Stock seat has to go

5544 Views 27 Replies 20 Participants Last post by bscid, 5 mo ago

Rhino H

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

As everyone is aware, the stock seat on the 650 V is not the bikes greatest attribute. I am interested replacing mine with the Seat Concepts unit and am wondering how other members view this product. I am asking a question which I realize has already been asked and answered (from 2016?) but time has passed, new members will have thoughts, etc. etc.

I am looking forward to hearing both positive and negative comments.

1 - 20 of 28 Posts

outdoorgb

· #2 · 5 mo ago

I don't have any issues with my 2018 stock seat but have pulled a ride over 450 miles in one day (yet!).

I put a Seat Concepts on two bikes and swear by the fit. If I didn't have so many hobbies, I'd probably order one now.

realshelby

· #3 · 5 mo ago

My opinion is that you get what you pay for. I have never used the Seat Concepts kit. So it may be better than another kit I used...but they are not so different in design or application. Personally I would probably first try to reshape the factory seat foam and reinstall the cover. Beyond that you need some experience in seat design to really make it comfortable and not look like it was put together under a shade tree. There are some aftermarket ready to go seats. Probably not so expensive in the long run when you figure they are probably better than the kits. Plus they have easy resale.
You didn't mention what kind of riding you do. If only in the seat 2-3 hours at a time that is a whole lot different than being in the seat 16 hours on day one and near that on day 2,3 and beyond.
I figure the cost of a Russell Day Long seat into every bike purchase I make. Only seat I have ever had where I just don't get a red ass no matter how many miles I am riding.

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Reactions: 5

Byronw

· #4 · 5 mo ago

☝
It looks like the seat concepts are $250 or more ?
IF you think you'll keep the bike for a period of years and many miles, or tens of thousands of Kilometers, and IF you do extended touring riding long days, day after day... I'd consider spending more and getting something really comfortable.
I've had four Vstroms and many other bikes over the years and although off the shelf seats are better, they are not great.
I'm fortunate to live within a few hours ride to the Russell Day Long shop and have had several of their seats. It's the only seat my wife will sit on to join me on rides, so I'm stuck buying them. Expensive ? Yes, but if you don't have to do the pillion, you can keep the cost more reasonable. I can ride on this all day, day after day and never, ever even think about discomfort on my skinny boney butt. A difference of a few hundred dollars measured over years of ownership is not that big a deal. Some guys spend more to add 5 HP and make more noise. I appreciate the seat on short errands or long days, every ride.

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PerazziMx14

· #5 · 5 mo ago

Seats are too subjective to really make suggestions. What I like you may hate and vise versa. I will say I have had several Seat Concepts seats and they were all better than the stock foam that they replaced.

On my R1200GS's the mass's complain that the OEM seat is horrible. For me I don't mind it at all. I've also tried Sargent, RDL, and a couple others and none have been significantly better then the OEM seat everyone else seems to hate.

Its best to do one of two things.

1. Find a local rider with an aftermarket seat who is kind enough to let you try out their seat for a few hours to test it out.
2. If you cannot find a local buy used. That way if you do not like it you can resell it to minimize the financial impact.

Reactions: 1

joe_13

· #6 · 5 mo ago

My suggestion to you if your butt hurts: Spend the money.

While the Corbin & Sargent seats I have initially felt a bit stiff,... I found that even after hours on the bike, no pain in the ass.
Whereas, with the stock seat, 45 minutes, and my cheeks would be falling off,... I wanted off the bike.

Philbytx

· #7 · 5 mo ago

Cheapest immediate improvement on the stock seat is to try a SitnFly cover. $30 Inc. shipping.

Reactions: 1

OydnaR

· #8 · 5 mo ago

Hey Rhino, do you have a faring ornament?

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PerazziMx14

· #9 · 5 mo ago

joe_13 said:
My suggestion to you if your butt hurts: Spend the money.

While the Corbin & Sargent seats I have initially felt a bit stiff,... I found that even after hours on the bike, no pain in the ass.
Whereas, with the stock seat, 45 minutes, and my cheeks would be falling off,... I wanted off the bike.

The problem with "spend the money" is what do you spend it on? Seats ain't cheap and its not like you can just order 5 or 6 to try then keep the one you like and send the rest back for a refund. If only it were that easy.

For me intermediate density foam has been better than soft of firm. Support with a little give. I've also ben in the saddle for so many hours that no matter what seat you had you will experience discomfort. After about hour 14 its more pain management than anything.

I will say the only seat that is straight away unbearable after only a few minutes is the OEM DR650 seat. You would swear it was designed by a sadist. The Gn 2 OEM DL650 seat is a close second.

Rhino H

Discussion Starter · #10 · 5 mo ago

OydnaR said:
Hey Rhino, do you have a faring ornament?
View attachment 311043

The hell with the new seat!!!! I want one of those now.

Thanks for sending that pic, I'll be laughing about that for days.

ImLostAgain

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Seats are not cheap, unfortunately. That said, I have tried a few (on both my Harley's, Suzuki, BMW and Hondas). I finally started spending the money on custom seats from a quality seat maker and that was worth every penny and more! I use Mr Ed's Moto in Albany, Oregon. These were all done in person, though I know they will do remote if requested. I personally like the in person as they put you on the bike to see your riding position and look at what is needed in adjusting the rider position as well as using different layers and types of foam to make a great seat. On my Vstrom, we added risers as well as building the seat up to make the rider position optimal.

On the road it is an amazing difference! I have one happy butt now.

Rhino H

Discussion Starter · #12 · 5 mo ago

Many thanks to all for your feedback. This forum is a great resource and the input is greatly appreciated.

DustyBoots

· #13 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

Philbytx said:
Cheapest immediate improvement on the stock seat is to try a SitnFly cover. $30 Inc. shipping.

Before you go spending ~ $1000 on a new seat, I would suggest spending $30 (US) on an XL Sit&Fly seat cover first!

I also found the seat on my 2022 very uncomfortable when I 1st got it, but like most seats, the more you ride it to break your ass in to the seat, the better it gets. I found I was only able to ride about an hour and had to take a break as the seat was killing me. I then installed the Sit&Fly and that more than doubled the riding time.
I have put a couple of 600+km days in without very much discomfort since. It's also great on warm/hot days as it keeps that region cooler than without it.

Wheel Tire Fuel tank Vehicle Automotive lighting

Dusty

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Reactions: 1

Motor7

· #14 · 5 mo ago

realshelby said:
My opinion is that you get what you pay for. I have never used the Seat Concepts kit. So it may be better than another kit I used...but they are not so different in design or application. Personally I would probably first try to reshape the factory seat foam and reinstall the cover. Beyond that you need some experience in seat design to really make it comfortable and not look like it was put together under a shade tree. There are some aftermarket ready to go seats. Probably not so expensive in the long run when you figure they are probably better than the kits. Plus they have easy resale.
You didn't mention what kind of riding you do. If only in the seat 2-3 hours at a time that is a whole lot different than being in the seat 16 hours on day one and near that on day 2,3 and beyond.
I figure the cost of a Russell Day Long seat into every bike purchase I make. Only seat I have ever had where I just don't get a red ass no matter how many miles I am riding.

^truth

Nicad

· #15 · 5 mo ago

Byronw said:
☝
It looks like the seat concepts are $250 or more ?
IF you think you'll keep the bike for a period of years and many miles, or tens of thousands of Kilometers, and IF you do extended touring riding long days, day after day... I'd consider spending more and getting something really comfortable.
I've had four Vstroms and many other bikes over the years and although off the shelf seats are better, they are not great.
I'm fortunate to live within a few hours ride to the Russell Day Long shop and have had several of their seats. It's the only seat my wife will sit on to join me on rides, so I'm stuck buying them. Expensive ? Yes, but if you don't have to do the pillion, you can keep the cost more reasonable. I can ride on this all day, day after day and never, ever even think about discomfort on my skinny boney butt. A difference of a few hundred dollars measured over years of ownership is not that big a deal. Some guys spend more to add 5 HP and make more noise. I appreciate the seat on short errands or long days, every ride.

View attachment 311035

I wish I had gotten mine in Sunbrella fabric (I Went leather) I like mine a lot and can ride all day, and then do it again. but I have to think that is ultimately more comfy and won't wear out.

OydnaR

· #16 · 5 mo ago

Rhino H said:
The hell with the new seat!!!! I want one of those now.

Thanks for sending that pic, I'll be laughing about that for days.

I've had a thing for rhinos most of my life, my bucket list would be going on photo safari, and getting a pic. one of my grandchildren saw a single rhino bookend at a yard sale and bought it for me. Soon as I saw it, perfect size, I thought of repurposing it into a unique faring ornament, not so much cause it's a rhino, a faring ornament give my v-strom a unique look

I'm saving my pennies for a RDL saddle, I priced one out on the Russell website, it'll end up being close to $1500

OydnaR

· #17 · 5 mo ago

Nicad said:
I wish I had gotten mine in Sunbrella fabric (I Went leather) I like mine a lot and can ride all day, and then do it again. but I have to think that is ultimately more comfy and won't wear out.

that is my plan, getting Sunbrella fabric on my RDL when I order it

StretchNM

· #18 · 5 mo ago

DustyBoots said:
Before you go spending ~ $1000 on a new seat, I would suggest spending $30 (US) on an XL Sit&Fly seat cover first!

I also found the seat on my 2022 very uncomfortable when I 1st got it, but like most seats, the more you ride it to break your ass in to the seat, the better it gets. I found I was only able to ride about an hour and had to take a break as the seat was killing me. I then installed the Sit&Fly and that more than doubled the riding time.
I have put a couple of 600+km days in without very much discomfort since. It's also great on warm/hot days as it keeps that region cooler than without it.

View attachment 311057

Dusty

Exactly which size is right for the 2022 650?

DustyBoots

· #19 · 5 mo ago

StretchNM said:
Exactly which size is right for the 2022 650?

The XL size fits good for a stock, standard seat on a 2022 650

Dusty

Reactions: 1

Rhino H

Discussion Starter · #20 · 5 mo ago

I just pulled the trigger on the Seat Concepts "Tall" seat kit.

While I did not initially specify my comfort concerns with my stock seat, this seat kit immediately resolves two of my three issues.

1) the added height removes the foot peg to seat distance issue (yes, I have the foot peg lowering brackets from AdventureTech as well as a set of SW-Motech foot pegs which also lower the pegs,...both helpful upgrades but not enough solve my problem) My knees and hips will be much happier.

2) the kit turns my seat into a flat bench reminiscent of earlier UJM seats. I will be able to shift back and forth with ease.

My actual ass comfort level may be questionable however, members who have this seat kit and weighed in with their thoughts, suggest comfort won't be a big concern. (and a Sit & Fly seat cover appears to an option to save the day)

Thanks again to every one for the input,....

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