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V7 Stone smooth out the ride tips wanted

v7flier

Tuned and Synch'ed
GT Famiglia
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
55
Location
Northern CA
Hi all,

Bike is going strong. Love the ride up to about an hour, then the butt pain starts to set it.

Has the stock V7 Stone seat and shocks. 2013

- Has anyone rebuilt their seat with memory foam?
- Custom seat successes?
- Anyone run a seat pad they'd recommend?
- If you can only afford one upgrade, what is more beneficial, good seat or upgraded shocks?

I'm not sure if it's the shape of the seat (being narrow) or the lack of good padding, but starts to feel like a plank after an hour.
 
There are many seat threads on the forum. Problem is usually the foam is too soft. Remaking the seat with a closed cell foam may correct your issue. As for which to do, you probably need both, but I'd start with the seat then do the shocks.
 
Thanks for the reply John. Well, I broadened my search to the whole site, instead of just v7. And it looks like replacing the foam with something firmer like closed cell memory foam would a good first step. I'm now try to score some of that of foam.
 
Just stick the foam to the outside and see if that helps? Maybe an airhawk pad for those longer rides.
I got Todd to custom build some shocks for me though and found that was a huge difference. So if your still running the standards then put that on the list of "must haves". I found with time the standard seat on my bike became more comfortable and there is a gel comfort seat available.
 
I find ASP the cheapest and most effective solution. :giggle:

Actually, I am quite serious.

Obviously, YMMV, but at days away from 71, ASP cures lots of my aches and pains.

I have been on several multi-day rides recently, and had a fine time, thanks to Mr. Bayer.

Bill
 
If you try an AirHawk pad, don't over-inflate it.

Aspirin and such do nothing for my aches and pains. The right seat with the right shape does it all. The V7 Racer's monoposto saddle is just right for me, bone stock. The Comfort Gel dual seat with an AirHawk pillion pad, lightly inflated, allowed me to ride for 400 miles per day with no butt or back pain a few weeks back, but the stock saddle is actually better than that.
 
I've found nothing beats a well made seat. I've tried the Air Hawk solution and it is just to finicky to get it right. I currently have a seat by Sargent on my main bike and can still do 900 mile days with no problem in the seat area.
 
I use an Alaskan Leather sheepskin butt pad on my Stone and it works very well for me. I had the same pad on my KLR previously and it fits the V7 Stone seat. The Alaskan Leather website doesn’t list a size for the V7’s. I was probably just dump lucky that my “Dual Sport Full Saddle” size Alaskan Leather pad fit the V7 seat perfectly. I’m sure you can call them and that they might have a more appropriate fit for the V7’s.
 
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When I was at my riding peak about 20-25 years ago, a high miler day like that meant “on the bike at 6am, off the bike at midnight”. Riding at interstate speeds and counting rest stops, fuel stops, etc all, I’d average 50mph overall.
 
I've found nothing beats a well made seat. I've tried the Air Hawk solution and it is just to finicky to get it right. I currently have a seat by Sargent on my main bike and can still do 900 mile days with no problem in the seat area.
13 hours riding at 70 mph is not going to be comfortable on any seat. Thats Iron Butt territory.
 
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13 hours riding at 70 mph is not going to be comfortable on any seat. Thats Iron Butt territory.

Are you referring to any motor bike, or just Guzzi's or just V7's?

I'm looking to do only 2-3 hours, freeway, occasional lane splitting, regular cruise 70-80 MPH, may be faster at times, and not feel sore and tired when I get there. Is this possible, or am I'm dreaming?
 
I find it exhausting. Probably because I'm still new to this. Seems like better shocks, better seat, less vibration, perhaps a windscreen.

To be honest, my bike is running awesome. Real champ. It's me that is whining.
 
2 to 3 hours is very easy once your seat is broken in a bit. . Wind may get to you at speed without a screen though.
 
Following this topic as well - I am thinking of riding up to the bay area, which is about 4.5 hours by car... so probably close to 6 hours if I take it slow on the bike.

Without the windshield, how do you guys ride long distance? Do you bend with head tucked in, or sit upright and take it like a man? Both the wind and bugs and what not. I do the latter, but gets my head tossed around all the time, but getting used to it now. Aside from gears, I find adding scarves help protect my neck from being “slapped” by the wind, and then I continue on to cruise around 55-60 mph.

Hoping to stop every 150 miles to fuel up, maybe sooner. Any advice is most welcome.
 
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