So I took a nice long ride with a group of friends this weekend.  I had a great time, but I really need to think about some long-distance riding options next time around.  A couple of questions

#1. I need a throttle retainer.  What size handlebars does the GS500 F have?

#2. I need a more comfortable seat.  Past about 150 miles, I tried everything to get comfortable, and nothing worked.  I've thought about airhawk seats, but I don't know if they'd work on the GS500.  Anyone out there have any advice on a comfy seat?

I know what you mean, I've went on day trips with my parents around 300 miles, and boy was i hurtin when we got home.

If you are sore after 150 miles it's got to be your butt.
Plenty of times I went 250 miles without stopping.  Just move your butt around the seat.  Don't sit in the same spot.  Even a few inches makes a difference.

I've onle got one thing to say,  kitty cat      

Can you say "kitty cat" on the gs website??

People earn there Iron butts.

When I first started riding long rides it was about 200 miles, throught the back roads on the Oregon coast.  And my butt was hurting pretty bad, but the more you do it the more your body gets used to it.

Now near 500mile sportbike rides are very possible with minimual butt hurt.
The knees, back and hips are another story though.

A new seat is always nice, but all it takes is doing it more, and your butt wont hurt near as much.



Micah

haha try sitting on a road bike saddle for 150 miles.  talk about chaffed butt crack. then tell me if ur ass hurts when u ride on that luxurious, comfy, padded throne of a seat the gs comes with .

just so everyone knows, the 01+ seats are MUCH more comfortable than the older seats. 300-400 mile days for me on the 01 weren't too bad.

For the older style bike Corbin makes a seat and Suzuki makes a Gel seat, both are highly regarded for comfort by their owners. I think the Gel is better from what I remember. Part of the problem might be not being used to that kind of mileage but part due to the seat on the 89-00 bikes.

Stop calling him a kitty cat.

How many miles do you have on the bike?  I found the seat uncomfortable at first.  I bought an airhawk and it didn't help.  After 1500 miles, the seat (0r my butt) has broken in and now it's ok.  The airhawk stays on my riding mower.

To all of those that offered actual advice, thanks!  To the rest of you  :nana:
.

I suppose it is true that one has to get used to the seat - I remember the first 50 mile ride on my first bike and how much that hurt after a bit.  I was shifting position quite a bit towards the end, but my knees and rear were killing me. Frankly, it was more my knees than my rear towards the end.  I have about 1,800 miles on the bike, and about 4,000 miles on me (on motorcycles).

And yeah, now that I think about it, this was the first >100 mile ride that I've taken since the spring.

yeah u will defo get used to it mate..i do reg 300 mile runs with no probs......first few times i did get ass, and neck/back ache but not now

I think the trick is to get your derrier into shape.  To do that, sit on it all day long.  It works for me.  




Butt seriously, I've a friend who claims you can get used to any bike's ergos if you have to.  I was complaining to him that I didn't like the (500) Ninja's wrist pressure when I test rode one, and he said ride one everyday, building up to longer trips gradually, and you'll get used to it.  That's a strength thing.  And it does take some strength to use your muscles to compensate for riding position.  (The first 30+minute ride for me on anything becomes quite uncomfortable, and tiring.)  But also you just need to work up the endurance for the position, unless there is something which is a really bad ergo factor for you in particular.  Any bike that stresses the back I think is a bad idea, and you won't know until you ride, since sitting and riding are very different.  Some cruisers are great to lounge on, but if you find yourself trying to lean forward to ride them, you'll be in real bad shape back-wise (or have great abs eventually?).  The wrists, well that can be a problem but I think you can work out of it.  The butt can probably build up endurance.  

Think of it as being like sitting in the wooden high school bleachers for a whole basketball game.  The backside starts to really hurt if you're not used to it, but you can get used to it.  But now add in the vibration and the fact that you can't move your extremities around much.


For me it's more the legs, so I've been known to just stretch out in a V, or use passenger pegs for a while, when riding on the highway.  I used to have trouble with the replacement handlebar my GS came to me with because it turned my wrists somewhat beyond neutral in the horizonal plane, but while I've been building up the ambition to switch to better (for me) stock bars, I've built up the strength in that area to compensate and now they're mostly fine.

All that said, I will keep an eye on the alternative seats myself.  Please let us know about any developments in your particular case.

--Mike D.

I'm working on my iron butt, but this Friday, I'm getting a Corbin seat.  If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.

Quote from: neonyelloI'm working on my iron butt, but this Friday, I'm getting a Corbin seat.  If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.

Cool.  Let us know how you like it.  --Mike D.

Turning back to #1, 7/8 bars. Kerry has an item about "throttle retainer", home made version on his site. You can also get a cheap simple slip on plastic device that clips on the grips and the weight of your hand does the biz.

Just so you don't sue anybody, not all throttle retainers are legal.

For more info, see the Wanted Throttle Lock thread.

And before you ask, the answer is YES.  davipu has sent me some photos of the NEP throttle lock installation.  I just keep forgetting to whip them up into a nice page or post.  If only I had them here at work ... I can't get ANYTHING done at home.  :lol:

According to the local suzuki/honda dealership there's a guy in town here who'll take your seat and put in gel inserts and put it all back together as good as new for around $100. Or at least that's what I remember from when my room mate was looking at bikes in August. I can get more definite info if anyone wants it. Of course, you'll have to ship your seat out though  

Yeah, when you start looking around the yellow pages of any decent sized city, you find lots of upholsterers who'll do the work.  That price sounds about right.  I'm thinking I paid $65-85 to have a new cover put on my CB250 seat.  Just basic, to match the original.  He said he could do anything with what was under the cover too:  more foam, less foam, different kind of foam, though I didn't ask and he didn't say anything about gel.  All that stuff would have cost extra.  But anyhow it was eye-opening to me to know you didn't have to ship out to Corbin to get a new (better?) seat.  In fact many motorcycle folks said look for a boat shop, since supposedly it's the same kind of vinyl used in boats and motorcycle seats.  --Mike D.

Very good advice.  Thanks all.  I saw that Corbin makes a seat for the GS500E up to 2001 maybe?  I don't think that the seat will fit 2002+ GS500's - if it did I'd probably buy one.

But I'll take the advice that I just need to spend more time on longer rides and I'll get used to it.

Thanks for the info on the throttle lock as well.  I realize that they are dangerous, but I'm not looking for a cruise-for-two-hours straight lock, more of a, my-right-hand-needs-45-seconds-to-stretch kind of thing.  Kerry, I like your throttle retainer idea - might have to take a trip down the hardware store this weekend.  

Speaking of gel seats, there is also oldsport's home made option

Gel Seat - 'How To' for under $35.

i'm surprised Kerry hasn't post it