how do you do it? how can you go on all day rides. I went on my first longish ride today and my butt hurt so bad! It probably didn't help that I went for a 17 mile mountain bike ride first, but still, I couldn't make it 60 miles before I was in miserable pain.
The mountain bike ride probably had something to do with it, my bum is always a little tender the day after a mountain bike ride like that and i notice it when i sit on the seat,
But if you cant make 60 miles on a bike you probably need a more relax riding position, if you hold your arm stiff the rest of your body will do the same and bumps will travel through your body making you use more energy
Good riding gear will also help reduce fatigue on longer trips too.
How long have you been riding? How old is the bike?
New riders tend to get sore butts. But also clothing can play a part (the tightness of your cloths, where your underwear lines sit, etc.) as can your leg length as different pressures are placed on different parts of your legs due to your leg length and your ability to spread over the seat. How close to the tank do you sit also has an effect as the rear of your butt is pushing against the rear of the seat. Vibration coming up through the seat can also add to discomfort over a long ride.
My last bike I needed to get an AirHawk Cushion. It removed all discomfort - and - also I saw a dull back ache (like tired muscles) disappear. Besides giving more even padding and reducing vibrations, it also slightly raised my seating position which slightly alters my back's angle to the handlebars which could have helped my back thing too.
BUT
The GS hasn't needed this cushion. It's a comfortable seat as it is. And I can ride for a couple of hours at highway speeds without discomfort - my rides aren't usually longer than two hours away in one hit. So I'll ride to the end destination with one stop between and morning tea at 1st stop and lunch at the end. With a single stint on the way back which can be a 100 mile hit. So I'd ride 50 miles have morning tea, ride another 50 and have lunch then ride 100 back in one go.
So first, spend more time in the seat. Ride daily for 20 miles at a time. Commute to work and back.
Michael
not all of our gs500 seats are the same though. my seat is very firm, while cstilt's seat is much more comfortable, both are the newer style. you may have one like mine :( sorry, lol
I just did 350 miles in 7 hours on tuesday and my body was sore but my rear end was ok. I think you just need some more seat time. If anything, my hands were numb every once in a while due to vibration.
Quote from: erbilabuc on August 15, 2009, 06:03:54 PM
If anything, my hands were numb every once in a while due to vibration.
whn my hands get alittle numb, I will set my cruise, then hold the handlebars with my other hand, while flexing the other. works well
I think it's conditioning your butt, at least that's what I'm hoping... The first few times I'd come back walking bowlegged with a soar bum, but I've been able to extend my trips. The longest ride I've done though my knee was the failure point. Being in the ridding position really worked it over. There's a reason that people are impressed by people who do iron butt runs.
ya, go buy tight knit underwear, it helps alot, and something that will help make sweat dry fast, thats what kills you haha. we went on a pretty good trip about 2 years ago, 10500 in 16 days, and my butt was fine, then again i was on a vstrom and my pops was on his busa, but he said everything was great and we were only sore from just sitting in the same postition all day. it was the first long ride i did and it was fine, its all in the underwear, haha. :thumb:
i Did 1200 miles over the past week. riding 2 hours before breaks. usually by the hour i get uncomfortable and just shift my weight to different parts.
when I used to go on longer rides, especially highway where I knew I was just going to be sitting still for a long time I would wear some padded bicycle shorts, it helps a bit.
edit: under my pants, not just the bike shorts!
I use anti monkey butt powder ( http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ ). I rode about 500 miles Saterday. I didn't have near the sorness that I would usually have on much shorter rides.
Quote from: squirrel-22 on August 17, 2009, 01:15:16 PM
I use anti monkey butt powder ( http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ ). I rode about 500 miles Saterday. I didn't have near the sorness that I would usually have on much shorter rides.
I'm pretty sure that stuff is just baby powder. Look at the ingredients, they are the same from what I can remember.
On longer rides sometimes I switch my feet to the passenger pegs for a different riding position. But my butt doesn't get sore on the GS like it did when I would do long trips on a DRZ400.
Quote from: mister on August 15, 2009, 05:47:38 PM
How long have you been riding? How old is the bike?
New riders tend to get sore butts. But also clothing can play a part (the tightness of your cloths, where your underwear lines sit, etc.)
That's why I don't wear any underwear, or clothes for that matter, when I ride. I like to feel the breeze... haha :D
boxers, not briefs. just that simple for me... my briefs have these terrible hems along the leg holes that kill my ride for some reason. boxers (or commando, like today) works great.
Ever try a thong??? :D
-Jessie
I remember my very first ride this year. It started at the hour mark, i thought jeez my ass is sore. Within the 2 hour mark my right side was numb. At 3 hours it started going into my right leg. Thats when i decided to get off.
Now a days my ass has adapted a permanent muscle tone that allows me 6 hour rides with no problems... :icon_lol:
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on August 17, 2009, 06:17:13 PM
Ever try a thong??? :D
-Jessie
That's the last time I ride with you. :o :D
:laugh: :D
Freeway time what I find best is to rest my left elbow on the gas tank and let that take some weight off my butt. But also this is on a GS500F the fairing and a Zero Gravity sport touring windshield help make it a breeze to do 700 mile days, yes I've ridden that much in a single day. So probably the best anti-fatigue thing you can get is a windshield.
as a new rider Ive noticed bicycle shorts help a lot, I also adjust seating position often. Biggest ride i have done is 300 miles with about 250mi at 70mph indicated, built up the back and neck muscles for that in a week.
I also got sore within an hour or so when i first got my bike; it just takes getting used to.
If I am going on a long ride I make sure to start off as far back on the seat as possible, almost on the passenger seat but not quite.
Once I start to get sore/tired I move forward until I am right up against the tank and I'm good to go for another hour or so.
The longest ride I have done is about 3 hours but moving back and forth every hour or so keeps me comfortable.