Seat comfort

[dirtsailor]

::007:: I ride to Savannah GA from Jacksonville, FL and after that 2 hour ride it feels like i was sitting on a 2x4, i was looking foward to stopping to get off that seat. Hell ever driving around town and getting caught in traffic i can start to feel it. I'm not sure if it just me but if not is there some good replacement seats or something??? ::002::

 

[Karson]

Don't take this the wrong way, but there's a lot of good seat threads out there if you search the forum, or google it.

Lots of folks like the OEM seat, lots seem to hate it ::008::

::022::

Here's the google search results: http://bit.ly/1x03gch

 

[rbernie]

I've run the stock seat and the Sargent's Seat on my Super10, and finally took delivery of my long-awaited Russell Day-Long about three weeks ago.

The stock seat, for me, was good for 60 miles until discomfort, 100 miles until serious discomfort, and 200 miles until pain that didn't go away overnight. The Sargent seat basically doubled that or better, but it was still not suited for days longer than 600-700 miles. The Day-Long is, as always, the best option for when comfort trumps all other considerations. I've ridden 1800 miles in 24 hours on a Day-Long (on a different bike) during the '99 IBR, and over 25K miles in a single month on one - all without ever feeling like my fanny was a limiting factor in my riding. I won't ride long distance without one.

FWIW - I've had zero luck in using gel covers or gel inserts (too temperature sensitive, too ill-contoured to the shape of my fanny), sheepskins (only useful to avoid chafing), or beaded covers (man, they just hurt my butt). They are all band-aids to the problem, and not a true solution.

 

[Maxified]

Lots of folks really like the RDLs. I always wondered how they functioned when off road. I bet it is comfy when riding on the tarmac but that the seat might restrict moving about, standing up, etc. How has it worked off-road for those of you who have the RDL?

 

[rbernie]

I've not tried seriously technical terrain with the S10/RDL combination, but my experiences with terrain on my KDX gives me some frame of reference for an answer....

The RDL does not interfere with standing on the pegs, so fire roads and other such relatively non-technical terrain isn't an issue. The RDL does interfere at some point with shifting rider weight to the rear while standing - the 'butt wings' block your legs from fully articulating back if you try fully extending your arms and sticking your fanny rearward as much as possible - so a steep decent or anything that causes you to catch real air might be tricky.

In general, if you're riding style has you doing much more than sitting or standing relatively vertical on the pegs, then the seat and your riding style are probably incompatible. On the other hand, if most of your riding has you sitting or standing on relatively level terrain, then it should be no issue.

 

[cheesewhiz]

I've ridden 1800 miles in 24 hours on a Day-Long (on a different bike).

???

Average 75mph for a 24 hr period?
I wanna hear more about that.

 

[OldRider]

???

Average 75mph for a 24 hr period?
I wanna hear more about that.

Can only be done on a "Rolling Bordello".

 

[rbernie]

Can only be done on a "Rolling Bordello".

Damn - busted! Was it really *that* long ago? <sigh>

I seriously doubt most people are putting those miles on day in and day out.

Absolutely true. But some do, and it's eminently do-able if you put a mind to figuring out how. It's no different than figuring out how to use a 580lb bike as a big dirt bike.

 

[XtreemLee]

...and finally took delivery of my long-awaited Russell Day-Long about three weeks ago.
I won't ride long distance without one.

::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026:: ::026::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Don't take this the wrong way, but there's a lot of good seat threads out there if you search the forum, or google it.

Lots of folks like the OEM seat, lots seem to hate it ::008::

::022::

Here's the google search results: http://bit.ly/1x03gch

::026::


By expense and effectiveness, start with the mod to flatten it. Several threads on the changing the bumpers.


Next least expensive is AirHawk, beads, and other pads. Between flattening and an AirHawk, I can go full 16+ hour days.


Next step is Seat Concepts re-foam and re-cover for $156. Plenty of threads.


Then Sargent. Absolutely did not work for me.


Then the RDL, Lamm, or other customs.

 

[XtreemLee]

Then Sargent. Absolutely did not work for me.

I had a Sargent on my R11RT it was ok but its a half step to the real solution rdl...

 

[barkingllizard]

Don't take this the wrong way, but there's a lot of good seat threads out there if you search the forum, or google it.

Lots of folks like the OEM seat, lots seem to hate it

::026::

 

[rbernie]

Pics of a RDL - graphite velour top with black vinyl sides, taken in the corporate parking lot last week:

 

[Tremor38]

No 'but wings' for me, thanks...well maybe on a Gold Wing or possibly an FJR.

Ride as long as some of you speak of and fatigue becomes an issue with way more than your butt. That said, that stock seat is not quite good enough unless you are stopping every 50 miles or so. I made the mistake of buying a Saddlemen tracked adventure gel seat, and that was the absolute worst decision I've made regarding saddles. I plan to go with Renazco for my next order, as they are very comfortable, but still manage to keep the adventure shape.

 

[Chuck B]

After purchasing mine I did the normal break in then took off for a long weekend. Did 900 miles the first day and about 700 miles the 2nd day. Learned the stock seat is not a 1600 mile in two days comfort seat....more like 400-500 mile a day. I pulled the cover and did a few mods to the stock seat foam with my grinder. Did another long trip and while still not a 700 mile day after day seat I had little to no problems with 500 mile days. My better half is only good for about 200-250 miles a day. Will definitely have to address that for her. We are considering either me modifying her seat (wider) or just do the seat concepts front and rear.

Stock seat is just sloped wrong and where the seat flares out its a bit too high. Other change I did was go with a bar with less pull back...works much better for my right wrist. That does change seat position so just fyi.

 

[cheesewhiz]

I pulled the cover and did a few mods to the stock seat foam with my grinder.

I was thinking of doing this as well.
How much foam is there to play with?
What type of grinder and wheel did you use?

Any thoughts on smoothing out the sandpaper finish of the stock cover?

Thanks in advance!

 

[toadady]

my mom owns a upholstery shop, and I have been reading this site to help decide what to do
http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/index.php

 

[Chuck B]

I was thinking of doing this as well.
How much foam is there to play with?
What type of grinder and wheel did you use?

Any thoughts on smoothing out the sandpaper finish of the stock cover?

Thanks in advance!

Just a standard grind wheel in my 4" Makita. Plenty of foam to do what you want with. Here is what I did....From where the seat sides flare out and back I took the grinder and removed a few layers to give a more dished shape. Do not hit the edges. On the front edge of where the seat comes back towards the tank I contoured it down some. If you do get any cuts/edges you can easily glue in a 1/4" foam layer from your local fabric store. This is very soft/pliable and simply removes/hides mistakes/rough edges. If you really screw up 9lb rebond foam is very similar to OEM foam.

Stock cover...I don't mind it. I'm always wearing Aerostich or Motoport so I can't tell any difference. If I get it recovered I'll do standard 'snow mobile'/'marine' vinyl.

Here is what I did with a KLR I restored... I raised the height over 1", 2" additional width and dished the edges. I ended up going back in and scooped the foam along my tail bone. I've done 500 mile days on it though by then I'm ready to get off. Stock seat was good for about 125-150 miles.

 

[Donk]

KonTour does a nice job. Cover is a bit different but works great. Had them do seats on a couple of bikes.

 

[rbernie]

In the FWIW category:

1) The RDL seat does NOT interfere with shifting weight to the rear at all. I'm quite pleased with that, and can't see how it would cause any issues when used off road.

2) I just put 3K miles on the bike in 4 days, with the longest day being about 1200 miles (Reston, VA to Mt Pleasant, TX) and the seat was in no way the limiting factor in riding comfort. The handlebar bend takes the prize for that dubious honor. The RDL did exactly what it was supposed to do.