Seats

[danh600]

What have some of you guys done to your seats?

My shadow seat wasn't that comfortable, but the addition of an Airhawk cushion fixed it. I really don't want to use the cushion on my new bike. I would rather have a nice looking comfortable seat.

So we have all these choices.

Corbin - I like the Corbin seats, but I have a couple of questions and they don't list a phone number on their site. At least one I could find. They do have email forms you fill out, but they don't answer those.  So that option might be out.

Mustang - I hear lots of good things about them. The seats look very comfortable. But they are big touring type seats. Not sure how it's going to look on my bike. I would like to see one first.

Couple other after market seats - but I don't see as many of those around.

I could get a custom seat. But just wonder on the cost and quality. You are really just taking a shot. That's fine for a display bike, but I ride mine -lots. I don't want a cool looking seat that rides like a brick.

I see guys at rallies that rebuild and/or recover your seat. That looks like a option. Again though it's kind of a shot in the dark. You don't get to see the finished product until you are hooked in. At least you generally get to see the materials being used.


You guys have any custom seat guys you swear by ? You have good or bad luck with after market seats?

[dt]

Corbin’s number is 800-538-7035.

Also, Saddleman may have a seat.

[danh600]

Corbin’s number is 800-538-7035.

Also, Saddleman may have a seat.

Thanks. I found the number with google, but if it's on the website I am looking over it. I'll have to check out Saddleman.

[v65infla]

Email Spencer.  He has a great reputation, the price is good and it is reversible if you don't like it.  I was going with him until I found such a good deal on the Sargent I could not pass it up.  http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php
  
The other option is to join the vtx 1300 group and keep a mental note of the number one seat most of them seem to use.  On the ST group it is all Spencer, Russell, Corbin and Sargent but I kept seeing the Sargent mentioned the most so when one became available for a good price I jumped on it.

[danh600]

The vtx sits more like a classic cruiser. The vt has a bit of chopper in it's blood. I have a friend with a vtx. I will have to see if they sit similar. I did find a small vt forum. Seems most go with either corbin or mustang. Mustang might be just a bit more comfortable. Some complain of the corbin being a little hard cause they use leather.

Jamie - Is that a couple of STs at Port Mayaca on Spencer's home page?

[bagobones]

I put a brand new Corbin on my SV650. At first I was a little worried, because it was stiff. Actually, it wasn't brnad new-I bought it from somebody who put it on their bike, rode around the block, and then took it off. What that fellow didn't do was allow it to break in. I have heard 500 miles. I have about 1000 or so on mine now, and it's fantastic. Firm, yes. But then foam underneath has conformed to me bum just enough. I prefer it over the pillow-soft recovered seat on my 1981 GL1100.

The Corbin makes the stock seat from the Suzuki look and feel like a complete piece of shit-which is exactly what it was.

[dt]

Same with my sportster. I was one of the first to buy a corbin for my model when they came out and it’s now accepted among the owners as the best choice. I’ve also tried a Saddleman; better than stock, but not nearly as good as the corbin. The Corbin is custom and a much better design than the stock. Its firm and level (where the stocker sloped down into the tank) and its wider which spreads the pressure from your weight over a larger area. All that equates to longer riding times before the buttache sets in. The only downside with corbin is they have a very poor customer service record, which has mostly to do with the fact that they don’t accept returns and buyers are required to pay both way shipping for rework of a seat even if the rework is corbin's fault (and you'll only find both in the "small print" of the order forms online). From personal experience, their customer service people are nice on the phone when they’re selling you something but raise an issue and you’ll hear the tone change real quick. It’s a tradeoff to consider. I know some who won’t buy the best seat for their bike because of the no-return policy or bad past customer service experiences with corbin. With the exception of a rare post from time to time, I don't know any who say corbin made 'em a seat that they really didn't become very happy with. Particularly after that long breakin period.

[niteman]

Check out this guy:

http://www.alligatorbob.com/propad.htm

I haven't personally used him, but several on another forum I was/am on for honda nighthawks have and they highly recommend him! 

[danh600]

Thanks for the ideas. I am going to take some time and check all the options. However after a 300+ mile day yesterday a custom or after market seat is going to be ordered in the near future. I do believe this seat is a little more comfortable then the stock seat on the aero. But I need an upgrade.

[bagobones]

Yesterday at a huge patriotic bike rally, I sat across from a random guy who brought up alligator bob. He said he had a custom seat cover made for his Harley and went on and on and on and on and on and on about it. I made a break for it while for took too long to search for pictures of the seat cover on his smartphone. I scarfed down that grilled corn on the cob and made my getaway. Bob has quite a reputation it seems. Maybe worth a look.

Check out this guy:

http://www.alligatorbob.com/propad.htm

I haven't personally used him, but several on another forum I was/am on for honda nighthawks have and they highly recommend him! 

[danh600]

After much thought I decided to go with the mustang seat. I have sat on them before and they are really comfortable. Hopefully this is going to be a good match. I do want a seat the looks good, but the primary function is comfort.

I didn't want to spend tons of money on a custom seat and it not be comfortable.

Plus, many custom seat makers don't answer emails. Doesn't inspire me to send them $$$ and/or my motorcycle seat.

[mrbones]

I love the Corbin seat on my SV and I've got a Mustang seat on the Sportster. The Mustang seat was affordable enough that I could buy a new one. I have no regrets. I think you'll like yours when you get it.

Mustang seats aren't real leather like Corbins, but don't require the maintenance that leather does, such as conditioner once in a while. They still look great.

[danh600]

Mustang seats aren't real leather like Corbins, but don't require the maintenance that leather does, such as conditioner once in a while. They still look great.

This is one of the reasons I went with Mustang. I liked some of the patterned leather Corbin has, but much of it is not recommend for the seat panel. I guess the design with smash flat after awhile. I thought the alligator might look good. But after reading I decided not to go that route.

In the end I was scared the leather might not wear as well. I have had leather seats in cars that start to show wear pretty quickly. Real leather does sit good though.

Suppose to be here before the weekend!!!!

[danh600]

Well we went from a severe drought to all day rains. We need the water but not the best riding weather. I actually had to get my son to pick up my bike from the shop. It was in for the 600 mile service. I would have had to ride and hour both ways in the rain. He lives a couple miles from the dealer so he picked it up and put it in his garage.

Yesterday I got up to ride and it rained all day.

Today was nice. Rode from about 7am to 4pm. Only got wet the last few miles from home.

Mustang seat - I guess the best way to test it is to go on a 250 mile ride. Certainly an upgrade. It looks great on the bike. It's a well built seat. It might be not be real leather but it certainly looks nice.
Quality workmanship.

Lower back was still tired like always, but the seat certainly stopped the butt from going to sleep and hurting.

I rode without the back rest today. I am going to put it on tommorow and play around adjusting it.


I think I made the right choice.

[danh600]

On a point system I would say the stock seat was about a 3.

When I first got the mustang seat I would have given it a 7. Now that I put ~ 1000 miles on it I give it a 9. It just keeps getting more comfortable everytime I ride. Butt no longer goes to sleep or gets sore.

I still have to add some length to the adjustment screw on the back rest. It needs to come just a bit more forward. I have the screw all the way in. I think if I just put some type of spacer maybe a rubber cap it would be perfect.

I was afraid the wide touring seat would mess up the lines of the bike. But I think it looks fine on the bike.

Before



After

[dcameras]

Nice looking seat and bike!!   

[dongalb]

Yes sir.  It does look good!

[dt]

+1 

[niteman]

Looks great! Love the look of that VT.