Comfortable Seat

[Never2L84Ridin]

I was wondering what everyone has or recommends to use for a seat. My 80 xs11 special has the stock seat on it. When i've gone on poker runs or long journeys, my butt starts to hurt. Taking a break often helps out only temp. then it hurts again. I've used my sweatshirt during a ride and seems to help out. I've seen a gel type of seat cover, looked on ebay at various seats. Someone mentioned about adding more padding and having the seat re-covered. Just curious if anybody has addressed this issue before. Hate to sound like a whiner, but the ride is only as fun as the comfort level.

Kevin

[NOMAD]

KEVIN,
I HAD MY SEAT CUSTOM MADE WITH A GEL PAD IN IT. BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT. I CAN RIDE FILLUP TO FILLUP (110-120 MILES) GET OFF AND RIGHT BACK ON. BY THE WAY WHAT PART OF NORTHEAST KANSAS YOU IN? I'M IN ST. JOE., MO.

NOMAD, AKA RANDY

[Steve Linderman]

Comfortable seat...

Hi,
Think of it this way...you are sitting on foam now, adding more foam, (or anything else) will only require you to have to 're-adjust' the mirrors.
Discomfort, usually starts when you sit (for long periods) on ANYTHING fairly firm.
And this is usually due to the fact that while you sit, the weight of your body is concentrated onto a (relatively) small area of the body.
This stops circulation, and causes discomfort.
Since you CANNOT turn your bike into a LAZY-BOY Recliner.
You need a 'viable' alternative.
People have been laying and sitting on furs for Centuries (for a reason)
Sitting on (thick) fur provides the following results:
1. The fur leaves room for air circulation between the body & seat
2. Will be softer, hence more comfortable.

Try hunting the second hand stores, or garage sales for an old sheepskin seat cover or hide...if so desired you can 'trim it' to fit your seat, and attach it under the seat (to itself) with industrial velcro.
Gels work GR8...but the cost can be high...
I found my last three sheepskins for around $5.00 each.
And we only use them on 'long trips'...with X-cellent results, I might add.
Good Luck with it...

[xssiveone]

In addition to what Steve said about the seat cover, I've found it helpful to have something to lean against for lower back support. Try stuffing a duffel bag with blankets or something similar and strap it to the seat as a backrest. I also installed hi-way pegs on mine. Makes a world of difference on long rides and also allows you to shift back and forth for a slight change in seating position.

[jetmechmarty]

When I bought my '80 Special it had one of those double bucket touring seats on it. I did not like it at all. I went back to stock. I sent it to SARGENT and had them cover it in GRIPTEX and stuff it with their SUPER CELL foam. I am very pleased with it.

[jkgrubbs]

seats

I have also had good results with the bead covers, allowing good air circulation, and a little added thickness.

[Underdog]

As I understand it, there are different densitys of foam. I have a Mustang seat on my other bike & my wife & I love it. It is foam but of a firm but not too hard density. The theory is that if it's too soft it will imeadiately compress and you basically end up sitting on the metal pan. Too hard gives the same effect BTW, stock Harley seats suck too but that's so the dealer can sell you a new one You'd have to have someone custom build one for these bikes though. I've heard other people swear by the sheepskins. Surpriseingly they are suposed to be cooler to sit on also. Probably the most economical way to go. Just my $.02

[bkr]

Sheep skins

Hey Dog You are right about Sheep skin . Have been biking a long time (55 years ) . Have always used a skin on trips. Butt is getting thin in old age , using the skin more often now for short trips. bkr

[Jerry]

Seats and comfort are frequent topics, do a search and you will turn up several past threads.

Ultimate in comfort is a full custom seat. 2 big names are Russell Day-Long and Diamond Sweat. Corbin no longer makes custom seats for the XS/XJ and (last I heard) will no longer modify a seat that you send in.

I have a Diamond on my XJ, as in 2000 Russell had not returned to this market and Diamond was the only game in town. $420.00 with shipping, but with the cloth insert and 'bucket' styling that eliminated the need for any other back support it is worth it. Russell will set you back a couple hundred more. The XJ, by BTW, has the worst stock seat of any Yamaha ever made, in my opinion, for anything longer than a 2 hour trip.

Another factor in comfort is alternate foot pegs so you can move/stretch legs, and comfortable handlebar position. (Both topics, again, found in comfort threads.) The XJ bars are adjustable for height and width, many XS owners use replacement bars and/or risers to get a more comfortable seating position.

Finally, I couldn't do llong rides without a throttle lock, and plan to add a cruise control some day. The lock allows you to drive one-handed from time to time, taking the stress off wrists and forearms.

As I said, comfort is a common topic. Do a search and you will also get ideas on clothing, packing, seats coverings/seat rebuilding/modifications, foot rests, and a bunch of other stuff that can increase the rideability of our bikes.

[John]

I have foot boards on the engine case guards, an adjustable back rest , a windshield, and a throttle lock on ol' Twilite. It's almost like riding my recliner down the road. I used to smoke, and when I did on the bike, the low pressure area behind the windshield would draw the ash forward and then it would go up, but never in my face. When I'm feeling stoopid, I can slide the back rest back a little, lock the throttle, kick back, and ride for miles with no hands. I only do that when there is very little traffic, and when I'm on an Interstate Highway. Not in town. I can just hear y'all now...no hands? What an idiot!

[beechfront]

my major problem has been sweat. last fall i rode 14 hours in one day, back from wyoming. my butt never really got sore due to 2 things - it was nice and cool out so no sweating, & i had a huge sleeping back to lean back against.

i would love to rig up some kind of removeable backrest.

[Deano62]

I too have encountered some discomfort on my '79 XS. It came with the touring package, so it has a contoured seat, which helps. But it is quite old, and the diamond stichtes are starting to seperate. It's also kind of wide for my short legs. As was already mentioned, highway pegs are a big help. I have found that alternating between the highway pegs, the regular pegs, and sometimes hooking my heels on the passenger pegs, gives my butt enough variety to keep it happy. Monkey Butt Powder doesn't hurt either.

I will be watching this thread for some answers too.

By the way, JC Whitney has gel pads.

[skids]

OK, if you are going to let your guard down and admit you use monkey butt powder, I guess I'll tell you what I have done for LONG rides. I wore a pair of bicycle pants with the built-in pad, under the jeans, of course. It is great comfort, but you feel like you are wearing depends diapers or a maxi pad or something.

[i]Monkey Butt Powder doesn't hurt either.

I[/B]

[bkr]

Sore Buttt

Hey Skids You said it feels like wearing Depends or Maxi Pad, is this statement from something you have done at one time or an other. Couldn't let that one slip by LOL. bkr

[scalded dog]

I ride with the Southern Cruisers, we ride about every week, as a group, and I ride oftem in the late afternoon. We usually stop about once an hour, and stretch, at 49 years young, my butt hardly ever hurts, because I ride a lot, so increase your saddle time, and you will decrease, your saddle soreness, Later 'Dog