Air rider comfort seat review: No more numb bum.

This is an Air rider, an aftermarket adjustable seat pad from
www.airrider.co.uk
Thanks to saddle craft for supplying the cushion.
www.saddlecraf...
Thanks also to Alec at the English electric motor co for selling me the bike and excellent back up service.
www.englishele...
Roadcraft Nottingham is a UK motorcycle school which was established in March 1989.
I am a fully qualified professional motorcycle instructor of 36 years and offer motorcycle riding tips and tips on riding a motorcycle for the first time all the way up to advanced riding.
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[@InspectorGadget2014]

Nice! And quite affordable, especially when comparing it with other (often fixed-inflated) solutions. Brillant! Now I need to figure out, with the sizes they outlined on their website, which would likely suit me best for my bike and saddle. Would Rokstraps be usable (too) you think, to fix this Air Rider, perhaps? As I already have shortened Rokstraps in use for me, wait for it, ceramic beads (yes, that was a thing way back then) seat-cover. (I just do not like to have long, floppy straps that I have tug in somewhere, gives it a cleaner look, that is a thang for me, haha)

[@InspectorGadget2014]

BTW, the sound of the engine & environment is music to my ears, no tracks needed...

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@InspectorGadget2014 there was no engine though 😉

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Beads? Let's leave it there Mr 70s person 😂. They'll be open Monday and are very helpful so maybe best call them at Saddle craft

[@InspectorGadget2014]

@@RoadcraftNottingham The beads work for me but mainly on the hotter days, against sweaty bums 😂 Thanks, will do!

[@InspectorGadget2014]

@@RoadcraftNottingham I can imagine things but I heard, I believe, some of the electric engine-whining at times, but just a whiff of it.

[@adriansmith2853]

After watching this video and your recommendation i can agree no more numb bum with one of these so much so ive forgotten it was a problem.

[@viramati5831]

Bought mine just in time for the Distinguished Gentleman's charity ride out in London yesterday. 3 hours continuous in slow moving traffic. I can honestly say that once I got it set up right it saved my backside from a lot of pain

[@felgercarb3803]

Hi there and nice video btw. About the Airrider seat. Its just the same as the cheap Self-inflating seat cushion you get from auto/camping stores for 5£. Of course the airrider fits a little bit better and have a nicer finish, but for 94£ less the cheap one will do just fine.

[@WheelieGoodTV]

Great video, great presentation and great product. Well done Roadcraft.👍🏍

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Praise indeed, I'm about 50 years behind the quality of your presentations but am inspired and always willing to learn so any advice is welcome. Thanks. ☺

[@kevinlytle6215]

First time hearing about these. Old guy on mid sized ADV. 100 miles and I am ready for a three month rest. Seat off road is perfect but trash for on road. Couldn't pull trigger on over 300 USD for custom seat and factory comfort seat was loose and squishy and not much better. Thanks for a good review. By the way for a $100 USD I would be ok if it only lasted half a year! Worth it for the comfort. Going to look for US distributor if they have one.

[@DancairoOpera]

Thanks for the review and also thanks for not inflicting overlay music on us.

[@SuperGinkgo]

Hi Russ, I first learnt of the joys of an air bladder seat back in the late 80's by cannibalising an empty wine box for the foil bag... it served as both a pillow and air cushion for many a long jaunt, I would always land more refreshed than my mates and sometimes I would have tepid, bum warmed wine to share! Comfort is all 😊👍

[@iivaridark6850]

Good idea! And - no music that's what I like!

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Glad someone agrees with me, I can only take so much of people sounding like they're on helium 😂

[@stephmoore8251]

Hi Russ do like the idea plus an extra hight for us long legs people

[@Ducatijay72]

Ordering myself one for Christmas 🎄 great video and nice to see you uploading more again , have good weekend 👍

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks, pleased to be of help. Enjoy. ☺

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

I like the look of this Russ, given my growing age it could be a good investment !!

[@stephmoore8251]

Good afternoon Russ watching your short films i can see there is so much to learn about motorcycle riding this i must thank you for, Kind regards Steph

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Hello Steph, thanks for watching, stay tuned and feel free to share as much as you can to get the message out. Ride safe. ☺

[@najaziz08]

Nice review Russ. I think you’ve sold it to me, it’s now on my shopping list. Goodness me - these purchases never end. 😂

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

😂 😂 We deserve to treat ourselves! You have my permission 😉 😂

[@HepcatHarley]

Is there a non white Friday deal at rock bottom prices before inflation?... it would cushion the blow.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

😂 😂 😂 😂 Never stop! 😂 😂

[@jeffslade1892]

Why do so many bike makers seemingly overlook the thing we have to sit on. The bike's seat should be immediately comfortable. They spend a lot of research money on orthopaedic car driver's seats but we just get a foam pad. Only a few models get it right.

[@bbumble4117]

And it’s not that the manufacturers don’t know, going by how many cynically offer “comfort” seats, to replace the original., presumably, “discomfort” seats.

[@richardcoiner3888]

I have a similar product. The key is to use just a little air at the start and maybe a little more later in the ride. The main mistake people make is overinflating.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Yes, I made that mistake and when I accelerated... Whooooooo 😂

[@TheAdenau]

Minimal air is best, But how much depends on the situation. For motorway riding more air is much better, but takes the feel away from the bike when cornering, so you need to let air out to feel the bike. I fitted an air seat to my Yamaha fjr1300, which I also fitted an on board air compressors (for tyre repairs) and plumbed this into the air seat with a handlebar mounted button, so I can inflate and deflate the air seat on the move, 500 miles a day no problem, before the air seat 100 was feeing enough.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Clever bloke! I love the way I can adjust this on the ride in seconds.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

As my AirHawk (excellent) has now given up the ghost after about 20 years......perhaps I should have a look? Thank you, as I'd not heard of this......

[@edwardsp1916]

Great review and British too 👍

[@JJamJ]

Thanks for the vid and appreciate no music. Will give this product a go as a chip has more fat on it than my arse! Just bought a Tenere 700 and the seat is rock hard.

[@johnbateman3244]

Good info thanks for that. 👍👍

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

You're welcome

[@mtbelly1972]

Great review. Inserted tangerine dream track at the part lol.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Good call. ☺

[@ephphatha230]

That bike is really cool.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks, loving it more each time I ride it. ☺

[@RevelationEndTimes-YiG2024YiG]

I didn't hear that... silent... but deadly.

[@mikewynne6549]

I bought an air hawk years ago for those long tour rides. It serves me well but unlike this one you have to blow air in. Quite like their valve arrangement.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

It's so clever and easy and suits my childish love for play toys 😂

[@domster200]

So that's where Saddlecraft moved to! glad they're still trading.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Really nice, down to earth people too. Good old fashioned service and it arrived next day.

[@pitbull2743]

Love the seat. I also am not a fan of the music overlay. I want to hear the sounds of the bike, wind and birds.

[@philthorpe4549]

Those sitting bones are call Ischeal Tuberosities Russ. Every day a school day ;)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Impressive.!....Now, I've got this ache.... 😂

[@TotalWarKS]

Will you ever do tutorials on how to improve riding skills or the police training method you have mentioned before to improve techniques/skills on the bike

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

? Search my playlists

[@BN1960]

Nice informative video - thankyou Might I suggest you move your on-screen logo to say the top right though? For me it intrudes a little into the bike view etc where it is at the moment. Just a thought anyway.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Thanks for the feedback. The logo is normally smaller and only obscures the corner of the helmet. I'll be more careful next time. ☺

[@BN1960]

@@RoadcraftNottingham Cool I just bought a seat btw - I've tried everything on my NC750 but this looks worth a go

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@BN1960 Well done. Let me know if you're as pleased as I am. ☺

[@BN1960]

@@RoadcraftNottingham Update: Got the seat, impressive quality and so far it does seem to be an answer to the God-awful seat on the NC (which is a great commuter bike aside from the perch) The Air-rider takes a bit of getting used to as I inevitably over inflated it to begin with and then it feels like you're sat on a lilo! But once you have it positioned correctly for you and at the right pressure for you, it's pretty good. Thanks for this Russ, would never have known about it otherwise.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@BN1960 excellent news. Made me laugh wobbling back when accelerating till I let some out. So pleased you like it. Happy (comfy) riding. ☺

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

Sounded quite good , right up until the price £100 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@richardpawelko3259]

Did it feel a bit disconnected riding with the air rider bum pad?

[@LeeMcguinness68]

Hi are they any good for coccyx

[@philsince59]

How can I get one in the usa? I don't have any pounds only dollars! Also thanks for not putting down the lame music tracks LOL! Thanks for the great review video thumbs up, and greetings to my fellow biker from idaho, wild west, USA! 2020 Wee Strom ADV.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I'm sure if you contact the company in the description they'll look after you. Greetings back.

[@viramati5831]

Looks like a good product. I have a Kawasaki W800 and am thinking of either getting one of these or having memory foam inserts fitted in the saddle (will look better) but I get numb bum quite quickly nowadays and do you think this will really help. It might also help with the tendency to slip forward with the stock seat

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I wouldn't know with different bikes tbh. I was pleased but that's all I can say. ☺

[@martinowl]

I got something similar from Motea. First time I used it, I hated it! It felt like the bike was going one way & me another. Used it a second time , and still hated it. Haven’t used it since. The straps on the one you have are far superior to the Motea, which just uses flimsy hooks on the strap. These are so rubbish I lost one of the straps on the second trip.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

These are very sturdy. I found having too much air in made me lose feel for the bike so having an instantly adjustable valve makes things so easy.

[@richardpawelko3259]

Does the air rider feel disconnected on the ride or is it like being on a saddle or a bouncy castle?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Depends how much you inflate it. Yes, too much you feel disconnected

[@paulbrown1870]

So I have a R1200RT with heated seats & yes sth eastern Aust in winter gets cold, how do these Air riders work with the heated seats ?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

You probably wouldn't feel the heat unfortunately

[@Szlejer]

I tried one of these inflatable seats (Airhawk) with the same system and mounting. The disconnect from the bike was horrible even with barely any air in, so I ditched it after a couple rides. I'd only use these as an emergency measure for extremely long distance rides.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

You mean you felt disconnected from the bike or it was hard to remove?

[@Szlejer]

@@RoadcraftNottingham I felt disconnected from the bike (MT-09 with the fairly uncomfy stock seat) when riding it. I read the reviews that you have to use barely a breath of air in these to work correctly. Not my thing.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@Szlejer fair comment. Early on in this review I mentioned there was too much air in it, I could feel it rocking so I get what you mean by feeling detached. Fortunately with a minimum of air in this one, its single bladder lets me feel the seat. That's why I didn't want multi compartments.

[@oldfartuk]

luckily my bandit got a nice seat already .. and i certainly need one.. my ass getting old like rest of me lol

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Yeah, the padding has dropped over the years. 😂

[@icterio1]

Now I'm thinking about Leanna’s bum.... Just joking. I have a CBF 500F and the seat is not very pleasant after a few dozen miles. I wonder what would be the shipping costs of this product to Portugal.

[@Rebecka_J]

I have a CB500F too, and agree about the seat. I can manage 100 miles but it gets very painful after that. I tried a gel pad but that did not help, so bought an air cushion (Tourtecs) and the difference is amazing. I have done many trips of over 300 miles where I only stop once for petrol without problem.

[@Andaraawoosiyyah]

I need a CBT ASAP. The lack of is preventing me from work. Real easy too as I only need 50cc training to get around. Toddlers stuff . When do you reopen ?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

We have a cbt space this Friday 4th December

[@Andaraawoosiyyah]

@@RoadcraftNottingham I’ll take it if it’s Jon’s session as I have already paid.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@Andaraawoosiyyah John's off Friday. Please call me on 01158370240 tomorrow after 9am and we'll book you in

[@Andaraawoosiyyah]

Ok thanks. Appreciated

[@davervatx8814]

How exactly does it inflate itself without an external source of air?

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

The internal is sponge so when you press the button, the sponge expands and sucks in air

[@aerodylluk2543]

I didn't know you had a full shop, will have to have a run down then the world gets itself right side up again.

[@andrewbloomer306]

I've got an Airhawk and find them brilliant. I only use it when touring as for normal riding I just don't need it, but on tour, wouldn't be without it! It makes touring so much more enjoyable and keeps my bum from getting numb

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Great feedback and I agree, thanks. ☺

[@Blurredman]

Now do a review after a 600 mile ride :) :)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I'm over 1000 now. ☺

[@keithralfs5190]

I didn't like mine, l never felt connected to the Bike, unless totally deflated

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

I can see how that would happen for sure. Maybe my bony ass cut through enough to give me that contact or the seat shape had something to do with it. Thanks for your comment.

[@ThaSideWeed]

Air seats will invariably move around with you to some degree which instantly makes it not my thing. For the 100 gbp it costs, could add 100-150 more and get your seat reshaped and repadded with whatever you want. Could see it as being pretty good as a comfort option when you're doing only highway on an uncomfy as fuck stock seat. If touring with fast road portions, I for one would rather not carry this thing around in my luggage. For those of us who would rather travel as light as possible it's hard enough to pack as it is. Appreciate the functionality though, would most likely take this over alternative air seats if I had to pick.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

It only moves around if there's too much air inside. Paying extra for a single seat would certainly look better but I spent an extra £250 on something I don't own anymore.

[@ThaSideWeed]

@@RoadcraftNottingham You do raise a very valid point. Depends on how expensive used stock seats are, you may resell the comfort repadded one and give the bike away with a stock seat. But definitely pads are a more budget friendly option regardless. Would definitely try this specific item if given the chance. Wish you all the best :)

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

@@ThaSideWeed You too and thanks for the very valid comments. ☺

[@Bob-ts2tu]

don't bother witrh them. i tried to contact them twice via the web-site form and both times they couldnt be bothered to get back

[@sail4life]

You're using it all wrong Russ. You're supposed to stuff 'em down the back of your pants so you can ride all your bikes in comfort.

[@RoadcraftNottingham]

Imagine the people behind looking at me in the coffee shop? 😂 😂

[@Andaraawoosiyyah]

So it’s not of wish... lol , I know how you guys hate wish products