Help me live with my first cruiser

[Gusable]

Got this EV.  Had Ned's seats do the rider seat.  I have 200 miles on that seat now.  After about 60 miles on this bike my tail hurts bad.  Like I want OFF the dang thing! Walk around, piddle in the garage for a bit and I'm a little better.  I have a undiagnosed tailbone issue for sure.  The EV seat pan is sitting on the ecm and it is what it is... I need to live with the bike. I can't change it much more.  Moto skivees, air hawk , sheepskin etc could be in my future.  I love the bike and it's tons of fun!  My lower back is hurting too.  Cruiser specific stretches?? I'm not used to my legs in this position. I'll toughen up? Just keep riding??? Sounds good to me!! Tell me one of you have " fought through" the aches and pains!!

[RightD]

My $0.02... Try the Airhawk and check to make sure you are not slouching.

Bad posture used to make my lower back hurt on a cruiser.

Good luck,
- RightD

[Dharma Bum]

Consider some bars that put you in a slight reach for them.  Will take some weight off of your tailbone.

[fotoguzzi]

try moving your feet to the passenger pegs for relief. if you like that, modify some levers to work from the passenger pegs?  also could the tall EV bars be part of it? get some lower more normal bars so you lean slightly forward. (Jackal/Stone bars worked for me) the Airhawk is good but not THE solution.
move ECU to the battery compartment with a slim Oddessey battery and cut that bump out of the seat pan.

[guzzisteve]

I have a Corbin on my 98 and lean forward a bit which helps.     

[pete roper]

Try selling it and buying something that isn't a cruiser. Some of us think cruisers are the work of the devil!

Pete

[Lee Davis]

I have ridden many different bikes over the last 50 years and never had a problem with the seating, until I had a new 883 Sportster (2007). After a time I developed what I thought was arthritis in my hip joints. Even went to the doctor, who could not find anything wrong (at least, physically). It persisted, with a fair amount of discomfort, until I sold the bike. Then it cleared up. I think that seating is a lot like women... there are some that just rub you the wrong way. The solution... date more. Wait, were we talking about motorcycles?

[80CX100]

     I agree with your impressions,,, I'm not a cruiser guy at all,,, but my main road bike now is my California Vintage. I find the sitting straight up, feet slightly forward, at times, seems to place a lot of pressure on my spine down through my tailbone/butt.

     I picked up an airhawk, that helped a lot,,, but after some time in the saddle, when I can feel my spine compressing, it really helps if I pull my upper body forward,lean into the wind, breathe deep as I stretch my back out as best I can, repeat as required. fwiw ymmv

     Kelly

[Chesterfield]

Have a seat maker make a pocket in the seat by removing foam so the end of your tailbone is not being pushed on

[molly]

I have ridden many different bikes over the last 50 years and never had a problem with the seating, until I had a new 883 Sportster (2007). After a time I developed what I thought was arthritis in my hip joints. Even went to the doctor, who could not find anything wrong (at least, physically). It persisted, with a fair amount of discomfort, until I sold the bike. Then it cleared up. I think that seating is a lot like women... there are some that just rub you the wrong way. The solution... date more. Wait, were we talking about motorcycles?

I had exactly the same problem with a Sportster recently. The solution: sold the damn thing. Never so glad to see the back of a bike.

[frans belgium]

Sorry to spoil the party, but(t), - pun intended - you might have bought the wrong bike.   Had two EV's. First one had the ecu right under my butt and it hurt like hell.  Had the seat stuffed, which helped a bit.  Second one caused lower back problems.  If you have that sort of problems, solution is to get a bike that puts your feet right UNDER you, not forward.  And perhaps lean a bit forward.  Since the EV, I had the Breva and the Norge.  With those, I did 600+ miles rides with no pain whatsoever.  Now I also have a Beemer FS700, straight upright position and very comfy.
Check this out: http://cycle-ergo.com/

[ejs]

I cut that bump out of the seat pan. And put gaffa tape on the outside of it. The computer just touches the tape.
Put a 15mm gel pad under the seat cover, removed the straps from the pad. Smaller than the seat.Do not look so good but works very good for me.

 for me the corbin seat was to wide and to high.

[Ncdan]

With 45 years of ridding I have a conclusion for this issue. If your ridding position is one that one use your arms to keep yourself from falling (over stated) backwards, you are on your tailbone. One needs to be slightly pushing yourself back to keep from falling foreword, this relieves pressure from the spine and tail bone. Don't be afraid of a firm seat as your butt will adjust to it and in the long run is much easier to the butt than a too soft and the butt bones ending  on the seat pan. Move around a lot and change foot position from way behind you to way in front. Most important tip is, Get your butt offnthe seat about every hour for a few minutes. Ride safe

[Gusable]

This is bike number 8 and my first cruiser.  No other bike I've owned has hurt my lower back. Tailbone pain on all due to seat time. Anyone need a nice 98 EV cheap?

[charlie b]

You can fix it if you modify the seat, but....

I can't do the highway peg or 'laid back' kind of posture, not even the sit up and beg on ADV bikes.  My lower back starts to hurt badly.  I have to be leaned forward.  The benefit to that is the weight is on my butt and thighs, not tailbone.  FWIW, I made my own seat.  After three tries i got it to fit me.

[Zoom Zoom]

IIRC, there were a number of folks at the time, that put a smaller battery in these bikes and left enough space to move the puter down beside it. Once that is done, that notch on the underside if the seat can be cut out giving you much more latitude in the seat design. ie: getting rid of that plastic piece that hits the tail bone. Newer EV's starting in '01 used the small puter under the side cover leaving a big empty space where the P8 used to reside.

John Henry

[Gusable]

Maybe I'll sell this bike and get the Calvin I want!!

[pebra]

I've had two different cruisers, different bikes, one was an EV, '98 I think.
Anyway, getting on and starting out was very comfortable, but after an hour I couldn't take any more. Never tried making changes to bars, pegs or seats, though. Sold both bikes.

Like Frans above, I can ride all day on another type of bike, with a firm seat. For me, sitting crouched and leaning slightly forward is far better than sitting up when riding.

[guzzisteve]

Maybe I'll sell this bike and get the Calvin I want!!

Same stuff different color.    I would try shorter bars 1st. OR get a 20AH batt and slide ECU next to it in batt tray THEN put on CalVin seat.

[Gusable]

I was looking for a quota when I found this. Coming off a big GS I certainly like the  upright seating with my legs under me. Can  I put a Calvin seat on this bike if I do the computer move? I love the guzzi character and really am enjoying the bike!!

[Sheepdog]

I put Cali Stone handlebars and a Sargent seat with a widened and dished seating surface raised by 3/4" on my Vintage. The combination transformed my bike into a better handling and more comfortable ride. I'm 5'11" with a 31" inseam and the revised ergonomics work really well.

[Tom]

Sounds like you're slouching.  Try this before doing anything else.

Every 45 minutes of riding or whenever you come to stop.  Put both feet on the ground and stand up.  Stretch out your torso and take the weight off your butt.  If you can't put both feet on the ground.  Do at least one foot and take the weight off you butt.

[guzzisteve]

I was looking for a quota when I found this. Coming off a big GS I certainly like the  upright seating with my legs under me. Can  I put a Calvin seat on this bike if I do the computer move? I love the guzzi character and really am enjoying the bike!!

Yes, seat works.

[boatdetective]

I had an absolutely gorgeous EV. However, like you, I couldn't take the riding position. I want my feet under me and a little hollow in my back. No way to get that with an EV.

[tazio]

Try selling it and buying something that isn't a cruiser. Some of us think cruisers are the work of the devil!

Pete

Ding,ding. We have a winner!
The Semi-supine position is a show stopper for me.

[decotriumph]

Corbin seat is a game-changer on an EV.

[Kev m]

Truthfully we're all built differently.

For me I get more uncomfortable with my feet below me, knees been too much, and leaning forward on my taint.

I was on the Monster for only about 100 miles on Thursday, with multiple stops, and I was hurting.

I was on the RK Friday for 100 miles before I stopped and was fine. I can ride that bike through the 200+ mile range multiple times in a day with only fuel stops and not be hurting.

So likely the bike just isn't for you. THAT SAID my Cali Jackal had a horrible seat and though the ergos were right for me I'd be in pain by 50 miles, ESPECIALLY after I broke my tail bone snowboarding. Of course a new seat would have solved that, but I doubt that would be enough on your case.

[n3303j]

Really like my '98 V11EV. The seating position is too upright and it puts a bit of pressure on the tailbone. It also tends to transmit hard shocks through the spine because of the upright seating position.

That being said I've spent a number of 400+ mile days in the stock seat without any real discomfort. I do stretch and bend and move around while in the saddle. It makes a difference.

Now my T3 has a rock hard solo saddle (aftermarket). It does have the civilian bars from MG Cycle which put me a bit lower, bent forward a bit and wrists at less of a "wheelbarrow grip" position.

I'm in the process of making up handlebars for the EV that will duplicate the seating position I enjoy on my T3. I'm sure similar bars are available on the market but I can't find anyone who completely describes their bars with full dimensions.

So my bike is the Blue EV with black handlebars.

[arveno]

http://theseatguyjon.com/


this guy does very good work.

[Gusable]

Have a seat maker make a pocket in the seat by removing foam so the end of your tailbone is not being pushed on

Ned's seats did that for me on this seat. Not feeling a difference at this point