• There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.

A few observations, if I may.

Debbie and I used to use http://www.beadrider.com/ seat beads and they worked good in spurts. We found the most comfort when we alternated riding with the BeadRider on and off the seat, swapping it every few fuel stops.

Yes, I remember you guys having those. I think I asked you about them on that ride. I am wondering how they might work on a stock seat. Not dish like what they seem to be designed for.

And what size to get? I checked out the site. Maybe they have a recommended size for the stock seat.
 
I've been using the beads for several years now. They are especially nice in hot weather, as mentioned above. One of the nice things about them is that they only take a moment to put on or take off, which you can do several times during a long ride to vary your seating. Given the fact that they're relatively inexpensive, you're not risking much if you try them.
 
Um, those are on backwards. But hey, if they work they work right?

I use the BeadRider seat with my stock RT seat and think its great! I did put it away for the winter as it allows too much cold air on the backside, but its great in warmer weather. It is easy to remove but I usually keep it on for long periods in the summer. Really does improve comfort with the RT seat.
BeadRider makes the seat now with either wood or ceramic beads. I got the ceramic bead version even though it cost more. Bought mine from Racer Parts Wholesale for about $50. Here's a shot of the seat on my RT....
picture.php
 
I am. Stock seat. Beads. I think the direct beadrider site now has a recommendation for size. I just went out and measured the largest size I thought I could get on the stock seat without the beads hitting the plastic panel just in front of the seat. 14 x 14 would be my guess.

They DO make the seat slippery!!! After the tacky feeling of the stock seat, when I first put the beads on I thought I was going to slip right off! The first few turns are "interesting". Balance is key! Maybe all those years riding horses has really come to good use ryding the Spyder!!!

Anyway, yup, I've got the beads on the stock seat. They work fine. Circulation isn't cut off in odd places, and nice a cool in the heat!
 
Anybody using these on the stock RS seat?

Ron, I used them on my stock seat. They really did help but as Brian stated, I found myself alternating between riding for a while with them and a while without them. My favorite thing about them was that on hot days, they kept me a lot cooler in the seat area.
 
Having never owned a motorcycle before or driven one before last summer I cannot comment on motorcycles, but what I do know is that I bought an RTS SE5 because the riding position fit me better than the RS-S models. To try and make an Rs into a comfortable machine for me was too expensive and then my wife showed interest in riding as a passenger and she did not like the back seat on the RS models as it was not comfortable for her, She liked the back seat on the RT and it is comfortable for her so we both agreed that the 2010 RTS SE5 in timeless black was for us:2thumbs:
 
Ron, I used them on my stock seat. They really did help but as Brian stated, I found myself alternating between riding for a while with them and a while without them. My favorite thing about them was that on hot days, they kept me a lot cooler in the seat area.



Did you guys ever try sheepskin on the seat for comfort. Guys I have rode with swear by it. Warm in winter and cool in summer. Plus nice and soft for us old farts.lol
 
I have a beaded seat cover that I used on my GS with the stock seat and now use on my RTS. I got the ones that are made out of a wood product, rather than plastic for two reasons. They are not as slippery as plastic and they don't retain the heat as bad from being in the sun. I've ridden about 20000 miles on them and they work for me.
Just my opinion.:D
 
I've been considering trying those on my G&G ride. Worst case senerio, I give them to someone else if they don't work for me. Where did you get yours?

I got my ultimates off eBay for just a bit cheaper than where they originally come from... Bead riders Wood are the classics...ceramic are the ultimates. I agree the beads do feel a little "slick" when you first use them into hard turns but as you get used to them quick. I move from side to side while taking multiple hard twisty's and the beads provide an advantage when transferring weight through the turns.

About $60 and two riding issues solved, one major (longer rides) and one unexpected moving from side-to-side in twisty's. Well worth the investment. 14x14 are the best for the Spyder seat but I am using the 13x13 just fine. :D
 
I used to ride with a sheepskin all the time but didnt think it made much difference on spyder:dontknow:
 
First thing I ever tried was a full-size sheepskin (unsheared). Fit the KLR seat like the proverbial glove, and nearly as "custom" fit for the Spyder, too. Used that, and a 2" thick foam pad, riding to Nova Scotia and back to Vermont, last Summer. Since then, I've used the Air Hawk, the AH, under the sheepskin, the AH over the sheepskin, etc. The AH, alone, is the closest I've come to comfort, but the shape of the stock seat, and the high/rear peg location just can't be comfortable for someone more than, (I'm guessing), 5' 6" tall? I end up standing on the pegs in every town where I slow down to 35 or so. It's a whole lot better than it used to be, with the Air Hawk, and I do try to move around a lot, to relieve the pressure and the "set" in the muscles and tendons in the butt and legs. I think my age and arthritis have a lot more to do with it than I really want to know about!:D

Anyway, come Spyderfest, I'm sure to see lots of stuff to give me ideas to try. Gotta get checked out on what it takes to move/replace some of that Tupper Ware to make room for my feet!
 
Ron, I used them on my stock seat. They really did help but as Brian stated, I found myself alternating between riding for a while with them and a while without them. My favorite thing about them was that on hot days, they kept me a lot cooler in the seat area.

I thought you had the stock seat. I may just give these beads a try. Some like the wood, some like the ceramic. I may just toss a coin on that issue.
 
Did you guys ever try sheepskin on the seat for comfort. Guys I have rode with swear by it. Warm in winter and cool in summer. Plus nice and soft for us old farts.lol

I use a sheepskin ALL the time since getting one a couple of years ago - like stated above, it is cooler in the summer, warm in the winter. The only draw back so far has been getting caught in a rain storm with it on!!! :yikes:
 
Anyway, come Spyderfest, I'm sure to see lots of stuff to give me ideas to try. Gotta get checked out on what it takes to move/replace some of that Tupper Ware to make room for my feet!

:2thumbs: That sounds like a very good idea. I know many of us will be more than happy to let you sit on our Spyders and see what you think about different seats, risers, floorboards, and whatever else might float your boat.
 
I use a sheepskin ALL the time since getting one a couple of years ago - like stated above, it is cooler in the summer, warm in the winter. The only draw back so far has been getting caught in a rain storm with it on!!! :yikes:

And this is where beads are superior. The rain that accumulates on the seat is BELOW the beads. YOU sit on top of the beads and stay nice and dry!!

I have the wooden ones. Didn't see the benefit of spending more on the ceramic. They work just fine. Remind me of an abacus every time I mount the Spyder.

Anyway, they work great!
 
i know it won't fix the problems with your 08 :spyder2: but they did upgrade the engine mounts for the '11s to reduce overall vibration.....
so if you really wanna try out the new improvements i am sure your dealer will let you take a test ryde.
 
Thanks, guys. Lots of things I'd like to cover, while I'm near a bunch of other Spyders. Like, just listening to a few other engines, just to see if some of the paranoia about the "sounds" coming from mine can be put to rest. I've been a dyed-in-the-wool DIY'er all my life, and it's too late to change, now, so I'll be takin notes. Just a couple of examples: My side-flipping pickup bed, so I can winch the Spyder into the truck, backwards. We're full-time RV'ers, you see. Got a home-made bustle for the tail-gate to clear the Spyder's nose. The list could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Didn't intend to give the impression that I was "totally" un-impressed with the Spyder by starting the thread. I really do need some help resolving some of these issues, and there's no way I could ever afford to trade up, or throw a couple of grand at after-market stuff. Not when I can use a cutter, a hitter, a turner, a gluer, and even a welder!:D

I know from long experience that RV'ers and Bikers are great people, and all you have to do is to make yourself available and open to suggestions, and you'll get some great ideas, and a WHOLE bunch of new friends, and memories.:thumbup:

The "Ride a real motocycle", was a joke, BTW.:joke:

Oh, just thought of this. I have an aquaintance, not what I'd call a real friend, since he was a Union Stewardnojoke, but retired from Harley. Anyway, along about the early 90's the engineers and designers went to the CEO's with a wide-front trike design and were turned down flat! "No Harley will ever be built like that", he said. Well, may be, but I won't even sit on one of those things and try it out. Just the general outlay is enough to scare me. Too short, too narrow, and too high for me. Again, hope this bit of trivia doesn't generate any hate mail, but I thought it was interesting that H D had their chance, and muffed it.:roflblack:
 
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