Padded bike shorts

Boris · 08-03-2001, 05:39 AM

I'm just curious if anyone has used and where they bought (what kind) padded shorts for touring. I wear regular sports compression shorts since they don't crease like cotton underwear and make my ride hell. I saw the discussion on the S seat modifications, but I like rolling to the front because it makes me to adjust my position frequently and prevents numb butt. Also S riding position is so much more comfortable than a Jap standard bike, I'm glad with what I got so far.

Boris

Rapt · 08-03-2001, 05:55 AM

I wear riding shorts (bicycle shorts) on long "tour" rides for exactly those reasons also.

I did the mods to my seat so have the option to sit in more positions without having to fight the seat forcing me back into the same spot all the time. I can sit back, I can sit forward, I can tilt my pelvis. I can sit slightly to one side or the other. It gives ME the control rather than the guy who designed the bike seating.

Boris · 08-03-2001, 06:29 AM

I was actually thinking about the seat ergonomics. With all the stories of BMW being on the forefront of bike comfort design I can't help to wander what went wrong. I do admit that on fast rides and touring on high speed, I can't really feel the sliding. I'm 6'1" so I tower over the short windshield. On the other hand may be it has something to do with German butts, being different. May be German beer has adverse effect on developing specific butt anatomy and constitution in general. ; ) No offense meant here, I just wander if I could start drinking it more, but the imports taste no better than watery Budweiser.

Rapt · 08-03-2001, 07:09 AM

Actually I don't think anythign went wrong. The designed seat holds you in the nearly perfect position for agressive sport riding. I find if I scootch right up to the tank the way the seat used to FORCE me to the bike feels much better and handles more "confidently" while allowing me better control of the bars (bent elbows mean fewer inadvertent inputs) and more freedom to lean off should it be required.

The "S" was meant to be BMW's stunnig return ot "sportbiking" and as such the seat was made to do that rather than endless miles of highway droning. But most of us do some of both. It takes me an hour or two fo mostly straight roads to get to the twisty bits where I need to move up on the tank, and where the ride is dynamic enough that the seat isn't really a factor in comfort.

jclark · jclark's Garage

Boris –*

I think the seat is just fine as is –*sport and touring.

I also think you should drink some Paulaner.
Salvator comes to mind.
Or Dortmund or any other Munich beer.

jeff
...I'm suddenly all peckish(for beer)...

Conrad (RAD) Sudduth · 08-03-2001, 08:20 AM

Boris

I raced bicycles and still work out a lot on them so I am familiar with riding shorts. I have never felt the need to wear them when I ride the S even on 1,000 mile days.

The reason is that I only wear synthetic underwear, never cotton! Most back packing and outdoor outlets have a good assortment of them A side benefit of synthetic underwear and t-shirts is that I only take one extra of each on my tours no matter how long they are.

I wash each in the sink at night and they are dry by morning. helps reduce what you need to bring. Oh ya, same for socks.

I make sure and let any female passengers who ride with me know that they should always wear thongs or none at all.

rad

Rapt · 08-03-2001, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Conrad (RAD) Sudduth:

I wash each in the sink at night and they are dry by morning. helps reduce what you need to bring. Oh ya, same for socks.

I make sure and let any female passengers who ride with me know that they should always wear thongs or none at all.

rad

Great idea with the synth undies.

But the second isn't necessary for me since any females who ride with me already dress that way...

Boris · 08-03-2001, 09:34 AM

I'm not a fan of synthetic underware, but poly cloth is the only thing I wear on trips. Learned the lesson early, cotton t-shirt and poly jersey is a world of difference on a really hot day under leather jacket.

Now that I have a Boxer, I need "boxer shorts", but I'd leave cotton boxer shorts for enemies to wear. ; ((

BTW, any experiences with fine silk type underwear? I hate to say it, but some of those really expensive apparel for women is the most confortable, less seams, finer material stuff. How about Victor's Secret for bikers?

Boris

Rapt · 08-03-2001, 09:38 AM

SIlk is nearly as good as synths for not absorbing moisture. Certainly way better than cotton.

Any hiking/camping/outdoor resource should have tons of info on such things.

Conrad (RAD) Sudduth · 08-03-2001, 10:35 AM

Boris

Did I read you right. You wear womens underwear when you ride your S ?

"I hate to say it, but some of those really expensive apparel for women is the most comfortable." Boris

Does the bra help keep you warm or just add back support.

rad

Boris · 08-03-2001, 11:38 AM

Rad,

that was a good catch. I need English refresher course. Please don't forward this to my mom. ; )

Boris

markjenn · 08-03-2001, 04:29 PM

Pearl Izumi lycra/chamois bicycle shorts for me. On the bicycle or the motorcycle, they make a huge difference after a couple hours. I take one pair and wash them every night - you do have to get some airflow to get the chamois to dry, otherwise it is "chilly" in the morning.

- Mark

crimson · 08-06-2001, 04:09 AM

Hey Guys:
This is getting intense....LOL, I like Rads; idea about how the ladies should dress, but, Boris, I don't believe I would have said that over the board...LOL, that aside I'll send you a Victorias' Secrets catalog next time I go by the mall, oh, and Rad, It's best to use and underwire bra for support, but the straps bite when you wear a Dianese back brace.......Have a happy day

Len · 08-06-2001, 07:18 AM

Did I open the wrong bb? Is this a new production of the Rocky Horror Show on bikes? One thing I will not use is boxer shorts. Once you've been strangled by them you will never go back.

Len

[This message has been edited by Len (edited 08-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Len (edited 08-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Len (edited 08-07-2001).]

roger albert · 08-06-2001, 07:39 AM

Hi all,

> I make sure and let any female passengers
> who ride with me know that they should
> always wear thongs or none at all.

Yes, same policy I have for car rides, or for that matter, watching flicks on the sofa. A good consistent policy is important.

Personally, I like bike shorts for this. I'm picking up a new set today. Rad may be fit enough; but not me anymore. Ironically, the guys who already have bike shorts from bicycling are the guys who are least likely to need them for motorcycling. The right muscles are already developed and toned.

Now I'm thinking about beer too. Damn!
Btw, if one is within an hour of Munich, the truly hot tip is Andech Doppelbock. It's on my must-visit list everytime I visit Germany.

later
roger

The Bee · 08-06-2001, 12:40 PM

TOO MUCH INFORMATION ! ! !

08-06-2001, 03:23 PM

Boris, I have been wearing a bicycle underpant made by Netti for many years and they are sensational for distance riding.
They are a lighter weight material than standard bike shorts but still have a chamois crutch. I cannot recommend highly enough!
And hey, nobody needs to know that you are wearing them, unless you tell them!
Frank