Luggage Rack Bar Behind Seat... Ouch!

[mcmd]

I'm pretty sure that I've seen bits and pieces on here about the discomfort caused by the luggage rack bar directly behind the seat. I'm tall and tend to sit near the back of the seat. I have a section of foam pipe insulator on the bar but still managed to crack my tailbone quite hard today. I really do not want to install a larger seat. Just wondering if any of you have any solutions other that a complete seat replacement?

 

[Cardinal Direction]

I’ve seen a few people just lop off the bars with a grinder.

 

[sieg]

I think there is a whole thread about it somewhere. Pictures and all, of people cutting the bar off and cutting the aftermarket long seat base and adding foam.

Found it!
(4) MotoLord Long Seat | Honda Trail 125 Forum

 

[mcmd]

I think there is a whole thread about it somewhere. Pictures and all, of people cutting the bar off and cutting the aftermarket long seat base and adding foam.

Found it!
(4) MotoLord Long Seat | Honda Trail 125 Forum

Thanks, I'll check it out!

 

[jimzpsd]

I'm cutting mine off and then welding it back on to the rear of the rack, I will need it to hold my gear, once its welded I'm sending off the the local Line X dealer to have it sprayed in red.

 

[SneakyDingo]

As someone that's swapped out their seat, IMO while it's a costly exercise it's not a difficult one. The task is very, very, VERY simple. If you have the ability to explore this option, I highly recommend it.

 

[mcmd]

As someone that's swapped out their seat, IMO while it's a costly exercise it's not a difficult one. The task is very, very, VERY simple. If you have the ability to explore this option, I highly recommend it.

Thanks Dingo, I appreciate your response. Switching the seat has a big monkey wrench in the works for me. I installed a Givi box on the luggage rack. The Givi fits perfectly. It's centered just right and doesn't protrude off the back of the rack. I wouldn't want to move the box back as I really do not want it to protrude off the back. As you see in the pics, I put a piece of foam pipe insulation on the bar. It provided no protection at all. I actually thought about going to a custom upholsterer to see if a custom, high density pad could be fabricated. I'm sure this wouldn't be cheap. But as you said, a new seat is costly, as well. Oddly, I never thought that the luggage rack bar would be much of an issue... until this happened. The other day it was semi-nice here. I took a short ride, hit a good bump and came down quite hard on the bar. It's extremely painful. In fact, today I'm going out to purchase a coccyx pillow in order to be able to sit comfortably until this dang thing heals. I always appreciate your input and the input of others. I'm open to suggestions. See pics below.

 

[ADVTrail125]

I'm pretty sure that I've seen bits and pieces on here about the discomfort caused by the luggage rack bar directly behind the seat. I'm tall and tend to sit near the back of the seat. I have a section of foam pipe insulator on the bar but still managed to crack my tailbone quite hard today. I really do not want to install a larger seat. Just wondering if any of you have any solutions other that a complete seat replacement?

Section of a pool noodle wrapped in black gorilla tape.

 

[mcmd]

Section of a pool noodle wrapped in black gorilla tape.

Thanks, I'll have to try that.

 

[mcmd]

Section of a pool noodle wrapped in black gorilla tape.

Btw, I ordered a black pool noodle from amazon. I'll let you know how it works out. Thanks!

 

[tmccloud]

I saw someone used the Honda branded pad made for a crossbar on handlebars. I think I try hunting one of those down.


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[mcmd]

I saw someone used the Honda branded pad made for a crossbar on handlebars. I think I try hunting one of those down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes, someone posted a pic of one of those somewhere on here. I have a 3.5 inch black pool noodle on the way from Amazon. It has a 1 inch hollow channel through the middle. I plan on cutting it to the width of the rack and then splitting one side lengthwise to fit it onto the rack. Instead of using tape to secure it in place, I'll be using zip ties. I'll post results when I get it on the bike.

 

[sieg]

I saw someone used the Honda branded pad made for a crossbar on handlebars. I think I try hunting one of those down.


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A normal one for a big bike is a little long try one for a CR80 .

 

[Kev250R]

I saw someone used the Honda branded pad made for a crossbar on handlebars. I think I try hunting one of those down.


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I recently saw that on this site too and have one on order. It should be here this weekend. I think it'll give the bike a cleaner look.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Oddly, I never thought that the luggage rack bar would be much of an issue... until this happened.

I had similar thoughts with replacing a seat. "I'll still be able to grab the rack right?"

Then I did the Diablo swap and it sits farther back as well, so I can't lift the bike as easily using the grab bar. Still can, but it's more of a fingertips affair, or "pop the seat first" moment.

I saw someone used the Honda branded pad made for a crossbar on handlebars. I think I try hunting one of those down.

Yeah that was me posting that. https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/motolord-long-seat.831/page-2#post-11389

 

[mcmd]

Had nice weather today and was able to implement the pool noodle idea as a luggage rack bar cushion. As mentioned earlier, I used a 3.5 inch black pool noodle with a 1 inch hollow channel through the middle. First I cut the noodle to width, then I split it lengthwise to fit it onto the luggage rack bar. I secured the piece with two zip ties. It's much more comfortable than before and the cost was less than $30.00. Plenty of pool noodle left over if it ever needs to be replaced. I think it turned out pretty nice. See pics.

 

[ADVTrail125]

Excellent, I like the zip tie idea. I didn’t actually use a pool noodle. I had an ankle cushion from a weight lifting bench I no longer used. It had a removable vinyl sleeve that just slipped of the foam. After I cut it I used the tape to join it back together. The vinyl sleeve approximates the look of the seat. Always good to find a low cost solution. Enjoy!

 

[mcmd]

Excellent, I like the zip tie idea. I didn’t actually use a pool noodle. I had an ankle cushion from a weight lifting bench I no longer used. It had a removable vinyl sleeve that just slipped of the foam. After I cut it I used the tape to join it back together. The vinyl sleeve approximates the look of the seat. Always good to find a low cost solution. Enjoy!

Thanks for the idea!

 

[Msfitoy]

$5,000? I'll take it...wait, you cut off the bar?! How about $2,500?

 

[Zoomy7]

I recently saw that on this site too and have one on order. It should be here this weekend. I think it'll give the bike a cleaner look.

I have the Honda handle bar pad on mine, helps but does not do enough for me so I ordered a Diablo Seat. The pad does look quite good though and the red is a close match.