underwear LINK and they fit great under a loose pair of jeans. They make trips on the stock seat much better and at $24 they'll due fine until I either try a DIY option or throw down 300 bones on a new seat.

Action

DarthLefty, Aug 21 2008, 03:11 PMGet some cheap (Giant brand or such) bicycle shorts. Man it makes a difference on a long day...

I do a lot of cycling so I already have padded shorts and they work great for longer rides on the motorcycle fing02.gif

FYI, the following is a message I sent to Under Armor yesterday...

Under Armor Product Review

Those of us who ride motorcycles for long distances in a single day
require products that enhance the riding experience and anything that is
annoying on a short ride turns into a real bother on a long ride. Then
there are effects that do not appear until after you have completed 500
miles in a thousand mile day.

An example of this is the Under Armor "Loose Gear" fly front boxer briefs.

Under Armor is a company that markets their products as a top of the line
functional "sports" oriented brand of under-ware. They do make good
products for a price but these fly front boxer briefs are dangerous to the
unsuspecting motorcyclist.

I have several examples of Under Armor gear and I like the compression
shorts for long motorcycle rides. I do not like the fact that these
shorts do not have a 'fly front', which is very inconvenient while on the
road. Anything that slows me down is eventually discarded for something
better, therefore; when I saw the fly front boxer briefs, I just knew this
was what I needed.

Last weekend I went for a long ride to eat lunch in Missouri, almost 500
miles one-way. The first day was fine with a little discomfort. The
second day was a real pain in the rear almost from the start. It was so
bad that I wanted to stop and either buy replacement Under Shorts or go
without. However, since there were numerous thunderstorms in the area I
kept on humming until I made it home.

The cause of the pain was the stitching that joined two fabric panels
together. They are in a line that is in constant contact with the seat of
my bike. In my opinion, this seam is placed in this location to enhance
the 'style' of the product.

I now have a nice "V" shaped red whelp with broken skin on my backside.
The Under Armor 'Fly Front' Boxer Briefs are literally a pain in the ass.



--
Robert Bashaw
LoweST Red A$$ Arkansas
CBR1000FL
ST1100A2 STovokor
VFR800A5 Interprize

I threw down the bucks for a Sargent. Now I get sore after 100 miles instead of 70. I want to try the bicycle shorts idea. I could ride all week if it werent for more sub-par butt rolleyes.gif Also, cotton is the devil!! I learned my lesson on Seb's catskill cruise last year. 200 miles with cotton undershorts...no good biggrin.gif

The trick with the bicycle shorts, is to wear them in place of the underwear, rather than layering them over the underwear. Pretty much all briefs or loose boxers will give you seams or folds between you and the seat. These are killer on longer rides. Even if you're wearing jeans, if you have bicycle shorts under them in place of those briefs, you'll be better off.

Heck, even though women's underwear is designed to be much smoother so it'll look good under clothes, it still has seams and elastic leg bands in very bad places that will hurt on any ride that's more than an hour or so. I can only imagine how much worse men's briefs would be, with their lumpy shapes and heavy facings around the leg openings and the fly.

kb2wji, Aug 21 2008, 09:16 PMI threw down the bucks for a Sargent. Now I get sore after 100 miles instead of 70. I want to try the bicycle shorts idea. I could ride all week if it werent for more sub-par butt rolleyes.gif Also, cotton is the devil!! I learned my lesson on Seb's catskill cruise last year. 200 miles with cotton undershorts...no good biggrin.gif

I also bought a Sargent, and I'm in the same situation. I will definitely try some new shorts. Additionally, I have another thread going about Spencer's Seat Modifications......anyone have any experience with this company?

First of all, you guys shouldn't be riding in jeans but that's your choice.

Second, those and underwear will slowly cut off your blood flow to that region. Smooth cycle shorts and proper riding gear don't have these seams. Everyone has their limits and 6-7 hours is when I start getting serious monkey butt even with the shorts and a good seat. A throttle lock will not only relieve your right wrist but it will also allow you to shift to different seating positions for temporary relief and that really, really helps on long straights.

ECX585, Aug 21 2008, 07:35 PM

kb2wji, Aug 21 2008, 09:16 PMI threw down the bucks for a Sargent. Now I get sore after 100 miles instead of 70. I want to try the bicycle shorts idea. I could ride all week if it werent for more sub-par butt rolleyes.gif Also, cotton is the devil!! I learned my lesson on Seb's catskill cruise last year. 200 miles with cotton undershorts...no good biggrin.gif

I also bought a Sargent, and I'm in the same situation. I will definitely try some new shorts. Additionally, I have another thread going about Spencer's Seat Modifications......anyone have any experience with this company?

750 miles last Sunday on a Sargent seat, sports undershorts and shirt made it possible.

+1 on the cycling shorts, and I really believe a big part of the benefit is the wicking fabric. Cotton drawers under jeans or leathers bunch, stick and are usually soaked after one tank full. Good, technical fabric cycling shorts however, help keep my butt dry, cool and therefor much more comfortable on those 600+ mile days on a stock seat biggrin.gif . BTW: more comfortable than standard cycling shorts - bibs. Stay in place perfectly and without a tight drawstring. Try www.bikenashbar.com or www.performancebike.com for really good prices on shorts.

I'm assuming that I need the tight (spandex style) shorts, not the baggy ones, correct?

ECX585, Aug 21 2008, 11:17 PMI'm assuming that I need the tight (spandex style) shorts, not the baggy ones, correct?

Thats the idea. Baggy will bunch up. Those bunched up "lines" really hurt after a few hours. I'm gonna hit a bike shop next day off and pick up some padded bike shorts.

Just ordered some spandex shorts from Nashbar. I never dreamed I'd stoop to this level.

I can see where this is going. Next will be a revival of the thread on how to keep the "boys" cool and comfortable under the tight padded bicycle undergarments. goofy.gif

snoman181, Aug 23 2008, 09:39 AMI can see where this is going. Next will be a revival of the thread on how to keep the "boys" cool and comfortable under the tight padded bicycle undergarments. goofy.gif

I'm trying to rig up a small 12v fan to the inside of my shorts , similar to the one they use in computers. No, wait....thats a bad idea wacko.gif

FotoMoto, Aug 21 2008, 08:57 PMFirst of all, you guys shouldn't be riding in jeans but that's your choice.

Second, those and underwear will slowly cut off your blood flow to that region. Smooth cycle shorts and proper riding gear don't have these seams. Everyone has their limits and 6-7 hours is when I start getting serious monkey butt even with the shorts and a good seat. A throttle lock will not only relieve your right wrist but it will also allow you to shift to different seating positions for temporary relief and that really, really helps on long straights.

I wear Jeans under my Overpants. I can't see how this is bad, certainly better than wearing just my skivvies under there. I don't have Ricky Racer leather pants, or even Victoria Secrets leather pants....so I wear the textile and double up to hopefully save some skin down the road.

I've been a bicycle racer for a long time (and I'm sitting here in one of my team uniforms as I write this) and I have never thought about wearing my shorts on the VFR. I might have to check that out if I ever do more than 200 miles in a day. That said my bike jerseys would make a great base layer but they are covered with sponsor logos so it might look pretty silly when I stop for lunch.

Here Here!

Bicycle Shorts (padded or not - padded is better IMO) for most rides.

I ride 300+ regulary on my 86 vf500 with a stock seat and 20k on the clock.

No worries.

With full leathers I wear long sleeve compression shirt (sim to Under Armor) and long leg capelene underwear from Patagonia.
This combo along with Smart Wool socks is the bombdiggity. biggrin.gif

A little sweat is like AC at 60+ mph.

Cotton is Rotten! that's an old backpacking saying. Works for most "sports"

Help Help!!! I am the wife of DaBody1 and he is stuck on the other side of the state and his bike will not start - he thinks is has to do with the O2 sensor and is unable to locate it - can anyone help me and discribe where is it located - your help is much needed and appreciated - thanks!

DaBody1, Aug 23 2008, 09:58 PMHelp Help!!! I am the wife of DaBody1 and he is stuck on the other side of the state and his bike will not start - he thinks is has to do with the O2 sensor and is unable to locate it - can anyone help me and discribe where is it located - your help is much needed and appreciated - thanks!

Unfortunately I have no idea. But i'll start a brand new thread, cuz nobody will look under this post for your question biggrin.gif