Triumphrat

ManxKat · 09-27-2006

Hi fellas, I have a speed four which I find uncomfortable over distance, say 130 miles plus, thinking the bonnie might be better suited with it's higher bars - any advice would be helpful. I am thinking of touring so if anyone has any additional advice I'd appreciate it. I really enjoy the S4's handling/brakes/power will the compromise for comfort offset these too much? Thanks in advance.

sweatmachine · 09-27-2006

I've ridden several 500+ mile days on the bonnie, the weak point most complain of is the seat making your butt numb.

I does break in over time, but results vary. Mine I guess I would rate a 5 out of 10 on the comfort scale. Not good, not bad.

I put lower bars on it, which gets you out of the wind so you can put your weight on your hands which really helped get rid of the 'death grip' required at highway speeds with the stock bars.

I did about 450 miles Sunday, and when I got home I could have done it again. I wanted to!

I can ride more miles and be more comfortable than my old man on his FJR with Corbin saddle, but then again he's 50 and I'm 26.

Sheepdog · 09-27-2006

Sweatmachine is right on the money. I've gone a step further by adding rearsets. I find that by putting my feet under my body's weight (and occasionally on the passenger pegs), the quality of the seat is less critical. Still, I would like to comment on the stock seat: I did back-to-back rides of 350 miles over two days and I have concluded that the stock seat is too soft. Things work great for the first 140 miles, but after that the seat starts to take a set. In other words it starts to force you into only a single spot due to the foam packing down. This eliminates your ability to move around the seat, which is one of the Bonnie's best comfort features. I have heard that there are aftermarket seats that have firmer, higher quality foam. As funds and time allows, I plan to purchase one.

Something else that helps is some sort of throttle assist device. I use a Throttle Rocker, but there are numerous products that work as well or better. It really helps to prevent forearm-pump that you would get trying to hold the throttle in a single position for hours on end.

Some of my Bonneville colleagues have kept their stock bars and footpegs and found their comfort behind a windshield/fairing and atop a touring oriented seat. This works very well (probably better for longer rides). However, I like the "roadster" focus of my bike and would not aspire for over 350 miles in a single day, so I'm happy with my T100 as I've set it up (with the exception of the seat).

The last bits that I would recommend are good fitting riding gear and waterproof luggage of some sort. I use Ortlieb throw-over saddlebags and duffel for my occasional trip. I also have a nice fitting Arai helmet and snug rider clothing to minimize drag and protect the old bod. For my touring aspirations, these preparations do the trick. Good luck in your search for your desired setup.

kliff · 09-27-2006

Gotta agree, my seat lost it after 350 miles....

Yeah, I'm 53, I'm 270lbs, and I like to ride 100+ mile days. Got some 350 mile days scheduled in just over 2 weeks....

Sheep skin, 1/2" high density foam...better, but no banana...

HELP! Time is creeping up on me, and I ain't gonna be able to take THAT many advil to make this trip....HELP!

Thunder_Forever · 09-27-2006

Quote:

On 2006-09-27 11:39, ManxKat wrote:
Hi fellas, I have a speed four which I find uncomfortable over distance, say 130 miles plus, thinking the bonnie might be better suited with it's higher bars - any advice would be helpful. I am thinking of touring so if anyone has any additional advice I'd appreciate it. I really enjoy the S4's handling/brakes/power will the compromise for comfort offset these too much? Thanks in advance.

I have superbars on mine and my friend has western bars on his. We just recently rode back from Cali. and did about 400 miles a day for 3 days...taking it easy. I have never really rode his Bonnie till the other day and I can definitely say that his western bars would have been much more comfortable on the long haul than my superbars....good luck.

Brooksie · 09-27-2006

Drop the bars down and forward using Super bars from Bella Corse and get out of the wind more and get a quick detach National Cycle Deflector for $79.00. Otherwise you'll feel like you're on a chopper with the stock Bonnie bars after a speed four. It will be more comfortable to get out of the wind blast . Sitting straight up & down is very hard on the lower back. Upgrade your suspension front and rear to Ikons from New Bonneville. Keeps the fillings in your head and really helps the bike!
http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ik...k_springs.html
http://www.newbonneville.com/html/ikon_shocks.html
http://www.bellacorse.com/bcc002-6.htm
The bike has enough power to do laid back touring with and will let you do some back roads in style. It got the 955i to tour with because of the abundant passing power and wind protection. I like the Bonnie for short 130 to 150 mile rides. Hell, get some soft bags and trunk for the S4 and you're set!

[ This message was edited by: Brooksie on 2006-09-27 16:11 ]

kliff · 09-27-2006

Its my BUTT, not back...butt.....

black-bonnie · 09-27-2006

I modified my own stock seat. You'll need an air staple gun or electric staple gun to put the staples back in though.

Buy two flat bicycle gel seats at Walmart about $10 each. Trace that outline on your foam seat and cut out that section all the way down to the plastic. Put in the two gel seats one on top of the other. The gel seat position should match your seating position. Fill in any space with the foam you cut out to make it flat across the top.

That mod made a world of difference to me. Seems like I can ride forever now. My shortfall is my right shoulder gets stiff from a previous motorcycle accident I had years ago. But at least my butt can take it now.

wolfgang · 09-28-2006

Kliff-

I too had discomfort from the stock seat by 70 miles and was down right uncomfortable after 100. I also frequently have a passenger and the stock seat wasn't cutting it for either of us. I bought a used K&Q seat from a gentleman on here through the classifieds, and what a difference. I rode 160 miles last week and if the cold hadn't worn me out, I could have kept going the rest of the day. My butt is very satisified with the K&Q.

TeeBird · 09-28-2006

black-bonnie that sounds like genius; I'm going to give it a try.

Doing a long tour in two weeks.