Report on Air Hawk seat

[viewdvb]

OK, I've got creaking joints due to past misuse and anno domini so I am feeling less comfortable after long hours in the saddle than I used to. I reckon the stock S10 seat is pretty good but I figured that there's no harm in seeing if I could improve a good thing. Hence the purchase of an Air Hawk seat cushion. After all, more than one round the world traveller swears by them including the current record holder. The theory is pretty simple. The seat pad, which sits on top of the stock seat, contains a number of interconnected air cells which equalise the pressure created when you sit on it so that there are few, if any, high pressure points. Just an equal pressure all round on your rear end. Gel seats attempt to do much the same thing but in a more solid way.

The seat I chose was the small cruiser model 14" x 14" which is actually a pretty good fit on the S10. Fitting on top of the seat is by thin elastic straps that loop under the seat - very basic for the pretty steep price but it seems to work OK.

Now for the road test. I tried a variety of air levels. Disappointing to say the least. One of my problems is a sore arthritic hip. The even spread of pressure meant that the outside of the seat wrapped round my butt and pressed on the hip which doesn't happen with the stock seat. Result - more painful. The movement between the air cells is disconcerting - like riding on jelly - though it doesn't actually cause any direct problem. The even pressure somehow did something unpleasant to my undercarriage creating soreness that again wasn't present on the stock seat. I side effect is that you sit at least half an inch higher on the seat which may not be a bad thing for some but isn't that welcome for my 6ft 3" frame. The one improvement was that the surface soreness in the backside that comes from prolonged sitting in one position was reduced. The overall result was definitely a less comfortable ride - for me. Even if you discount the hip problem, I can't see how this device improves comfort yet there are many mega-mileage riders that reckon they're indispensible so they must suit some people - just not me. I made an almost identical trip today with the stock seat for comparison and it was definitely more comfortable by the end of the day.

The manufacturer has a 60 day "if it isn't more comfortable we'll give you your money back" guarantee so I have taken them up on their bold offer and returned it for a refund. My personal opinion? An expensive accessory that isn't worth bothering to try. But that's my PERSONAL experience. Maybe your butt is built differently to mine!

 

[cakeboy]

i have to say ive had a airhawk now for years and i find on a long run i couldnt do without it ...it stops all those sudden back braking jolts you get when you hit a deep pothole and i find that i can ride a lot longer than i can with just a std seat and last year rode two 550ml days one after another without problems . yes first time i used it i felt like i was riding on jelly and it took a bit of getting used to but you soon get into it ...i think it might be its not working for you with your hip problem ..

 

[TXTenere]

I'm not a huge fan of the Airhawk seat, however I do own one. My lack of enthusiasm for the seat stems from the look of the device when on the bike, rather than the function.

The above being said, I do find the device to improve comfort, but it's not difficult to set it up such that it takes away from the comfort of the seat. The airhawk is very touchy about inflation. It must be inflated just right, or else it is uncomfortable. And inflated just right is significantly less air than you might think. The proper inflation is "barely" inflated.

 

[bruised]

+1 on the barely inflated

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Ramseybella]

Never could do the Airhawk no matter what pressure I used felt like I was on a Sea Saw!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

When my first Tenere was less than 1 month old I launched on a trip from Virginia to Nova Scotia. I took an Airhawk. I found that if it was barely inflated it did improve the comfort a noticeable amount. The problem was as temperatures changed, so did the pressure in the Airhawk. Seemed I was constantly reaching back there to let some air out...then I'd go to far and have to blow up the seat again at the next stop...only to repeat the process. It's okay, but after getting the gel installed in the seat I never went back to the Airhawk. Still own it, but don't know if I'll ever use it again.

 

[Roge]

::026::

I'm not a huge fan of the Airhawk seat, however I do own one. My lack of enthusiasm for the seat stems from the look of the device when on the bike, rather than the function.

The above being said, I do find the device to improve comfort, but it's not difficult to set it up such that it takes away from the comfort of the seat. The airhawk is very touchy about inflation. It must be inflated just right, or else it is uncomfortable. And inflated just right is significantly less air than you might think. The proper inflation is "barely" inflated.

 

[racer1735]

Im a believer in the Airhawk. Brought mine over from my previous bike. Size is Medium. Totally agree with the 'barely inflated' theory. I've found the Super 10 seat is comfortable for 90 minutes or so, but when my rides go longer, the Airhawk is perfect for me. At first, I thought the seat elevated me a bit too much, but since I've installed a set of bar risers, everything fits about as perfect as I could want.

 

[toompine]

Tried it twice a year apart. High pressure, low pressure, never could get to like it. Reminded me of my round waterbed from the 70's. squishy, unstable and always sliding off it. ???

Sold it to a person I hope loves it

 

[Maxified]

Im a believer in the Airhawk. Brought mine over from my previous bike. Size is Medium. Totally agree with the 'barely inflated' theory. I've found the Super 10 seat is comfortable for 90 minutes or so, but when my rides go longer, the Airhawk is perfect for me.

::026:: I like it for the long rides, barley inflated. I like the way the individual air pockets adapt to your perch if you move about providing comfortable support. If I am sporting about, I remove it. Options for posterior comfort is certainly a personal choice )

I've used the beads and the fleece but for right now the Airhawk if working for me.

 

[Jeffthechef]

I do not have an Air Hawk so I can not comment on it but I do have a Bead Rider on my stock S10 seat and can not imagine riding with out it. I have done three Iron Butt rides (Saddle Sore 1600k, 2000k and 2500k) with the Bead Rider and have nothing but praise for the product. I do put a sheep skin cover over it for the extended rides for ultimate comfort. My only complaint is that in cold weather it can be somewhat cold on my bottom but other then that it is a great product.

 

[Philistine]

I have a Air-Hawk and I don't really like it that much, but here's the funny thing, I wouldn't leave for a long ride without it, I find if I am wearing Kevlar lined jeans after about 1 hour of riding I've just about had enough, but with the air-Hawk I can ride all day, everything that has been said in this thread is true, the problem is with the air temp, leave the bike parked in the sun and there is to much air in it, get on the bike in the cold morning and not enough air, it really takes a bit of time to get use to it and set it up right, I have fitted some 12mm thick foam from an exercise mat under the bladder and that seems to have made it a little more stable for me but I can completely understand how someone would hate this seat, but until I find something better I will be sticking with the Air-Hawk

 

[nwrider]

Keep letting air out until you don't feel like you're sitting on jello.