Author Topic: Airhawk, Alaska Butt Pad or Beads...? (Read 10242 times)

radguzzi · « **on:** June 19, 2015, 09:31:58 AM »

In preparation for the cross country slog on the Guzzi starting at the end of July I have made a list-o-stuff that I need to do; purchased the 3 liter fuel containers, dry bag for keeping the electronics and clothes dry etc...

When I have been on tours around the country with the Wife we usually only do less than 300-400 mile days and stop often, go sight seeing and take a lot of photos. This gig however, will be a mileage festival and I need to be assured that my butt will take that kind of abuse.

Do you folks have any input regarding the Alaska Butt Pads, Airhawks or those weird Seat Beads...?

Thanks,
Rob

Dharma Bum · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2015, 09:56:45 AM »

I've been using the seat beads for years. They help to distribute the pressure points evenly and supposedly allow a bit of air flow between the bike seat and yours. I have been very happy with them and you can custom make the size you want by buying one designed for a car seat and cutting it to size very economically. I've just used weed whacker string for the outside edges.

tiger_one · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:15:15 AM »

I put a slick and hard Corbin on my Super Tenere before my trip and tank pads to hold on to when braking. We averaged 700 mile days for 21 days, we meaning me and my butt.

Mark West · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:16:11 AM »

airhawk worked great for me. The key is proper inflation. It should not lift you off the seat. You just need enough air to take weight off the pressure points. Properly inflated you don't feel like you're floating around but can do many long days without discomfort.

nick949 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2015, 10:23:04 AM »

Go for the beads. Cool, comfortable and good for long days. I was recently using both (sheepskin over the beads), but abandoned the sheepskin once 'the ache' started. With beads alone, the last couple of hundred miles was no problem.

They feel counter-intuitive, but work well.

Nick

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2015, 02:04:50 PM »

Quote from: Mark West on June 19, 2015, 10:16:11 AM

airhawk worked great for me. The key is proper inflation. It should not lift you off the seat. You just need enough air to take weight off the pressure points. Properly inflated you don't feel like you're floating around but can do many long days without discomfort.

what he said!

yogidozer · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2015, 02:14:16 PM »

Might be best to bring both. A change of pressure points might be just what you need on multiple long mileage days.
You and your wife can switch between beads and the hawk.
Have a safe trip and a great time. Wish it were me!

davedel44 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:28:26 PM »

Quote from: fotoguzzi on June 19, 2015, 02:04:50 PM

what he said!

:1:

Dave
Galveston

kirb · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2015, 03:48:47 PM »

I have used an airhawk on my FJR and it doubled my ride time. I didn't need it on the Stelvio as the stock seat is very good.

I sit on the airhawk, deflate until you are just hovering over the seat. That's it. No further adjustment needed. I throw it in my gear when doing fly-n-rides as it has ALWAYS made any seat better.

guzzi4me · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2015, 08:08:24 PM »

I have tried all 3.

The Alaska sheepskin and the beads are hanging from a hook in the garage....

and my Airhawk is used everyday.

Yes I prefer the Airhawk.

Amazon has some good pricing on Airhawks. Be advised there are two different types.
I went for the slightly more expensive one because I use it everyday.

I won't leave home without it!!!

Ride safe and often....

Jeff

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2015, 08:59:40 PM »

I've used a sheepskin for many years. I bought an Airhawk because they are supposed to be so good. My wife and I tried many any different settings. We both hated it. Back to the sheepskin.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2015, 09:05:46 PM »

Just goes to show you............what works for one does not for another. Kind of like windscreens.
AirHawk has a money back offer if you buy from them as I understand it.

I use the Airhawk from time to time as sometimes it's just needed.

MariusD · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2015, 12:48:06 AM »

I have an airhawk. I dont "love it" but it does extend my range between stops, so I bring it on long trips.

OlderSlower · « **Reply #13 on:** June 20, 2015, 08:20:58 AM »

Airhawk, expensive and worth it. Although I never use my Airhawk since I got a Russell seat. Passenger loves Airhawk though

bad Chad · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2015, 10:35:56 AM »

I like the beaded seat, but after 100 miles my ass starts to get sore from the hard surface! I do like the sheepskin, but haven't tried it over any truly long distances yet.

nunzio · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2015, 04:38:58 PM »

Now you've got me interested in an Airhawk or Alaska Butt Pad.

In the finest Guzzi tradition... I am interested in a used one because I'm... thrifty

.

If anyone has either an Airhawk or Alaska Butt Pad they are interested in selling please P.M. me

Thank-You....Alan

Semper-guzzi · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2015, 09:27:24 PM »

The stock jackal seat sucks. I can go maybe 75 miles on that seat but I'm screamin .

I bought a sheepskin at ikea of all places. It adds about 100 miles for me. I'm still looking for the sweet spot. I think I'll try beads, the sheepskin doesn't make my butt hurt, it just gets too hot. Beads might be the ticket to cool it down.

egschade · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2015, 08:43:37 AM »

If your butt has some meat on it then the beads may work well. For my bony arse nothing beats the Airhawk. If you go for the 'hawk then be sure to read the inflation instructions - takes a little fiddling to get it right but for me it was well worth the time and cost.

Stay alert and enjoy your ride.

tazio · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2015, 12:28:27 PM »

Quote from: tiger_one on June 19, 2015, 10:15:15 AM

I put a slick and hard Corbin on my Super Tenere before my trip and tank pads to hold on to when braking. We averaged 700 mile days for 21 days, we meaning me and my butt.

You must have some gnarly thick calluses (not asking for proof

)

Yesterday, rode 437 miles on the Stelvio, mostly backroads = 9+ hours of butt time.
Even the Airhawk could not help. My ass burst into flames before I got home.
I think I'll try a rotation of Beads, sheep skin, and Air Hawk when I take my break stops. Different pressure points.
Would like to afford a Russell Day-Long seat, but the Stelvio is goofy enough looking now...

bad Chad · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2015, 03:19:25 PM »

Quote from: egschade on June 21, 2015, 08:43:37 AM

If your butt has some meat on it then the beads may work well. For my bony arse nothing beats the Airhawk. If you go for the 'hawk then be sure to read the inflation instructions - takes a little fiddling to get it right but for me it was well worth the time and cost.

Stay alert and enjoy your ride.

I think you hit on the head. If you got enough junk in the trunk it should work great, but if you have the common white mans disease of almost no ass, you won't get to far!

nunzio · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2015, 04:24:42 PM »

Thanks to guzzi4me I've got a Alaska Butt Pad to check-out.

Thanks guzzi4me

Alan

spmoto · « **Reply #21 on:** June 21, 2015, 08:05:50 PM »

Whatever you choose, I also swear by bicycle shorts!! I got a pair from aerostitch and they make a big difference. They have a fleece type lining which works in hot or cold weather. Hot days in the saddle they disburse a lot of sweat and help with monkey butt.

Steve M

malik · « **Reply #22 on:** June 21, 2015, 08:52:48 PM »

I haven't yet tried the beads, but for me and my bikes, this is what I've experienced:-

Don't like (or need) the airhawk, the gel pad or sheepskin on the V7 - prefer the solo seat over the standard seat. Cycle shorts work very well (and have heard that canoeing shorts have more padding - must try those. My pillions really like the airhawk.

The airhawk works very well on the 1100 Sport, so one lives on that seat.

I don't need anything on the Enfields either, but often use a whole sheepskin (doubles as insulation for the hammock), but I do need the airhawk if I'm pillioning - had severe pain after 11km on the back until I put the airhawk on, then 500km days were fine.

Had an airhawk on the V11, comfortable enough, but not yet enough mileage (under the belt) to really tell.

I'm afraid you just may have to try out everything to see what work best for you. And it can change as you build up your touring "fitness". See if you can't borrow some examples to try out first. I'd offer, but I'm a little far away.

Mal

radguzzi · « **Reply #23 on:** June 22, 2015, 07:58:49 AM »

Well I might just take the advise of a couple here and test a two of the different pads while riding across the country.

I ordered a Bead Seat and I will order an Alaska Sheepskin and test them both individually and together. The idea of the Airhawk just gives me feeling that I might be moving around on the seat too much plus, being a tad in seam challenged I do not need to loose that 1" plus of seat height.

The cycling shorts is a good idea also so I'll try them out for size. As mentioned about the size of ones butt, I do not have a great deal of padding back there so we'll see what works...

I appreciate the input and after the ride I will submit my findings in a ride report.

Best,
Rob

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #24 on:** June 22, 2015, 10:30:14 AM »

Quote from: radguzzi on June 22, 2015, 07:58:49 AM

Well I might just take the advise of a couple here and test a two of the different pads while riding across the country.

I ordered a Bead Seat and I will order an Alaska Sheepskin and test them both individually and together. The idea of the Airhawk just gives me feeling that I might be moving around on the seat too much plus, being a tad in seam challenged I do not need to loose that 1" plus of seat height.

The cycling shorts is a good idea also so I'll try them out for size. As mentioned about the size of ones butt, I do not have a great deal of padding back there so we'll see what works...

I appreciate the input and after the ride I will submit my findings in a ride report.

Best,
Rob

I'm late to this argument, but trust me, Airhawk. If it raises you up an inch, you have too much air in it. Same deal if you feel like you are wiggling around. You need just enough air to take off the pressure points. I have ridden intolerable seats across the country with an Airhawk without an issue.

mtiberio · « **Reply #25 on:** June 22, 2015, 10:47:44 AM »

I have used the bead-rider beads, and they work well. more air flow under your butt than an air bladder or gel type pad.

radguzzi · « **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2015, 11:37:35 AM »

Yeah Chuck...

I get that the Airhawk can be good... I asked the collective here for opinions and I have acted on the best guess hoping that I have made the right decision, I based that decision also on the fact that the beads allow air flow too.

I hope I do not regret it. Only the ride will tell. Everyone has a different comfort levels and remedies...

Best,
Rob

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2015, 12:21:30 PM »

Quote

Everyone has a different comfort levels and remedies...

Oh, absolutely.

malik · « **Reply #28 on:** June 22, 2015, 07:24:06 PM »

Quote from: radguzzi on June 19, 2015, 09:31:58 AM

In preparation for the cross country slog on the Guzzi starting at the end of July I have made a list-o-stuff that I need to do; purchased the 3 liter fuel containers,

Rob

I take it you are not riding the Sporti?

Mal

Aaron D. · « **Reply #29 on:** June 22, 2015, 09:29:24 PM »

Katherine just tried out a beadd seat, and doesn't like it. Too bad, it looked cool.

Seriously, an Airhawk. Period.

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Author Topic: Airhawk, Alaska Butt Pad or Beads...? (Read 10242 times)

nunzio

nunzio