Triumphrat

bigD · 08-12-2004

Sorry to be starting another thread about the gel seats but since I have just ordered one I was wondering.

Do all you people out there with this wonderful invention leave them on the bike all the time or do you swap to the standard seat for the day to day short hops & only put them on for the long hauls?

Just wondering if there is any problem with durability, anyone had any problems with these seats other than the ability to hold heat in an uncomfortable area as described on other threads.

D

Diego · 08-12-2004

Interesting question. I've tended to leave mine on, except for a visit to the shop for annual maintenance, where I was concerned that the gel seat might be more easily damaged or stained (in case of mishap) than the stock seat.

I've also been thinking of switching back to the stock seat during the winter months, when I don't ride as far anyway. Apart from concerns about the gel possibly stiffening in the cold, I don't want to deal with the reverse of the hot-seat syndrome when I mount up for a ride to the cafe for lunch. One can avert toasting one's essential bits by covering the seat when it's in the sun, but freezing them is equally unpleasant and I see no electric gel seat warmer in the Triumph catalog thus far.

I've had gels only since spring myself, so I hope someone who's had them through the winter will comment on this.

ipg · 08-12-2004

Hi Diego, you don't want anything stiffening down that area when you're on the bike, sounds like it could be Triumphs replacement for viagra though :???:

Timtiger · 08-12-2004

I have had a gel seat for only about 3 months so far. I leave it on the bike but have it covered in a full lenght sheepskin. I fitted the sheepskin with an elastic pocket athat slots onto the lip of the front seat and it has a climbing tape loop at the back that allows it to be locked on but removed in seconds if it rains a lot. It insulates, is comfortable and protects the gel seat. It can take quite a bit of rain and a shake removes most of it.
I like it!!!

bigD · 08-13-2004

Quote:

On 2004-08-12 18:00, Timtiger wrote:
It can take quite a bit of rain and a shake removes most of it.
I like it!!!

Tim the sheepskin sounds quite funky & I bet it is effective too but I doubt if it would survive the monsoon type weather we are having for a summer here in Scotland at the minute. It would be constantly soggy & I don't think I could survive the verbal abuse about riding around astride a sheep :blush:

that I would get.

D

ipg · 08-13-2004

BigD

That idea would be ok if you were doing a trip right up north or the islands you could blend right in with the locals then and you wouldn't have to put up with the sheeps bad breath. :-D

Timtiger · 08-16-2004

Hi Jocks!
You may be right about the soggy sheep thing but a well cared for sheepskin is actually more waterproof than you would think - after all sheep don't live indoors. The secret is that they only get wet when you stop - so just keep riding and stay dry.
Over here the New Zealanders are the ones who get way too firendly with the Ovine inhabitants.

Badger955 · 08-17-2004

Quote:

On 2004-08-16 22:30, Timtiger wrote:
Over here the New Zealanders are the ones who get way too firendly with the Ovine inhabitants.

Last nights date, todays seat cover. :wink:

tango · 08-17-2004

and a bale of hay for breakfast, well if it's good enough for his bird it's good enough for him :-D :-D :-D

bigD · 08-24-2004

To bring the conversation away from sheep (I spend quite enough time in their company, I help out on a hill farm with about 700 head of the little hairy maggots running around. So on holiday I'd rather not be in contact with one) & back to Gel seats. Having just done 800 or so miles on my nice new seat I can confirm that I am a convert. Not done any real butt breaking distances yet (longest one hop journey 150 miles) but I can say its a big improvement, on the old seat I would get cramp in my toes after a while & pains at the back of my old crock knee & the occasional cramp in my hip. So far, none of the above have manifest themselves at distances I would have expected. Big thumbs up.

To get back to my original question about durability, the seat seams to be pretty tough so I will probably just leave it on. Still be interested to hear if anyone has managed to inflict damage to one with normal wear & tear.

D