Seats for Wee

[ann_tn]

As I am sure most of you ladies know by now the stock seat is VERY uncomfortable. Looking at some custom seats and wanted to know if any other women riders have any advice or comments.

Thanks!

[TravellingStrom]

Why stick to ladies only? Us blokes also suffer from numb bum.

Have you thought about trying an Airhawk (http://www.airhawkguy.com.au/)?

I have one and without it I am twitching after about half an hour. With it I have completed a 1300km day and could have gone further, no worries at all.

Cheers
TravellingStrom

[PeteW]

There's also a very cheap and nasty seat mod here.

http://11109.rapidforum.com/topic=103977542760&startid=4 (a fair way down that page).

It should work even better with a lighter rider, after a month or so break in it's very good even with an overweight guy on the seat.

Pete

[ann_tn]

I have a gel pad that I use when I have to but the problem with those type of cushions is that they raise me even farther up off the ground. I have lowering links on and still do not touch as easily as I should. I am 5'5".

[Warhammer]

You might want to look into sending your seat to Spencer in FL. I've heard great reviews on his seat mods. Planning on doing this myself this year.

Here is Spencer's web site: http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

[PeteW]

I have a gel pad that I use when I have to but the problem with those type of cushions is that they raise me even farther up off the ground. I have lowering links on and still do not touch as easily as I should. I am 5'5".

I slipped the Gel under the foam, since it's two quite narrow strips the original seat foam moulds around it after a couple of days reducing the height gain to about half an inch.
However, at 5'5" - yeah I can understand the problem - you'll probably need to get the seat rebuilt with thinner but much better quality foam to achieve what you need.


Pete

[TravellingStrom]

I have a gel pad that I use when I have to but the problem with those type of cushions is that they raise me even farther up off the ground. I have lowering links on and still do not touch as easily as I should. I am 5'5".

Well, that makes a difference as the Airhawk lifts you a small amount.

That said, I am 5'4", so did I the following, lowering links, removed the rubber blocks under the seat. By adding the Airhawk I lost a bit of that gain, so what I ended up doing was having the Airhawk air bladder installed under the seat, this was a success. I have since travelled over 45,000km with it and I have never had any issues with it and my bum loves it :)

You can see some photos here clicky (http://11109.rapidforum.com/topic=109068309782&search=airhawk#)

Cost wise, quite comparable, $180AU for the Airhawk, small cruiser model and $80AU to have it installed under a new seat cover etc.

Cheers
TravellingStrom:var_39:

[Protondecay123]

Though I am not a V Strom owner ( I'm very interested in buying one in the not too distant future), with my previous bikes I have had excellent results with Russell Çustom Seats. I have no financial interest in this company in any way.
It is a more expensive option, but is the most comfortable seat I have ridden. Web site is

http://www.day-long.com/index.html

Obviously having that kind of lateral support is going to make it more difficult to shift around. And the aesthetic leaves something to be desired.

IMHO YMMV.

[PeteW]

Well, that makes a difference as the Airhawk lifts you a small amount.

That said, I am 5'4", so did I the following, lowering links, removed the rubber blocks under the seat. By adding the Airhawk I lost a bit of that gain, so what I ended up doing was having the Airhawk air bladder installed under the seat, this was a success. I have since travelled over 45,000km with it and I have never had any issues with it and my bum loves it :)

You can see some photos here clicky (http://11109.rapidforum.com/topic=109068309782&search=airhawk#)

Cost wise, quite comparable, $180AU for the Airhawk, small cruiser model and $80AU to have it installed under a new seat cover etc.

Cheers
TravellingStrom:var_39:

I prefer my fix, $20 and half an hour ;). It's seriously comfortable long term as well.

One other option, getting a bike seat recovered is something about any car upholstery shop can do. If you can find a spare DL seat second hand at a good price you can carve that up yourself and simply get it recovered. (Just stretch some heavy plastic (bag) over it while testing).

Buying quality foam is easy in the US. Sunmate http://www.sunmatecushions.com/ will sell you good quality memory foam. Just cut an appropriate sized hole into the centre out of the exiting seat and insert a chunk of memory foam. With care you can lower the overall foam height and still have something more comfortable than you started with.
The less foam you have, the firmer it needs to be, and it probably needs to be firmer than you think to start with - it'll "break in" with time.

There are several posts around on DIY seat fixes.

Or if you are brave, you can perform surgery on your existing seat :). Normally I wouldn't suggest this, but given the height issue it's unlikely a "stock" aftermarket seat will work well either.

Peter

[fe-strom]

We had a butt buffer put into the seat, $250 in all. My husband mostly rides the wee, so he elected for the modification to raise the seat by about 1/2 inch but you don't have to.

The pad is interesting - if anything I start to feel the saddle earlier, but then it doesn't really get any worse for hours and hours - have done more than 6 and you never get that feeling that you don't want to get off the seat because it will hurt too much! In other words it's not to make the seat comfy but it does offer good support. Link to the guy out in Oshawa (I think) is on buttbuffer.com.

[paintbrush]

Hey ann tn, I am 5'6" and hated the stock with a passion--I did alot of research and ended up getting a corbin modular(you can take the back seat off and add a trunk). I had read where two guys had the same bikes(strom) but different seats(one had a corbin and one had a sargeant ) they traded off riding all day and both liked the corbin better..that's all I needed to hear since I have a corbin on my KLR .The thing is like sitting in a lounge chair--I have ridden for hours without a single twinge---my hiney is not even something that factors in anymore when riding--and if you ride alot you know what I mean--I have tried the sheepskins and have friends that have the airhawks but they all have a time limit to how long you can ride with them also--this seat is NOT like that-it is pure luxury! I touch OK but you may want lowering links as it is wider so touching is shortened up a bit....my strom is for sale and the seat may go separate---if you are interested...Kay

[4-Bike Dave]

Paintbrush,
I'm 6'2", and am interested in a replacement seat that I can tolerate for more than an hour or so on my Wee. Does your Corbin raise or lower you with respect to the standard seat? I could use a slightly taller seat to alleviate my cramped knees.
Is yours still for sale?

4BD

[paintbrush]

Hey ann tn, I am 5'6" and hated the stock with a passion--I did alot of research and ended up getting a corbin modular(you can take the back seat off and add a trunk). I had read where two guys had the same bikes(strom) but different seats(one had a corbin and one had a sargeant ) they traded off riding all day and both liked the corbin better..that's all I needed to hear since I have a corbin on my KLR .The thing is like sitting in a lounge chair--I have ridden for hours without a single twinge---my hiney is not even something that factors in anymore when riding--and if you ride alot you know what I mean--I have tried the sheepskins and have friends that have the airhawks but they all have a time limit to how long you can ride with them also--this seat is NOT like that-it is pure luxury! I touch OK but you may want lowering links as it is wider so touching is shortened up a bit....my strom is for sale and the seat may go separate---if you are interested...Kay


Bike and seat gone!

[ChelleStrom]

Don't waste your time and money on something not made for you. Though a bit pricey, your ass is worth it! I got my seat done at Rich's Custom seats in Seattle, WA. I sent him the photos of me, in full gear, on the bike in various positions. I just did 3500 miles and all but my ass hurts. My hubbie went to the max and got a full out custom seat - he is 6'3" and needed more room. My seat got me over an inch or footing and only fits me. It kept the stock seat cover and such. Hubbie had a whole new seat built.

Worth the money and will keep you going all day long......

[ChelleStrom]

I am about 5 foot 4 1/2 on a good day and a bit heavy at 160. I have a short inseam and can no sooner get a stock bike to fit than a good pair of pants off the shelf.

Hope this helps.