Triumphrat

PaulM · 08-21-2012, 06:09 AM

Hi All, Do to age my hips are starting to ache when riding my 02 sprint, i'm thinking of buying an Airhawk seat to see if it helps with pain relief. Has anyone on here had the same problem with their hips and tried a Airhawk seat and seen any improvement. Any comments would be much appreciated.
Thanks Paul

Miggs · 08-21-2012, 06:55 AM

Hi fellow Northamptonian!

I have a suspicion that hip pain might have more to do with your seating position rather than what your sitting on, ie angle of back to legs etc.
I remember having problems hauling my 955 down to Italy and Croatia, and apart from popping Ibuprofen before setting off, the only real difference I noticed was putting risers on the bars to sit a little more upright.

The biggest relief I got was changing to a BMW RT - but that only transferred the pain to my wallet!! so I came back to the fold!

Good luck with it anyway.

XL1200R · 08-21-2012, 10:09 AM

It MIGHT - Like Miggs said, if it is due to the angle of the joint, using one won't help and may actually hurt, as it raises the seat slightly and will cause you to lean forward a little more to the bars. However, if the pain comes from pressure on the backside of your hip bones that poke through your derier, it should help. I've used one and it make the seat much more comfy, just haven't felt the need on the GT yet.

Miggs · 08-21-2012, 10:57 AM

As XL1200R has stated a little more padding may help.
I suggest finding a bit of foam or small pillow etc to sit on and ride around for a while and prove it one way or the other.
If this gives you some relief then consider having the seat reworked by someone like Matt Caulfield @ Caulfield Leather.
He just took a load out of mine to lower my sitting position. Only cost £40 for the work.
You would need to pay more as he won't be able to reuse the cover.

Black Dog · 08-21-2012, 12:10 PM

I sometimes get a sharp pain in the hip joint, similar feeling to a muscle cramp. Funnily enough, it rarely happens when I set off or during the first part of a ride, but if I have to stop and put my feet down, the pain starts as soon as I put my feet back on the pegs. It is then intermittent for the rest of the ride. Most days, it doesn't happen, but then other days I get it on and off all day. No pattern to it.

I get this on all bikes, but it is noticeably better (i.e. hardly ever happens) on my trailbike. I assume this is because of the higher seat and therefore the less acute hip angle. This would lead me to think that anything which raises your posterior from the seat would help the problem. An Airhawk may well be the solution, but my problem isn't severe enough to justify the megabucks price tag.

PeirreOBollox · 08-21-2012, 01:48 PM

similar to the airhawk, and highly praised on the adventure riders forums, but much cheaper on your wallet is a Putnams Stadium seat

I have 2, one of which goes in the big pocket (behind my butt) of my textile jacket, I can slightly inflate it for additional comfort, or carry it as a spare, or for pillion, the other 1 sits on the seat. The poppers can be pulled out and it will leave you with 2 pair of eyelets that can be tied to the seatto keep it in place
IF used too agressively its possible to burst them however. But to see if this type of cushion will relieve the problem. Its far cheaper (1/10th) than the airhawk

another option: check out a local horse tack suppliers, and see if they have gel pads.
These are the saddle shaped ones that sit between the saddle and the horse & are notched at the front to fit around the horses neck, however they also fit around the tank where your knees grip

PaulM · 08-21-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeirreOBollox

similar to the airhawk, and highly praised on the adventure riders forums, but much cheaper on your wallet is a Putnams Stadium seat

I have 2, one of which goes in the big pocket (behind my butt) of my textile jacket, I can slightly inflate it for additional comfort, or carry it as a spare, or for pillion, the other 1 sits on the seat. The poppers can be pulled out and it will leave you with 2 pair of eyelets that can be tied to the seatto keep it in place
IF used too agressively its possible to burst them however. But to see if this type of cushion will relieve the problem. Its far cheaper (1/10th) than the airhawk

another option: check out a local horse tack suppliers, and see if they have gel pads.
These are the saddle shaped ones that sit between the saddle and the horse & are notched at the front to fit around the horses neck, however they also fit around the tank where your knees grip

Hi , Thanks for that have ordered a Stadium Seat to give it a try. Its so cheap its worth a try. Cheers Paul

PeirreOBollox · 08-22-2012, 12:38 PM

If you can find some sort of cover for the stadium seat, it may help it keep it in place, and stop you from pinching it, and bursting it. Again take a look at horse saddle suppliers, as there are faux sheepskin covers for the gel pad I previously described that can be adapted.
Or if you are not keen on using a cover and prefer the K.I.S.S method, get yourself some 3-5mm shock cord (eBay?) and fix loops thru the eyelets, so that they can be looped under the seat (removed & replaced)

Even knicker elastic from an haberdashery shop will be suitable, if shock cord isn`t available ......Lol

the trick with the stadium seat is to only partially inflate it, this will allow your butt to find its own level and even out the pressure spots

pushr0d · 08-22-2012, 04:45 PM

I'm not sure I understand where the OP's pain is. Is it in the 'butt-bones (ischial tuberosities),' or in the small of the back? Perhaps it's in the front of the hip, where the thigh meets the lower torso.

If it's not the IT's, you might try a therapeutic massage after a ride, then see if it occurs again when you saddle up.

If it is the IT's, you will need to modify the seat. Longer time in the seat made mine feel like they were on fire! I tried a Triumph Gel seat, which was better than the stocker, but I still had issues. I replaced it with a Sargent seat, which was more comfy, but still... Then an Alaska Leathers sheepskin cover. That setup worked a little better. Then I tried a BeadRider (Pakistani taxi beaded seat cover). It made a world of difference!

IN10SS · 08-23-2012, 03:00 PM

I've been riding for 40 years and get the same burn at times. I've had good luck on a higher and flatter seat. I have used a seat place that puts layers of dual density foam that doesn't compress as much. This makes it easier to move around some to relieve the pressure. If foam is too soft or design of the seat locks you into one small spot, I tend to have more issues. One side effect is a little more room for the bad knees. Good luck!