St1100 seat for the Taller Rider

[Garry_Coates]

Hi All,

        my 176,000 km oem seat is still in good condition but it is me that needs the renovation (knees and hips). I am 196cm tall (6ft 5in) and weigh around 115kgs (250 lbs) and have always found the seat a little low, narrow and soft. I have used various air seats for the last 15 years but they have other problems. Now I am finding it hard to sit for more than 90 minutes.

Most motorcycle seat repairers just want to modify the existing foam base which will provide minimal benefit.

I want a new foam base which is higher, wider, flatter and firmer than stock.

My choices are:

1. A 4000 km round trip to a Ergo Seats who has already done ST1100s with new foam. Great reputation.

2. Buy aftermarket:

     corbin
     sargentcycle       
     saddlemen
     topsellerie and bagster                     
     russell day long 

I have reviewed their websites and only topsellerie & bagster have a seat configurator with some adjustment for weight and height.   The rest just talk about customisation which I assume will be a telephone or in person discussion.

I am interested in any feedback on these seats from people similar in size.  How much variation from stock did you go (Higher, Wider, Different shape)?  Was there some science in the decision making process? Was the quality of the result worth it?

Regards Garry

[Williamson]

Hi All,

        my 176,000 km oem seat is still in good condition but it is me that needs the renovation (knees and hips). I am 196cm tall (6ft 5in) and weigh around 115kgs (250 lbs) and have always found the seat a little low, narrow and soft. I have used various air seats for the last 15 years but they have other problems. Now I am finding it hard to sit for more than 90 minutes.

Most motorcycle seat repairers just want to modify the existing foam base which will provide minimal benefit.

I want a new foam base which is higher, wider, flatter and firmer than stock.

My choices are:

1. A 4000 km round trip to a Ergo Seats who has already done ST1100s with new foam. Great reputation.

2. Buy aftermarket:

     corbin
     sargentcycle       
     saddlemen
     topsellerie and bagster                     
     russell day long 

I have reviewed their websites and only topsellerie & bagster have a seat configurator with some adjustment for weight and height.   The rest just talk about customisation which I assume will be a telephone or in person discussion.

I am interested in any feedback on these seats from people similar in size.  How much variation from stock did you go (Higher, Wider, Different shape)?  Was there some science in the decision making process? Was the quality of the result worth it?

Regards Garry

If you come to the Walhalla RTE http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=13698.0 next Saturday you'll see a sample of some of the seats mentioned, probably even get to sit on some, pick a few brains and get some ideas.

Re. custom seats, there's MJM is Goulburn NSW, only a 1,250km round trip.  I haven't used MJM, but plenty of mates from Melbourme have, and he comes with plenty of recommendations - a Google search will find lots of information, here's a start.  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mjm-Custom-Motor-Bike-Seats/1379613235607230

He quoted me around $600 (from memory) for my ST1300 back in 2014, I settled on a Russell Daylong for less (pre-owned, from another OzSTOC member).

I seem to recall that the process is, you book-in a mutually convenient time, ride to Goulburn, leave bike, stay overnight, pick-up next afternoon.  A negative is an overnight in Goulburn, a postive is that you get an opportunity to ride to and/or from via some of the best Apline roads.

[Garry_Coates]

Thanks Michael,
               I know of MJM and have been trying to ring them last week. Phone disconnects. My wife is trying to contact them through FB.
Like your suggestion Re Walhalla. I will confirm on that thread

Regards
           Garry

[STeveo]

I had a similar problem with my CF Moto 650TK and bought myself some high density foam and a piece of black vinal. I put a plastic sheet over the seat to protect from stray glue and sat the foam on top, shaping it with a hacksaw blade (and many sittings) until I was happy with it. I then sanded smooth and covered with glue and vinal. This raised me about 70mm and gave a flatter seat on which I could move around a bit. I glued the edges of the vinal to the underside of the original seat to stop it moving around and put a sheepskin over the top for a bit more comfort. This gave me a more relaxed angle for my knees and I am tall enough to still reach the ground with both feet. This was done about two years/30,000Kms ago and is still going great. It also allows me to remove it and return the seat  to standard if I ever want to sell it.
You can see the difference in the two photos.

[Shiney]

I'm 6ft 3in and have the Russell Day Long, I find it amazingly comfortable (the seat is custom made to you so I'm sure you would be happy with the results).
They require you to provide pictures of you sitting on your bike in any and all positions you like to sit along with your measurements and weight.

There are two things to keep in mind if you go for this option...
 1. The price.   It is the most expensive option.
 2. The time it takes.   They require you to send your seat to the US to be modified, so you'll be without your seat until it is sent back to you.

[Garry_Coates]

Thanks Shiney. The general concensus is that the RDL is best but I doubt I would pay for a new one based on the exchange rate at the moment. Then add the high cost of shipping such a big seat. Need to find one to try. Maybe this weekend.

Regards
             Garry

[Brock]

Talk to your local motor trimmer, he may be able to help or know some one who can

[Garry_Coates]

Thanks Brock. From my understanding Ergo seats is the only trimmer who will build a new foam base. All those I have talked want to customise the existing one which is easier for them. This means sticking firmer foam to 25 yr old soft foam give a higher, firmer and flatter seat.

I prefer a new foam base either as a renovation (Ergo seats) or a new seat (RDL etc).

Does anybody know of a trimmer in Victoria who will craft a new foam base?

Regards
         Garry

[ruSTynutz]

Hi Garry...it might be worth contacting ACM Seats...https://www.acmseats.com.au/ 

Cheers 

[Garry_Coates]

Hi Rusty, I already have contacted ACM. He is more in the "customise your existing base foam for the same price as a new seat" group.

Regards
          Garry

[ruSTynutz]

That's strange...In their list of services they say this:

"Foam rubber repair or replacement is an option for older motorcycles when the foam deteriate.
Many seats as they age the foam can crumble and loose the comfort factor and need to be addressed."

Maybe he has so much work that he can't be bothered??? 

[Garry_Coates]

So far the only person who has understood and accepted what I want is John Moorhouse (Ergo). If he was in Victoria I would have done it already.

Regards
          Garry

[Garry_Coates]

Final Update

Due to covid I have not got to Ergo seats. In the meantime bought a thirdhand corbin for another tall guy. Its a good start.

Regards
          Garry
 

[Garry_Coates]

The march of time has made my knee arthritis painful on the thirdhand corbin even with additional padding. I took my oem base to Johno at Bitchin Stitch (Melbourne). He crafted a new foam base probably close to 3 inches higher than stock with a wider flatter seat. 400km+ today has proven its worth.  So there is hope for the taller old guys. See attached

[ruSTynutz]

That's looking pretty good! 

[Garry_Coates]

It took some time to get used to the additional height but the ride to Jamieson from Eildon did the the trick. I bet going back now to the corbin will feel like riding a chopper.