Help me Keep the Super Tenere

tallpaul

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Sep 14, 2017
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912
Location
Whitworth, Rochdale, UK
Just removed the 30mm risers and rotated the bars forward. Can already feel the reduction in coccyx pressure from that little mod. If it works on a proper road trip I'll need to redrill the bars for the control stops.
 

artemedes

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Aug 11, 2018
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47
Location
Topeka, KS
Every one has different preferences and different butts. May not help others, but I went with the Seat concepts seat and it seems to work well for me. I think it is important to note that it did take a couple long days in the saddle to get it broke in and to feel right. Before the seat concepts foam broke in it felt a little worse than the stock seat. The foam felt a little too stiff at first. I noticed the same thing with the seat concepts kit on a previous bike.
 

eram310

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Aug 28, 2014
Messages
88
Location
Minneapolis
Have you done the Flat Seat Mod? I did that along with an Air Hawk and can now do 600 mile days with no problem.
I did, but to be honest, I did not take it long distance. Maybe rode it for about 80 miles. I didn't feel much difference. Remember, I sit very close to the tank, so It probably doesn't matter. I didn't like that it created a gap between the seat and the tank and also it makes the ground a little further for my 30 inch inseam.
 

eram310

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Aug 28, 2014
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88
Location
Minneapolis
What might be a simple idea to see if the concept will work for you is lowering the bars. Remove any risers you have added and rotate the bars. I'm not sure how much you can get away with and still have a comfortable distance between the bars and tank. And you will likely need to drill another hole for the locating dimple to keep the controls from rotating. If that seems to be a direction that works, (lowering the bars), then a longer term solution might be a flatter bar with less sweep that brings your torso forward more for a riding position that gets you back into your personal sweet spot of comfort.

The good thing is that a lower bar would not require any other changes that I can think of, off hand. And most riders find a little less sweep helps with hand numbing issues too.

Good luck and please share what you end up doing so others that have similar issues can learn from your experience.
Hey Eric, I was thinking of removing the Helibars anyway. It didn't make the sitting more comfortable. The helibars take a lot of real estate from the tank area. The handlebars hits my tank-bag when I try to get out of the garage or in any tight slow maneuvers and I had to remove my radar detector. At least it didn't bother my GPS on the accessory bar.
I read Vetter Magic Seat board , but didn’t really get it. I do understand that using the hips and legs more to alleviate the pressure of my sit bones might help. Also try to force myself to a more sport touring position when riding long distance. BTW, I really like the looks of the stock handlebar. Don’t want to give up on it just yet. It’s also great for riding standing up when once in a while I get into a challenging off-road situation.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
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Hey Eric, I was thinking of removing the Helibars anyway. It didn't make the sitting more comfortable. The helibars take a lot of real estate from the tank area. The handlebars hits my tank-bag when I try to get out of the garage or in any tight slow maneuvers and I had to remove my radar detector. At least it didn't bother my GPS on the accessory bar.
I read Vetter Magic Seat board , but didn’t really get it. I do understand that using the hips and legs more to alleviate the pressure of my sit bones might help. Also try to force myself to a more sport touring position when riding long distance. BTW, I really like the looks of the stock handlebar. Don’t want to give up on it just yet. It’s also great for riding standing up when once in a while I get into a challenging off-road situation.
I can understand your points. Try doing what tallpaul is trying, remove the Helibar risers and rotate the stock bars forward. This will put you in more of a forward lean and it's a free thing to try.

It can be a real challenge to make a bike fit well sitting AND standing. Lots of people rotate the controls more than stock allows to get a better compromise of this when standing. You have to decide what works best for you. There is no 'wrong', only what works!
 

twinrider

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Sep 28, 2011
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1,882
Location
Yokohama
I'm the same height as you with the same inseam. While I've liked Sargent seats on my Africa Twin and GS, I didn't like it on my S10 either as it sat me too far back. I would recommend you either get the Seat Concepts seat, which is like the stock seat but more comfortable, or have Terry Adcox make you a custom seat. I bought one of his used and find it good for all day rides.
 

eram310

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Aug 28, 2014
Messages
88
Location
Minneapolis
I'm the same height as you with the same inseam. While I've liked Sargent seats on my Africa Twin and GS, I didn't like it on my S10 either as it sat me too far back. I would recommend you either get the Seat Concepts seat, which is like the stock seat but more comfortable, or have Terry Adcox make you a custom seat. I bought one of his used and find it good for all day rides.
I might do that, but I am taking it baby steps at the moment. Don't want to spend big bucks without knowing the outcome. Yesterday in the evening removed the Helibars and the set the handlebars back to stock position with the dot aligned. I also replaced the Sargent with the stock seat with
I'm the same height as you with the same inseam. While I've liked Sargent seats on my Africa Twin and GS, I didn't like it on my S10 either as it sat me too far back. I would recommend you either get the Seat Concepts seat, which is like the stock seat but more comfortable, or have Terry Adcox make you a custom seat. I bought one of his used and find it good for all day rides.
I might do that, but I am taking it baby steps now. Don't want to spend big bucks without knowing the outcome. Yesterday in the evening removed the Helibars and set the handlebars back to stock position with the dot aligned. I also replaced the Sargent with the stock seat with with the flat seat mod using this version https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/variation-on-the-seat-mod-with-pictures-for-the-lower-position.20455/. Using this version, I can leave with the gap between the seat and the tank versus the other version that requires no bumper replacement, but the gap is too much for my taste. I also ordered the Sqwoosh, found one on Amazon for $67.89, so decided to splurge. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJ4DNMX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Although took it for a short spin, it’s not enough to tell. Only 150+ miles will. If this works, I will probably have a Sargent seat and Helibar set in like new condition for sale soon.
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
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Keep in mind that the flat seat mod is because riders didn't like sliding forward, up against the tank. But that is your preferred riding position....

So, perhaps the flat seat mod isn't helpful for you?

In regards to the Sqwoosh gel pad, be aware that gel gets hot when left in the sun. If you stop for lunch and park the bike in the sun, you might consider placing a light colored towel over it, or some other similar covering. Riding with a hot butt isn't always comfortable.
 

twinrider

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Sep 28, 2011
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Yokohama
I might do that, but I am taking it baby steps at the moment. Don't want to spend big bucks without knowing the outcome. Yesterday in the evening removed the Helibars and the set the handlebars back to stock position with the dot aligned. I also replaced the Sargent with the stock seat with

I might do that, but I am taking it baby steps now. Don't want to spend big bucks without knowing the outcome. Yesterday in the evening removed the Helibars and set the handlebars back to stock position with the dot aligned. I also replaced the Sargent with the stock seat with with the flat seat mod using this version https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/variation-on-the-seat-mod-with-pictures-for-the-lower-position.20455/. Using this version, I can leave with the gap between the seat and the tank versus the other version that requires no bumper replacement, but the gap is too much for my taste. I also ordered the Sqwoosh, found one on Amazon for $67.89, so decided to splurge. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FJ4DNMX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Although took it for a short spin, it’s not enough to tell. Only 150+ miles will. If this works, I will probably have a Sargent seat and Helibar set in like new condition for sale soon.
My arms are proportional to my height and I really like the Helibars on my S10. They put me in the perfect position where I don't have to lean forward too much or have my arms stretched out too much.

Like you, I also sit more forward on the seat and that's where the Seat Comfort seat was a big plus. Like the stock seat, you can sit anywhere on it and have enough cushion. But the foam is better than the stock seat.
 

stuarto49

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Joined
Jan 8, 2019
Messages
32
Location
Richmond, VA
My 2012 ST came with high quality 'highway' pegs mounted to the front crash bars. I also have several Airhawk cushions and switch them around from one bike to another (also have an FJR). What works for me is using those highway pegs every 30 min or so to stretch out my legs and push my butt up and back for a few minutes. Gets the weight off my butt almost entirely, lets the blood circulate, etc. I am 71, been riding for 50 years, and can still knock out 1000 miles in a day. Last Oct I did an Iron Butt 'Bun Burner 1500' - rode from Richmond out to Denver in 35 hours to visit my son. Rode back two days later. Those front pegs made it all possible.
 

eram310

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Aug 28, 2014
Messages
88
Location
Minneapolis
The Sqwoosh didn't work for me. I used it for a mixed surface ride for a little over 100 miles, and I was uncomfortable. I think I move around the seat while I ride and the Sqwoosh medium size confined me to one position. When I got back, jumped on my SV and rode to a friend’s house 30 miles away and as for seat goes, was much more comfortable. I am starting to eye a used BMW R1200RS although I will miss the versatility of the Super T.

Picture of the Sqwoosh with my friend on a DRZ following me.



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