Who rides motorcycles?

[IslandTractor]

Island when you hit the Blue Ridge Parkway you will be a little over an hour from my house at the Boone-Blowing Rock entrance. Give me a shout and we could do dinner or lunch if possible. My treat of course.

Thanks. It won't be until mid Sept but I'll give you a shout a couple days before if I can. Looking forward to the BRP. I've done little parts of it in a cage but never on a bike before.

 

[IslandTractor]

No, you're right; 385 miles a day on it is my absolute limit!!

Seriously, the most I've put on in a day so far is close to 180 miles, but most of that was mountain miles so a lot of actual seat time. It can be hard on the hiney. Find myself moving forward and backward on the seat to readjust periodically as you get deep into the ride. On the trails, I stand up frequently enough to change pressure areas. I would not take this bike on a cross country trip, but would trailer it or put it in the truck to take it anywhere.

For long distance touring it really is a matter of butt comfort so long as the sitting position is reasonably upright. I'm still amazed that even touring bikes come with pretty lousy saddles. Mine has a custom saddle that makes it feel like a big comfy chair. I've been saddle sore enough in the past that I made sure the bike I bought had an upgraded seat.

 

[PJSprog]

For long distance touring it really is a matter of butt comfort so long as the sitting position is reasonably upright. I'm still amazed that even touring bikes come with pretty lousy saddles. Mine has a custom saddle that makes it feel like a big comfy chair. I've been saddle sore enough in the past that I made sure the bike I bought had an upgraded seat.

Boy, that's no kidding. I had a Corbin on my BMW that was put on by the original owner, because the factory seats on those things were awful. A good seat makes all the difference.

 

[tractorshopper]

I put a Corbin on my last Magna also. Makes a lot of difference in comfort.

 

[the old grind]

Anybody remember JML Products' "Travel Ease Water Cushion"? (mid '70s). Man, I'd like to have that now. I have an import with a flat and very firm seat. ('75 Yam XS-650B)

 

[IslandTractor]

Boy, that's no kidding. I had a Corbin on my BMW that was put on by the original owner, because the factory seats on those things were awful. A good seat makes all the difference.

I had several BMWs. None had a comfortable seat. I think the custom seat market has really fixed that but it is absurd to need to buy a $500-800 seat for a brand new fancy motorcycle. I saw an interview with a BMW marketing guy who stated that they knew the seats were uncomfortable but they looked good in the showroom and worked for test rides. If they put comfortable seats on the showroom sex appeal quotient dropped significantly. I'm thankfully beyond trying to impress anyone with my sexy motorcycle so having it look like a LazyBoy would be fine with me.

The guy who I bought my Yamaha from spent about $8000 on all sorts of touring upgrades including a very nice seat. It would really have pissed me off to need to do that on a brand new bike. He seemed to enjoy the process of farkling the bike because as soon as he got it to exactly the way he wanted, he sold it with less than 8000 miles on it. Nuts but I benefited. I'm sure I'll be tired after 600 mile days if I need to travel that far but at least my arse won't be complaining.

 

[IslandTractor]

Anybody remember JML Products' "Travel Ease Water Cushion"? (mid '70s). Man, I'd like to have that now. I have an import with a flat and very firm seat. ('75 Yam XS-650B)

They make air cushions now. I haven't used one but lots of people swear by them. HawkAir or something like that.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I rode a Kawasaki Vulcan from the house to Daytona back in 98. Did it in one day. 535 miles. Had a gel insert seat that worked great.

 

[George2615]

AND - not only did you get a good price, but you also got free-of-charge a ton of extra goodies, i.e. pipes, windshield bag, luggage rack, and who knows what else. Also, it's a Delphi fuel injected not MM. Super deal. Congrats.

I did some research today and found it is an FLHTCI model (not the FLHTCUI Ultra I thought) but it does have extras. In addition to the options you mentioned He also installed the gold winged eyebrows and emblems for all the lights front and back, gas tank, primary cover, and mirrors, fairing vent wings and foot pegs. It did come with the premium AM/FM/WB cassette and only front speakers, no passenger spkrs. It did not come with the security system, CB radio, intercom, no taillights on the tour pack, electronic cruise control. All those extras are on the Ultra.
Got it insurance and registered it today.
I'm very happy. I always wanted a full dress Harley but could never afford it in my younger days. I did have an 86 GW Interstate for a few years and it was nice but I always wanted the HD sound. Now to get out and do some riding.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I rode a Kawasaki Vulcan from the house to Daytona back in 98. Did it in one day. 535 miles. Had a gel insert seat that worked great.

In 2000 coming back from Sturgis, I rode from Silverthorne CO to Placentia CA in 15 hours on my 2000 FXST, 938 miles. Can't recall the seat model, but it was just one of HD's seats... In 2007 I did Anaheim CA to Fredericksburg, VA in under 4 days... Same bike...

Be well & Ride safe...

David