Tenere seat recommendations

Lux

Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2018
Messages
64
Location
St. Petersburg, Florida
I used a local seat maker who could work with me directly and make adjustments as the seat was being built. Look around your area, ask automotive interior shops who they would recommend, go to bike nights and ask others. Having a seat made in Cali when your butt is in Florida may not be your best option.
 

vwboomer

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2015
Messages
80
I recently left my seat with Terry, should be ready about mid Oct.. About a 6wk lead time. $250 just for the front seat.

Quite reasonable if you can manage the waiting period.
As wide as it is, I'm curious how well it would work with a passenger, though.
 

dmulk

Active Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2016
Messages
327
Location
San Diego, Ca
When I bought my 2014 ES from a forum member here he had already installed a practically new seat concepts seat. I have since added a Bead Rider (14x14 seems to fit well) that I've used to keep the boys cool and add comfort to other bikes in the past. I've also added Rox risers and small highway pegs to Jaxon's bash plate and this combo allows me to move around and stand quite a bit while riding. I can run a stock tank dry without feeling uncomfortable.

One last thing I'm doing this weekend will be to perform the seat bushing mod to take the last bit of forward tilt out of the seat (even with seat concepts it seems there's a little there likely amplified by the slippery beads...)
 

moondoggie

New Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2015
Messages
27
Location
USA
I recommend Terry's Custom seats in Manchester TN. I was the first Tenere seat he did a few years ago and it is great. I had a Russell on my honda st1300 and this compares nicely for a lot less cost. I have done several 800 mile days back to to back, a few 1000 mile days and routine 500 milers with no butt issues. I live fairly local so just dropped off my seat the day before he needed it and picked it up two days later. If you have to ship it, get on his schedule and wait to ship your seat till you are notified - then it is not long till it is returned. Excellent people.

It does not interfere with the passenger seat or rider.

I had a Seat Concepts prior to the Terry's seat and there is no comparision.
 

Cycledude

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
3,998
Location
Rib lake wi
Well a Last week I removed the shorter seat bumpers that were supposed to help level the seat and reinstalled the taller stock bumpers, rode it around locally for a few days and it didn’t seem hardly any different. Well yesterday I rode it 400 miles, the first 200 miles was fine but the last 200 miles kept getting more miserable the farther I went. I definitely want to get a better seat.
 
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Chefdave

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2017
Messages
21
Location
Columbia, MO
Russell Day-Long.

Did substantial touring on my '05 V-Strom 650 with one. When I got my S10, another RDL was one of my first purchases.

In both instances, I was fortunate to find used ones for a great price...but I wouldn't hesitate to pay full price.

They are just that comfortable. Totally changes long distance riding. Done quite a few 700-800 mile days with no problem.
 

tenere_caver

New Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2013
Messages
8
Location
Southwestern Virginia (NRV)
Well I ended up getting a Sargent. No options on the seat, just the standard black one. I have only had it out for less than half hour stints just commuting. My first long trip will be for the Tenere rally down in TN. That will be 4.5 hours saddle time.

My first impressions are (in no particular order):
1. The quality is good- not that I expected it to not be good. Well made.
2. The seat does move around a bit more than the stock. If I grasp the rear outside edges of the seat, it can be moved around more than I'd like. However, I have not noticed any problem while riding the bike (I have not done any spirited riding with the seat yet.) I suspect I may be able to adjust this movement by shimming up the rear plastic "L" that mates to the frame like what is necessary when you do the stock seat leveling mod. But I haven't messed with it yet.
3. It s much firmer than stock. I definitely notice the bumps alot more - they are more jarring. Certainly not a deal breaker, but something to adjust to. The 2.5 miles of gravel between my house and pavement definitely highlight this fact. But I also notice it just riding around on regular pavement.
4. Unlike the stock seat, the vinyl material along the top of the rear portion of the seat is not attached to the foam underneath. Since the Sargent is a more desirable bowl shape than the stock, the vinyl floats above the foam underlayer, much like a trampoline. It isn't something noticeable in normal usage. I but I do worry that the stretched vinyl could be more prone to damage or tears. If that were to happen the damage would be more catastrophic than if the vinyl was bonded to the foam. My bike has been known to take a dirt nap or two while riding on some overgrown two track.
5. The order shipped quickly. It probably helped that I didn't order anything custom so it didn't need to be built to order. I wasn't sure I'd get it before the Tenere Rally, but I already have it.
6. I haven't noticed any problem with the wider seat interfering with my being up on the pegs and moving around while riding for off-road terrain

I will post comments after the Tenere rally as I will be logging longer saddle times over several days. Ultimately that will be the key deciding factor on whether I like the seat or go back to stock.

Cheers
 

EricV

Riding, farkling, riding...
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May 22, 2011
Messages
8,227
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Tupelo, MS
Part of the comments on seats always needs to include weight of the rider. Heavier riders need more support. Lighter riders often find the oem seat ok, or certainly better than the heavier riders do. I'm #250ish these days and have been that or more for the last decade for the most part. I put 40k on my FJR before getting a Russell Day Long, then put another 120k on that seat w/o issues and always in comfort w/o a re-work.

I tried another maker for the Super Tenere, but ended up, after a couple of re-works, going back to the Russell Day Long. I do have the heavyweight suspension option and did before. I'm still happy with my RDL. I tried the Sunfast fabric this time and would just do vinyl next time. My first was vinyl and I had no issues. The Sunfast fabric is not as grippy as I had hoped and it stains, but is otherwise fine. I'm 5'11" with a 30" inseam and I don't have issues with my feet hitting the ground, but I'm ok with a toe down, no need or desire to flat foot for me.
 

Yamajet

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2014
Messages
23
Location
Seattle
Touratech makes a seat as well. Firm yet supportive with a material similar to the stock cover. Rode to arctic circle (11,500 miles in 5 weeks) and back with ease. I’d buy it again.

I had a Sargent for awhile and it was fine until 150 miles. Also tried the seat concepts but it was too soft.
 

ucwinters

Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2016
Messages
89
Location
Kerrville, TX
I had a ride-in appt w/ Terry at his shop in Manchester, TN while on my way to Helen, GA about 18 months ago - big improvement over the OEM seat. However, I felt that the foam that Terry used was a little soft for me (~ 215 lbs, 6 ft, 32 inch inseam). Traded the Terry for a used Russell a few months ago and now am very comfortable. Longest ride so far on the Russell was about 680 miles in a day. Have had Russells on previous m/c's and always happy w/ the ride comfort that they provide.
 

mebgardner

Active Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
384
Location
Tucson AZ
Terry's custom seats out of Tennessee great seat no problems. Just finished 1,250 miles to PA from Rehoboth MA and back loved it
I second the Terry's Custom choice. Their secret sauce is a higher rise on the saddle horn than stock. That pushes the rider away from the tank, towards the rear of the cycle. Very Comfortable.
 
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