Ok....What's the Best Aftermarket Seat? [Archive]

jeffmiller

01-13-2006, 02:56 PM

jgilmore

01-13-2006, 03:01 PM

Kinda tough to compare because I haven't tried them all except for two - stock and Sargent.

Stock, as you know, bites, Sargent is awesome. Like night and day over stock. The only time I use the stock seat is when I take it in to the dealer so they don't potentially goof up my Sargent. And my a$$ hurts on the way there.

I vote Sargent. My $0.02.

-John

nurseBob

01-13-2006, 03:52 PM

That's a really tough question. Just like, "What's the best bike?" or "What's the best camera?" And, the answer - it depends. It depends on what fits your body (how do you differ from the next guy/gal), how much you want to spend, and how do you ride, just to name a few.
I hated the stock seat, and risked the Russell, seat untried. I"ve been exceptionally happy. But I couldn't tell you if it's better than the Sargeant or Corbin because I haven't tried them, and I'm so comfortable now, I have no further incentive to explore.

bob

Mike

01-13-2006, 04:10 PM

I have had the Corbin and now a Russell, I like the Russell much better than the Corbin, just better support and I don't slide forward anymore.

When I bought the Corbin they were very unwilling to adjust the seat to keep me from sliding forward, they also would not make a seat with the D-Stich pattern. I hear they do both now( adjust the seat and offer D-stich pattern)

Anyway it's the last Corbin I will own based on the replies I got regarding the above.

The Corbin would give me a 600 mile day without to much discomfort, My Russell is in for an adjustment and heater repair but the little I rode it I knew it was going to exceed the Corbin in comfort.

Wt. difference is big time, Corbin is very Heavy and the Russell very light, Corbin makes the seat pan for their seat, Russell uses the stock seat pan.

Once I get my Russell back and broke in I will be putting the Corbin up for sale. I toyed with keeping it as a sales point should I ever sell the ST but this ST will be mine for 10 or so years I suspect.

CaST

01-13-2006, 04:52 PM

I spent the money on the Sargent. I had the reseller tell me that he sells both Corbin and Sargent and Sargent is a better seat from all the feedback he gets. Having said that, you are asking a religion question. Who's religion is the best? That there is a fighting question. ;)

Having said that, I thought the Sargent is the best based upon a compromise of looks and comfort. So far so good.

Good luck,
P

Ken

01-13-2006, 06:41 PM

Stock > Corbin > Sargent > Russell

Tor

01-13-2006, 06:43 PM

Just ordered my Sargent today. Should be in sometime next week.

jnsgardner

01-13-2006, 08:15 PM

I went with the Corbin single because it fits well with their Smuggler rear case. Two trips back to Corbin to get the color right, but now it's perfect.
As to the seat, it's a little hard, not enough bucket,, great quality...did a ten day 2700 trip and was comfortable.
Too bad the manufacturers don't send you a loaner so you could try each one out...or if you sent in a competitor and buy theirs, they'd give you a rebate of some sorts.

John

wishey1

01-13-2006, 08:38 PM

LDMike

01-13-2006, 08:42 PM

20,000 miles on a Russell last year and couldn't be happier. Did as they requested - took pictures and sent the saddle pan in. Came back perfect!

I did trade another ST rider who had a Sargent for a day and rode it for about 100 miles. It's okay, but I don't think I'd trade my Russell for it.

IMHO, the best thing about the Russell are the "wings" that spread your weight onto your thighs. It's also the thing that people complain about the most because it causes you to shift your weight when you stop. Takes a little getting used to, but I think it's minor.

My $0.02

LDMike
Milwaukee

Big T

01-13-2006, 08:45 PM

LDD

01-13-2006, 08:47 PM

I own a single Corbin and can do 700 mile days without losing the feeling in my backside. I have ridden the Russell on another bike and it it far and away more comfortable for shorter jaunts.:04biker:

AZST

01-13-2006, 08:55 PM

Just make sure you get a heated seat....they are great when temp drops below 55 degrees! i have a Corbin....great seat@ six hundred plus per day! And it does a great job keeping you warm and comfortable.

When does the temp ever drop below 55 degrees ??!!!

My opinion: Russell.

Corbin is good too, although I have heard some complaints about them.

I ride a Sargent. I like the support on the thigh area alot for long hauls (5'9", 175lbs) I picked this one because it fit the budget (group buy from this site through CST)

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

sherob

01-13-2006, 09:07 PM

I have a Corbin solo with 10K on it and love it. I've done a 600+ mile day on it with no ill feelings :D

John Anthony

01-13-2006, 09:53 PM

Russell. Great seat for the distance. Had a Corbin on my ST 1100 and it was OK, but not in the same league as a Russell. Maggie initially had a Rich's seat on her ride, but opted for a Russell so she could get more comfort.

John

BigBadblue

01-13-2006, 11:48 PM

I am in the process of having a machine shop produce a aluminum bracket which raises the front of the stock seat up 7/8" in all positions and makes it pretty nice to sit on for 3-4 hrs. Will post pics when finished.

Northern Rob

01-14-2006, 12:09 AM

I've gone from stock to Corbin to Russell. Russell beats Corbin and Corbin beats stock. The difference is more noticable the more milage you do in a day. I can ride Russell for a 12 hr day and I'm good. Corbin - not without significant discomfort. Stock, you've got to be kidding.

Louie Louie

01-14-2006, 03:16 AM

I went to Ojai and got a Rocky meyer saddle and loved it. However, I recently refrakled the bike and chose the Saergeant seat and so far I am very pleased. Good technology and its got some totally cool compartments on the bottom side of the seat. For some reason I now ride in the lowest position and I'm 6'2.:)

snowmoer

01-14-2006, 12:34 PM

Wishey 1,

I tried the Cal Science fix your own method. It was much better than stock, but still not great. I was able to ride for a full tank of gas, but was ready to get off 75 miles before I did. I found foam on the web, but could not find it firm enough. I feel that if you could find firm enough foam, this would be a good option for someone who wants to do 300-400 mile rides.

I used a larger piece of foam from what was recommended, but same thickness. The problem is that the stock foam still goes flat and you are sitting on the pan.

Thanks to Louie farkling his bike and changing seats, I do not have to worry any more. :D I have only been able to put 30 miles on the Rocky, but it is WAY better that stock, even with the mod.

Louie Louie

01-14-2006, 12:51 PM

Thanks to Louie farkling his bike and changing seats, I do not have to worry any more. :D I have only been able to put 30 miles on the Rocky, but it is WAY better that stock, even with the mod.

Glad you like me beloved seat!

Gug

01-14-2006, 04:26 PM

I have a Rick Mayer Custom. I followed Mark at Calsci's advice and couldn't be happier. I have run close to 500 mile days without a problem. I may try for a 1K day this year.

Rob (from Hoosierville)

01-15-2006, 07:21 AM

I've got the Sargent. It was a quick "off the rack" solution, a HUGE improvement, and I still have the stock seat. It looks much better than stock too. The Russells are represented to be a better comfort solution for real long haul rides, but how much better would really be a subjective call. I've really been pleased with the Sargent. :yes:

JReviere

01-15-2006, 10:02 AM

using the procedure from the Calsci site? You cut out a 4X6X1 section and replace it with memory foam. You can buy it pre-cut from them.....

I was thinking about doing it but have not read where anyone has tried it.

TIA

I've done extensive mods on OEM seats. The "story" is too long to post. Anyone who wants to know, just ask. I've got pictures too.

grumpy@eastex.net JR 936 433 0485

JR
STOC 394
03ST1300A

sport_tourer

01-15-2006, 11:47 PM

I use the highly trick stock model with some modifications to the front adjusting bar/bracket to raise the front of the seat and give an overall flatter seat. I got no complaints on the stock seat.

GRN

01-16-2006, 08:03 AM

tried a corbin on the ST11, it was an improvement.

rode a sargent for a while on a ST13, it was an improvement.

given the astounding satisfaction of russell owners I thought about it hard... the extra height and the shape not lending itself to hanging a cheek turned me away.

finally gave rick mayer a shot, love the seat, but would also love to take another shot at him and hopefully hit him this time.

crazykz

01-16-2006, 08:31 AM

I've tried the stock, Sargent, and Russell. It's all very subjective but I went with the Sargent and added a sheep skin pad to it. That was the best for me. The Russell which is an excellent seat added to much height to the front of the seat for me to be comfortable with riding it so I stuck with the Sargent.

Curt

vnsfxr

01-20-2006, 11:06 PM

I've done everything else to my bike...quartet, powerlets, hyperlites, helibars, Garmin GPS 2610 on RAM and Touratech mount, Pan Euro top box, FIAMM Freeway Blasters, going to Silverstar bulbs this weekend and next weekend putting my XM on the bike...

It's time to tackle the seat.
Jeff

Man you must have one tough butt for it to let you do all those things before a new seat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:

As to seat choice it depends on your butt and if you move around on the bike.

Alot of the day long types have wings on them that give you more leg and hip support but tend to lock you into one position.

A buddy with an FJR has a Russel and it is kinda fun watching him try to hang off a bit.

I use the Sargent and am not an IB type rider by any means. Rarely do more than 450 mile days as I stay off the super slab, which you can easily do in Northern California. I also like to sight see and eat.

Louie Louie

01-20-2006, 11:32 PM

I went with Sargent (CarbonFX) a
If you buy a Sargent you may have to change the seat setting, I had the stock seat set in the middle but the extra width and distance from the bars with the Sargent, I'm now in the lowest position.

I had the exact same experience. On the sargeant I am riding in the lowest position as well. On the R. meyer seat it was at the mid or high positions!

g17

01-21-2006, 11:41 AM

I bought a Topsaddlery and it's decent. Have been told it's too narrow (space between the tank and rear of seat) if you have a big butt. Recently bought a Corbin heated solo. Put in some miles this week and it's now my seat of choice...It's firm but not too much and I was never uncomfortable. The stock seat always seamed to collapse after 100 miles or so. I sat on a Sargent and it seemed OK but never rode with one.

lbo

01-30-2006, 09:43 PM

I had the exact same experience. On the sargeant I am riding in the lowest position as well. On the R. meyer seat it was at the mid or high positions!

Hi Louie Louie.
I just got a 2006 st13. I am also 68 (soon to be 69) been riding 36 years. Love the bike, reminds me of the sport touring BMW's of yesteryear. Having problems sliding on seat and jerky acceleration.
Thought I would say Hi Neighbor.
Larry Borses

Louie Louie

01-30-2006, 10:31 PM

Hi Louie Louie.
I just got a 2006 st13. I am also 68 (soon to be 69) been riding 36 years. Love the bike, reminds me of the sport touring BMW's of yesteryear. Having problems sliding on seat and jerky acceleration.
Thought I would say Hi Neighbor.
Larry Borses

GREAT. Finally.......A friend in the area w/ an ST!.... Although Snowmoer lives in Joshua Tree.

kgeisinger

01-30-2006, 11:12 PM

I have a Corbin "close" model and love it. My stock seat is in the attic somewhere.

Kurt

Louie Louie

01-31-2006, 11:37 AM

Hi Louie Louie.
I just got a 2006 st13. I am also 68 (soon to be 69) been riding 36 years. Love the bike, reminds me of the sport touring BMW's of yesteryear. Having problems sliding on seat and jerky acceleration.
Thought I would say Hi Neighbor.
Larry Borses

Great speaking w/ you last night and look forward to riding and asking questions!