pfjohns
02-21-2009, 03:19 PM
Star Cushion of Freeburg, IL is offering a group buy on their Freedom Air m/c seat cushion. MSRP is $178.00 + shipping. The deal for five cushions is $165 each and free shipping from IL to a single address. If enough people are interested (more than five), I'll go back to them about a better price. This is neither a cheap nor inexpensive product.
The Freedom Air seat cushion was reviewed by Gary Prickett in the July 2008 Motorcycle Consumer News (p. 33), where it beat the AirHawk cushion by a significant margin. To summarize, Prickett said it provided 70% of the comfort of a custom seat, vs. 25% for the Airhawk. One difference is that it has two separate air chambers (one each side), so movement is isolated, for less movement in all directions (fore/aft & side/side). The AH has one bladder. In addition, The FA has cutout areas (swallowtails) front and back, to avoid pressure on the male anatomy (front) and to provide a superior cushion for the tail bones (back). See the web site <www.starcushion.com/consumer.php> for the manufacturer's blurb. It has a two-year warranty and can be repaired if torn.
I've done some research for a future column on Monkey Butt, from Anti Monkey Butt Itch Powder to beaded seats, gel seats, gel shorts, sheepskins and combo seats (sheep/gel/memory foam), to custom seats. This product seems to garner the best marks, short of a custom seat. It appears to be well and thoughtfully engineered, IMHO. In addition, unlike custom seats, it can be taken off and used on other bikes as well. It's the same MSRP as the AH and still a lot cheaper than a custom seat by the Mayers, Russell, Sargent, Corbin, etc.
There are three sizes: Sport Touring (12 X 13.5 in.), Standard Cruiser (14 X 13.5 in.) and Cruiser XL (15.5 X 16 in.). Star does not have a fitment chart, but it looks like the Sport size will fit best. However, you can order any size for the group buy. I'll volunteer to be the POC and collect $$$, order and send out the cushions, etc. I'll guesstimate that packing & parcel postage from Bethesda, MD will be ca. $8 to the CONUS, for a total of $173 postpaid. Any interest from this group?
Please contact me offlist if you're interested or have any questions; my email address is pejohns2000 at yahoo dot com. I can provide a scan of the MCN review and the mfr's brochure (not on their web site), if you like.
I'm not connected to Star Cushion in any way, just a monkey butt sufferer looking for relief on the longer rides coming soon with the warmer weather. Putting my $$$ where my butt is, instead of my mouth!
Paul Johnston
Bethesda, MD
The Freedom Air seat cushion was reviewed by Gary Prickett in the July 2008 Motorcycle Consumer News (p. 33), where it beat the AirHawk cushion by a significant margin. To summarize, Prickett said it provided 70% of the comfort of a custom seat, vs. 25% for the Airhawk. One difference is that it has two separate air chambers (one each side), so movement is isolated, for less movement in all directions (fore/aft & side/side). The AH has one bladder. In addition, The FA has cutout areas (swallowtails) front and back, to avoid pressure on the male anatomy (front) and to provide a superior cushion for the tail bones (back). See the web site <www.starcushion.com/consumer.php> for the manufacturer's blurb. It has a two-year warranty and can be repaired if torn.
I've done some research for a future column on Monkey Butt, from Anti Monkey Butt Itch Powder to beaded seats, gel seats, gel shorts, sheepskins and combo seats (sheep/gel/memory foam), to custom seats. This product seems to garner the best marks, short of a custom seat. It appears to be well and thoughtfully engineered, IMHO. In addition, unlike custom seats, it can be taken off and used on other bikes as well. It's the same MSRP as the AH and still a lot cheaper than a custom seat by the Mayers, Russell, Sargent, Corbin, etc.
There are three sizes: Sport Touring (12 X 13.5 in.), Standard Cruiser (14 X 13.5 in.) and Cruiser XL (15.5 X 16 in.). Star does not have a fitment chart, but it looks like the Sport size will fit best. However, you can order any size for the group buy. I'll volunteer to be the POC and collect $$$, order and send out the cushions, etc. I'll guesstimate that packing & parcel postage from Bethesda, MD will be ca. $8 to the CONUS, for a total of $173 postpaid. Any interest from this group?
Please contact me offlist if you're interested or have any questions; my email address is pejohns2000 at yahoo dot com. I can provide a scan of the MCN review and the mfr's brochure (not on their web site), if you like.
I'm not connected to Star Cushion in any way, just a monkey butt sufferer looking for relief on the longer rides coming soon with the warmer weather. Putting my $$$ where my butt is, instead of my mouth!
Paul Johnston
Bethesda, MD