anyone else's butt go numb while riding?

[spikebites]

I have this problem where my butt goes numb anywhere after 20-30 miles of riding, and the only way to rectify the problem is if at a stop light I quickly stand up for a few seconds, then it goes away.  It's not just my butt.. it's my whole crotch area, and inner thighs.

I have tried placing my feet up on the upper portion of the bike, where there is a foot grip... to be honest, I have no idea why they would place that there, it is incredibly uncomfortable and it looks awkward.  I'm 5'11 and it's just weird to be riding with my feet up in that position.

What other methods are there besides having to stand up could I use to prevent or maybe avoid going numb at all?  I hate having to exit freeways for the sole purpose of un-numbing myself.

[AMAC1680]

https://roho.com/category/store-products/comfort-products/airhawk-motorcycle/

Be Big,
AMAC

[windwheeler]

While this phenomena does not strike everybody the same, it depends on the location of the individual's back and bottom nerves, and it is not only related to the DownTown. As Diamond Jim showed the Air-Hawk, there are wood-bead cushions (highly recommended in your case) and gel pad cushions that can help greatly. But again, it depends very much on the individual, and only trial and error will tell you what works best for you.

http://roadcaptainusa.com/2008/08/03/bead-rider-wooden-bead-seat-cover-for-motorcycle/

http://loopele.com/motorcycle-seat-pads/

[tortoise]

Consider a silicone pot holder from Family Dollar.

[BettinANDlosing]

Have you modified your seat yet? I found myself getting numb before I modified my seat to allow me to actually sit with my legs fairly straight. @5'11" the downtown is a small bike for you, and if you took the bolstering out, you could actually use the "cruiser" foot spot without your knees in your chin. If I'm in it for the long haul i make sure to stick my legs down off the scooter for a minute or two every now and then to get the blood flowing, keeping your legs moving helps a lot for me.

[spikebites]

Consider a silicone pot holder from Family Dollar.

Thanks for all the replies guys..

I can vaguely see why sitting on beads would help the numbness, but what benefit does sitting on a pot holder have?  I guess I don't fully understand why this phenomenon occurs but I am willing to try anything at this point. 

I'm hoping to find some beaded seat covers at walmart or some auto shop, and then cutting out an appropriate size and testing it out before committing on purchasing a real bike cover.

[windwheeler]

Numbness occurs by either pinching nerves, or cutting off blood flow.

The beads are supposed to massage the bottom or back and constantly move the position, thus it should (theoretically) not be able to cut one position off and should work best for you.

Not sure if car seat beads and motorcycle bead seats have the same size beads. 

[mrbios]

I have this problem where my butt goes numb anywhere after 20-30 miles of riding...

20 to 30 miles is a pretty long distance to be in the saddle on a two wheeled vehicle.  Try any air pad.  JC Whitney sold one in the past for around $20.  Didn't look very cool but gets the job done on any two wheeler - scoot, motorcycle, etc.  Discovered years ago in my college days that if I stuck a doughnut shaped inflatable thing to to my motorcycle seat I could ride as many as 12 hours! and not get a sore butt. 

Jell does not work at all.  Only air.

[houndguy]

Another option, although a bit pricey, is to find someone that can cut the seat to your butt.  By measurements and adjusting the seat accordingly you should have little issue.

I know of only one shop in the local area (Tampa, Florida, USA) that does that sort of work....so it's not that common.  But I've known riders that have had the same issue NOT have that problem afterward. 

[Stig / Major Tom]

Numbness occurs by either pinching nerves, or cutting off blood flow.

The beads are supposed to massage the bottom or back and constantly move the position, thus it should (theoretically) not be able to cut one position off and should work best for you.

Not sure if car seat beads and motorcycle bead seats have the same size beads. 

On the beaded seat of a scooter you will not become a pedestrian if you use the brakes too hard?
I know it's not a good idea to wax or oil your scooter seat so you don't slip about ....but sitting on marbles is a good idea???
Maybe I don't understand how this thing works.
Stig

[Stig / Major Tom]

Yep. 24 mins was about my normal numbing time on my LIKE seat.
The thing was an absolute killer to the tail bone. Nice looking seat - but a mean thing to sit on.
After I spent less than $100 - and more than several hours - adding 2,3,4 inches of better seating foam over the orig. seat pan and foam, I came away with a goofy looking seat that is superbly comfortable and much more supportive along the sides, with no tendancy to slide forward under braking or roll on cornering. The only time I think of the seat now is to smile at how it is so much NOT an issue any longer!

My tip would be this : add foam, test ride, add foam, test ride again. Do not worry about what it looks like - keep adding foam until the seat issue goes away over a 1/2 hr ride. Do not stop and add a cover until you are 100% happy with the comfort & support of the seat. It is too much trouble to rebuild a seat to quit when you're still not 100% OK with the feel of it!
"Sailrite" 4-way stretch vinyl is good stuff to recover your rebuilt seat with. They have a youtube to show you.
Stig

[windwheeler]

On the beaded seat of a scooter you will not become a pedestrian if you use the brakes too hard?
I know it's not a good idea to wax or oil your scooter seat so you don't slip about ....but sitting on marbles is a good idea???
Maybe I don't understand how this thing works.
Stig

No problem with slipping on beads.  You need more think like iti is a "massager".

[atxscooterguy]

Try a hemorrhoid pillow