King and Queen seat

[77crewcab]

Wondering what companies make these for an 80 xs1100 special I have only found the one from Saddleman. Any one with experience on the Saddleman seat or other brands?

[77crewcab]

anyone?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Crew,

When you say King/Queen, are you talking about the kind that has the real high back rest ~ 1 foot or so in length that runs up the back of the passenger section and fits against a very high sissy bar? Or are you talking about just a modest pair of buckets with a slight rise for the passenger vs. the driver?


JCW sells the TRAVELCADE brand, both just a cushion/cover repair type, or the entire seat with fiberglass pan, that will fit the 80-81 series of specials, I have one on mine cause my pan was a bucket of rust!


However, I don't recommend it much, I'm kinda tall, and it seems to jam me up against the gastank, and the cushion is not very comfy either. IIRC, I had to transplant the mounting hardware and rubber bumpers from my old seat onto the JCW one!

I would look into having a custom one made now if I had to do it again, now that I know a little bit more than I did a few years ago!
T.C.

[77crewcab]

Something like the double bucket in the second pic. I am looking for something moderately priced. No $4-500 budget to spend. The one from saddleman is full seat and pan for the earlier models but for the 80-81 is just foam and cover for about $120. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with them.

[mastan]

I tried the Saddlemen K/Q replacement foam and cover and definitely do not recommend it. There is absolutely no side support and the foam is way too soft. The first time I mounted the bike I almost fell off on the other side! I couldn't replace it fast enough. You are better off buying a quality seat off e-bay and recovering it if you have to.
If you are going to this style to make 2-up riding more comfortable then by all means find a nice 2 seater. If you do most of your riding solo, you can't beat the bench for overall comfort.
Mark STanton
78XS11e

[77crewcab]

Hey TopCat that second pic is the one from JCW? Would you happen to have any other pics. I am a little shorter and the stock seat seems like I am a couple inches too far back if scoot back to the step in the seat. The only ones I can find on JCW look just like the saddleman seats.

[TopCatGr58]

You want photos!

Hey Crew,

You asked for it!


















These are from several different years, and mods, but wanted to provide you with as many angles as I could. I'm 6'6" tall, so you can see how I make the XS11 look more like a minibike when I'm sitting on it!
T.C.

[77crewcab]

So other than it scooting you forward slightly how does it feel in the bucket support? Is that the one JCW has for about $200? I like that a lot seems like it would be a lot more comfortable than the stock style seat for me.

[TopCatGr58]

Crew,

That IS the JCW seat. The foam is a tad stiffer than the OEM IIRC, but the bucket does support the butt all around, and with it's slope, it will probably help keep you a bit more forward than the flat OEM style!

Do you have the Original 80 pan and hardware? Is the pan in good shape? I might be willing to trade you mine for your OEM pan/seat!
T.C.

[MotorCityHTPS]

I was also wondering about the Saddleman's cushion and cover kit, but for a different reason. This kit seems lower than a stock seat height. If it is, I think it would be worth the money, from a consumer standpoint (a 5'9" consumer that is.) If anyone out there can help, I would appreciate it. Thanx, Brian

[77crewcab]

I have the origional seat. The pan is in decent shape with 1 or 2 small rust holes but good overall. The foam is good but the PO put just a cheap piece of vinyl over it, not an actual seat cover. I can get pics if you would like, and would be interested in a trade if one could be worked out. I am using it as daily transportation though and wouldn't be able to send the seat until I receive one to replace it. PM or e-mail me at davismonty@cox.net if you would like to try and work something out, and I'll get some pics tomorrow.

[jetmechmarty]

I had a seat like TC's on my bike when I bought it. I hated it in every way. I'm almost an inch and a half shorter than TC.

I tried the seat on a three day road trip and to me, it was horrible. SARGENT made me a seat close in shape to stock 1980 Special. I'm well pleased with it.

[mro]

Newbe slipping in???

Hi MotorCityHTPS,

got an XS???
year/model???
any pics???
what seat you got now???

not that I'm nosy, well maybe a little


mro
btw, welcome to XS land

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mike,

His Profile says an 81SH, great machine!!

[Burly1]

I'm tall as well. I bought a very nice seat from Bob Jones last Summer. It's comfortable, but after about 50 miles, my legs need to stretch out. I have plans to rework an old seat pan into a solo seat to accomodate my 35" inseam. The metalwork, gel insert and foam all seem doable. All that will remain, after I do my part, is to find someone to cover it with quality leather at a price that won't break the bank. Any ideas out there? Burl