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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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  #1  
Old 7 Jun 2010
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I'm talking to a guy call Lee at Viking Vinyl and he reckons he'd be able to create a Russell Day Long styled seat for a lot less than the quoted 600 bucks. He uses gel and memory foam as well as other stiffer foams to give adequate support and spread the load evenly. I'm waiting for the last qoute and think we'll go with it. I like the idea of the Saddle like seat that you sit IN not ON.

If this won't be enough and Airhawk doesnt seem like a big expense and also covered by a sheepskin this would make the ride a pleasure

Is there a world record for the longest continuous ride on the bike? Hours? Miles?

Just kidding! We're after the best possible comfort.

Thanks a lot for the info!
Andy
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Old 7 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyWx View Post
I'm talking to a guy call Lee at Viking Vinyl and he reckons he'd be able to create a Russell Day Long styled seat for a lot less than the quoted 600 bucks. He uses gel and memory foam as well as other stiffer foams to give adequate support and spread the load evenly. I'm waiting for the last qoute and think we'll go with it. I like the idea of the Saddle like seat that you sit IN not ON.

If this won't be enough and Airhawk doesnt seem like a big expense and also covered by a sheepskin this would make the ride a pleasure

Is there a world record for the longest continuous ride on the bike? Hours? Miles?

Just kidding! We're after the best possible comfort.

Thanks a lot for the info!
Andy
Sounds good! The combination of the correct foams is critical. Hope it works out ... certainly worth a try. Hopefully the guy can work with you and make adjustments until the seat works for you.

Longest continuous ride?
No idea but I would not bet against some of our crazy Iron Butt riders. These guys fit huge gas tanks and one or more Aux fuel tanks. They run Pee tubes down their leg ... and most use Russell Seats! In the early IBR (Iron Butt Rally) days there were no fuel limits. Now there is; (11 or 12 US gallons I think?)

In the old days guys would carry 16 to 20 gallons all plumbed in ... and could ride all the way through the tank(s). These guys do about 1000 miles a day for 11 days with no required breaks. Just nuts.
Not for me thanks. Just stupid.
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  #3  
Old 8 Jun 2010
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These guys do about 1000 miles a day for 11 days with no required breaks.
That is incorrect, the IB rally has sleep and rest breaks included in the itinerary and riders are expected to take them and can be penalised if they don't. The get bonus points if they prove they did sleep!

They also have scheduled stops between the different ride legs, so there are more sleep/rest opportunities right there.

You obviously have no idea what they do!!!

TS
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Old 8 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by TravellingStrom View Post
That is incorrect, the IB rally has sleep and rest breaks included in the itinerary and riders are expected to take them and can be penalised if they don't. The get bonus points if they prove they did sleep!

They also have scheduled stops between the different ride legs, so there are more sleep/rest opportunities right there.

You obviously have no idea what they do!!!

TS
How many IBR's have you ridden?

For years they had NONE of the rules you quote and the ones they did have had no way to be enforced. Back then they had very few if any actual "manned" check points, so it was all about getting receipts with date/time stamps, pretty much the honor system. Talk to the riders mate.

I don't really follow the IBR closely now so I'm not familiar with current new rules ... but I have known some former IBR riders personally. They cheat. Period. The winners get around every rule in the book to win. They are not supposed to speed either. yea, right.

I'm amazed more riders haven't died. The poor Aussie guy hit a Deer last year .... no helmet. Tragic. I knew Fran Crane and a good friend was on the search party for the guy who went off the road and disappeared some years ago. They found him ... 2 days later. I'm sure they all had comfortable seats!
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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I'm amazed more riders haven't died. The poor Aussie guy hit a Deer last year .... no helmet. Tragic. I'm sure they all had comfortable seats!
Soory to take this thread off-topic.... but, yes, I'm amazed too and I really believe IBR is a foolish and dangerous concept - to each his own, however.

One thing that can be learned from Dave's (the Aussie guy) mishap is take along your own shampoo and don't use what's provided in the motel - if he had done that I believe he would still be alive today.

As for a comfortable seat, the only thing that is going to keep your bum from aching is to use lots of painkillers - and that's not a good combination for ongoing alertness.
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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As for a comfortable seat, the only thing that is going to keep your bum from aching is to use lots of painkillers - and that's not a good combination for ongoing alertness.
On topic.
I have over 260,000 miles on my BMW R100R, 2-up on a Russell Day-Long seat.
No Iron Butt rides but many 10 -12 hour days and we never had to use painkillers.
If you have never had a custom seat you have no idea how comfortable they are.
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Old 9 Jun 2010
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Airhawk

Talking of Airhawk's I've got one-used literally on 2 ride outs-and couldn't get on with it-if anyone wants to make me an offer its in my garage in London.
PM me if interested.

Thanks

Simon
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Old 10 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by John Ferris View Post
On topic.
I have over 260,000 miles on my BMW R100R, 2-up on a Russell Day-Long seat.
No Iron Butt rides but many 10 -12 hour days and we never had to use painkillers.
If you have never had a custom seat you have no idea how comfortable they are.
Hi John, I've done many 16 hour days on the bike (I even did a month of 12+ hour days on a little Chinese 125 (with absolutely minimal seat padding) across China) without needing any aid but what the IBRers get up to is ridiculous.

I'm talking 20 hour days in a row for a week or so - a totally different kettle of fish.
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Old 10 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by John Ferris View Post
On topic.
I have over 260,000 miles on my BMW R100R, 2-up on a Russell Day-Long seat.
No Iron Butt rides but many 10 -12 hour days and we never had to use painkillers.
If you have never had a custom seat you have no idea how comfortable they are.
Plus 1000

I'm not sure why our English and Aussie brothers seem so CHEAP about getting a good seat. Such a huge difference when its right.
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Old 10 Jun 2010
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Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post

One thing that can be learned from Dave's (the Aussie guy) mishap is take along your own shampoo and don't use what's provided in the motel - if he had done that I believe he would still be alive today.
What has shampoo got to do with his death, what a stupid statement!!!
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Old 10 Jun 2010
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What has shampoo got to do with his death, what a stupid statement!!!
Not at all. Why do you suppose Dave took off his helmet? No one knows for sure, only him but its not hard to put together a highly likely scenario based on my own, and many other rider's experiences.

Ever heard of, or had, helmet head? It's that terrible itch you get on your scalp that just makes you want to throw your helmet as far as possible.

Do you know what causes it? Massive amounts of sodium lauryl sulfate which is used in cheap shampoos such as those provided in motels.

My bet is that Dave pulled into a cheap motel, got some shuteye, had a quick shower, washed his hair and got 1/2 an hour down the rode before his scalp erupted.

Everyone on Farriders has commented on the fact that Dave was ALWAYS very helmet conscious and it was totally out of character for him not be wearing one.

If you can think of a better explanation please provide it.
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Old 14 May 2018
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Opinions on seat comfort are highly individualistic.

I'd encourage you to find some folks near where you live who have the different seats you're considering and ask if you can come sit on them to test for comfort. A bit of a strange ask, but better than ending up with a seat you don't like.

Having broken my tailbone once and then fractured it a second time, a comfortable seat is a must for long journeys. I've tried Corbin, Mayer, Sargent, and a handful of others. Sometimes the Corbins work well - and other times, it's Mayer all the way.

Hope you'll take time to try a few out and see what works. Sheepskin only works for so long.
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