First 200 miles Sargent No Welt Seat 2014 S10 ES

[Harry Dresden PI]

Wife bought me a new Sargent seat after I complained during our last 700 mile ride.

I got the standard seat, standard covering, no heat, NO WELT

http://www.sargentcycle.com/Seats-Accessories/Yamaha-Super-Tenere-XT-1200Z-No-Heat/Black-WS-619-19.html

After the first 200 miles I thought to report what I found

Rider 290 lbs inseam 32 inches 6'3"

NOTE: Talked with R&D person and she said having the NO WELT seam is better for long distance road riding. I special ordered my seat with no WELT

Mostly riding interstate I-95 speed on flat roads no off road.

Differences Compared to OEM

Seat is harder
Seat is flatter
Seat is wider
Seat is more slippery

I have a few more weeks of the 30 day try out period and as I live a few hours from Factory return if needed is easy.

Changes to how I ride with new seat

1. Reduced the spring force from MAX preload (ES) to one level less (2 helmets) (Seat Hardness)
2. Flatter / wider is great for me and my size but your feet then are about 1/2 inch higher from the ground. (Stops may require both feet down)
3. If you ride hard the increase in seat slipperiness takes a while to get used to compared to the locked in feel of the OEM seat (Mostly not an issue for me)
4. Seat is cooler in Florida heat as you are less locked in and for my less sweat to my back side.

SUMMARY

Not perfect but so far seems to be an improvement for me and my riding but need to do a few 300+ mile days to ensure I want to keep it. Looks great.

 

[JRE]

IMHO return it and invest in a Russell Day Long or similar custom seat. You'll save money in the long run when you eventually decide that's they way to go. It's a little more expensive but I had the Sargent (still have it for a spare) and can tell you the difference is night and day...the RDL is so much more comfortable.

 

[magic]

The same modification that levels out the stock seat works on the Sargent seat also. Get a few of those shorter rubber bumpers and put them on your new seat. I have a Sargent seat too, and I think it's better than the stock seat, but nothing to get excited about. Keep in mind that it will break in after some miles.

 

[txplants]

FWIW I had a Sargent seat on my BMW R1200R. It improved over time and after a year or so was an all day seat. Interestingly I also recall it was slippery but I guess I got used to that.

 

[HeliMark]

The Sargent seat I have was too hard for me. Never really "broke" in, and just to slippery for me. Got use to the slipping, but just never liked it. Replaced it with a Seat Concept, which is much better, but still a little hard for my boney a**.

Mark

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

After another ~ 200 mile ride (total near 500 miles) 90% interstate I-95 riding with my new Sargent Seat ... I will call Sargent and likely return it.

Overall the seat has some positive points for my 6'3" 290 lbs 32 " inseam ... but the OEM stock seat on my 2014 S10 ES is better for me.

PRO Sargent Seat
Wider more support
Looks great
Love the small hidden compartment under the rider seat
Wanted to Love it and to support local Florida businesses that mfg in the state

CON
After ~ 500 miles still way to hard (worse than stock after 100 miles) Stock seat for me is a pain after about a 400 mile day ....
Basic fabric is too slippery ... I slide even with flow of car traffic acceleration ...

My Guess ... If Sargent were to add thicker foam it might be a winner ... but Sargent seats are not returnable if any custom work is done ...

While I had read most of the Sargent seat review posted and most reviews of the Sargent seat seemed negative but I wanted to butt test it myself (and Sargent is located a couple hours from me)

I used to live in Ca and often bought Corbin seats as they were made a few hours from my bay area home. RDL is in CA also I think .... Corbin has a showroom near Daytona Beach and I may check them out in the near future.

Thank you all and I will talk with Sargent about my issues and perhaps they have a fix in the wings and I will share anything useful I learn.

Damn it wife bought me the seat and she may pocket the money to pay for Xmas bills ... LOL

 

[Scubatech]

I have a Saddlemen seat and it's very nicely built with dual density foam & gel. The seat isn't real hard like your Sargeant seems to be. Been too cold to ride it much but I like it so far.

 

[airmed]

I received my RDL a few weeks ago. Best thing I've ever done to the bike. The surface is a bit slick, but I need it that way since after the construction, it elevates the distance to the ground. In order to slide out of the pocket and forward when coming to a stop, a slicker surface facilitates that movement.

 

[EricV]

Sorry the Sergent seat didn't work out for you. For your weight, you simply won't get the comfort you need with foam suspension only. Especially when it gets hot. You'll just compress all the foam to it's max, then you're going to get uncomfortable. BTDT with stock and custom seats. I had a Russell Day Long on my FJR and have had one on my Super Ten for the last 70k or so. The heavyweight option for riders over 225 lbs makes a big difference. They use a steel leaf spring design across the wings to get more support, along with foam, to heavier riders. I used to be your weight and do a lot more long distance riding.

A comment on seat cover material. It's a CUSTOM seat, you can have leather, vinyl or sunfast canvas and the vinyls come in several flavors as well as colors. And a variety of stitching patterns as well. Russell does offer a grippy vinyl. I have the sunfast cloth and it's ok, but not as grippy as I had hoped. It has also gotten stained over the miles and doesn't look as nice as it once did. I'd probably go with the grippy vinyl next time. (my preference)

RDLs usually come with two adjustments before they start charging you for a rework. (in other words, you can send it back twice to be re-worked if need be and only be out shipping. I've gotten both of my seats mail order and not needed a re-work. YMMV. They have an extensive process for taking pictures and let's face it, they know how to build seats. Personally, I think the riders that have had a couple to several custom seats do well with ride in appointments, but that riders that haven't had custom seats don't do so well. What feels good riding around the block doesn't always feel so good after 500-1000+ miles that same day.

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

Thank you all for your replies and info. I live in Florida and my MC group rides at least once every week all year round. So having no seat for a few weeks is more a pain than the OEM seat .... RDL was sort of off my list for that reason .... And while I have driven to CA (3000 miles) I only ride 700 mile days only a few times a year as part of a 2500 mile week long ride. Most rides are under 200 miles one way and almost club day rides are under 300 miles a day.

But I have an open mind

 

[fredz43]

Thank you all for your replies and info. I live in Florida and my MC group rides at least once every week all year round. So having no seat for a few weeks is more a pain than the OEM seat .... RDL was sort of off my list for that reason .... And while I have driven to CA (3000 miles) I only ride 700 mile days only a few times a year as part of a 2500 mile week long ride. Most rides are under 200 miles one way and almost club day rides are under 300 miles a day.

But I have an open mind

If you decide to go for a RDL or another custom seat that will take a few weeks, I have an extra front seat that you can use if you pay shipping both ways from IL.

BTW, I have had several very good Sargents over the years on other bikes, but both the gen 1 and gen 2 S10 World Sport seats were way to hard and uncomfortable for me. Add me to the list of those who are very happy with the RDL seat. I did have RDL rebuild my standard RDL seat to their sport version for my S10, though and found that to work better for me.

 

[Harry Dresden PI]

If you decide to go for a RDL or another custom seat that will take a few weeks, I have an extra front seat that you can use if you pay shipping both ways from IL.

BTW, I have had several very good Sargents over the years on other bikes, but both the gen 1 and gen 2 S10 World Sport seats were way to hard and uncomfortable for me. Add me to the list of those who are very happy with the RDL seat. I did have RDL rebuild my standard RDL seat to their sport version for my S10, though and found that to work better for me.

Fred

Thanks I sent you a PM

 

[EricV]

Russell understand these things. When you set up your seat purchase, they give you a date that they need the seat by. As long as you ship it to them so it gets there by that date, you're golden. Usually that means you're only missing the seat for a couple of weeks, depending on your distance and shipping methods. USPS Priority Mail takes 3 days, as I recall, from FL to CA. It usually takes a week from when they have it scheduled to when it ships back to you, sometimes more, but talking to them about your situation helps a lot. I called them for my FJR seat in the winter and told them I had a big ride coming up. They told me to email my form and photos that day, and ship the seat that day, and they would be able to get it done and back to me in time for my ride. It showed up the day before I left on the 2k ride, just as promiced. I can't remember the exact turn around time, but I think it was only 10 days. I was living in Portland, OR at the time though, so less shipping time than you might have.

This is a good time to get a seat from anyone. Not nearly as busy as summer time!

 

[dietDrThunder]

+1 for RDL. Best seat ever, AINEC.

On a side note, the hardness of the seat isn't the issue; if the shape is right, it can be _very_ hard and still be comfortable. See: western saddle for horses

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've had a couple of those rock hard seats and to me the slick cover they had was worse than the hardness.

 

[Kiyoti]

...I use the RDL seats....but you might check this guy out....I have never had or seen one....you investigate.... http://www.terryscustomseats.com