Stock Seat

[Brntrt]

Just wanted to throw this out there. I have the stock seat set in the low position with the Speedstar mod. Closing in on 4000 miles and during the first couple thousand of miles I found the seat uncomfortable but rideable. Coming home last night from Atlanta, I realized how comfortable the S10 is, the ergos, the 21' Parabellum and yes, the stock seat. It's either finally broke in or my rear is broken in to the seat. This is the first stock seat I have gotten past the 2000 mile mark with. Any others having a similar experience?

 

[colorider]

I'm just over 4,000 miles, including about a 50 mile ride yesterday. Other than on a couple GL1800's and my first ST1100 back in '91, this is a record for me on a stock saddle. I also run in the low position with the shorter cushions in the rear to reduce the tilt. I'm still not feeling the love for this saddle and will most likely replace it in the spring with a Sargent saddle.

Rod

 

[johnnail]

Just wanted to throw this out there. I have the stock seat set in the low position with the Speedstar mod. Closing in on 4000 miles and during the first couple thousand of miles I found the seat uncomfortable but rideable. Coming home last night from Atlanta, I realized how comfortable the S10 is, the ergos, the 21' Parabellum and yes, the stock seat. It's either finally broke in or my rear is broken in to the seat. This is the first stock seat I have gotten past the 2000 mile mark with. Any others having a similar experience?

What is "the Speedstar" mod?

 

[colorider]

What is "the Speedstar" mod?

It replaces the rear cushions on the underside of the saddle with ones that are about 1/3 to 1/2 as tall to lower the rear and reduce the forward tilt.

 

[justbob]

I am running the stock seat in the high position. I did six 12 hr days in a row and now have 9500 miles on my Tenere and find the stock seat livable. With Sargents 30 day return policy, I'll probably give their seat a try when they become available.
But for a OEM seat, this one aint too bad.

 

[SpeedStar]

After the mod I posted, I am pretty happy with the position. The cover, I don't like. I am scheduled with Renazco to have one done. When that happens is up in the air.

 

[maddog5150]

I am right around the 6K mile mark and I hate the stock seat as much as ever! Dont like the gripper material and it is too soft and not wide enough for my big a$$

I figured there was not too much point in getting a seat this year yet and my riding days will be getting fewer with the impending snow/ice. Also I thought I would wait to see the final offerings from Corbin and Sargent to compare both front and rear seats and cost. Corbins have always worked well for me, but I hear a lot of praise for Sargent. I am signed up for their notification when the seat is done so just waiting to see how it all looks

 

[fredz43]

For those that don't care for the gripper material and are not ready to upgrade to a replacement seat until you see what is out there, there is a cheap way out. I took my OEM seat to a local upholstery shop and they made a replacement cover and installed it in one day for $35. With this in addition to shaving the rear bumpers, the seat is tolerable.

 

[Checkswrecks]

For those that don't care for the gripper material and are not ready to upgrade to a replacement seat until you see what is out there, there is a cheap way out. I took my OEM seat to a local upholstery shop and they made a replacement cover and installed it in one day for $35. With this in addition to shaving the rear bumpers, the seat is tolerable.

It looks good, too, Fred!

I'm past 5000 with the changed bumpers and fine, but may make a new cover like Fred's. Think it'd look cool on my black ST in green and orange?
)

 

[justbob]

The seat is 12-14" wide and hard, so those two complaints don't make sense to me. I'm getting close to the 1000 mile mark is all, but I see no problem with the seat. I know one thing though, those big bucket aftermarket seats are dang ugly! Comfortable possibly, but to have to look at them, ick. Plus has anyone ever had a redone seat that didn't rip to shreads in a few years? I've never had one, but see many a motorcycle with an aftermarket seat or a replacement cover and the vast majority are a little weathered to put it mildly.

I've accumulated a bunch miles on aftermarket and custom seats from various makers without any wear problems.
The big bucket aftermarket seats can be real comfy, whether you like the look or not.

 

[colorider]

For those that don't care for the gripper material and are not ready to upgrade to a replacement seat until you see what is out there, there is a cheap way out. I took my OEM seat to a local upholstery shop and they made a replacement cover and installed it in one day for $35. With this in addition to shaving the rear bumpers, the seat is tolerable.

I may look into this as well, although my riding season is nearing and end.

 

[eemsreno]

Stock seat with shaved bumpers is great! I don't like the looks of them big seats on this kind of bike.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I'm over 7K miles with the stock seat, but I've been cheating by using an Air Hawk. I did Speedstar's mod, and even tried to remove the Air Hawk recently to see if the seat was any better after all those miles. Nope, still not a fan. I find the Air Hawk to be a real hassle. Leave it in the sun for lunch and feels like sitting on a balloon when you get back to the bike. Constantly changing the air pressure on it. Looking forward to getting something better...sooner or later.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Sometime in the next few months im going to 'tweak' the foam on mine and have it recovered by my upholsterer... Got a few cool ideas...

 

[HoebSTer]

right out of the gate, i had hotspots here and there on the ole arse, it's no small one either!! I called Rich's here in Seattle and simply had them install a 3/4" gel insert in it using the factory seat cover. After a 4 day 2000 mile ride, i didn't have a single hot spot at all. I sort-of did the Speedstar mod, but instead i cut the Oem bumpers in half so they could still pop into the holes in the seat.
I had Corbin's over the years with no rips or tears until i totalled the bike!!!
Everybody is different concerning pains in the buttocks!!!

 

[Brntrt]

I called Rich's here in Seattle and simply had them install a 3/4" gel insert in it using the factory seat cover.

What did that set you back?

 

[stevepsd]

The seat is 12-14" wide and hard, so those two complaints don't make sense to me. I'm getting close to the 1000 mile mark is all, but I see no problem with the seat. I know one thing though, those big bucket aftermarket seats are dang ugly! Comfortable possibly, but to have to look at them, ick.

Are you fairly light by chance? Alot of us find the seat very soft including me, which creates hot spots.

I replaced the bumpers with the shorter ones to eliminate the tile and that has helps quite a bit, but I see a aftermarket seat (probably Corbin) in the not to distant future. I like how the Corbin looks almost like stock, not like those big, ungainly tractor seats which I am sure are very comfortable, but looks like the 'butt wings' would get in the way off-road. Plus they are damn ugly.

 

[JRTEN]

I've always kept the stock seat on all my bikes (mostly FJRs and now S10). However, I use a beaded seat cover and this has always been the trick for me. I even brought it to the Alps with me this summer and put on my rented F650GS. I wouldn't do without it ::012::

I think the beaded seat's best quality is that it lets air circulate around your butt and keeps at bay the monkey butt that comes with long riding days ::001::

See pic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrimages/6284474997/#

 

[toompine]

Not totally happy with mine and have just sent it off to Spencer at Sencer seat Mods in Florida. http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

I had consideed other options (expensive) but the Spencer Mod is only $50. ??? Ship him your seat, three day turnaround and you get back a seat with the stock shape (mostly and can be changed) and your stock cover but a new insert of a material called Supracor. You must go to the website to understand the process. I had somone local go ape over the modifications he made to a Tiger seat and I figured for that price it was worth it. Should have it back next week and will report in on the results. Exchanged several emails with him and he seemd like a really good guy. Picky about the shipping process but he depends on low hassle shipping and receiving to keep him cost efficient. In the meantime check our his site. ::001::

 

[Brntrt]

Are you fairly light by chance?

I just occcured to me that maybe weight does have something to do with it. Since purchasing the S10 I have dropped about 35 lbs and the seat has been getting better. Perhaps seat comfort is directly proportional to rider weight!