Author Topic: Texas to Florida(seat choices)  (Read 6310 times)

Offline Beowulf

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Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« on: December 13, 2018, 01:39:46 PM »
So im getting ready to go on a 8 hour stretch with the Mrs. who is enthusiastic about my gas mileage. Any tips for long distance riding that will make it more pleasant trip?

We are going on my v7 ii. It fits well for both of us.

She has been with me on 2 hour stretches but nothing this long.

Is the gel seat from Guzzi worth it? Seat beads?

Places to eat in Lousiana?

Thanks in advance



Offline Tkelly

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2018, 02:12:05 PM »
If you are young newlyweds the seat is OK,my wife of40+yrs bought herself a corbin seat.I have a bead seat on my stelvio and it is great.

Offline wrbix

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2018, 02:26:00 PM »
I am an avid proponent of sheepskin.
Aerostich has applications of various sizes.
Bill in VA, sometimes FL

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Offline PJPR01

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2018, 02:39:19 PM »
Proper motorcycle pants with padding in them...otherwise she's going to hate it after a few hours and then you'll be stuck.  That kind of pain takes a few days to go away if it is intolerable.
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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2018, 02:39:19 PM »

Offline Gustavo

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2018, 03:28:27 PM »
Yes to seat beads.  Small movements make real changes in the pressure points, avoiding a lot of the normal fatigue you get from sitting on a narrow motorcycle seat for that long.  It also helps with both heat buildup (which is another reason for the sores you get) and allows water to drain better if it's raining, eliminating the pooling that often manages to break through most "waterproof" gear.

Since she hasn't had a lot of experience on long rides, make sure you plan on enough stops along the way.  I can sit on the bike for hours at a time but when we ride two-up, we stop every two hours or so.  Do you have a hydration system?  Even when it's cool, you need to keep drinking regularly.  I carry a 2L hydration bladder in my tankbag.  If you guys don't mind sharing, check that the tube is long enough to reach the back seat.  Otherwise, she should have her own.

One recommendation, regardless of what you end up using from all the recommendations above, go for a test run before you embark on the 8 hour trip.  There is nothing like being half way to your destination and finding out that something isn't working as you/she expected. 


Gustavo


Offline pyoungbl

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2018, 03:37:50 PM »
two up....I'd take a look at the preload on those shocks.  You don't want to find yourself bottoming out on the suspension.
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Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2018, 04:07:15 PM »
What route are you taking through Louisiana? There are so many good places to eat here; you’ll need to pare down where we’re talking about...
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2018, 06:53:49 PM »
all good suggestions.  If i were my wife i'd get an Airhawk and inflate it half way.  That's more than recommended but your goal is her comfort.  That will work.
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Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2018, 06:55:44 PM »
Start on ADVIL before you even throw a leg over. I prefer BC powder, it has caffeine too  :thumb:

A couple of airhawks or sheepskin won't hurt either.

Oh, and HAVE FUN! 
« Last Edit: December 13, 2018, 06:58:48 PM by Guzzistajohn »
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2018, 06:58:00 PM »
all good suggestions.  If i were my wife i'd get an Airhawk and inflate it half way.  That's more than recommended but your goal is her comfort.  That will work.

This. Dorcia swears by the Airhawk. She put over 20K miles on the back of a Centauro with one.. <shrug>
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Offline Beowulf

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2018, 07:03:06 PM »
Thanks i will check out these suggestions. Im not incredibly familiar with Louisiana but im staying with friends in slidell hopefully im spelling that right? Than continuing on. I can alter my route to go through new orleans or stay a little north of it.

We been married going on 10 years. She always been a great sport.

Im going on a trial run soon.

I bought the beads and am going with ibuprofen. But ill keep that in mind.  Off i go to research airhawks.
Thank you everyone



Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2018, 07:10:17 PM »
The last time I was there.. the roads sucked. I thought at the time, "Shirley,  :smiley:  they have *some* money for infrastructure.." <shrug>
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Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2018, 07:27:18 PM »
Sounds like a great adventure to deposit in your riding memories bank.



« Last Edit: December 13, 2018, 07:32:47 PM by fotoguzzi »
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Offline blackcat

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2018, 08:17:07 PM »
Beads are nice in hot weather, but when it’s cold I’d rather have sheepskin.
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Offline Ncdan

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2018, 08:20:20 PM »
I've had most of the popular brands of aftermarket seats as well as reconstruction of the factory one.
Personally the best way for me to keep from getting butt soreness is to get off the seat, any seat, every 1- 1.5 hours. Even if it's only for a few minutes, get off and walk around, get a drink or cup of Joe. Make an eight hour trip of misery into a 10 hour pleasure ride.

Offline nick949

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2018, 08:25:17 PM »
Break it into two four hour stretches and do a little exploring on foot.

Offline davedel44

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #16 on: December 13, 2018, 09:43:59 PM »
Come by and borrow my air hawk.  See how you like it.

Good places to eat in Lousiana. ANYWHERE!

Dave
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« Last Edit: December 13, 2018, 09:49:01 PM by davedel44 »
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Offline Sheepdog

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #17 on: December 13, 2018, 10:20:03 PM »
Try Sal and Judy’s in Lacombe (just west of Slidell) for a really nice supper. The Redfish Nicholas is one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever sampled. For lunch you can try Vera’s. A typical gulf seafood joint with great specials in Slidell. Hard to go wrong around here (I’m near Slidell). Most local restaurants are pretty good...particularly if you favor seafood, Creole, or Italian.
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Offline tris

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #18 on: December 14, 2018, 01:55:46 AM »
I am an avid proponent of sheepskin.
Aerostich has applications of various sizes.

This.
I just got a black half skin and cut it to shape and hold it in place with a couple of loops of black elastic
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Offline kingoffleece

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #19 on: December 14, 2018, 10:03:00 AM »
We riders know what and how to stay comfortable in the saddle.  Pillions maybe not so much.  They often don't have the luxury of being able to shift their body position like the driver due to a smaller area to sit.
Changing pressure points is one of the critical points to maintaining long term comfort.  She can vary the air in an Airhawk several times during the day to change these points.  Again, if it were my bride I wouldn't assume that what works for me as a driver will work for the pillion.  Sheepskin, beads, and other pads-I have and use them all.  But I can move around in the saddle a good inch and on some bikes more than that to vary the pressure.

Let us know how it all works out.
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Offline bodine99

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #20 on: December 14, 2018, 10:45:21 AM »
Gel PRO-PAD

Offline Beowulf

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #21 on: December 14, 2018, 07:08:05 PM »
Thanks for the tips. I think ill try Dave's airhawk out. Gonna try and check out that restaurant we love seafood. I will post updates and maybe a few pics. Appreciate it guys

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #22 on: December 14, 2018, 08:59:21 PM »
Yeah air hawk is a great addition, keep in mind you can release some of the air just enough to also touch the saddle. If it's too inflated you float around above the seat.
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Offline Warren Rhen

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #23 on: December 14, 2018, 11:39:30 PM »
My wife and I did a two trip about 10 yrs ago when we were young (late 60's) 7000 miles coast to coast on a Piaggio. The secret for her was bicycling pants. Worked great the whole trip. I recently did a 1700 mile weekend on my Stornello and I never even gave my seat a thought. That's the sign of a good seat. I wouldn't think of spending the money to replace that seat and if nee be bicycling pants are $50
Cheers,
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Offline twowheeladdict

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #24 on: December 15, 2018, 07:44:46 AM »
Take frequent breaks before the pain kicks in.  I usually walk around and snack nor eat while standing. 

Slower speeds and smoother roads are less fatiguing. 

Make sure and set up the suspension for the weight of you, wife, and luggage. 

A one piece longhair sheepskin pelt is what my wife likes
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Offline Rebochi

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #25 on: December 15, 2018, 08:03:05 AM »
   I would go with a Air Hawk, it will turn a crummy seat into a good seat. Louisiana is serious about the food , any random restaurant will have great food. I would stop at Steamboat Bills in Lake Charles for some Seafood, just off I10 . across from the Lake.
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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #26 on: December 15, 2018, 08:32:20 AM »
An 8 hour trip is nothing more than four (4) 2 hour trips strung together. You'll have at least one fuel stop a stop to eat and at least one pee break. Your trips already broken up before you even realized it.





 
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Offline wrbix

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #27 on: December 15, 2018, 10:31:35 AM »
My wife and I did a two trip about 10 yrs ago when we were young (late 60's) 7000 miles coast to coast on a Piaggio. The secret for her was bicycling pants. Worked great the whole trip. I recently did a 1700 mile weekend on my Stornello and I never even gave my seat a thought. That's the sign of a good seat. I wouldn't think of spending the money to replace that seat and if nee be bicycling pants are $50
Concur, but to get better coverage (cycling shorts generally have narrow padding), I’ve converted to rowing shorts under my leather britches. Try regattasport.com - quality stuff.
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Offline Jose Mendez

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #28 on: December 15, 2018, 11:19:12 AM »
I ride Texas to Florida 4 to 5 times a year and have done the ride in one day easy. Now that I am retired it's a three to five day ride, mostly. I have an Airhawk and it does well me. 

With my wife, I make sure to stop every 100 miles for gas or less to see the sights. She enjoys it more and it's less an accumulation of fatigue on her legs and bottom.

Offline pressureangle

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Re: Texas to Florida(seat choices)
« Reply #29 on: December 18, 2018, 08:25:27 AM »
Start on ADVIL before you even throw a leg over. I prefer BC powder, it has caffeine too  :thumb:

A couple of airhawks or sheepskin won't hurt either.

Oh, and HAVE FUN!

...and don't take I-10. Take I-20. 10 doesn't care what seat you have.
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