seat covers

[jjz28]

Hey guys, I have the saddleman double bucket seat that I want to get recovered and gel inserts put in before the SE rally. Anyone know of a good place to get this done quick? Maybe I could do the labor myself if I could get the cover and gel pads. Anyone know of a source to get these? Anyone have a 79 special stock seat? I would like to have the stock seat when I ride by myself and keep the double bucket when my wifes rides. Thanks.

[jetmechmarty]

Here is the whole seat for >$200. You won't beat that!

Saddlemen Double Bucket Touring Motorcycle Seat - Yamaha - Y158 PS



Here's just the cover and foam.
1979 Yamaha XS1100S - Special
Saddlemen Motorcycle Seat Kit - Double
Retail: $146.99
$134.99
You Save: $12.00 (8%)


Saddlemen SaddleGel Seat Pad - Fleece - Large Front - 101FJ PS


Saddle Skins Motorcycle Replacement Seat Cover

[jjz28]

Thanks marty, I found those seats and cover but I want the gel pad in there. I like that pad itself, I could just strap it to that seat. Anyone tried one of those?

[natemoen]

There are several guys here that have bought the gel atv seat cover from wal mart for something like $20-30 and strapped that to their seat. They all seem to likenit and say it is great.

[jjz28]

That's good to know Nate, I will check into that. The worst part about my seat is I had a tear so I duct taped it. Well, when it got hot, the duct tape slid a little and left glue all over my seat that I could not get off. So, I had to put more tape to cover that and it just kept growing. Its that gorilla tape to, I pulled it all of yesterday and had to put it back on cause I couldn't get any of that glue off. My seat is old too and I think the comfort level has faded with the years. This seat new probably would have been comfortable to ride all day but now about 2 hours and my butt is numb and hurting.

[jetmechmarty]

Thanks marty, I found those seats and cover but I want the gel pad in there. I like that pad itself, I could just strap it to that seat. Anyone tried one of those?

I have a pair of them. I don't even use the straps. They don't slide around on the seat. Big Bad Powersports had them at the lowest price I could find.

[jetmechmarty]

I had one of those double bucket touring seats on my bike when I bought it. I did not like it at all. I also did not like the way it looked. That's just me. I think the stock seat is pretty good.

Something to consider: Saddlemen no longer makes a cover for the XS1100SF. What is left in stock is all there will be. They make a very nice cover. If it were me, I'd go that route. If your pockets are deep enough for this project, you can recover the stock seat and buy a complete touring seat.

[dpotter58]

Find the gel inserts and put them in yourself. Not hard to do; I did it on one of mine. If you have an electric carving knife it's real easy. If not, just a little more work.
The seat covers go on very easy as well. Save the labor charge and spend it on beer.

[jjz28]

Marty, I don't like the look of the double bucket either but I guess it is good for 2 up. I want to find a nice stock one. Hey dpotter, where did you find the gel inserts? Was your seat a double bucket? I think I may go this route if I can find the stuff that fits right and do it myself. I might just buy something to sit on for now though since the rally is close.

[jetmechmarty]

Jeff,

I don't think the gel inserts are a perfect solution. My SG seat has little to no padding at the back edge of the pan. I'm a big guy, so I push my wife off the back and she's sitting on that unpadded edge. Her on a gel pad relieves that. I don't believe the SF seat has that problem. It has thick padding all the way back, doesn't it? I did not like the double bucket thing because I could not move. I'm locked in one place and those thick edges take up space. It was not for me. Sitting on a gel pad does not eliminate pressure points. I still get a sore butt. Speaking for myself, I'm not even sure if it helps at all. The Airhawk does a better job. For two-up, I attach a back rest. This way, I can't push wife or daughter off the back.

[fredintoon]

Marty, I don't like the look of the double bucket either but I guess it is good for 2 up. I want to find a nice stock one. Hey dpotter, where did you find the gel inserts? Was your seat a double bucket? I think I may go this route if I can find the stuff that fits right and do it myself. I might just buy something to sit on for now though since the rally is close.

Hi Jeff,
I got a Saddlemens double bucket conversion for my XS650 so my wife would be more secure riding pillion. Would have worked OK for two skinny people but with my fat arse plugging up the front bucket, not so much.

[jjz28]

Me and the wife fit good on the double bucket but it needs covered and is old. I want a factory seat to put on when I am by myself for looks. I am worried about being out all day at the rally and my wife getting uncomfortable. Not so much worried about me. She hasn't ridden more than 50 miles at one time with me and I don't want her to be uncomfortable so I am trying to make it like a Cadillac for her.

[jetmechmarty]

She hasn't ridden more than 50 miles at one time with me

She won't be able to say that after this rally!

[jjz28]

That's why I want to make sure here bony butt don't hurt. I just want her to have a good time. I know I will.

[jetmechmarty]

Replacing that seat kit is a bit pricey! Perhaps you can get a local upholsterer to fix it for less $$. Since the cover will be off, that's the time to install the gel, or whatever you want to do.