PanAmerican
10-03-2005, 05:21 PM
I can't possibly be the first to think of this but, before you buy an expensive aftermarket seat, consider trying this easy modification to the stock seat pan of the ST1300. It will allow you to use the highest position in the front and lowest in the back. You might still have to flex the seat just a little bit to get it on the lower step in back but it will work and the seat position looks totally great on the bike. It's amazing how much difference this seemingly small adjustment made to my riding comfort. It feels like a new seat!
BTW, I am 6' with 32" inseam. I also have the MCL riser plate installed. I had been using the seat on the top position in front and middle step in back and, although that was better than anything else, I was still getting a lot of chafing on long rides - the whole "hot, fidgety, sliding into the tank" thing. Not that it's a miracle cure or anything, but with this new configuration, I was able to ride 420 miles in one day last weekend and could have easily done more. I couldn't believe it myself!
The first step is fairly self explanatory (I think).
Picture 1 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4111&stc=1)
Perform the next step (picture 2) on both sides of your seat, of course. The whole idea here is to create more "wiggle room" to push the seat forward so you can get it on the lower position in back. You are creating more clearance for the metal tangs (attached to your bike) that hold the sides of your seat flush to the bike's body. The tang will actually poke through the slot you have created by shaving the plastic as shown.
Picture 2 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4112&stc=1)
Picture 3 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4113&stc=1)
This is probably about the best tool to use for the work in picture one. You might be able to figure out another way. The only other tool I used was a heavy duty "exacto" knife. You can also remove the rubber bumpers that the back "steps" normally rest on to gain yet another 1/4 or so lower in back (although they do soak up some vibration and are there for a reason). The entire job took me about 15 minutes.
Try it. I think you'll like it. If not, nothing here prevents you from going back to the other stock positions if you don't get the results you were hoping for.
Cheers!
- Mike
BTW, I am 6' with 32" inseam. I also have the MCL riser plate installed. I had been using the seat on the top position in front and middle step in back and, although that was better than anything else, I was still getting a lot of chafing on long rides - the whole "hot, fidgety, sliding into the tank" thing. Not that it's a miracle cure or anything, but with this new configuration, I was able to ride 420 miles in one day last weekend and could have easily done more. I couldn't believe it myself!
The first step is fairly self explanatory (I think).
Picture 1 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4111&stc=1)
Perform the next step (picture 2) on both sides of your seat, of course. The whole idea here is to create more "wiggle room" to push the seat forward so you can get it on the lower position in back. You are creating more clearance for the metal tangs (attached to your bike) that hold the sides of your seat flush to the bike's body. The tang will actually poke through the slot you have created by shaving the plastic as shown.
Picture 2 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4112&stc=1)
Picture 3 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4113&stc=1)
This is probably about the best tool to use for the work in picture one. You might be able to figure out another way. The only other tool I used was a heavy duty "exacto" knife. You can also remove the rubber bumpers that the back "steps" normally rest on to gain yet another 1/4 or so lower in back (although they do soak up some vibration and are there for a reason). The entire job took me about 15 minutes.
Try it. I think you'll like it. If not, nothing here prevents you from going back to the other stock positions if you don't get the results you were hoping for.
Cheers!
- Mike