Spencer Seat Mod on Bandit 1250

[GregH]

I've been authorized by the Chief of General Accounting (my wife) to send my seat to Spencer (www.greatdaytoride.com) for modification. I need to get this done before a trip in October but I'd like more "Up Close & Personal" reports before committing.
DirtDad - share some trip reports.
PhilS - as soon as your seat gets back post your impressions.
Anybody else have experience with seats modified by Spencer?

[kurt]

FWIW, the ST folks sure seem to love him:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26092

[GregH]

It's worth a lot. Thanks for the link, Kurt.

[PhilS]

I'll post it when it gets back.....but, I can;t send it until Monday the 10th due to having a scheduled ride this coming weekend in the lovely Hocking Hills area in Ohio. I'll also post some before and after pictures so you can see if there is any external difference.

I understand an extra $25 gets you the Gel-Tec addition - which I hear takes out the bike's vibrations to your, well, you know, uhh, ok, the boys!!

So - sometime by the 15th we should know something.:rider:

[GregH]

TWT.com is even listed as a "Friend" of Spencer's. I'm sending him an email today.

[GregH]

I emailed Spencer and he replied within 45 minutes with a lengthy explanation of his experience Bandit seats and his recommendations. He said the flat seat pan in the Bandit allows the Flex Gel to be used across the entire width - making it particularly comfortable. "Particularly comfortable" sounds pretty good.
I'm going to pack up the seat and ship it this week.

[slowoldguy]

I had him do my GS 12 ADV front seat a few weeks back. I went with the gel upgrade also. . The seat was not horrible from the factory and the improvements by Spencer's were modest. I believe the most bang for the buck will be for folks who have a truly awful seat they just can't stand. I like my seat better than stock but as Spencer told me (not his real name) it's not a Russell and he doesn't claim it to be so.


Now he is a wonderful fellow, straight shooter, quite reasonable , and the product is as represented and he's prompt. I'm satisfied. Just don't think you are getting a $600 seat. Now I'll upgrade my sheepskin to an Alaska Leathers one. Maybe that will do it.

[GregH]

Thanks, Slow. I know it can't be a $600 seat for $75 - but a modest improvement in the Bandit seat would be great. It's kind of a brick.
Just having the foam shaped more so that you sit in the seat rather than on it will be a huge gain.
...And I don't think the Supervisor of Purchasing would approve a $600 request at this time! :giveup:

[Manfred]

Glad I found this thread. I'm pondering a Saddlemen seat kit for my bike @ little more than $120. Wonder if the Spencer mod would be more bang for the buck. I will stay tuned.

[slowoldguy]

I really suggest calling the man. He is very easy to talk to and I think he'll steer y'all in the right direction.

[DirtDad]

GregH,

I had the gel option done to mine. I figured for $25 more why not. I am very happy with the results. As has been said, it is a "modest" improvement, but for me is definitely noticeable. I can now ride for 2-3 hours and not be uncomfortable, which I couldn't before. Having not taken a before and after photo, the seat looks the same to me, has the same shape, etc. I also use an Alaskan Leather sheepskin buttpad which contributes to the comfort. It is the Pillion I size and fits the Bandit seat well in case anyone is interested.

[sherob]

He was recently reviewed in Rider magazine... received high marks! :clap: I know he is nursing a back injury right now, so give him a call to see about his turn around time.

[GregH]

Tomorrow I'm sending my seat to Spencer.

[Graubart]

I also use an Alaskan Leather sheepskin buttpad which contributes to the comfort. It is the Pillion I size and fits the Bandit seat well in case anyone is interested.

While cruising the Spencer website I came upon the Alaskan Leather sheepskin link. I thought that I would order one as an interim until I decide what to do longterm. I got very fast service and it arrived in the mail on Friday.

I took it out for a short 75 mile ride today to try it out and so far, so good. It is definitely more comfortable than the stock seat. I will test it on longer rides over the next few weeks. :sun:

[GregH]

Rode about 3 hours on the new Spencer-modified seat. It's much more comfortable. My bones don't burn and ache like they would after riding the stock seat. Shoot, 3 hours on the old stock seat and I'd feel it for 3 days.
I also sit about 0.5" higher in the new seat. The gel cushions enough that I can sit back more easily and take some pressure off of my wrists and elbows.

It's not like the seat on a Road King but it is a very noticeable improvement. Worth more than the $75 that it cost. :clap:

[PhilS]

Shoot, 3 hours on the old stock seat and I'd feel it for 3 days.

Precisely why I spent $75. Mine is due in here sometime next week. Does your seat look any different from the outside?

[GregH]

It looks exactly the same. The only way to tell Spencer did anything is to look through the holes underneath. You'll see the gel in the back and much denser foam in the front.

[PhilS]

Got mine on this weekend and have now put about 200 miles on it. It has totally removed the vibration and the sore butt. I tend to silde back on the seat to the ledge where it meets the rear seat portion. When I touch the rear portion, I can then feel the buzzing vibration. Clearly the seats are now two different animals. I will have the rear portion done for the wife and kids.....someday.

For now, excellent choice for the money.:clap:

[GregH]

I put 1200 miles over 4 days of Texas Hill Country riding on the Spencer-modified seat. It was a huge improvement. Granted, my butt was sore after 320 miles the first day but I would have never made it on the stock seat.
Spencer did a great job on the seat and saved the trip. An excellent value.