Motorcycle comfort shorts/underwear Show us your pants!

[Janluke]

Seems to be a relatively new thing, anybody using them? What make?

Are they like cycle shorts in that you need to wear them next to the skin for best use

[Drawweight]

I just bought Rippl padded shorts.

In my case they’re not a magic solution to numb bum. They help a bit but honestly not as much as I’d hoped.

I’d be interested if anyone has done a comparison with others, from how mine look there’s only one way of doing it and the difference would be in the materials used.

[Simon_GH]

I’ve had standard cycling shorts recommended to me but have never tried them.

[Mark_S1000RR_2010]

Last long trip I did down to the Alps involving 10 hours of autoroute, I wore cycling shorts. Genuinely made a big difference to the numb bum situation.

They are now making specific motorcycle shorts, which has to be a good thing. Worth a look.

[podman]

I have the Rippl ride shorts and they have made the bike all day comfy, my M1000R has quite a firm seat but with the shorts, I’ve done 9 hours of riding without any discomfort to the buttocks…

Definitely worth the money for me.

[black-k1]

I have a pair of Moto-Skiveez. I've tried them a couple of times and I think they help a bit to avoid numb-bum on long runs but I really didn't like the "I've st myself" feeling that accompanies them, especially when off the bike. I far prefer to use an AirHawk seat cushion which does a much better job comfort wise and has no off the bike issues.

[Semperagressus]

I have a set of the ripple shorts, basically if you have a boney ass they will help as they reduce pressure points, if you have a fat ass they do not a lot !

You do feel at the start as if you have st yourself but once warm and moulded I don’t really notice them under my textile trousers.

[Linksmas]

I'm cautious of these. I'm currently of the opinion that no seat is comfortable for 8+ hours. The best thing is to stop every couple of hours and walk around for a few minutes, get the blood flowing and muscles moving again.

I have one of those cooling vented seat cover things and that has done a great job of preventing swap crotch, getting off the bike and not feeling like I've done a runny poo is great.

[v9]

Linksmas said:

I have one of those cooling vented seat cover things and that has done a great job of preventing swap crotch, getting off the bike and not feeling like I've done a runny poo is great.

Tell me more about these please - I have a long hot trip coming up soon and did wonder if they are any good or just snake oil

[Janluke]

Linksmas said:

I'm cautious of these. I'm currently of the opinion that no seat is comfortable for 8+ hours. The best thing is to stop every couple of hours and walk around for a few minutes, get the blood flowing and muscles moving again.

I have one of those cooling vented seat cover things and that has done a great job of preventing swap crotch, getting off the bike and not feeling like I've done a runny poo is great.

My pal uses one and swears by it. Being in Scotland "too warm" isn't a common occurrence

[Bob_Defly]

I tend to use Nike gym leggings, as it's pretty warm here so they stop you sticking to your jeans or other trousers, and they wick away sweat. They work very well both on and off road.

When I got the CRF450RL I tried padded cycling shorts to deal with the rock hard seat, but they didn't help. Had to replace it with a Seat Concepts.

[Linksmas]

v9 said:

Tell me more about these please - I have a long hot trip coming up soon and did wonder if they are any good or just snake oil

I got these from Ali Express, half the price of "name brand" but likely the same factory. It's great, on a cooler day you can feel like airflow, on the hot days you can't feel it but its definitely working because I don't get betty swollocks. Had it for 2000 miles, including some 35c + days and can't fault it.

[bogie]

Linksmas said:

I got these from Ali Express, half the price of "name brand" but likely the same factory. It's great, on a cooler day you can feel like airflow, on the hot days you can't feel it but its definitely working because I don't get betty swollocks. Had it for 2000 miles, including some 35c + days and can't fault it.

I have similar seat covers on my bike and it works great, gives you an extra 5-10mm of soft cushioning, and keeps you cooler on hot days. Even works great in the rain as water does not pool in the seat so you dont get a wet bum

I take it off before winter though as cant feel the heated seat with it on

[tvrolet]

I have a pair of moto skivees, and another pair I can’t remember the name of, but red padding inside so if you wear them inside out it looks like you have a baboon’s arse.

I’m sure you noticed you get them with padding in different places based on sports bike, tourer or whatever. Not sure where the padding on regular cycling shorts would place it? I’m guessing more for sports bike position with less weight on your ass cheeks as a pushbike doesn’t have a seat under there?

I’ve found the difference they make is down to the bike seat. On the Chief they made a difference with 7 hours in the saddle not really being a problem. And as you know, I’m an old bloke with a sack-of-potatoes riding position, so all the weight is on my ass and not much movement.

I started using them on the Roadmaster, again on long hauls and I assumed they were making a difference. But with it being so bloody hot in Europe this summer I stopped wearing them. And guess what - no bloody difference, even on a couple of real long hauls. Perfectly comfy without them.

My conclusion (which may be wrong!) is if you have a seat that’s a bit uncomfortable after a while then they’ll give you longer in the saddle. But if the seat’s actually pretty good it’s not going to go the extra mile and turn it into floating on clouds.