Guys, I had hoped I could give my review of the new Russell after my 700+ miles of Blueridge Parkway riding during the last week of October, but early snow and the threat of area closures kept the trip off until next year.
I have managed to do about 1,000 miles on the Russell, one of those was a 6 hour trip and several 2+ hours in-between. I am a cronic whiner. There, I've said it. My stock seat was ok for 1~1.5 hours and then it would get real bad real quick. The problem is that it felt like 90% of my weight was supported on a narrow section of groin and tailbone. The Sargent that I purchased within 1,000 miles of buying the bike brand-new helped the groin area issue a lot, but places 90% of my weight on a hard surface area of about 10" x 5" where the butt cheeks start hating me and the bike before the 3 hour mark. I like the Sargent much better than the stock seat, but it's surface is hard and my tail did not fit it's shape.
The Russell Day-Long is just heaven for long distance. It is hands-down the difference between enjoying a long ride and being miserable. I intentionally filled the tank and skipped the 2nd cup of coffee on the morning I did the 6 hour ride. For the first time since I have been riding (40+ years), I stayed on a bike for over 3 hours straight. I am serious when I say that my tank, or my bladder would need fluid attention before my seat. I reached a friend's construction site where I was going to help him do some framing of his new shop. I gladly looked forward to the return home too. I am absolutely confident that I can now sit on this bike for 8~12 hours easily.
Now there is a downside. Everything the Russell is for comfort while sitting - it is miserable for stop-n-go traffic for me. Those wings and extra-wide sitting area that support 100% of your butt and thighs while your feet are on the pegs are in the way big-time when you stop and need to put your feet down. I've lost maybe 2" of ground reach because when I have the Russell, my legs won't simply rech down - they have to reach outward. Even sliding up to the tank when stepping down does not solve the issue.
The end result is that I must keep my Sargent for daily rides and commutes. It's ground reach and reasonable comfort are fine for 1-2 hour rides. The Russell Day-Long is a tool. A long-distance tool for when I have somewhere I want or need to go and that journey will have me sitting for 3 hours at one time or 10 hour days for two weeks later this next summer - I no longer worry about my whining because I have found the best thing this side of my Chevy Tahoe's seat for the long distance work. Yes, I am a happy camper. For me, the Russell fits me as well as the ST1300 fits long-distance touring.
Regards, Gordon
I have managed to do about 1,000 miles on the Russell, one of those was a 6 hour trip and several 2+ hours in-between. I am a cronic whiner. There, I've said it. My stock seat was ok for 1~1.5 hours and then it would get real bad real quick. The problem is that it felt like 90% of my weight was supported on a narrow section of groin and tailbone. The Sargent that I purchased within 1,000 miles of buying the bike brand-new helped the groin area issue a lot, but places 90% of my weight on a hard surface area of about 10" x 5" where the butt cheeks start hating me and the bike before the 3 hour mark. I like the Sargent much better than the stock seat, but it's surface is hard and my tail did not fit it's shape.
The Russell Day-Long is just heaven for long distance. It is hands-down the difference between enjoying a long ride and being miserable. I intentionally filled the tank and skipped the 2nd cup of coffee on the morning I did the 6 hour ride. For the first time since I have been riding (40+ years), I stayed on a bike for over 3 hours straight. I am serious when I say that my tank, or my bladder would need fluid attention before my seat. I reached a friend's construction site where I was going to help him do some framing of his new shop. I gladly looked forward to the return home too. I am absolutely confident that I can now sit on this bike for 8~12 hours easily.
Now there is a downside. Everything the Russell is for comfort while sitting - it is miserable for stop-n-go traffic for me. Those wings and extra-wide sitting area that support 100% of your butt and thighs while your feet are on the pegs are in the way big-time when you stop and need to put your feet down. I've lost maybe 2" of ground reach because when I have the Russell, my legs won't simply rech down - they have to reach outward. Even sliding up to the tank when stepping down does not solve the issue.
The end result is that I must keep my Sargent for daily rides and commutes. It's ground reach and reasonable comfort are fine for 1-2 hour rides. The Russell Day-Long is a tool. A long-distance tool for when I have somewhere I want or need to go and that journey will have me sitting for 3 hours at one time or 10 hour days for two weeks later this next summer - I no longer worry about my whining because I have found the best thing this side of my Chevy Tahoe's seat for the long distance work. Yes, I am a happy camper. For me, the Russell fits me as well as the ST1300 fits long-distance touring.
Regards, Gordon
