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Love the bike, Hate the seat

Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Messages
230
Reaction score
271
Location
Georgetown, Texas
First Name
ZACH
The seat on my bike is too doggone hard. BMW makes a taller comfort version, but I don't want to pay for it. What are the viable options here? Is cutting up some softer density foam and trial / error as easy/cheap as I think it might be? Pulling staples and trying to copy the OEM seat foam with a electric turkey carver kinda contraption? The seat has a lot of contours with its lines so I'm not as confident with this as I would be with a dirtbike seat or more simple designed example, but maybe that's just the cover and the foam is more simple (I havent pulled it apart to see). I don't want to ship anything, because I cant fathom the thought of not riding my bike because the seat was elsewhere far away. A local expert (greater austin area) that isn't as expensive as BMW would be worth a quote... Maybe a Yoda in the swamps that has the knowledge can show me the way!
 

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This will definitely solve your problem, All day comfortable and not expensive.
Big Hairy But: will take one about 6 months to get it made. (the last time I checked)
I love mine.
 
But: will take one about 6 months to get it made.
Ouch, that would be a deal breaker unless I could figure out a solution in the interim. I'll shoot them an email and see what they say. The seats in their gallery look outstanding, thanks for the tip!
 
Terry makes great seats. I think he is has some sort of medical issue, not working until next year. Tried contacting him a few weeks ago.
 
That is sad to hear. Both he and Debbie are great folks to do business with. My seat is the best mod I ever made to my bike.
 
Custom , made to fit seats solve all problums . You can waste money buying ready made aftermarket or gobs of time trying to do it yourself or bite the bullet and buy a good seat the first time and never look back . I’ve bought three Hartco seats over the years and all three were superb . I forgot I had a butt .
 
I had the same problem on my WR250 and Africa Twin; Stock seat was murder after 3-4 hours;
So upgraded(?) to Seat Concepts which was a bit better but nothing earth shattering;

I bought a Sheepskin seat cover as a last resort (https://procycle.us/product/391-seat-cover-sheepskin)
and hey presto this thing REALLY works. I just did a 2 day ride on the AT and worked really well.

I also rode the WR250 with this seat and a huge improvement.

Not sure why - but it worked for me.
 
I never met a motorcycle seat that couldn't be vastly improved with an Airhawk cushion. I've been using one on my VStroms for about 8 years. They're very reasonably priced, and if you sell the bike but buy a similar type, there's a good chance the cushion will fit the new bike.

In fact, I like Airhawks so much I just bought one for my Honda CR-V.
 
Hmm, airhawk or sheepskin might be decent alternatives (at least cheap enough to try). I see a good amount of seat covers on ebay, but feel like the ones I see don't look all that great. The DRZ has a comfort seat concepts, while it is definitely improved from stock, I'm looking for something more substantial. No reply from Terry yet, I'll reach out to Hartco. Recently I located a custom auto upholstery shop down the road from my house, might have to check them out too.
 
Actually Terry did reply, was hidden in spam. He stated that he was slammed until August and not currently taking orders. Asked I check back in a few months if I'm still in need then. I found a local shop Marco Upholstery in Hutto, has very good reviews and it looks like he's done a seat or two. Might go check it out for price etc. Will update with findings.
 
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I just got a skwoosh fuzzy gel pad after doing a search. At first ride I wasn’t sure I liked it as it raised me up a bit, BUTT after riding a long while I like it. Definitely helps at $70 for this particular size.
duckduckgo it.
 
I seem to always end up on a Seat Concepts seat but everyone has a different backside.

I do like the bead seat covers though. My last one died in a tip over and beads went everywhere. :doh:I haven't replaced it yet because I have a sheep skin cover thing but I don't like it as much.
 
I seem to always end up on a Seat Concepts seat
You know, I really love the seat concepts on my DRZ, and would consider it the more that I think about it. Before I bought the F900 I knew the aftermarket was pretty nonexistent, but I'm realizing the extent now. Sadly seat concepts doesnt even make a seat for it. It doesn't seem to be a very popular bike, but hopefully in time everyone will start drinking the koolaid (preferably before BMW yanks the line from production). <insert head bashing emoji> In the meantime I'm beginning to think the option is custom seat or seat cover.
 
Sounds like it's time for a visit to some local businesses to see what they can do. Maybe a marine upholstery place?
 
Have you called Sargent. I've never had one but I've seen people on advrider forum raving about theirs.
 
@Tigerkf I havent, but per their website they have a seat being developed that should hit the market this fall. So that is promising. Maybe I'll hold out to see what they're offering before I make a decision while getting some quotes from specialists in the area. Thanks for the tip, I had forgotten about Sargent. I've read some good reviews regarding their seats.
 
I seem to always end up on a Seat Concepts seat but everyone has a different backside.

I do like the bead seat covers though. My last one died in a tip over and beads went everywhere. :doh:I haven't replaced it yet because I have a sheep skin cover thing but I don't like it as much.
Your Seat concept. Was that a cover you had to attach to the original pan?
 
Your Seat concept. Was that a cover you had to attach to the original pan?

On the BMW I sent them my worn out seat and had them do it.

The CB seats (maybe all now?) have to be fitted by the user but mine came to me with the seat already installed on it by the PO. He had to cover it himself.

My FJR came to me with a Russell on it and buying that bike may have been a financial mistake. My early impressions of the Russel seat are that good (about 600 miles on that seat and my backside now). I may end up having those fitted to any touring bike I own now.

The SC seats will give me mild hot spots after a few hours without a bead cover. Nothing that isn't solved by moving about a bit though. The Russel... I forgot about it after getting on the bike.

I had a Sargent seat on a Wee Strom and it was just to soft. My rear end would be one big hot spot after a little more than an hour. If it had been a denser foam and an inch or so taller I think I'd have really liked that seat.

Corbin seats seam good but both I've ridden had to much slope into the tank. The one on my 950 flattens out when the throttle is pinned so... easy fix.

The other Corbin was on my DR350 so both were for dual sports. Their seat for other styles of bikes may not do that.
 
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Russell seats are supposed to be the top dog from what I hear. I will have one eventually. I've installed about 5 Seat Concepts seats now. The last one took about an hour from start to finish including removing the old cover and foam.
 
Russell seats are supposed to be the top dog from what I hear. I will have one eventually. I've installed about 5 Seat Concepts seats now. The last one took about an hour from start to finish including removing the old cover and foam.

I wouldn't want the wide seat like a Russel on a sport bike or dirt bike where I needed to move around a lot. All the Russels I've seen have "wings" that make that harder to do. Not impossible I suppose but harder.

I really like the Seat Concept seats. When I bought the one for my 1150gsa they had two densities of foam to choose from. I don't see that or an option for an 1150gsa seat on their site now (only the standard 1150gs). This may be why the SC seat on my CB irritates me a little and the one on my GS doesn't - I prefer the denser foam.

I've recently heard of Corbin refining a seat for a customers needs (but it was an old reference). I may have to see about sending the one on my 950 back to them if they'll tweak it a bit. It gets old having to hold myself off the gas tank.
 
I do like the bead seat covers though.
Lots of Wing owners go with custom seats, but I've been using a Beadrider for about 100K miles and have done everything from rides around the block to a San Diego -- > Jacksonville ride in under 50 hours without any issues.
 
Back on the hunt. I rolled with a bead rider for a while but I can't stand how much I slide around on it. It seems like some RnD has caught up somewhat, now Wunderlich and Sargent make a seat for the bike. Sargent is about $500 with an introductory offer for being a new item, and Wunderlich's seat is about $700. Spoke to a guy at Sargent, mentioned that they have a 30 day no questions asked return policy so I might check that one out. Anyone tried these either of these brands out on a similar style bike? (sport touring-ish applications)
 
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