So we're planning a huge ride, our longest yet...and we're thinking we'd like to have some more cushion.
Anyone have any experience with either the Airhawk (or any air type seat pad) vs a strap on gel pad?
We're thinking the 25k miles on our factory CVO seat has worn her down a bit and as we all know...new seats are pricey !
First one I bought the wife liked it so she used it. I bought another one for myself, this time I bought the R cushion. I like it much better than the regular one. I have a custom seat that is very comfortable, but on a long trip I still use the airhawk on some days. I recommend this. As the other person said, adjusting the air pressure is very important. Put air in it and sit on a hard chair, then let the air out till you feel the chair, then put just a little more air in.
The air hawk absolutely makes a difference. Whether you like the difference is subjective.
I carry it with me for when I need it. If you get one, get it early and experiment with it. A couple puffs of air can change it from not so good to sweet. A couple more puffs and you can feel like you are floating around on the seat and the air can push up on your ball sac.
I start out with a sheepskin pelt which is amazing. Adds protection from engine heat, keeps your butt from sweating on the vinyl seat. Air Hawk with sheepskin sits me too high. Might have to try the combination on the low tour solo seat.
Exactly what these two guys said. I had the same bike as you and use the R-type on long trips. Traded up for a '15 and no longer need it. The newer seats are that much better.
The air hawk absolutely makes a difference. Whether you like the difference is subjective.
I carry it with me for when I need it. If you get one, get it early and experiment with it. A couple puffs of air can change it from not so good to sweet. A couple more puffs and you can feel like you are floating around on the seat and the air can push up on your ball sac.
I start out with a sheepskin pelt which is amazing. Adds protection from engine heat, keeps your butt from sweating on the vinyl seat. Air Hawk with sheepskin sits me too high. Might have to try the combination on the low tour solo seat.
I use the Air Hawk in combination with the sheepskin. I start out with the sheepskin only, which is adds great comfort in and of itself. As I ride when I start to feel it a little more, I add the Air Hawk under the sheepskin. It raises me up a little, but not enough to bother me and the added comfort is worth it.
I bought a propad brand gel pad a few years back for cross-country trips. I don't like it a bit. It makes the seat no more comfortable, and maybe even less comfortable, based on usually stopping when the fuel tank gets empty. About a month ago I bought the newly-released harley branded air hawk looking thingy (new item in the catalog). I haven't used it yet so I can't really judge but I like the way it has the dial and pump on the side, so you could literally air it up or let it down as you ride (not that it sounds like a good idea, but...). It cannot be worse than the gel pad lol
I have the Airhawk R and love it. My Mustang seat is good for about 3-400 miles before I start getting sore. I rode 15 hours from Daytona back to east Texas with the Airhawk and never got sore at all. Just play with the air a little until you get it right and then leave it alone.
I bought a gel pad for wifey and she hated it right off , so returned it and bought two airhawks , mine stays on the bike always , HUGE difference , I have ridden 800 mile days back to back and never been more comfortable , but as they said , perfect is only a few puffs , it is almost empty when it is right , one puff too much and yer butt is hurting in five minutes ...
We have had them for prolly three years now and love them ..
Did 7200 miles in two weeks last summer and the air hawk saved me. It was a great help. Like others said it takes much less air than you might think. I usually put it on about mid-day.
Airhawk, like others have said do not over inflate & once you have it dialed in right nothing compares. My gel pads sit in a bin, not sure why I'm saving them
I use the HD air pad and it works great. The HD air pad has a squeeze ball to inflate the pad and a push button to deflate the pad, this feature allows you to adjust the seat air pressure when riding so there is no need to stop the bike to adjust the air seat. I used the Air Hawk before and the HD air pad beats the Air Hawk hands down. JMO
I also use the HD air pad. After spending Hundreds of dollars on different seats, I found the HD Air Zepplin seat cushion or what ever its called. Best money I ever spent. Can ride all day with no problems.
Used a gel pad w/cover on my 2011 RG CVO for 50K, I had replaced my factory seat with a Mustang electric tour seat to get a little more room, Mustang is a great seat, gel made it better - the pad with the "fur" cover added many hours in the saddle, my wife used one as well would not ride without it. Traded the 11 for a 17 RGS, tried the HD tallboy had it for two weeks sold it and got a Lepera daddy long legs ordered with Gel insert, for me the Gel pad or Gel insert is the only way to go - put three hundred miles on the RGS yesterday - couldn't have done it without the gel.....
I use the airhawk to extend my riding day. I ride without it until TB (tired butt) sets in. Then I throw it on and keep going. Easily turns a 350 mile day to a 500 mile day...
I use an air pad, love it on warm days. I also have a sheep skin or as some prefer, dead cat. Between the two of them, it makes long days on the scooter a lot more comfortable.
Have used an AirHawk for years on longer trips. Had a seat with gel inserts. Needed to use the AirHawk over it as I wasn't pleased with the performance, or lack thereof from the gel inserts. I found it best to rotate the AirHawk on and off the bike at each fuel stop.
I use the Wild Ass. Has an adjustable air segment and a gel pad underneath (or on top if you flip the innards over). Rolls up real small for storage, adds about 2" to seat height so keep that in mind with windshields and handlebars.
For some reason it made my butt hurt. I honestly don't know why.
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