Seat Concepts

[Toxic Mark]

I just received my rider and pillion seat today. Have not ridden it because the front wheel and forks are off the bike at the moment. Writing just to share an issue/tip on installing them on the bike for those that use the high position.

It may be easier as the foam breaks in, but installing the rider' seat in the high position with the pillion already installed was a bit of a struggle for me. You can't just place the saddle in position and let it just click right in because it simply won't. Or at least mine did not. Trying to get the rider saddle on from either side of the bike while pushing down was not very effective either.

I found the easiest way was to get behind the bike while grabbing the rider's saddle by the sides with the front edge of the saddle angled slightly up like the mouth of a PEZ dispenser. With the saddle hovering over it's final resting place pull the saddle towards you with the back edge angled slightly downward a bit, crushing back the front of the pillion's cushion with the back of the rider's cushion making sure the rider' seat pan hook engages the lower slot. You kinda have to brace your body against the luggage rack or something or you'll just start pulling the bike backwards. Once it is crushed back far enough close the head of the PEZ dispenser (I.e., the rider's saddle) and it should click into the slot lock. If it locks in but there is a lot of wobble in the seat it means the seat pan hook hooked the upper slot and not the lower slot. Try again and push downward a little more when you are pulling back the seat toward you.

Hope this helps someone. And if you have a better method, help me.

 

[twinrider]

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on an SC seat and am up in the air about whether to do the pillion seat as well. The wife doesn't ride with me very often but if it was really comfortable compared to stock I might get it. Would be interested in hearing the opinions of people who upgraded the pillion seat as well.

Also, any recommendations for cover material? I hate the stock gripper seat. Would like vinyl that has a normal grip level and is durable. I did like the grip level of the dimpled material that comes stock on my BMW Dakar's seat, which I noticed SC now offers, and I like the look of the CF vinyl. But place most value on durability and to a lesser extent resistance to scuffs.

Thanks for any insights.




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[Mike91]

My wife really likes the pillion seat. I have no way of quantifying that, but it wasn't that much money so if she is good for a couple extra hours comfortably, I guess it was worth it. The pillion seat is also angled up more in the front, which means she sits further back and doesn't slide into me if I brake hard.

 

[RockyDS]

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on an SC seat and am up in the air about whether to do the pillion seat as well. The wife doesn't ride with me very often but if it was really comfortable compared to stock I might get it. Would be interested in hearing the opinions of people who upgraded the pillion seat as well.

My wife loves it - says it's much more comfortable - and we did over 5,000 miles with it a month or so ago. The seat is much wider than stock so distributes weight better. I also ordered a softer foam for the pillion seat. There are a couple of downsides - I kicked the pillion seat more easily when throwing my leg over until I got used to it because the padding is much thicker than stock. Also the seat sides are quite close to the gab handles making then harder to get hold of - if you use them to help maneuver the bike, for example - that might be an issue for your wife if she's used to holding on. I also feel the seat pad in my lower back now and never felt the stock rear seat as it's wasn't as thick. I think the advantages outweigh these very minor issues.

 

[Tony Down Under]

My wife also likes her SC pillion seat, where as she hated the OEM seat as much as I disliked the riders seat. I opted for the embossed covers and they work well with textiles. The embossed cover allows me to move around freely without snagging my pants. I've found on other bikes that grippy seat covers besides restricting movement seem to chaff me a fair bit and give the boys a hard time so I avoid them.

 

[twinrider]

My wife also likes her SC pillion seat, where as she hated the OEM seat as much as I disliked the riders seat. I opted for the embossed covers and they work well with textiles. The embossed cover allows me to move around freely without snagging my pants. I've found on other bikes that grippy seat covers besides restricting movement seem to chaff me a fair bit and give the boys a hard time so I avoid them.

Yup, I got major butt burn from my gripper seat over the course of a few days on my last long trip. SC is recommending the CF vinyl for the durability so will probably go with that.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. ::008::

 

[surfinpig]

on the seat

 

[Reveille]

Ordered a SC this week finally. I've had a few of there seats on previous bikes and have a air stapler from HF. I opted for the gripper top and regular side material and blue stitching and matching pillion cover. I prefer the gripper on my seats and haven't experienced any ill effects from the gripper like some have mentioned. The OEM seat isn't bad IMO but after pulling some 500 mile plus days in the past month I decided to update the old seat a bit. I'm planning a Great Lakes tour early September so it will be a good test of the new seat.

 

[Topgear]

Still loving my SC upgrade. I wish there had been a passenger option when I got mine. I can still get tired of sitting, but it happens much later. Still do plenty of standing on the longer rides too, but that's always good for the circulation. Did 1,000 miles straight back from Denver this past Summer and the seat wasn't one of my complaints!

 

[Reveille]

My install went good however I noticed after riding a full day that the seat pan wasn't locking into place and moved around a bit. the next day I investigated and found that the SC seat foam had a bit of excess material on the rear of the front seat which caused binding between the pillion seat. This didn't allow the front seat to sit on top of the rubber pads on the seat pan properly. I removed the SC cover and trimmed the excess material and re-installed. problem solved. Just thought I'd pass this on for future installs, maybe saving someone some hassle. I leave for a 6 day Lake Michigan/UP tour next Wednesday so I'll report back with an opinion on seat comfort after that. ::024::

 

[Ramseybella]

I have to say the gripper is a ripper!!
I have burned through two pairs of jeans on this seat cover. It works for what it was intended to do but it has not smoothed down like I thought it would I can sand wood with the thing.
The cover is built well and is Armadillo tough and I do like the pad...
When I get some cash (Sure) i will order the Carbon Fiber cover.

 

[Reveille]

I have to say the gripper is a ripper!!
I have burned through two pairs of jeans on this seat cover. It works for what it was intended to do but it has not smoothed down like I thought it would I can sand wood with the thing.
The cover is built well and is Armadillo tough and I do like the pad...
When I get some cash (Sure) i will order the Carbon Fiber cover.

Jeans? I can't comment since I don't ride with jeans but isn't the stock seat a gripper top too? Maybe invest in a dead sheep if your going to ride with just jeans? I usually wear Klim Dakar pants and they allow normal movement on any gripper cover. SC offers an embossed cover too that looks decent.

 

[Ramseybella]

Jeans? I can't comment since I don't ride with jeans but isn't the stock seat a gripper top too? Maybe invest in a dead sheep if your going to ride with just jeans? I usually wear Klim Dakar pants and they allow normal movement on any gripper cover. SC offers an embossed cover too that looks decent.

I ride to work and back every day, sure i can use my riding pants but I have no place to change.
The OEM is a gripper I know but this one seems to have twice the grip/grit.
Never the less I do like the seat and the quality of the material its made of.

 

[todcp]

I bought the gripper top and carbon fiber sides version. Rider and passenger. They told me the seat cushion material used now for all the Super Tenere seats is the firmer one and would be great for my 220 pounds.
I was nervous to do it myself but it was fairly easy and all went well. (used a cheap air stapler with a long nose)
Just finished a five day 1588 mile trip into Gaspe Canada and have nothing but praise for this seat. I was astonished to spend so much time in the saddle with zero issues. The seat cured the stock seat sliding me forward and the seat allowed me to sit forward or back without issue. Also gave me a bit more leg room and this is appreciated as I am 6’4” tall. Best seat I have ever had. Stock or aftermarket. Have used Sargent and Corbin on past motorcycles. I tend to prefer firmer seats.
I have not taken my wife out yet so no comment on the passenger section but it is taller and looks to be far better than stock.

 

[Arkyrider]

I received an e-mail from SC and they are working on a low seat for the ST , eta a couple months before it's finished.

 

[Ramseybella]

I ride to work and back every day, sure i can use my riding pants but I have no place to change.
The OEM is a gripper I know but this one seems to have twice the grip/grit.
Never the less I do like the seat and the quality of the material its made of.

I didn't have this issue with the OEM seat I believe it is due to the fact the SC is much wider surface and drag across it getting off and on.

 

[copb8]

Well just got off the phone and ordered both seats with the new low grip/carbon with white stitch. $317 shipped. I'm also have the harder foam because i like to eat and weigh 230lbs. lets see how this works out and ill post pics as soon as i have them mounted. Oh great customer service and they take AMEX!

Did you ever happen to post pictures of you new seat installed on the bike? I'd be very curious to see them as I'm considering the same combo. Thanks.

 

[Chuck B]

Did you ever happen to post pictures of you new seat installed on the bike? I'd be very curious to see them as I'm considering the same combo. Thanks.

I'd like to see the same...

 

[surfinpig]

I'll post tomorrow, got to run to work

 

[surfinpig]

I would get the gripper for the top of I had to do it again.