Gel aftermarket seats? [Archive]

Milts

1st February 2015, 17:36

Bought a 2007 CBR1000RR on Tuesday, flew Wellington to Tauranga on Wednesday after work, rode it home and got in at 3am...

Lovely bike, exactly what I wanted.

BUT the seat is uncomfortable as fuck after four hours. Wrists, knees and back were fine but my arse hurt like hell (maybe that's the Honda effect?).

I'm looking at an aftermarket seat - something like this: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/saddlemen-track-seat-honda-cbr1000-2004-2007

Has anybody used one of these before? I'm keen to know if...

Seat height is the same - can barely touch the ground as is
Comfort - are they really that much more comfortable?
Durability - will I need to replace it in a years' time?

Keen to hear people's experiences...

mossy1200

1st February 2015, 17:50

Wrists, knees and back were fine but my arse hurt like hell (maybe that's the Honda effect?).

Keen to hear people's experiences...

:bleh::bleh::bleh:

bogan

1st February 2015, 17:54

Got one I made up, definitely comfier than the original, but I don't think it is much (if any) comfier than a well made memory foam seat. There is one minor downside, the weight, the gel pad is around a kilo iirc. And one major downside, these things have much higher heat capacity, don't leave a black one out in the sun on a hot day; and you'll be freezing your nuts off during early winter commutes.

nzspokes

1st February 2015, 18:29

Milts

1st February 2015, 20:21

nzspokes

1st February 2015, 20:24

Handy to know there's someone in NZ who can do it...

What's the deal with the memory foam you mentioned bogan? I've been looking at options online and the only 2 I can see are the Saddlemen on I linked to and one by Corbin.

Just on the saddlemen stuff. I got a saddlemen bag in November, its black. Or rather it was black. Its now a light blue heading for white. Crap.

Milts

1st February 2015, 20:30

Just on the saddlemen stuff. I got a saddlemen bag in November, its black. Or rather it was black. Its now a light blue heading for white. Crap.

Ouch. Good to know. That might answer the durability question...

bogan

1st February 2015, 20:48

Handy to know there's someone in NZ who can do it...

What's the deal with the memory foam you mentioned bogan? I've been looking at options online and the only 2 I can see are the Saddlemen on I linked to and one by Corbin.

I only looked at the materials side as I was DIY'ing it, memory foam is nicer than normal foam as it crushes down and provides a more constant force. Got a Corbin on my VFR though, and it is fucking nice, wider touring style though.

pritch

2nd February 2015, 08:42

Rider Motorcycle Seats in Tauranga do custom bike seats, they did a seat for my VFR. They were well regarded on KB, give McDonald Motor Trimmers Ltd a call.

They don't particularly do gel but I'm not sure that's what you want. Sometimes firmer foam is better. There is a gel seat on my Triumph but it still gets uncomfortable after five hours or so.

GrayWolf

2nd February 2015, 13:57

Blackbird

2nd February 2015, 14:06

use a 'velcro strap, and elasticatedclips' removable gel seat pad... for long distance riding?? hell it's unbeatable... and gives the options for short trips as the bike only gets 'uncomfortable' over distances.

I used an Airhawk pneumatic pad on my Street Triple for the last 1000 miles in 24 hours event I did and it was outstanding. I think I paid $130 for it ex-USA. The Rider brand seat I had on the Blackbird was superb for comfort but from memory, it cost $530 8 years ago. The Airhawk pad doesn't look as good as the Rider seat but it does the job more economically!

Banditbandit

2nd February 2015, 14:16

Harden up (fuck'n honda riders !!!!)

pritch

2nd February 2015, 20:37

The Rider brand seat I had on the Blackbird was superb for comfort but from memory, it cost $530 8 years ago.

The CBR seat is tiny compared to the one on the Blackbird, or the one on my VFR. It's only a bit bigger than a postage stamp wherein possibly lies his problem?
Anyhoo he now has several avenues to explore.

Zapf

3rd February 2015, 01:55

I used an Airhawk pneumatic pad on my Street Triple for the last 1000 miles in 24 hours event I did and it was outstanding. I think I paid $130 for it ex-USA. The Rider brand seat I had on the Blackbird was superb for comfort but from memory, it cost $530 8 years ago. The Airhawk pad doesn't look as good as the Rider seat but it does the job more economically!

2nd ed.

Have tried gel seats and sheepskins. Spent 6 months everyday on a Ducati. Airhawk was the best, its adjustable and can be packed away easily.

Get one.

nzspokes

3rd February 2015, 06:06

2nd ed.

Have tried gel seats and sheepskins. Spent 6 months everyday on a Ducati. Airhawk was the best, its adjustable and can be packed away easily.

Get one.

Ive tried one. You lose all connection with the bike.

Blackbird

3rd February 2015, 06:53

Ive tried one. You lose all connection with the bike.

Eh? The only way you can lose connection is to over-inflate it! All I put in mine is less than half a lungful. Have used it for the best part of 40000 km now. Mind you, seat shape might have a bearing too. The narrow, curved profile of the Triple lends itself to the 9" x 11" pad that I use.

Big Dog

3rd February 2015, 10:03

Or you could ride a DR exclusively for 2-3 years. Suddenly a saw horse feels like luxury.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Taxythingy

3rd February 2015, 11:23

I'm away for less than 24 hours and you are already talking about strap-ons. Typical.

I'll stick with my Korean "Me love u long time!" near my jollies, thanks. :bleh:

breakaway

3rd February 2015, 11:51

I was looking at a prostate cushion like the one Blackbird posted (Airhawk/Airhawk-R).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041CG336?tag=wickeddiscount-20.

Feels like $300 to re-core the original seat is a bit steep, especially since a saddlemen/corbin can be had landed for about that.

Anyone here that's used both an aftermarket 'gel' or 'comfort' seat AND the airhawk? Which was better?

Blackbird

3rd February 2015, 12:41

Anyone here that's used both an aftermarket 'gel' or 'comfort' seat AND the airhawk? Which was better?

As I said in an earlier post, I had a Rider brand re-cored seat on the Blackbird and it was sublime. Did the Southern Cross round NZ in 5 day endurance ride on it with no butt problems at all. (pic attached) I saw my seat before it was re-covered. Mac had re-shaped it and used different density foams in different places to even out the pressure points. It was a work of art and totally did the biz but cost over $500.

On the Street Triple, I simply didn't want to spend that amount of money at the time but knew that a good number of Iron Butt riders in the USA used Airhawks so I bought one in readiness for the 2010 Grand Challenge for around NZ$130 delivered. Didn't like it at first but found out that I was over-inflating it. A half or quarter of one breath was perfect inflation. It doesn't look as pretty as a custom seat but it's still effective. Pays yer money and takes yer choice!

BTW, I personally believe that Corbin seats are better than a stock seat but not in the class class as custom Rider brand seats or the like.

breakaway

3rd February 2015, 12:44

I don't care about pretty, I just want to not have pins and needles in my balls and cock when I stop.

Did you get the airhawk or airhawk-r?

nzspokes

3rd February 2015, 14:51

Eh? The only way you can lose connection is to over-inflate it! All I put in mine is less than half a lungful. Have used it for the best part of 40000 km now. Mind you, seat shape might have a bearing too. The narrow, curved profile of the Triple lends itself to the 9" x 11" pad that I use.

I tried it with low pressure, as did my partner. I found under braking etc I would slide forward. It was just weird. Partner felt the same. Guess when we get our grandad tourer bike it will be ok.

Blackbird

3rd February 2015, 15:38

I tried it with low pressure, as did my partner. I found under braking etc I would slide forward. It was just weird. Partner felt the same. Guess when we get our grandad tourer bike it will be ok.

First time I've heard a Street Triple called a granddad tourer :niceone:

nzspokes

3rd February 2015, 15:41

First time I've heard a Street Triple called a granddad tourer :niceone:

Are you a Grandad?

Do you Tour? :laugh:

BuzzardNZ

3rd February 2015, 15:46

rastuscat

3rd February 2015, 15:54

bogan

3rd February 2015, 15:58

Just a thought.

If a bike had a seat that is uncomfortable after 4 hours, I wouldn't have bought it.

Unless I was planning on only 2 hour rides.

Bloody waste of money buying something that you have to modify to do what you want it to.

Do they let you go for 4 hour test rides though?

Bolt on parts aren't really modifying anyway; more like getting a well tailored suit. Why would you get an off the rack one if you could get it tailored instead?

Big Dog

3rd February 2015, 16:33

Just a thought.

If a bike had a seat that is uncomfortable after 4 hours, I wouldn't have bought it.

Unless I was planning on only 2 hour rides.

Bloody waste of money buying something that you have to modify to do what you want it to.

With the CB I bought it knowing I needed to change the bars and a few other bits and bobs...
But then a bike I would not have had to do that would have cost me about 3k or even more over my budget... for not that much better a bike it made more sense to save that money and spend 10% of it on a few minor mods. Add in cheaper insurace because the bike scrapes in at under $8k and why would you pay more to not mod?

Most Japanses bikes the bars are too narrow to be comfortable with the possible exception of 1l+ adventure bikes. Flat / dragger bars are important to my wrists which I depend on for my job (I drive a keyboard).
Most other bikes are out of my reach financially and or suffer the same malady of assuming all riders will be narrower than the tank.

Edit: besides, if you already have a bike and are generally happy with it why would you change bike just because you don't like the seat?

pritch

3rd February 2015, 18:18

Just a thought.

If a bike had a seat that is uncomfortable after 4 hours, I wouldn't have bought it.

Unless I was planning on only 2 hour rides.

Bloody waste of money buying something that you have to modify to do what you want it to.

"Comfortable sport bike" has been an oxymoron since the demise of the Honda CBR600F4i. Most designs are compromises, and in sport bikes rider comfort is way down the list of design criteria. So if you want a bike that does 160kph in bottom gear and handles like a dream comfort will be a compromise. Why not get a better seat?

insomnia01

4th February 2015, 07:02

When I brought my first Blackbird (99) I added a Rider seat like Geoff's ( Blackbird ) awesome bit of kit but pricey, I also added things like Ohlins rear shock, Race tech front shocks & valves, bar risers, lowered foot pegs as you do & created something in my opinion that was awesome to ride ( done the same endurance rides as Geoff without issues ) I have since brought a 06' ZX14 ( still have the Blackbird Geoff :msn-wink: ) & to be honest I doubt I will need to change anything which does surprise me !! the ride position is fine, I've done a few big rides without any real issues & I'm happy to leave as is BUT if you need to fix your seat there are a few options available depending on how much you want to spend as each will give a different feel, start with the lower priced item & work your way up if your unsure......

Zapf

4th February 2015, 16:04

grandad tourer bike it will be ok.

Or a Ducati :Pokey:

Its more to do with seat / tank design perhaps. under braking I sliding fwd wasn't an issue for rider as i was gripping the tank, but yes pillion did complain about sliding fwd with airhuck

more_fasterer

5th February 2015, 08:02

This guy, http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=579058574

Ive used him and the seat is great and very well made. Was just under $300.

A mate put me on to him for his SP1 which was cracking him. Cost $100 for re-padding and cover. He did a 700k ride on it with now problems.

+1 for Superior Saddles, I got him to re-pad and re-cover the seat on my NC30 before doing 4500km in two weeks down to the Burt Munro and back. The 500-600km days would've been pretty unbearable without the extra cushioning and slight bit of additional seat height. $100 seemed like a bargain compared to the other options.

Bikemad

5th February 2015, 08:17

Just a thought.

If a bike had a seat that is uncomfortable after 4 hours, I wouldn't have bought it.

Unless I was planning on only 2 hour rides.

Bloody waste of money buying something that you have to modify to do what you want it to.

tell that to the Harley fellas with their "performance" mods............

+1 for Superior Saddles, I got him to re-pad and re-cover the seat on my NC30 before doing 4500km in two weeks down to the Burt Munro and back. The 500-600km days would've been pretty unbearable without the extra cushioning and slight bit of additional seat height. $100 seemed like a bargain compared to the other options.

yep Roy at SS is a top bloke and craftsman upholsterer...........

nzspokes

6th February 2015, 06:39

nzspokes

6th February 2015, 06:41

yep Roy at SS is a top bloke and craftsman upholsterer...........

Agreed. Mine is stunning. I get comments quite a bit about it.

nzspokes

6th February 2015, 06:43

First time I've heard a Street Triple called a granddad tourer :niceone:

You have convinced me to give it another try today. Least it is easy to take off if needed.

Milts

6th February 2015, 14:00

Just a thought.

If a bike had a seat that is uncomfortable after 4 hours, I wouldn't have bought it.

Unless I was planning on only 2 hour rides.

Bloody waste of money buying something that you have to modify to do what you want it to.

But then a bike I would not have had to do that would have cost me about 3k or even more over my budget... for not that much better a bike it made more sense to save that money and spend 10% of it on a few minor mods. Add in cheaper insurace because the bike scrapes in at under $8k and why would you pay more to not mod?

Yeah exactly - not modifying a bike assumes that an off the shelf item will meet your needs exactly... doesn't' quite work that way. Much happier with a sports bike and a few mods than with a touring bike.

Will look into getting the seat recovered at some point. The major downside of that vs buying a seat online is that there would be a period of 5 days where I can't ride while it gets worked on :P

Big Dog

7th February 2015, 00:29

Yeah exactly - not modifying a bike assumes that an off the shelf item will meet your needs exactly... doesn't' quite work that way. Much happier with a sports bike and a few mods than with a touring bike.

Will look into getting the seat recovered at some point. The major downside of that vs buying a seat online is that there would be a period of 5 days where I can't ride while it gets worked on :P

If you can source a damaged seat for the same model you can get that recovered.

Damaged seats can be very cheap from a wreckers.

Adds to the resale of your bike if you still have the original bits.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Old Steve

9th February 2015, 14:17

I put an Airhawk seat on my St1100 pillion seat for the missus, she loves it.

pritch

10th February 2015, 08:41

The major downside of that vs buying a seat online is that there would be a period of 5 days where I can't ride while it gets worked on

If you phone ahead of time and make an appointment you should be able to get it done while you wait. As a bonus you get to go for a ride.

I hope you have better weather than I did.:violin:

Tigadee

10th February 2015, 11:52

This guy, http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=579058574

Ive used him and the seat is great and very well made. Was just under $300.

+1 Seen Spokes' new seat, very good workmanship and comfort. Better than the custom one from Tauranga that came with my Hornet.