It's taken about 2 years to dial-in comfort for my '05 ST1300 through many-a-farkle; Highway pegs, Heli-bars, New Clearview windsheild etc. etc. Finally last Fall, sent my stock ST1300 seat in to Russell-Day-long saddle. Leather inserts with vinyl sides, (see images attached). For those considering - hope this information be helpful.
I'm 6' 210# 34" inseam.
Initial review: After 800 miles of riding in the last two weeks:
First: Service from Russell: very good, but expect a 3-4 month wait. They call & email with detailed questions prior to fabricating my new saddle, they communicate very well - the whole process went smoothly.
Build quality is impressive - leather is beautiful, smells great and feels even better after 400 mile run in the saddle.
The seat is MUCH FIRMER than I was anticipating (after years of use from both the stock Honda seat and also a Sargent seat). However, before riding with the RusselI seat I was NEVER able to make it past 80-90 miles without a significant butt-break on either the stock Honda saddle or the Sargent saddle (found the Sargent better than stock, just not by much) . True to their (Russell) word - NO pain or sorenes - I happily sailed past the 90 mile mark no more nagging soreness & burning, however, interestingly I began to experience new comfort issues that I had not experienced in my past sub 90 mile butt-breaks: Helmet-forehead fatigue, shoulder & hand fatigue and a few other minor discomforts as I closed in on the 150-175 mile mark (with no stops in between) with that said it was time for that rest-stop break. Seating comfort: There is basically no room to move fore & aft - you're pretty much locked into one space on the saddle. Saddle height: I usually had my Stock Honda saddle set on the tallest setting. With the Russel saddle I found the seat height worked best on the lowest setting. Stop & go traffic is a little challenging with the Russell - the wings on either side of the saddle make it harder to set just one leg down at a traffic light - you're thighs are slightly suspended horizontally due to the saddle wings - extending one's leg down (at a stop-light) requires more effort that normal. I think for city driving or commuting I'll use my Sargent seat for rides under 50 miles , but the longer touring rides the Russel is the way to go.
In any event I was told to expect break-in to take between 1000-1500 miles so more time is needed in the saddle to fully appreciate what I'm sitting in. All-in-all I'm impressed with seat - it's great not needed to bail after 77-90 miles & just keep on riding. Hope this is helpful - Cheers!
Update: 1600 Mile report on my now broken-in Russell: - IT is the bomb. 100, 200 + miles & no stopping! (I feel) It's finally broken in - after riding a few other bike this weekend; '18 wing, '19 R1250 RT, those seats did not feel as good as the Russell. The Russell was one of the most $$$ upgrades to my ST - however, it is the best at removing that P.I.A. feeling I used to experience around the 75-100 mile mark (Even with a Sargent seat) I've also finally learned to adapt to the stop-n-go traffic detail of setting both feet down first. The seat-wings make it almost impossible to extend just one leg at a stop-light when you first come to a stop. It's 2nd nature now...
I'm 6' 210# 34" inseam.
Initial review: After 800 miles of riding in the last two weeks:
First: Service from Russell: very good, but expect a 3-4 month wait. They call & email with detailed questions prior to fabricating my new saddle, they communicate very well - the whole process went smoothly.
Build quality is impressive - leather is beautiful, smells great and feels even better after 400 mile run in the saddle.
The seat is MUCH FIRMER than I was anticipating (after years of use from both the stock Honda seat and also a Sargent seat). However, before riding with the RusselI seat I was NEVER able to make it past 80-90 miles without a significant butt-break on either the stock Honda saddle or the Sargent saddle (found the Sargent better than stock, just not by much) . True to their (Russell) word - NO pain or sorenes - I happily sailed past the 90 mile mark no more nagging soreness & burning, however, interestingly I began to experience new comfort issues that I had not experienced in my past sub 90 mile butt-breaks: Helmet-forehead fatigue, shoulder & hand fatigue and a few other minor discomforts as I closed in on the 150-175 mile mark (with no stops in between) with that said it was time for that rest-stop break. Seating comfort: There is basically no room to move fore & aft - you're pretty much locked into one space on the saddle. Saddle height: I usually had my Stock Honda saddle set on the tallest setting. With the Russel saddle I found the seat height worked best on the lowest setting. Stop & go traffic is a little challenging with the Russell - the wings on either side of the saddle make it harder to set just one leg down at a traffic light - you're thighs are slightly suspended horizontally due to the saddle wings - extending one's leg down (at a stop-light) requires more effort that normal. I think for city driving or commuting I'll use my Sargent seat for rides under 50 miles , but the longer touring rides the Russel is the way to go.
In any event I was told to expect break-in to take between 1000-1500 miles so more time is needed in the saddle to fully appreciate what I'm sitting in. All-in-all I'm impressed with seat - it's great not needed to bail after 77-90 miles & just keep on riding. Hope this is helpful - Cheers!
Update: 1600 Mile report on my now broken-in Russell: - IT is the bomb. 100, 200 + miles & no stopping! (I feel) It's finally broken in - after riding a few other bike this weekend; '18 wing, '19 R1250 RT, those seats did not feel as good as the Russell. The Russell was one of the most $$$ upgrades to my ST - however, it is the best at removing that P.I.A. feeling I used to experience around the 75-100 mile mark (Even with a Sargent seat) I've also finally learned to adapt to the stop-n-go traffic detail of setting both feet down first. The seat-wings make it almost impossible to extend just one leg at a stop-light when you first come to a stop. It's 2nd nature now...
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