Knock-off Airhawk seat | GTAMotorcycle.com

Knock-off Airhawk seat

I use it when touring, and it works pretty good - rode with it for 2 full seasons now. I only used air (didn't attempt to fill it with water, don't see the point).
Still working OK, It lost tiny bit of air during this time, not enough to require top-up.
I was worried when I rode in jeans with metal rivets on back pockets, but had no issues, no punctures or anything like that.

It stays in place, easy to adjust. Only downside is - your seat height will increase slightly, and that does affect ergonomics.
In my case, it makes me lean forward a bit more, and I notice it on my wrists... Overall, it was an improvement in comfort, so trade-off was net positive for me.

In the past, I've noticed how my seat was wearing out in distinct pressure-point spots... I could tell I will need to re-upholster it soon at this rate... Figured, with this thing, I can save the seat, and get a bit more comfort - glad I did it...
 
adv_round said:
I use it when touring, and it works pretty good - rode with it for 2 full seasons now. I only used air (didn't attempt to fill it with water, don't see the point).
Still working OK, It lost tiny bit of air during this time, not enough to require top-up.
I was worried when I rode in jeans with metal rivets on back pockets, but had no issues, no punctures or anything like that.

It stays in place, easy to adjust. Only downside is - your seat height will increase slightly, and that does affect ergonomics.
In my case, it makes me lean forward a bit more, and I notice it on my wrists... Overall, it was an improvement in comfort, so trade-off was net positive for me.

In the past, I've noticed how my seat was wearing out in distinct pressure-point spots... I could tell I will need to re-upholster it soon at this rate... Figured, with this thing, I can save the seat, and get a bit more comfort - glad I did it...
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
I used an Airhawk this season. Can't speak to one the OP posted but can say that many people put way too much air in them and they end up sliding all over the place. The illustrations for the Innerneed show the air chambers way overinflated. If you're using it properly it has virtually no impact on your effective seat height and it shouldn't change the ergonomics of your lean or how much weight you put on your wrists.
 
I've read the reviews on this before I bought it, and knew it shouldn't be fully inflated - I would say mine is 30% inflated... All chambers are connected, and while individually they look almost flat, when weight is spread across the whole pad, it works as intended.

Shape of my stock seat is what's causing ergo changes - there is a pronounced rise between rider and passenger section of the seat, and combined with seat angle, that back portion is higher... Seat is a bit on sporty side... On more traditional touring or cruising seat (flat) it might not be an issue...

I didn't try original Airhawk, and cannot comment on difference between them, just my experience...
 
A few years ago, Airhawk switched from rubber inflatable bladders to the newer style ones made of polyurethane. I have both of them and the new plastic ones are not as good. The rubber bladder had more give and was more comfortable. Seemed like a cost-cutting measure. If you can find the older style ones (I think they changed them around 2012-2013?) on eBay, snap it up.
 
Lightcycle said:
A few years ago, Airhawk switched from rubber inflatable bladders to the newer style ones made of polyurethane. I have both of them and the new plastic ones are not as good. The rubber bladder had more give and was more comfortable. Seemed like a cost-cutting measure. If you can find the older style ones (I think they changed them around 2012-2013?) on eBay, snap it up.
Click to expand...
are we still talking about bikes?
 
adv_round said:
I've read the reviews on this before I bought it, and knew it shouldn't be fully inflated - I would say mine is 30% inflated... All chambers are connected, and while individually they look almost flat, when weight is spread across the whole pad, it works as intended.

Shape of my stock seat is what's causing ergo changes - there is a pronounced rise between rider and passenger section of the seat, and combined with seat angle, that back portion is higher... Seat is a bit on sporty side... On more traditional touring or cruising seat (flat) it might not be an issue...

I didn't try original Airhawk, and cannot comment on difference between them, just my experience...
Click to expand...
Mine's closer to 10 or 20%. Just enough to lift part of my cheek off the seat a mm.
 
An upholstery shop will add good high-dens foam on the seat wherever you want it for under $100. The bit of extra cost is worth it not to have to look at that hideous thing on the seat. My guy did my Ducati seat for $40.
 
Hardwrkr13 said:
An upholstery shop will add good high-dens foam on the seat wherever you want it for under $100. The bit of extra cost is worth it not to have to look at that hideous thing on the seat. My guy did my Ducati seat for $40.
Click to expand...
Any recommendations for a upholstery shop in the 'Sauga area?
 
ReSTored said:
If you're using it properly it has virtually no impact on your effective seat height and it shouldn't change the ergonomics of your lean or how much weight you put on your wrists.
Click to expand...

100% this. Most people overinflate these things. When they're setup right they should look basically flat. Lots of people buy an AirHawk, blow it up like a balloon, and then hate the experience (Yeah, it feels like sitting on a balloon) and then stop using them. They just don't read the directions.

Lightcycle said:
I have both of them and the new plastic ones are not as good. The rubber bladder had more give and was more comfortable. Seemed like a cost-cutting measure. If you can find the older style ones (I think they changed them around 2012-2013?) on eBay, snap it up.
Click to expand...

Again, 100% this. Airhawk cheaped out. I have 2 Airhawks, one of the new style with the Polyeurothane (or whatever they use now) and one of the old style with the drastically more flexible original rubber. There's a big difference.

I bought a Wild Ass last spring since they had a good deal on the larger model pad I wanted, plus they are made just like the *original* Airhawk's with quality bladders. I'm quite happy with it.

I haven't tried one of the ones posted at the the top of the thread, but having owned (and spent many miles sitting on) both gen's of Airhawks, and now the Wild Ass, I can say without a doubt that...you get what you pay for. So for those who like this knockoff one, you'd probably be happier with a Wild Ass.
 
You'd think for all the money bike manufacturers supposedly put into R&D they'd developed better seats so we wouldnt have to shop for solutions in the aftermarket....
 
Hack said:
You'd think for all the money bike manufacturers supposedly put into R&D they'd developed better seats so we wouldnt have to shop for solutions in the aftermarket....
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$$$.

In a perfect world every bike would come with a custom designed Russel Day Long or something. But it's cheaper to send them out the door with a slab of foam and let the owners worry about the rest. Some manufacturers even offer factory alternate options - my Vulcan Voyager for example has an aftermarket "Comfort" gel seat available as an option directly from Kawasaki. I can attest that the factory seat is the "uncomfortable" option - I switched to an Ultimate Seat not long after buying.
 
PrivatePilot said:
$$$.

In a perfect world every bike would come with a custom designed Russel Day Long or something. But it's cheaper to send them out the door with a slab of foam and let the owners worry about the rest. Some manufacturers even offer factory alternate options - my Vulcan Voyager for example has an aftermarket "Comfort" gel seat available as an option directly from Kawasaki. I can attest that the factory seat is the "uncomfortable" option - I switched to an Ultimate Seat not long after buying.
Click to expand...
Was chatting with an upholstery specialist (he was formerly Parts Manager of the then Cycle World on Dundas) and he said that except for GWs and Harleys it is mostly the "slab of foam" that the rest of the bikes get sent out with. Not much can be done for more comfort due to the limitations of the stock seat pan and design lines of these bikes.

"Gel" is not an option of choice as it gets hot in the summer and tends to freeze in colder climes.
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