I'll be 63 in November, 6'1", 185 lbs. I ride with a Corbin seat w/backrest. The backrest is a must. Bars back where you are not reaching and in a comfortable position. Highway pegs and multiple positions for the legs. I've done at least 10 or more 1000 mile days and one 1138 official iron butt in 16 hours or so. First leg I run a tank out and then after that I stop every 1 1/2 hours, gas, water, and a light snack. This works for me and I can go all day. I prefer now to do 550 to 750 miles per day and can do that multiple days in a row with no problem. You find your rhythm and stick with it and you will be fine. I've done these on a Heritage, Ultra, and now a 15 Roadglide with he Corbin seat. Ready for a summer of long rides. Going to Sturgis from here in Texas and then meeting up and riding to Alaska with about 7 other bikes after Sturgis. Another great summer.
Long distance riding - body-type vs. equipment needs
The 1000-mile seat poll has me wondering a few things... I'm not a long distance rider and I always marvel at those whole claim to be able to ride all day long. While everyone is different, surely there must be some magic combination of body-type, physical conditioning, bike-type, and seat that makes some able to ride all day long. What is 'fit/unfit' in my poll? Only you can decide. Fit can be any combination of age and physical conditioning. You can be young and fit, you can be old and fit. You can be young and unfit, you can be old and unfit. It's all relative to whatever YOU think you are!
At 53, 5'8" and a weight varying between 220 and 250, I'm obviously not a great candidate for long distance riding. I'm unfit. Actually, I'm UN-fit! Despite the extra weight I am active and play competitive tennis so I'm not a slug on the couch either. But I'm only good for an hour and a half in the saddle regardless of what seat I have before I need a break. I've tried all big names, Corbin, Mustang, Le Pera (current), various stock seats (Hammock) along with gel pads, sheep-skin pads, Air Hawk pads, beads - you name it, but still I need a break to stretch.
My wife is 52, 5.4" and only weighs about 115 but she's even worse than me and needs a break at about an hour. In her defense she has bad hips from a lifetime of teaching ballet so it's less about her butt and more about the hips. But her butt does get sore as well.
Anyway, I thought I'd run a poll aimed at the longer(ish) distance guys to see not only what you are running for equipment, but what your body type, age, and general physical conditioning is. I assumed that a younger rider with an ideal body weight and great physical conditioning will be able to ride longer than an old fat guy that thinks beer is an actual food group!
So take the poll, please, but then post your general physical characteristics (if you don't mind), along with your equipment preferences that help you achieve your longest rides in the most comfort, including seats, bikes, clothes and any prep work before, during and after the ride like stretching, eating, drinking, etc. The terms in the poll are going to be relative (young/old, fit/unfit, long/short) and each person will have to decide what category they fall most into. Polls can be tricky to word.
So something like this (although I'm no long distance rider):
I'm 53, 5'8", 250, RGC CVO, Le Pera Maverick, good for an hour and a half non-stop riding then need a nice break then back in the saddle with each subsequent time being a factor of diminishing returns (less time each subsequent run).
At 53, 5'8" and a weight varying between 220 and 250, I'm obviously not a great candidate for long distance riding. I'm unfit. Actually, I'm UN-fit! Despite the extra weight I am active and play competitive tennis so I'm not a slug on the couch either. But I'm only good for an hour and a half in the saddle regardless of what seat I have before I need a break. I've tried all big names, Corbin, Mustang, Le Pera (current), various stock seats (Hammock) along with gel pads, sheep-skin pads, Air Hawk pads, beads - you name it, but still I need a break to stretch.
My wife is 52, 5.4" and only weighs about 115 but she's even worse than me and needs a break at about an hour. In her defense she has bad hips from a lifetime of teaching ballet so it's less about her butt and more about the hips. But her butt does get sore as well.
Anyway, I thought I'd run a poll aimed at the longer(ish) distance guys to see not only what you are running for equipment, but what your body type, age, and general physical conditioning is. I assumed that a younger rider with an ideal body weight and great physical conditioning will be able to ride longer than an old fat guy that thinks beer is an actual food group!
So take the poll, please, but then post your general physical characteristics (if you don't mind), along with your equipment preferences that help you achieve your longest rides in the most comfort, including seats, bikes, clothes and any prep work before, during and after the ride like stretching, eating, drinking, etc. The terms in the poll are going to be relative (young/old, fit/unfit, long/short) and each person will have to decide what category they fall most into. Polls can be tricky to word.
So something like this (although I'm no long distance rider):
I'm 53, 5'8", 250, RGC CVO, Le Pera Maverick, good for an hour and a half non-stop riding then need a nice break then back in the saddle with each subsequent time being a factor of diminishing returns (less time each subsequent run).
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
54 years old, 6 foot, 6.1 in the morning. 200-230 LBs depending on season. Did a 700 and 900 mile trip on bike with stock seat. Really surprised how comfortable STOCK RGU seat was. No problem doing 300-500 mile trips solo, with wife probably better at 200-300 stints. Longest time in saddle was the 900 miler, PA to IL, 16 hours..was a zombie for awhile.
These are not meant to be endorsements. They are simply products that I find to be the most comfortable for long distance rides. For shorter I rides, it is a whole different set of circumstances and riding gear.Clothing is a good topic. I've seen a few other people mention ride-specific underwear for wicking away moisture. I'd like to hear what people have used in this regard. Two bikes ago I used to wear the lycra/spandex bicycle pants under my riding pants on long trips.
Keep 'em coming. Great info.
LD Comfort makes some of the best undergarment riding gear. I use their riding shorts and their short and long sleeve mock shirts. Very comfortable and they offer cooling capability under the proper jacket and pants.
http://ldcomfort.com/
I wear over the calf, scent free socks and waterproof boots from Bass Pro. Again, comfort is the key for me. I have several sets of riding boots, but these are very comfortable.
http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Pro-Team-16-Socks-with-Scent-Control-for-Men/product/10202470/
http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Bone...-Waterproof-Work-Boots-for-Men/product/97348/
My outer layers for distance riding, depending on the weather and temperature, are either HD lightweight rain bibs coupled with an Olympia Transition jacket or the Olympia jacket and Olympia pants for cool to colder weather. The Olympia gear offers a top shell layer over one or two light jackets that offer warmth and/or waterproof capabilities.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/rutledge-hi-vis-rain-suit
http://olympiamotosports.com/product/mens-expedition-jacket/
http://olympiamotosports.com/product/mens-motoquest-pant/
I have many pairs of gloves, but here are the two extremes in mesh and leather.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/skull-full-finger-mesh-gloves
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/windshielder-gauntlet-gloves
If it is very cold out, I also use silk liners for socks and gloves. They make a huge difference in keeping hands and feet warm.
http://wintersilks.blair.com/p/men/...es&q1=235~Men&intl=n&q=*&sc=N&x2=c.t2&x1=c.t1
http://wintersilks.blair.com/p/men/...es&q1=235~Men&intl=n&q=*&sc=N&x2=c.t2&x1=c.t1
I won't go into helmets brands, but for long distance I usually wear a modular helmet because it makes it easier to take a drink of bottled water while riding. I also have a full face carbon fiber that is very lightweight, but requires removal at a stop to take a drink. I always wear custom fitted earplugs, too.
As I said, these are the things I use and wear for long days of riding. I believe it is much easier to ride long distances if your entire body is protected from the elements...wind, sun and rain. Good riding gear that offers proper ventilation will allow you to ride in very hot weather. That same gear with the right liners will keep you warm in very cold temps, as well. I have ridden in temps from 18 degrees to 109 degrees in comfort.
5'7 260. 2 back surgeries, 5 knee surgeries plus a total replacement and The Bruha and my Sundowner seat can go all day.
I'll be 61 next month (hard to believe), 6'0" and 175 lbs. I'm a big runner (good many marathons) so really in fairly good shape. Although sidelined at the moment because left knee discovered I'm about to turn 61 : ). We've got the 13 RGU which is the most fabulous motorcycle I've ridden. Definitely smitten with it. I've got the MCC modified seat which has worked well for me. Ok with 10-12 hour days as long as stretch at gas stops. My other odd-ball tactic for long days is wearing a pair of the padded bicycle shorts under my jeans. They seem to really help. I do have highway pegs. They are great for a short repositioning but I really use them very little - much less than I notice w my buds. And I most often use just one side or the other to dirt of twist my position a bit. And my last detail is I find maximizing the use of my cruise control makes a big difference in reducing my overall tension.
My wife actually does pretty well too. I won't risk the marriage posting her weight but she is 5'7" and light weight, fairly fit. And i wont post her age but she is 2 years younger than me. She loves her gel pad. the biggest improvement to her by FAR has been adding the madstad. Absolutely made the long days completely doable for her. Favorite quote from her after first decent ride with it was "I could stay on the motorcycle all day with this thing!".
Good luck in sorting out your long ride efforts. To me it's not just the seat - that is important - it's the whole combination of things that make it work.
Enjoy your rides of any distance & stay safe!
Ron
My wife actually does pretty well too. I won't risk the marriage posting her weight but she is 5'7" and light weight, fairly fit. And i wont post her age but she is 2 years younger than me. She loves her gel pad. the biggest improvement to her by FAR has been adding the madstad. Absolutely made the long days completely doable for her. Favorite quote from her after first decent ride with it was "I could stay on the motorcycle all day with this thing!".
Good luck in sorting out your long ride efforts. To me it's not just the seat - that is important - it's the whole combination of things that make it work.
Enjoy your rides of any distance & stay safe!
Ron
Motoskiveez makes great riding underwear, a little pricey, but well worth it.
Ride all day
I am 63 6'1" and 315 lbs, and I ride a lot last year I did an Iron Butt 1109 miles in under 24 hours. 2011 Road Glide Ultra, with stock seat and highway pegs. As a big man not that great of shape but can ride all day. Did change out my suspension with progressive front and back made the biggest difference in riding style.
I am 63 6'1" and 315 lbs, and I ride a lot last year I did an Iron Butt 1109 miles in under 24 hours. 2011 Road Glide Ultra, with stock seat and highway pegs. As a big man not that great of shape but can ride all day. Did change out my suspension with progressive front and back made the biggest difference in riding style.
Get the adjustable footpeg mounts, I got mine from Harley but I think there are other sources for them. The mounts are a little pricey but they are worth it IMO.Great responses so far. I've noticed some trends here and on some other seat-threads:
Highway pegs - the ability to move your legs around is key to allowing the blood to flow in areas that might not be getting it enough. There are highway pegs on my bike (were there when I bought) but they are too far away. I'm going to need to buy some extensions. The only problem I have with highway pegs is that I've had them before and I typically almost never use them because I don't generally ride long enough to need to use them.
I don't normally use my pegs around town either. City Streets or rush hour traffic, major danger zone. Safer to have your feet right next to the controls. Not to mention that you have better control of the bike with your feet on the floorboards.Highway pegs - the ability to move your legs around is key to allowing the blood to flow in areas that might not be getting it enough. There are highway pegs on my bike (were there when I bought) but they are too far away. I'm going to need to buy some extensions. The only problem I have with highway pegs is that I've had them before and I typically almost never use them because I don't generally ride long enough to need to use them.
As soon as I hit the open highway, I kick the pegs down to the horizontal position and away I go. It gives me a wider variety of positions for my feet, and as its been mentioned before, movement is important on long rides.
I'm 6'4" 245. And have logged many 1000 mile days on all kinds of bikes. Once on a Honda 250 one lunger. I personally prefer hard seats I can move around on. But that's a personal thing. Although it does make the stock seats fairly appealing. I really think the big thing for most people is getting a good fit on the bike. I'm always sort of surprised at the number of people who ride bikes with fits that leave them in positions that are going to be fatiguing.
A lot of good advice here. I'm 6'2" 220. I ride with a Corbin, highway pegs , good tunes ,backrest and a good attitude. Wicking performance underwear is a great addition. Wallet is in the glove box .
At fuel stops I hydrate and eat small snacks .And of course Cruise Control is my friend. I also wear a full face helmet.
.
At fuel stops I hydrate and eat small snacks .And of course Cruise Control is my friend. I also wear a full face helmet.
.
Bars, controls, seat. Function over form
.the poll asks if you are fit, what it should ask, is your bike fit to you
Proper fit of bars, controls, and seat to the individual is paramount. I have been riding for 46 years and have ridden all types of bikes, although most of my miles are on Harley's.
I use heli-bars. adjustable so that I get a perfect fit for me.
My seat is a Corbin! Best seat for me! My controls on my 13 rug are in position for me. Now that I have said me several times, my point is you need to make what ever adjustments (translate to installed components) as necessary to bring the bike to your dimensions, vs trying to adjust you to the bike.
Basic, but I have been surprised by the number of riders that I have met who install components for looks, then are wondering why they are not able to ride distances or they are beat up at the end of a 350 mile (short ride)
YMMV but as I have gotten older, style to me is comfort during a long or short ride
Form, fit, and function. Three little words that have a large impact on satisfaction
.the poll asks if you are fit, what it should ask, is your bike fit to you
Proper fit of bars, controls, and seat to the individual is paramount. I have been riding for 46 years and have ridden all types of bikes, although most of my miles are on Harley's.
I use heli-bars. adjustable so that I get a perfect fit for me.
My seat is a Corbin! Best seat for me! My controls on my 13 rug are in position for me. Now that I have said me several times, my point is you need to make what ever adjustments (translate to installed components) as necessary to bring the bike to your dimensions, vs trying to adjust you to the bike.
Basic, but I have been surprised by the number of riders that I have met who install components for looks, then are wondering why they are not able to ride distances or they are beat up at the end of a 350 mile (short ride)
YMMV but as I have gotten older, style to me is comfort during a long or short ride
Form, fit, and function. Three little words that have a large impact on satisfaction
I agree that form, fit and function are of course paramount and although I did not state it in the poll/lead post, I assumed that everyone would have a bike that fits them. My bike fits me to to a tee. I sit at a perfect position as evidenced by my lack of fatigue anywhere when I ride other than my backside. Since that is the one place that causes me to need to stop and rest, it's either the seat or my poor physical conditioning/excess weight that are to blame..the poll asks if you are fit, what it should ask, is your bike fit to you
Proper fit of bars, controls, and seat to the individual is paramount. I have been riding for 46 years and have ridden all types of bikes, although most of my miles are on Harley's.
I use heli-bars. adjustable so that I get a perfect fit for me.
My seat is a Corbin! Best seat for me! My controls on my 13 rug are in position for me. Now that I have said me several times, my point is you need to make what ever adjustments (translate to installed components) as necessary to bring the bike to your dimensions, vs trying to adjust you to the bike.
Basic, but I have been surprised by the number of riders that I have met who install components for looks, then are wondering why they are not able to ride distances or they are beat up at the end of a 350 mile (short ride)
YMMV but as I have gotten older, style to me is comfort during a long or short ride
Form, fit, and function. Three little words that have a large impact on satisfaction
Like you, I've been riding for over 40 years and I always marvel at the guys that say they can ride such long distances with seemingly no problems. It's quite obvious to me that if I was 100 pounds lighter I could ride much farther. I was just looking for a general consensus from the majority and I think the poll is showing that I suspected in that fit riders with great bike/seats do the best followed by not fit riders with great bikes/seats.
In fact, I would say that the loose term 'great bike' in the poll means a bike set up well that fits you well!
Thanks again to all that took the time to share their opinions!!
First off, since Im a girl, I wont give you my weight...lol But Im not skinny by any sense of the word...HAHA
Im 5'8 and with my bikes properly set up for me (Corbin seats only) I can easily and have ridden multiple 700-1200 mile trips in a day with no issues.
Im 5'8 and with my bikes properly set up for me (Corbin seats only) I can easily and have ridden multiple 700-1200 mile trips in a day with no issues.
5'7... 210 pounds..Stock seat.. I have found that the seat isnt the problem, for me..It was the seams in my undies caused a burning..did away with the seams, got rid of the burning in my legs..400-500 miles no problem now.. Also have highway pegs on crash bars, LOW, and a back rest...
Starting with an 03 Ultra, had a custom seat fitted for the wife and I. I'm 6'2'' 230 we carry a total of 390 pounds. put 88K on the 03 got bought an 05 CVO electraglide and transferred the seat to it in 06 just traded it in with 92k on a 15 RGU CVO. That seat wont fit the new bike, not sure what we will do. At this point we average 15000 miles a year on the bike.
We have travelled at least 40 1000 mile days seeing the USA and hope to continue. I believe how you eat, riding often, for us a 300 mile Saturday ride is normal, and hydration is key to making a 1000 mile day trip doable easy.
We have travelled at least 40 1000 mile days seeing the USA and hope to continue. I believe how you eat, riding often, for us a 300 mile Saturday ride is normal, and hydration is key to making a 1000 mile day trip doable easy.
Just did 460 miles on Saturday. no problems. I've posted my additions to my RGU on this thread before. I just love to ride. 
I'm 45 6' and around 240ish. Not great shape not bad either. I run 16" apes (hill country) 16" shield (LRS) XL Banana boards and crash bar mounted highway pegs. The seat that I put all my 1k days to date on was the LePera Maverick. This year I'm trying the Danny Gray with the Airhawk built in pad. The Texas trip will be the proving ground for this seat. I have found it's not about miles it's about seat time. I can put down 1k on the super slab no problem and in the same amount of time on back scenic roads do a 500 mile day and have a sore ass. It's all who you are and what kind of riding you do. Ride safe and enjoy!!!
Got home a couple of hours ago from a 849 mile day ride...twelve hours door to door. Ran up through Iowa and Nebraska into South Dakota then back home to Leawood, KS. Had decent, but overcast weather most of the day...wore my rain bibs throughout and kept the rain jacket at the ready...needed it twice all day. The worst of the rain started about 12 miles from my house and created a downpour the rest of the way home. Nothing like good rain gear to make a wet ride more enjoyable!
I'm 6'2", 180, 67 years old. Two summers ago, at age 65, I did a 6600 mile cross-country ride in 14 days, with one day only 100 miles, two back-to-back days of 700-730 miles.
I don't usually ride till the tank's near empty. 150-175 miles, and I stop for a short break and gas.
In a week, I'll be leaving for another X-country, probably 8000+ miles. We'll see how this goes. Probably a bit slower than before.
My butt starts hurting a bit after 6 hours or so. Just squirm around and adjust, and keep going. I have a modified stock seat but it needs to be rebuilt.
I ride a'12 Road Glide Ultra. Currently 56,000 miles, bone stock engine & exhaust.
I don't usually ride till the tank's near empty. 150-175 miles, and I stop for a short break and gas.
In a week, I'll be leaving for another X-country, probably 8000+ miles. We'll see how this goes. Probably a bit slower than before.
My butt starts hurting a bit after 6 hours or so. Just squirm around and adjust, and keep going. I have a modified stock seat but it needs to be rebuilt.
I ride a'12 Road Glide Ultra. Currently 56,000 miles, bone stock engine & exhaust.
21 - 40 of 43 Posts
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