[drDave]

Fits perfectly on the R1200. Doesn't appear to lift me off the ground, and it definitely softens the ride. It seems to be the only cushion that fits the R1200 seat and also has the cut-out in the center of the air pockets. First ride of a few miles makes the seat feel more custom.

 

[Hoshiko]

Looks comfi, can you inflate/deflate it?

 

[drDave]

Yeah...it's got independent right and left side valves, presumably to take care of any half-assed riders...seems a little firmer than the Airhawk pillion pad I tried out.

 

[Clem]

Half-assed riders. Ha-Ha-Ha. That's good, Doc.
It looks nice. Hope it extends your comfort time on the Classic.

"...seems a little firmer than the Airhawk pillion pad I tried out."
Thought the passenger was the pillion position. Is that a digg at Hoshiko about the Airhawak just being good for "riding *****?"

BTW: Speaking of pillion riders,

Bikers from around Britain have voted and the world's least desirable pillion passenger is... Gordon Brown.
More than a third of riders polled in a Bridgestone Tyres' survey said the floundering PM was the person they'd hate to have aboard their machine the most.
A close second was Jeremy Clarkson, who's expressed his anti-bike views loud and clear over the years anyway and at 6'5 would probably be a lanky liability.

But a surprising third most unpopular pillion turned out to be that gobby glamour girl Jordan, who earned herself 17 percent of the vote - presumably because her airbags are too big to squeeze on the back. Or maybe just because she never shuts up. We don't like to reignite old rivalries but in 2005, Jordan's equally chesty rival – and avid motorbike fan - Jodie Marsh was voted the MOST desirable pillion in the world in a similar survey.

Most recently, though, it's been former Moto GP and Gadget Show presenter Suzi Perry who's topped world's best motorbike passenger chart, winning a recent poll on Visordown.

Who would you want to ride with? We nominate Leslie Porterfield, a six-foot 32-year old American blonde, who recently hit 234mph on a Suzuki Hayabusa at the Bonneville Salt Flats. At least she'd know what to do...

WOW ! Clearly, She looks faaast!!!

Leslie Porterfield on her record setting, highly modified Hyabusa

Don't know about your dual-core Freedom Cushion, but I'm pumped up!

 

[drDave]

Jeez, watta woman. . .watta bike. .watta pillion. . . but back to reality. . .I had a small Airhawk 2 pillion pad for when I road my kids on the back. I tried it on my seat and the air pockets are larger and softer but it's small and no center groove. The Freedom Air has very clearly shaped air pockets that actually seem to work better more pumped up, compared to the Air Hawk, where you just had to put in a tiny bit of air.

Just rode my 25 miles into Chicago with the Freedom Air. Definitely more comfortable, less vibration and you feel the shaped back air pockets against your butt and sit bones. But not "cushy" like the Air Hawk. All in all, considering that it's the only one with the center groove, and the only one that looks like it fits the R12 really well, I think the Freedom Air Sport Seat (not the other "cruiser seat) is a good match for the bike.

 

[Clem]

Like the taper on the front edges of the FA air pockets. Help you to flatfoot the bike when stopped. More natural feeling?? Dunno.

 

[drDave]

The Freedom Air is more natural feeling, and you can definitely feel that the variable size of the pockets cup your seat. You can also feel the air going through the center groove on the sport seat model, which is. . interesting. But I think the Air Hawk pockets are softer, maybe cushier.

 

[Hoshiko]

I'll give it a try when mine is gone.

BTW, the one I have has a groove on the center.

 

[Classic11]

I'll give it a try when mine is gone.

BTW, the one I have has a groove on the center.

Gooch cooling.

 

[drDave]

Hoshiko,

It looked from the specs that the size of the cushion was a little big for the R12's seat, no? If I had to guess compare the Freedom-Air and the AHR, I bet the AHR is softer and cushier; the FA sport seat is probably firmer but has that shaped support that you feel against the back of your butt.

 

[Hoshiko]

Hoshiko,

It looked from the specs that the size of the cushion was a little big for the R12's seat, no? If I had to guess compare the Freedom-Air and the AHR, I bet the AHR is softer and cushier; the FA sport seat is probably firmer but has that shaped support that you feel against the back of your butt.

It fits perfectly, the only thing I see based only in the pictures it's the shape of the front exterior air pockets, the freedom air has shaped them so the leg does't feet cut when standing with your legs of the bike.

The only real way to know is, you buy an airhawk, I get a freedom air, or we meet in Cleveland or Pittsburgh, switch seats, ride some good 200-300 miles and then decide.

 

[drDave]

We should get a bunch of riders and start The Great Butt Swap Ride. .. .

 

[Gail]

Great that they make concessions for 'the boys', but what about us girls and our squishy parts? I've tried jell seats but must be very careful about the height issue also. I didn't find much joy from the jell seat and long distance riding is still very painful.

Girls- any input?

 

[drDave]

Gail, I haven't found the Freedom-Aire to lift you up all that much, but it does provide much more of a custom "cup" feel. I leave mine on all the time; my feet just reach the ground with or without it. You should be good with either one - if you accept feedback from a non-girl.