Add group to favorites
Back to post list
Send new message to group Search:
Post Subject:
custom seats or seat mods.
custom seats or seat mods.
I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
and am considering possible seat improvements.
What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
as the pan moves up and down.
Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
fairly narrow and low.
I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
come out pretty good on the first try.
Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
they're expecially happy with ?
Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
and am considering possible seat improvements.
What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
as the pan moves up and down.
Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
fairly narrow and low.
I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
come out pretty good on the first try.
Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
they're expecially happy with ?
Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
I have a Russell Day-Long seat on my Concours. It's pretty comfy
because it spreads the load out over a wider area. The shape is what
makes it work, not the softness of the foam.
How much do you weigh? Russell has a standard and a heavy-duty saddle,
the heavy-duty one is for folks over 225 lb IIRC, and has a built in
metal spring, whereas the standard saddle uses a plastic thingy to
maintain the shape. I could be misremembering all this.
I do remember what I paid, it was roughly $600 all in, including
shipping. Not cheap but when you're on a multi-thousand mile 10 day
trip you'd easily pay double that to make your butt-burn go away.
Anyway, what you need for ultimate comfort is something like an shaped
like an old-style tractor seat.
http :// www .keynamics,com /images/Contoured-Tractor-Seat.jpg
Unfortunately that shape will work against you, with your short inside
leg measurement.
Lots of folks claim success having a local upholstery shop recover
their saddles for cheap, using better foam, presumably also carved to
shape. According to one person on the SV mailing list an electric
carving knife is perfect for cutting seat foam. I still have a couple
of large squares of very expensive Tempur-Foam that I bought for
re-doing my SV's saddle which I haven't yet gotten around to doing just
yet. If you do want to do you own seat building, 3M spray adhesive was
recommended to bond the foam to the cover.
--
'01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
I have a Russell Day-Long seat on my Concours. It's pretty comfy
because it spreads the load out over a wider area. The shape is what
makes it work, not the softness of the foam.
How much do you weigh? Russell has a standard and a heavy-duty saddle,
the heavy-duty one is for folks over 225 lb IIRC, and has a built in
metal spring, whereas the standard saddle uses a plastic thingy to
maintain the shape. I could be misremembering all this.
I do remember what I paid, it was roughly $600 all in, including
shipping. Not cheap but when you're on a multi-thousand mile 10 day
trip you'd easily pay double that to make your butt-burn go away.
Anyway, what you need for ultimate comfort is something like an shaped
like an old-style tractor seat.
http :// www .keynamics,com /images/Contoured-Tractor-Seat.jpg
Unfortunately that shape will work against you, with your short inside
leg measurement.
Lots of folks claim success having a local upholstery shop recover
their saddles for cheap, using better foam, presumably also carved to
shape. According to one person on the SV mailing list an electric
carving knife is perfect for cutting seat foam. I still have a couple
of large squares of very expensive Tempur-Foam that I bought for
re-doing my SV's saddle which I haven't yet gotten around to doing just
yet. If you do want to do you own seat building, 3M spray adhesive was
recommended to bond the foam to the cover.
--
'01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Dec 20, 12:43 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> > I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> > and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> > What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> > some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> > I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> > as the pan moves up and down.
>
> > Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> > increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> > very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> > for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> > fairly narrow and low.
>
> > I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> > it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> > until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> > money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> > come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> > Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> > accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> > they're expecially happy with ?
>
> I have a Russell Day-Long seat on my Concours. It's pretty comfy
> because it spreads the load out over a wider area. The shape is what
> makes it work, not the softness of the foam.
>
> How much do you weigh? Russell has a standard and a heavy-duty saddle,
> the heavy-duty one is for folks over 225 lb IIRC, and has a built in
> metal spring, whereas the standard saddle uses a plastic thingy to
> maintain the shape. I could be misremembering all this.
>
> I do remember what I paid, it was roughly $600 all in, including
> shipping. Not cheap but when you're on a multi-thousand mile 10 day
> trip you'd easily pay double that to make your butt-burn go away.
>
> Anyway, what you need for ultimate comfort is something like an shaped
> like an old-style tractor seat.
>
> http :// www .keynamics,com /images/Contoured-Tractor-Seat.jpg
>
> Unfortunately that shape will work against you, with your short inside
> leg measurement.
>
> Lots of folks claim success having a local upholstery shop recover
> their saddles for cheap, using better foam, presumably also carved to
> shape. According to one person on the SV mailing list an electric
> carving knife is perfect for cutting seat foam. I still have a couple
> of large squares of very expensive Tempur-Foam that I bought for
> re-doing my SV's saddle which I haven't yet gotten around to doing just
> yet. If you do want to do you own seat building, 3M spray adhesive was
> recommended to bond the foam to the cover.
$600 for a Russel is about the most I could imagine paying,
though I like the spring idea. Not so sure about the Russell
butt wings though. Again, looks like it'd be hard to get a
foot down to stop a slide. I go about 200 lbs. I thought all
Russells used a spring seat.
I'd toyed with the idea of a tractor type seat as still found
(I think) on Urals, but shoehorning the spring mechanism
into my frame without raising the seat heigh would be a
littlle tricky. I could probably do it if I relocated the toolkit
and/or battery.
I'd already had a local shop add a gel pad to the stock
seat a few years ago. This was before memory foam
was popular. One think I could do, I guess, would be to
bring it back and have them throw another layer of stuff in.
I'd really wish I had a spare seat pan and the sewing skills to
be able to bang out a cover myself. I ready made seat covers
on eBay for ~ $45, but would need to have the seat shape
figured out to know if they'd be a match. A new cover made
locally sounds like the way to go.
Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
your butt and a nice even load distribution.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll report back on anything I do.
If you do the Tempur mods, please do the same.
On Dec 20, 12:43 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> > I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> > and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> > What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> > some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> > I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> > as the pan moves up and down.
>
> > Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> > increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> > very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> > for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> > fairly narrow and low.
>
> > I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> > it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> > until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> > money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> > come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> > Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> > accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> > they're expecially happy with ?
>
> I have a Russell Day-Long seat on my Concours. It's pretty comfy
> because it spreads the load out over a wider area. The shape is what
> makes it work, not the softness of the foam.
>
> How much do you weigh? Russell has a standard and a heavy-duty saddle,
> the heavy-duty one is for folks over 225 lb IIRC, and has a built in
> metal spring, whereas the standard saddle uses a plastic thingy to
> maintain the shape. I could be misremembering all this.
>
> I do remember what I paid, it was roughly $600 all in, including
> shipping. Not cheap but when you're on a multi-thousand mile 10 day
> trip you'd easily pay double that to make your butt-burn go away.
>
> Anyway, what you need for ultimate comfort is something like an shaped
> like an old-style tractor seat.
>
> http :// www .keynamics,com /images/Contoured-Tractor-Seat.jpg
>
> Unfortunately that shape will work against you, with your short inside
> leg measurement.
>
> Lots of folks claim success having a local upholstery shop recover
> their saddles for cheap, using better foam, presumably also carved to
> shape. According to one person on the SV mailing list an electric
> carving knife is perfect for cutting seat foam. I still have a couple
> of large squares of very expensive Tempur-Foam that I bought for
> re-doing my SV's saddle which I haven't yet gotten around to doing just
> yet. If you do want to do you own seat building, 3M spray adhesive was
> recommended to bond the foam to the cover.
$600 for a Russel is about the most I could imagine paying,
though I like the spring idea. Not so sure about the Russell
butt wings though. Again, looks like it'd be hard to get a
foot down to stop a slide. I go about 200 lbs. I thought all
Russells used a spring seat.
I'd toyed with the idea of a tractor type seat as still found
(I think) on Urals, but shoehorning the spring mechanism
into my frame without raising the seat heigh would be a
littlle tricky. I could probably do it if I relocated the toolkit
and/or battery.
I'd already had a local shop add a gel pad to the stock
seat a few years ago. This was before memory foam
was popular. One think I could do, I guess, would be to
bring it back and have them throw another layer of stuff in.
I'd really wish I had a spare seat pan and the sewing skills to
be able to bang out a cover myself. I ready made seat covers
on eBay for ~ $45, but would need to have the seat shape
figured out to know if they'd be a match. A new cover made
locally sounds like the way to go.
Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
your butt and a nice even load distribution.
Thanks for the ideas. I'll report back on anything I do.
If you do the Tempur mods, please do the same.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> your butt and a nice even load distribution.
Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
is the most important thing to insure all day riding
comfort.
Motorcycle Consumer News had a tech article about measuring
pressure concentrations on the "ischial tuberosities". Maybe
you can get a reprint of it from their website. You might also
search google for :
ischial "tuberosity OR tuberosities" motorcycle
I happened across this link which I found interesting:
http :// www .springerlink,com /content/w8774565v11317kh/
Costs $32.00 for the PDF version. I wonder if it's worth it.
Comfort assessment of motorcycle saddles: a methodology based
on virtual prototypes
International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing
Publisher Springer Paris
ISSN 1955-2513 (Print) 1955-2505 (Online)
Issue Volume 1, Number 3 / August, 2007
Category Original Paper
DOI 10.1007/s12008-007-0018-0
Pages 155-167
Subject Collection Engineering
SpringerLink Date Friday, May 04, 2007
Monica Carfagni
Lapo Governi
and Yary Volpe
Dipartimento di Meccanica e Tecnologie Industriali, Universit di Firenze,
via di Santa Marta, 3, Firenze, Italy
Received: 18 September 2006 Revised: 10 October 2006 Accepted: 12
October 2006 Published online: 4 May 2007
Abstract This paper illustrates a research work carried out in order
to allow a comfort-oriented optimization of motorcycle saddles. The
aim of the work is to develop a numerical tool (CAD/FEM) to assist the
designer willing to take comfort into account as a primary requirement
for saddle design. This paper briefly illustrates the basic steps
of the methodology. The authors, after obtaining a set of parametric
CAD models of both saddle and rider, simulated the contact occurring
between these components by means of a FE solver, thereby obtaining a
comfort level estimate. The results, validated by a set of experimental
tests, can be used both to evaluate the comfort level of an existing
saddle and to improve the saddle design. The work demonstrated the
feasibility of the proposed approach, capable of providing useful hints
for a comfort-oriented design, already from the early stage of stylistic
design of motorcycle saddles and, possibly, of other products.
Keywords Comfort assessment - Virtual prototyping - Saddle design -
FEA - Reverse engineering
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> your butt and a nice even load distribution.
Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
is the most important thing to insure all day riding
comfort.
Motorcycle Consumer News had a tech article about measuring
pressure concentrations on the "ischial tuberosities". Maybe
you can get a reprint of it from their website. You might also
search google for :
ischial "tuberosity OR tuberosities" motorcycle
I happened across this link which I found interesting:
http :// www .springerlink,com /content/w8774565v11317kh/
Costs $32.00 for the PDF version. I wonder if it's worth it.
Comfort assessment of motorcycle saddles: a methodology based
on virtual prototypes
International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing
Publisher Springer Paris
ISSN 1955-2513 (Print) 1955-2505 (Online)
Issue Volume 1, Number 3 / August, 2007
Category Original Paper
DOI 10.1007/s12008-007-0018-0
Pages 155-167
Subject Collection Engineering
SpringerLink Date Friday, May 04, 2007
Monica Carfagni
Lapo Governi
and Yary Volpe
Dipartimento di Meccanica e Tecnologie Industriali, Universit di Firenze,
via di Santa Marta, 3, Firenze, Italy
Received: 18 September 2006 Revised: 10 October 2006 Accepted: 12
October 2006 Published online: 4 May 2007
Abstract This paper illustrates a research work carried out in order
to allow a comfort-oriented optimization of motorcycle saddles. The
aim of the work is to develop a numerical tool (CAD/FEM) to assist the
designer willing to take comfort into account as a primary requirement
for saddle design. This paper briefly illustrates the basic steps
of the methodology. The authors, after obtaining a set of parametric
CAD models of both saddle and rider, simulated the contact occurring
between these components by means of a FE solver, thereby obtaining a
comfort level estimate. The results, validated by a set of experimental
tests, can be used both to evaluate the comfort level of an existing
saddle and to improve the saddle design. The work demonstrated the
feasibility of the proposed approach, capable of providing useful hints
for a comfort-oriented design, already from the early stage of stylistic
design of motorcycle saddles and, possibly, of other products.
Keywords Comfort assessment - Virtual prototyping - Saddle design -
FEA - Reverse engineering
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>
> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
> comfort.
The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
on the saddle.
I think you're correct though that contour and contact
are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
help quite a bit.
On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>
> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
> comfort.
The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
on the saddle.
I think you're correct though that contour and contact
are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
help quite a bit.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
news:8f135e4c-02f9-495c-b644-8842247a3f48@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups,com ...
>
> I think you're correct though that contour and contact
> are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
> to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
> help quite a bit.
I concour completely. My Corbin seat is rock hard and I've never had any
discomfort, even on 600 mile days.
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
news:8f135e4c-02f9-495c-b644-8842247a3f48@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups,com ...
>
> I think you're correct though that contour and contact
> are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
> to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
> help quite a bit.
I concour completely. My Corbin seat is rock hard and I've never had any
discomfort, even on 600 mile days.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast,net > wrote in message
news:JISdnTRP1-jdavfanZ2dnUVZ_qainZ2d@comcast,com ...
>
> "Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
> news:8f135e4c-02f9-495c-b644-8842247a3f48@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups,com ...
>>
>> I think you're correct though that contour and contact
>> are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
>> to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
>> help quite a bit.
>
> I concour completely. My Corbin seat is rock hard and I've never had any
> discomfort, even on 600 mile days.
>
>
>
I'm troubled a bit by sciatica in my right hip and soles of both feet, so I
worried some about comfort on a ride of 4,128 miles last summer, especially
because there's almost no seating option on my Wing. My butt fills the seat
with little movement allowed. So far as rider seat space is concerned, it
could be a much smaller bike. The real comfort room is for pillion.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to suffer no discomfort whatsoever. I
didn't even unfold the hi-way pegs.
"BryanUT" <nestle12@comcast,net > wrote in message
news:JISdnTRP1-jdavfanZ2dnUVZ_qainZ2d@comcast,com ...
>
> "Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
> news:8f135e4c-02f9-495c-b644-8842247a3f48@l1g2000hsa.googlegroups,com ...
>>
>> I think you're correct though that contour and contact
>> are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
>> to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
>> help quite a bit.
>
> I concour completely. My Corbin seat is rock hard and I've never had any
> discomfort, even on 600 mile days.
>
>
>
I'm troubled a bit by sciatica in my right hip and soles of both feet, so I
worried some about comfort on a ride of 4,128 miles last summer, especially
because there's almost no seating option on my Wing. My butt fills the seat
with little movement allowed. So far as rider seat space is concerned, it
could be a much smaller bike. The real comfort room is for pillion.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to suffer no discomfort whatsoever. I
didn't even unfold the hi-way pegs.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:59:36 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
<Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote:
>On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
>> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
>> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
>> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
>> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>>
>> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
>> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
>> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
>> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
>> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
>> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
>> comfort.
>
>The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
>and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
>the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
>I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
>
>Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
>will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
>on the saddle.
>
>I think you're correct though that contour and contact
>are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
>to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
>help quite a bit.
My 1150GS came with a Rick Mayer solo seat. It's good (for me) for
1000 mile days back to back and the retail cost is right at $399.
http :// www .rickmayercycle,com /prices.html
They have special pricing on GS seats right now.
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:59:36 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
<Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote:
>On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
>> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
>> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
>> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
>> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>>
>> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
>> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
>> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
>> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
>> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
>> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
>> comfort.
>
>The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
>and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
>the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
>I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
>
>Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
>will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
>on the saddle.
>
>I think you're correct though that contour and contact
>are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
>to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
>help quite a bit.
My 1150GS came with a Rick Mayer solo seat. It's good (for me) for
1000 mile days back to back and the retail cost is right at $399.
http :// www .rickmayercycle,com /prices.html
They have special pricing on GS seats right now.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Dec 21, 3:43 am, sleazy <n...@nil,net > wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:59:36 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
>
>
>
> <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com > wrote:
> >On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> >> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> >> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> >> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> >> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>
> >> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
> >> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
> >> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
> >> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
> >> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
> >> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
> >> comfort.
>
> >The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
> >and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
> >the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
> >I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
>
> >Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
> >will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
> >on the saddle.
>
> >I think you're correct though that contour and contact
> >are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
> >to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
> >help quite a bit.
>
> My 1150GS came with a Rick Mayer solo seat. It's good (for me) for
> 1000 mile days back to back and the retail cost is right at $399.
>
> http :// www .rickmayercycle,com /prices.html
>
> They have special pricing on GS seats right now.
I like his deposit/exchange plan for stock seats.
I hate the idea of having the bike down while the
seat's being worked on.
As I understand it, Bill Meyer originally designed a
spring based seat which was then sold to Russell (??).
Bill eventually passed and his two sons, Rick and Rocky
began a feudin' and a fightin', starting two competing seat
businesses in Ojai and Redding, Ca.
I've heard various reports about the two brothers and their
businesses, but have never been able to keep them straight.
I see Rick's the one near Redding.
Thanks
On Dec 21, 3:43 am, sleazy <n...@nil,net > wrote:
> On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:59:36 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
>
>
>
> <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com > wrote:
> >On Dec 20, 2:30 pm, Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote:
> >> Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> >> > Not really clear how much seat comfort depends on shock
> >> > absorbtion and how much on just getting a good contour to
> >> > your butt and a nice even load distribution.
>
> >> Unless you have converted your GS to a hardtail, the bike's
> >> long travel suspension should provide plenty of bump
> >> absorption. I am convinced, after reading a fair amount
> >> about this, and having owned a Corbin and a Russell seat,
> >> that the seat contour and avoiding pressure concentrations
> >> is the most important thing to insure all day riding
> >> comfort.
>
> >The bike is slightly lowered by a shortened Fox shock
> >and tubes slid up in the yokes. This seems to have
> >the effect of stiffening the suspension a little, though
> >I haven't stopped to work this out on paper.
>
> >Even with a full travel suspension, bumps at speed
> >will be noticeable. Also, when you move around
> >on the saddle.
>
> >I think you're correct though that contour and contact
> >are the major factor. On long trips, I'll try to remember
> >to stand up on the begs occasionally. This seems to
> >help quite a bit.
>
> My 1150GS came with a Rick Mayer solo seat. It's good (for me) for
> 1000 mile days back to back and the retail cost is right at $399.
>
> http :// www .rickmayercycle,com /prices.html
>
> They have special pricing on GS seats right now.
I like his deposit/exchange plan for stock seats.
I hate the idea of having the bike down while the
seat's being worked on.
As I understand it, Bill Meyer originally designed a
spring based seat which was then sold to Russell (??).
Bill eventually passed and his two sons, Rick and Rocky
began a feudin' and a fightin', starting two competing seat
businesses in Ojai and Redding, Ca.
I've heard various reports about the two brothers and their
businesses, but have never been able to keep them straight.
I see Rick's the one near Redding.
Thanks
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Dec 20, 11:53=EF=BF=BDam, Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com >
wrote:
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. =EF=BF=BDIt's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
What can you do to lower the whole bike? A Dakar certainly would have
no exhaust pipe dragging problems.
I had Hang2 cut down my GS1100 seat, they got rid of the annoying
crotch pad and lowered the seat 2 inches, but that changed the
relationship between the seat and foot pegs, making my hip joints
ache.
Otherwise the flat seat was good for 300~400 mile days, even though
half the padding was gone.
On Dec 20, 11:53=EF=BF=BDam, Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com >
wrote:
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. =EF=BF=BDIt's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
What can you do to lower the whole bike? A Dakar certainly would have
no exhaust pipe dragging problems.
I had Hang2 cut down my GS1100 seat, they got rid of the annoying
crotch pad and lowered the seat 2 inches, but that changed the
relationship between the seat and foot pegs, making my hip joints
ache.
Otherwise the flat seat was good for 300~400 mile days, even though
half the padding was gone.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Dec 20, 1:40 pm, Buteo lineatus <Buteo.linea...@gmail,com > wrote:
> On Dec 20, 11:53=EF=BF=BDam, Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com >
> wrote:
>
> > Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> > increase my comfort level and distance abilities. =EF=BF=BDIt's also
> > very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> > for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> > fairly narrow and low.
>
> What can you do to lower the whole bike? A Dakar certainly would have
> no exhaust pipe dragging problems.
The bike's already lowered as much as I'd ever want it to be.
Even with a bash plate, the underside takes more bashing than
I'd like it to. I want to be able to do stuff like creek crossings
and singletrack with it and still be able to exceed 300-400
mile days comfortably.
On Dec 20, 1:40 pm, Buteo lineatus <Buteo.linea...@gmail,com > wrote:
> On Dec 20, 11:53=EF=BF=BDam, Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216...@aol,com >
> wrote:
>
> > Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> > increase my comfort level and distance abilities. =EF=BF=BDIt's also
> > very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> > for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> > fairly narrow and low.
>
> What can you do to lower the whole bike? A Dakar certainly would have
> no exhaust pipe dragging problems.
The bike's already lowered as much as I'd ever want it to be.
Even with a bash plate, the underside takes more bashing than
I'd like it to. I want to be able to do stuff like creek crossings
and singletrack with it and still be able to exceed 300-400
mile days comfortably.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
Dunno about Airhawk in particular, but I've tried various sorts of foam,
sheepskin, Etc, and so far the most comfortable long-distance seat I've sat
on has been an air-cushioned one. Can't remember where I got it or who made
it -and it's since died- but I've got a particularly bony backside and it
worked really well for me while it lasted.
One caveat: it allowed practically *no* air circulation and caused really
hot and sweaty conditions 'down under' on warmer days.
Some sort of cover that allowed air circulation between you and it would be
recommended.
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
Dunno about Airhawk in particular, but I've tried various sorts of foam,
sheepskin, Etc, and so far the most comfortable long-distance seat I've sat
on has been an air-cushioned one. Can't remember where I got it or who made
it -and it's since died- but I've got a particularly bony backside and it
worked really well for me while it lasted.
One caveat: it allowed practically *no* air circulation and caused really
hot and sweaty conditions 'down under' on warmer days.
Some sort of cover that allowed air circulation between you and it would be
recommended.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:53:14 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
<Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote:
>Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
>accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
>they're expecially happy with ?
Funny you should mention it. Rider magazine, in the Jan 08 issue,
reviews 10 aftermarket saddles. "Review" is a misnomer, as there are
no critical comments at all. The mag calls it a "buyer's guide."
My experience...I bought a Corbin for my ST1100. It's the best saddle
I've ever known. I went to the factory in Hollister, and spent a 1/2
day getting it right. The guys at the factory were excellent, putting
a blank form on the bike, letting me ride it without a cover on it,
and cutting and adjusting the foam until I was satisfied. Then they
took the form off and put the upholstery on it. Mike was a pain in the
ass, as many others have noted, but if you know what you want, and are
willing to put your foot down and make him do what you want, it is a
_great_ saddle. I don't think I'd buy from Corbin mail-order, though.
Too many horror stories of bad customer service.
Since then, I've had a local saddle maker redo a couple of saddles.
The work has been very good, with good materials, and inexpensive, but
the foam just wasn't as stiff as Corbin's. There's no way I could ride
Iron Butt distances on those saddles with as much comfort as the
Corbin.
As for other saddles, everybody I've known who owns a Sargent, Mayer,
or Russell has been very happy.
--
Turby the Turbosurfer
On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:53:14 -0800 (PST), Rob Kleinschmidt
<Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote:
>Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
>accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
>they're expecially happy with ?
Funny you should mention it. Rider magazine, in the Jan 08 issue,
reviews 10 aftermarket saddles. "Review" is a misnomer, as there are
no critical comments at all. The mag calls it a "buyer's guide."
My experience...I bought a Corbin for my ST1100. It's the best saddle
I've ever known. I went to the factory in Hollister, and spent a 1/2
day getting it right. The guys at the factory were excellent, putting
a blank form on the bike, letting me ride it without a cover on it,
and cutting and adjusting the foam until I was satisfied. Then they
took the form off and put the upholstery on it. Mike was a pain in the
ass, as many others have noted, but if you know what you want, and are
willing to put your foot down and make him do what you want, it is a
_great_ saddle. I don't think I'd buy from Corbin mail-order, though.
Too many horror stories of bad customer service.
Since then, I've had a local saddle maker redo a couple of saddles.
The work has been very good, with good materials, and inexpensive, but
the foam just wasn't as stiff as Corbin's. There's no way I could ride
Iron Butt distances on those saddles with as much comfort as the
Corbin.
As for other saddles, everybody I've known who owns a Sargent, Mayer,
or Russell has been very happy.
--
Turby the Turbosurfer
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
Corbin Seat
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
news:2eebf807-4f48-44f7-8744-5c5b67fcde94@18g2000hsf.googlegroups,com ...
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
Corbin Seat
"Rob Kleinschmidt" <Rkleinsch1216128@aol,com > wrote in message
news:2eebf807-4f48-44f7-8744-5c5b67fcde94@18g2000hsf.googlegroups,com ...
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
Re: custom seats or seat mods.
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
I see no one has mentioned Mustang ... had a Corbin on my '76 FLH that was
good for about 500 miles/day . Last Mustang was on an '88 Sportster , and
it was easily a 600 mile seat . The Mustang on my current bike isn't broken
in yet , but I expect it to be good for at least 700-800 miles .
Sheepskin (real only , synthetic sucks) helps , warmer in winter , cooler
in summer .
--
Snag aka OSG #1
'90 Ultra , "Strider"
The road goes on forever ...
none to one to reply
Rob Kleinschmidt wrote:
> I'm running a BMW R100GS with a slightly modified solo seat
> and am considering possible seat improvements.
>
> What I have now is a stock seat with a gel pad added and
> some foam rubber cushioning between the seat pan and frame.
> I'd modified the seat mount to allow a little bit of extra travel
> as the pan moves up and down.
>
> Right now, I'm good for 300-400 mile days but would like to
> increase my comfort level and distance abilities. It's also
> very important to me to be able to get a foot down occasionally
> for off-road riding, (29" inseam) so the seat has to remain
> fairly narrow and low.
>
> I think if I had my druthers, I'd start with a bare pan then build
> it up and tear it down a few times using different materials
> until I really got it right. Don't think I really have the time or
> money for a project of this scope however, so it needs to
> come out pretty good on the first try.
>
> Anybody done any mods themselves, used any aftermarket
> accessories such as Airhawk or had a custom seat made that
> they're expecially happy with ?
>
> Thanks for any thoughts on mods, shops or construction.
I see no one has mentioned Mustang ... had a Corbin on my '76 FLH that was
good for about 500 miles/day . Last Mustang was on an '88 Sportster , and
it was easily a 600 mile seat . The Mustang on my current bike isn't broken
in yet , but I expect it to be good for at least 700-800 miles .
Sheepskin (real only , synthetic sucks) helps , warmer in winter , cooler
in summer .
--
Snag aka OSG #1
'90 Ultra , "Strider"
The road goes on forever ...
none to one to reply
