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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Ergonomics/Controls - Seats, Pegs, Bars, Grips, Levers, Pedals » Archive through September 18, 2007 » Airhawk Opinions/Sizing (xb9) « Previous Next »

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Tm74
Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Anyone using or have used an Airhawk on a xb9?

I have a bony arse and get some decent pain after riding just a short distance. I've looked at pads and come to the conclusion that something like an Airhawk would fit the bill. I ride a City Cross with the stock seat. I'm really looking for all day bum comfort. It would only be used when I will be riding all day.

Anyone had any experience with these(bony arse + Airhawk) on a xb9. I'm also not sure what size to look at for the City Cross seat.
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Tranvk
Posted on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - 02:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I use an Air Hawk on my Harley and it helped a great deal for those 700-mile days. I have not tried in on the Firebolt though.
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Tm74
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 - 03:40 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Tranvk. I think I'll just wing it on the size. I checked into a butt transplant but it's a little out of my price range. I'd also have to buy new clothes. It looks like the Airhawk will have to do.
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Sweatmark
Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 02:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"You bet your a$$" - the AirHawk slogan.

AirHawk is very valuable road trip tool! Would not have made my 1st IronButt 1000 miler without the AirHawk, to ease butt cramps and change ergonomics enough to relax legs and back. Adjust the inflation a bit each gas stop to keep your body fresh.

I've got the smaller rectangular AirHawk, but would prefer the larger "seat-shaped" version (recommended).
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Tm74
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 06:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Sweatmark! I ordered the 14" X 14"(small cruiser). The only other Airhawks that would fit the xb9s was the passenger(square) ones. All the others would have been long enough to cover the entire length of the seat. I'll post a report when I get it. I hope me bum likes it!
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Bigdog_tim
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 10:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tm74 - please do post your findings. I have a XB12R - and have been known to do 700-900 mile days. I had to walk funny for a week afterwards.
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Tm74
Posted on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 03:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK, I received the Air Hawk and it works great!

Fit:
As far as the size, the "Medium Cruiser", which is 14" x 14", fits great on my City Cross with OEM seat. It's in the shape of a cruiser seat but it fits a lot better than you would think. I would think it would fit fine on all of the XBs with any variation of seat(don't know about the corbin on a S though, never seen one in person).

Keep in mind it will add some height to the bike. I would guess it raised the seat height about 1"(it would depend on how much air you have in it). I did find this to be a nice bonus though. Your legs are a little more extended.


Construction:
If you've never seen one in person before it's built very nice. The construction is top notch. You get a cover that goes over the bladder which has a non-skid surface on the bottom to keep it from sliding around. It also has 2 straps(one in the front and one in the rear) that go under the seat to keep it on the bike if you were to stand up to stretch your legs.


Installation:
Not much to say. Take the seat off and wrap the straps around the bottom. Put the seat back on and your done.


Comfort:
I agree with Sweatmark's comments about adjusting the inflation every once in a while but I found the sweat spot for me to be about half full. I only did about a 300 mile stint with it but I didn't get sore at all. Not even a discomfort. I usually start to get discomfort at around the 200 mile mark, followed by soreness. Thanks for the boney arse mom and dad! If you become sore you can just adjust the inflation.

I don't know how long I could ride without getting sore with the Airhawk. All I know is it has extended my range. How far is yet to be determined. It's expensive but so far seems well worth it to me.


Drawbacks:
The one downfall is riding in the twisties. You can't move around quite as easily. It took a little getting use to. You'll really notice it with side to side transitions. I think with time it won't be an issue at all.

Also keep in mind the Airhawk install/removes very quickly. Since you move around a lot more in the twisties you won't get as sore. You could just pull over and take it off if you knew you had a lot of twisties ahead. I may do this in the future but will give it some time to see how I adapt to it. I also ride with luggage almost all the time so finding a place to store it isn't normally a problem.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I moved recently and can't locate my camera.
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Edstevens
Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Tm74

I use the airhawk medium cruiser first on a Blast. Traded Blast in at 1000 service on a 2003 XB9SL. If you have a XB9SLow or a XB12Scg you need an AirHawk if your ride is going to be more than an hour. The low models have lowered suspension and a lowered seat with a solid seating surface.

I have used the AirHawk for 3 years and it has done it's job very well. I would recommend it if for no other reason than the airflow it provides on my underside.
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Jaelliot
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 02:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I am planning my first Iron Butt (SaddleSore 1,000) ride on my 2007 XB9R Firebolt. Does anyone have any recommendations as to the size of Airhawk seat cushion that would work best for just the rider's seat (not passenger seat)? On the Airhawk website, it looks like they recommend either the medium or small system. Have any of you had any luck with either size on your Firebolt? I'd appreciate any input at all.
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Adamd
Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 - 04:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

WHAT AIRHAWK DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW!

Sorry, I don't have an XB9, I think you're nutz to do an ironbutt on this bike, but hey why not.

What I use on my ULY is a thermorest camping seat. It's pretty much the same thing as the airhawk but it's more of a DIY project. They cost about 15$

Here's a link that describes how to do it..

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38 1673&highlight=airhawk

Hope this helps.
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