Modern Vespa

WHO: Roho Group http://www.shapefitting.com/category.aspx?categoryID=54

WHAT: Airhawk Motorcycle Seat Cushion

WHERE: Misc. online dealers

HOW MUCH: I paid $178.00 (Tax incl.)




The Airhawk is made by ROHO. They are the folks who make seat cushions for people in wheelchairs. They decided to help out motorcyclists too and made cushions for them.

My arce gets sore after a 1 hour ride, so I decided to bite the bullet and make an AIRHAWK purchase because I usually take long rides. I bought the SMALL CUSHION at a local Harley Shop and and paid $178.00 (with tax) for the thing. (You can find them cheaper online) It is so small... I was freaked out that I'd paid that much, HOWEVER...

I rode my new Vespa GT200 on the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 weeks ago for 7.5 Hours! My butt felt like it had not been for a ride! I'm riding from Salem, Virginia to Columbus, Ohio (685 miles up and back) on Sept 12, and I know that the only reason I'm able to make this ride is that AIRHAWK.

If ya'll are thinking about getting one, but can justify the cost, know that they work and work well. No, I don't own stock in ROHO, but maybe that's not a bad idea.

It's the black thing on the seat.





Last edited by Terey Shelor on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 10:11:04 +0000; edited 2 times

Sounds a good item. Is it repairable like a airbed?
So what with the luxury of power and auto trans you lucky GTS riders can waft over the long distance tours in sublime luxury!
Good for you. Terrey.

Thanks for the report. I've been sitting on the fence due to the cost of the
Airhawk yet oddly enough I've been considering a much more expensive new seat. I know someone who is getting a Corbin and I am waiting to see what it looks and feels like. I understand there are mixed opinions on them, it's pretty much a love or hate thing. I've never read anything negative about the Airhawk as far as comfort goes though.

Dave

It does come with one of those patch-'em-up kits, and this thing is made from very heavy grade rubber, like truck tube grade. What I like about it is the zipper cover. It's meshed for good air circulation, but you can unzip it and remove the "expensive" part and lock that underneath your seat or in a topcase. Thieves may take the time to snag the cover, but the costly guts belong to me.

As for us luxury riders... pack of whimps, the lot of us.

I've had mine for almost 3 years with NO problems. It's the best addition to my scooters (Vespa ET4 & Burgman 650).

I think RL in Georgia has the best prices. Here's a link:

http://www.cyclesaddles.com/home/

The medium works great on both scooters. I have one cushion and just switch it to the scooter I am riding. NO more monkey butt

Janine

Thanks for the review. I will need to check one of these our in person before my next long trip.

I read all kinds of reviews and I was sceptical because they are just a cushion, and because they cost so much, but, no kidding, they work! To date, this is the smartest accessory I've purchased. I'm heading for Columbus next week on the 12th and worrying about my fanny isn't even an issue.

Let me know what you think if you decide to purchase one for yourself.

Based on recommendations here, I bought an Airhawk seat cushion (medium cruiser size) just before my trip from California to Seattle. They sell them at accessory shops that cater to Harley riders.

It was the best addition for long trips I could have bought! I don't use it around town, because it feels kind of squishy - not good for twisty roads. But I sure was grateful when I had it for the 350+ mile days on the trip! Believe me, I will always take it with me on long trips.

It's so funny this was posted Saturday morning, but I just read it Monday. I too have been suffering from monkey butt. Fed up, I decided to buy something (I was open to gels too, but the store only had Airhawk) Saturday afternoon.

I agree with all the positive comments here, I struggled with paying that much for an air cushion, but for me it is worth it. I got a large pillion (passenger) that's 11 x 14 for my People 150.

As for twisty roads, I need to do more testing but I don't think it's a problem. Maybe have a little less air in it and the squishiness will go away.

To the people who are reading these posts and don't understand how bad monkey butt is - be grateful! For those of us who have it (I blame both my butt and my Kymco seat) it's terrible. It is not just "a little uncomfortable." Yay Airhawk!

I have been riding for 7 years, and for that length of time I have suffered on longer trips with this Monkey Butt stuff. Since purchasing this Airhawk, not only can I go any distance on a ride, I feel human when I get there. These longer trips, for me, would simply be impossible without the Airhawk.

What I really appreciate is the cover unzipping to allow me to remove and lock up the expensive guts of the thing.

It is important to follow the instructions on how to use this Airhawk cushion. When you first read them, the part about letting out MOST of the air, you think, "right, well if a little air is good then more must be better." MORE isn't better.

The idea is to float your butt 1 inch off your seat. To do this, you do wind up letting out a lot of air from the cushion. If you can not feel air rushing from chamber to chamber underneath your arce once you have let the air out, then you've bottomed out and need to fill 'er up and start again. It may take a try or two before you get the "feel" for the thing, but once you "get" it (and you will) the ride is amazing.

Twisty roads. I live in the heart of twisty here in Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't have any problems on twisty roads. Granted, the first few times you ride it feels different, but in no time you adjust and sore butt becomes a thing of the past.

I just ordered the Airhawk. Does it come with any tie-downs? My backside can't wait!!!!

The Airhawek comes with its own zippered case and elastic tie down thingies. I pop my seat and these straps go all the way around. Not sure about the arrangement on scooters whose seats don't pop, but sure there's a solution.

Looking forward to hearing about your impression.

I'm telling you, I love the thing!

Uh, a dumb question: As a newb, maybe my longest trip of 125 miles in a day wasn't enough to know if I'm prone to it, but can someone describe what Monkey Butt is?

Is it something skinnier sorts are more prone to than, ahem, well-padded sorts?

Karen

You betcha!!

Now, hold on a minute, skinny butts aren't necessarily the only butts affected. My butt is HUGE and I get the monkey butt after 1 hour on the road.

It's when your arce gets so sore from riding that you almost can't stand it. Pressure points ache. I ride fairly long distances, or at least for long periods of time, and I just couldn't take anymore, hence, the Airhawk.

My other choice is to buy a Corbin seat but, I could not justify the price. The Airhawk was $149 shipped. If this works, I will be a happy man!!!

After you get off your scoot from riding all day and you find yourself walking like a monkey, you may have monkeybutt.

Of course you can always opt for the cheap solution, Anti-Monkey Butt Powder. No, really! I've never used it, but it has a loyal following.

http://antimonkeybutt.com/ambfaqs.html

8)

--Deborah

I have the skinniest butt known to man,and I don't get monkey butt on the GTS...And that's having done a few 200 mile days in my time...

I wouldn't mind one of these though...

Received the Airhawk today. I went on a 50 mile ride and I can report..........NICE!! It will take some time getting used to though. When hitting bumps, I feel the bump in the bars, but not the seat anymore. Now if I can remedy the lower back pain.

How does one post pictures on this board. I am too lazy to search for instructions. But I will wait for hours for a response ................

Went on a Benefit Ride today with a pascel of Harley's; only scooter in the bunch. We rode for three hours and, man, you should have heard the gripes about butt pain. HUH! There I sat on my AIRHAWK just a laughin'.

By the way... had a chance to use that cool response I read someplace on this forum, the one to give when asked, why a scooter, why not a "real" bike. "Not cool enough." I said.

WHAT A FABULOUS DAY!

Just curious, which model works well with the GT?

I chose the SMALL CRUISER.

footnote:
Rode to Columbus Wednesday (341 miles) and then back home on Sunday (341 miles). Going up took 12 hours - no sore butt. Riding back was tough, winds, cold weather; trip back took 14 hours. Hey, I was relatively miserable coming back, but my ass didn't hurt, not even a little bit.

I go nowhere without the AIRHAWK.

I gotta look into buying stock.

I have an Airhawk medium cruiser on my GTS. Perfect fit.

The medium cushion fits almost all scooters and most motorcycles perfectly. RL Motorcycles usually has the BEST price.

http://www.cyclesaddles.com/home/Accessories/Airhawk_styles.htm

Janine NO Monkey Butt

Thanks for the updates will be getting one soon, my bum needs one bad!!!!

I took mine off today to lock it up, and then for a short ride (15 minutes) I didn't re-attach it. Big mistake!! Even on the short ride, I got some monkey butt.

(Terey, sorry I didn't chat with you at Scoot-A-Que. Glad you made it home safely!)

No worries, Neela, we'll catch up next year.

I kid you not, my ride home was 14 hours and icy cold and windy, but my butt was fine. AMAZING cushion. AMAZING!

hi all , lollypop in the U/K , just found this forum whilst reserching air hawk motorcycle seat covers . just ordered one today . i own a new gilera vx 125 sports scooter [08 modle] this scooter is really fast and stylish the down side is the seat and suspention . i have sorted the rear suspention by fitting italian made bitubo twin gas shocks , this has made a huge difference but i still had a problem ! the seat looks really thick and plush but still felt hard , investigating more closely the indentation under the seat to accomodate your helmet makes the seat very thin [only an inch and a half at the very most] i lashed up a home made air cushion to see if it would work , and guess what it did , eaven on my lash up . so there we are . i get my A/H cushion in about a week . i will keep you all posted .

Welcome! Now go say "Hi" in the General section.

I have a larger version thanks to the generosity of Surfan. Rode to San Diego and back and my backside felt fine.

Id suggest one for anyone whos behind cant handle the crappy GTS seat.

Ride Safe

manny

I think I'll look into getting one of these cushions.

I've been one of the few who proudly states how much I love my GTV seat, I don't have any problems with it, etc. Then I did about 200 miles on Saturday. Ugh. Not quite enough cushioning for that. But I won't give up that gorgeous split leather seat.

I'm hoping to do at least one long trip this summer, so I'll make it a point to get one of these before I go.

A trip to Cal is too long on that GTV seat.

Just ordered Airhawk Medium Cruiser from RL Motorcyles for my GT200.
Pre-season sale price $134.95 including shipping.
Will add my review once it arrives.
John

Hence the reason for the seat cushion. Much cheaper and easier than getting a different seat.

Got mine (medium) about a week ago. Always got sore bottom in about an hours ride. Only been out for a longer (110 miles) ride once so far. Even with going through to setup process, backside was fine. I may trade back to the GT200 seat so I can slide back some. Not sure if the airhawk makes me feel clloser to front or if its just the slight increase in height that doing it. If it doesn't continue to get better yet riding I'll report back.
Best place to buy-
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?exact_match=yes&product=AirHawk&subbcat=AirHawk_AirHawk_Motorcycle_Seat_Cushion&cart_id=1235187451.6124

Never heard if any gel products where 100% succesful.
Jack

Well my cushion arrived in just 2 days and I haven't had a chance to go more than about 60 miles at a time with it. It took less than a mile down the road for me to know that this is the ticket to keep your bum happy. I have no regrets in regards to the price because it works very well. It will make you a believer and spoil you quick.

John