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[deaf1]

Ok,

You guys have helped shape my 08 SERK and it all is good....  EXCEPT..

The wife says she cant ride with me for road trips anymore... Her spine is killing her!  Its not the normal butt problems,  but the bumps! 

We have tried gel pads,  the AirHawk and anything else I can shove under her butt 

Granted the Corbin pinnion is hard as a rock,  but cant do anything else as I have the Corbin solo...

I just checked the shocks and they have 12psi in them...

Again,  its just the bumps... She (the bike) doesnt seem to bottom out,  but the roads in chicagoland are not the best.

Ideas?? Bubble Wrap???

Oh yea, she is 5'2 and 105lbs and has no meat down under....  When I tell her to put some pounds on I get VERY nasty looks.....

I posted here as it covered the suspension / apparel and other sections...

HELP!!! I want momma    with me on the long haul!!!!!! 

[spydglide]

Unless you go to a 'air-ride' suspension, the seat is going to make the most difference to her.  Size (width) and Shape (saddle with some lower spine support) are as important as material used (gel/firm foam/etc.)  Not much you'll be able to do w/o changing seats or suspension system.  Well, you could try missing the biggest pot holes... ..just saying.  har!  spyder

[deaf1]

Unless you go to a 'air-ride' suspension, the seat is going to make the most difference to her.  Size (width) and Shape (saddle with some lower spine support) are as important as material used (gel/firm foam/etc.)  Not much you'll be able to do w/o changing seats or suspension system.  Well, you could try missing the biggest pot holes... ..just saying.  har!  spyder

I have Alligator Bob in my home town,  but I dont know how much they can do with a BSR seat?  I know the foam and gel,  but already tried that....

Who makes a air suspension? (I thought we already had that with the std air shocks???)

[spydglide]

I have Alligator Bob in my home town,  but I dont know how much they can do with a BSR seat?  I know the foam and gel,  but already tried that....

Who makes a air suspension? (I thought we already had that with the std air shocks???)

Yeah, Alligator Bob could re-design the P-pad (add shape and width, etc) to make it more comfortable.....it just won't look as good.  But, that's the 'bottom line'  with comfort....just doesn't look as good.  Kinda like your recliner at home.  I was talking about a 'adjustable' air suspension like the Legend I have on my SEEG.....I can put enough air in the rear suspension to really eliminate most minor road bumps, etc.  Any short-throw suspension system is going to hurt the rider right over the axel when it bottoms out.  Esp. if she already has any back problems.  My wife use to ride with me on a hard tailed knuckle and now can't ride on any thing due to back operations.  Every situation is different.  spyder

[Trapperdog]

If you are riding the RK, a taller, wider (uglier) passenger backrest helps support the spine (better posture) on those jarring impacts.

[deaf1]

If you are riding the RK, a taller, wider (uglier) passenger backrest helps support the spine (better posture) on those jarring impacts.

Gots the leather tour-pak... I can try a larger sissy bar?

[Glide-man]

 Go to Harley's web site and look up their Hammock seat. Sounds like it could-help.   

[murphy]

I just checked the shocks and they have 12psi in them...

12psi doesn't sound right.... I have 35psi in mine.

[deaf1]

12psi doesn't sound right.... I have 35psi in mine.

thats what the manual specs?

Not saying its right,  but that is the spec.  Does more psi give a softer ride?

[Guilty]

Only 12psi in the shocks? Try putting more air in the shocks especially when riding 2-up. I would suggest to give the shocks 30 psi and see how that works. Add 5 lbs psi or subtract 5 lbs psi from there and see if she feels any difference in the comfort.

[deaf1]

Been reading about http://www.day-long.com/

One of the guys on the forum recommended shocks by Works Performance...  

This is a serious issue for us,  as I am going to have to cancel a round lake MI trip....

[Unbalanced]

Deaf1,

As they are saying try 30 - 45 pounds in the rear shocks  (I am running about 30-35 pounds in mine), you may want to try a Sundowner seat or an Air Hawk air ride pad for the Mrs.   They use similiar bladders just smaller in the air hawk as most of the good wheel chair air cushions and you can vary the amount of air in them.   It is a lesser expense item at approx 130 - 150 dollars and can be had from J&P cycle in their catalog.   I bought the large one to give it ago.   That combined with the cushy Sundowner Seat and the air pressure seems to have done the trick.

I would first up the pressure in your shocks, then I would give the air bladder a try prior to buying another seat. 

Best of luck with this.

[LarryB]

I agree the the Air in shocks approach. but I would first check what shocks you have before you start pumping it up. they new shorter one, like on my SERG can be pumped to near 50lbs, I run mine at 25 solo. the taller ones, like on my 05 RK, 18lbs was good.
I'd add 10lbs and then put the misses on and take a ride, get her feedback and adjust again.
Does it hurt her right away or does it take 75 miles or so to start?

[1abastarsmda]

On the 08 model, you should be running it around 20 lbs riding 2 up.  12 lbs is not enough.  On the 09 models, it's completely different...I run 40 to 42 lbs on my 09, but that doesn't have anything to do with your bike.  Also, you've got to change the seat to something that is comfortable for both of you.  If you are going to ride 2 up, you need to pop off your solo seat and put something else on there and there are too many good choices for me to pinpoint one (Mustang, Harley hammock type, Harley Sundowner, etc).

[LarryB]

On the 08 model, you should be running it around 20 lbs riding 2 up.  12 lbs is not enough.  On the 09 models, it's completely different...I run 40 to 42 lbs on my 09, but that doesn't have anything to do with your bike.  Also, you've got to change the seat to something that is comfortable for both of you.  If you are going to ride 2 up, you need to pop off your solo seat and put something else on there and there are too many good choices for me to pinpoint one (Mustang, Harley hammock type, Harley Sundowner, etc).

or just a corbin dual touring seat and swap back and forth as needed.