Biking Shorts or Cycling shorts.

[Drawweight]

I’m getting numb bum after an hour or so on the bike and considering padded shorts.

Do I go for cycling shorts or dedicated motorbike shorts? Or neither.

I had the seat of my previous bike redone with memory foam and medical gel and it was still not great so I’m hoping for a less drastic alternative.

[Discendo Discimus]

It's something that I just get used to the more I ride the bike to be honest.
Same with cycling, I have the correct size saddle on my bike but it still hurt like hell for a while. I don't even notice it anymore, the body adapts quickly.

[black-k1]

I use an AirHawk seat cushion. Solves the problem without the "feels like you sh!t yourself" discomfort that comes with gel padded shorts.

[outnumbered]

Cool Covers are also a good option for making seats more comfortable. I am a non-standard build for a biker and don't have much padding built in, so also use some padded undershorts if I'm doing an all day ride,

[bogie]

Another vote for "cool covers" mesh style cover. Adds another 5mm or so of comfort, keeps your bum cool in summer and dryer when raining. Great VFM for £50 ish, had one for last few bikes.

Some years ago I did try some padded shorts that also had armour (vs having armour in jeans etc) but I found them too hot and bulky.

[slime bomb]

AirHawk, all day long comfort. Game changer for me.

[iansp]

AirHawk are good and ComfortAir is a cheaper option (available from Sportsbikeshop).

[Biker9090]

All half measures tbh....

You either need to get the seat done properly or simply get used to doing more miles.

Been through it all before on a VFR and both of those were the only cures.

[black-k1]

Biker9090 said:

All half measures tbh....

You either need to get the seat done properly or simply get used to doing more miles.

Been through it all before on a VFR and both of those were the only cures.

Sorry, but I don't agree and that doesn't align with my own experience. I did a number of 600 miles/10 hour days on my K1300Ss and had no issues. As soon as I got my H2 SX I found I couldn't do much more than an hour to 90mins. I had a Gel insert fitted professionally to the seat, then replaced the seat with a Sargent seat. While both of these extended the time before discomfort neither stopped it.

There was no way I could "man up" and live with the discomfort to be able to do long days on H2 SX. It was too uncomfortable. I tried gel padded shorts, which again, helped but didn't fully address the problem. Only an AirHawk seat cushion allowed me to do the types of big days xthat I had no issue with on the K1300S.

[Steve_H80]

If I'm going to be doing a long, all day ride I've worn cycling shorts under my riding pants.
I was advised to try it on a long tour after a long days arse agony, a cheap pair of cyclists shorts made the world of difference.

[Biker9090]

black-k1 said:

Sorry, but I don't agree and that doesn't align with my own experience. I did a number of 600 miles/10 hour days on my K1300Ss and had no issues. As soon as I got my H2 SX I found I couldn't do much more than an hour to 90mins. I had a Gel insert fitted professionally to the seat, then replaced the seat with a Sargent seat. While both of these extended the time before discomfort neither stopped it.

There was no way I could "man up" and live with the discomfort to be able to do long days on H2 SX. It was too uncomfortable. I tried gel padded shorts, which again, helped but didn't fully address the problem. Only an AirHawk seat cushion allowed me to do the types of big days xthat I had no issue with on the K1300S.

I don't believe I said "man up"......

I've gone through the above and they all become a pain (literally or and figuratively). Anything "stuck" onto the seat always ends up moving around or limits/hinders my movement.