Why is my stock seat uncomfortable?

Given that the mod to my seat was done within the last 18 months and that the owner was approximately my size and not a 90 pound woman, I'm guessing there wouldn't have been much difference in how this seat was modded. Just a guess.

The difficulty I am having is knowing how much of my discomfort (if any) will subside as I become better conditioned to riding longer distances and how much of it (if any) is the result of an ergonomic misfit and is likely to be a permanent issue. So do I wait it out...or start throwing money at it?

Anyone have thoughts about the "annual butt conditioning" that a rider generally goes through?

BTW, I am in no way disparaging the Spencer seat mod. I am a total newbie to street riding with very, very limited experience. I have nothing (including a stock seat) to compare it with and given the number of highly satisfied customers Spencer has and the extraordinarily fair prices he charges, it clearly is a fine product...for many, if not all, riders.

Thanks.
 
In my case, it is because the PO had the seat OEM seat cut way down, and there's just not much padding left in there. Problem is, this being my first ST, I had no idea until sending the seat to Spencer to have it worked on and then finding out he couldn't do anything with it. Spencer was kind enough to send my payment back, but was still out $60 for shipping both ways. As a big boy, 6'2'', and 240, and need all the padding and height in the seat I can get.
 
My first ride on my St was 50 miles (after not riding for over 10 years), and my back side wasn't happy. I dropped off my seat the next day for a Spencer mod, and picked it up the following day. I wasn't happy at first and bought a Corbin, no help for my backside. Then I bought a Russell, still no joy. The Russell was fine on the road as was the brick Corbin, no joy for my short legs. They were to wide for me to flat foot the bike and made me uneasy with in town rides. I was upset with the whole deal, $ out the window and still only able to ride 50-100 miles without a break. I drifted around from seat to seat, and finally my back side started to get in shape. I went back to the Spencer seat, and I haven't looked back. The Russell, and the Corbin were not built for me. They made me feel like I was riding on them, were the Spencer seat makes me feel like I'm riding in the seat and part of the bike.Time in the seat was the key for me, and I since I can't afford leg extensions, I will keep riding in the Spencer seat. Now I will work on getting the backside in shape. I realize that I may never get to the point I can ride 1,000 miles in day like I did 20 years ago , seat time is my only hope.
 
Rick Gibson said:
My first ride on my St was 50 miles (after not riding for over 10 years), and my back side wasn't happy. I dropped off my seat the next day for a Spencer mod, and picked it up the following day. I wasn't happy at first and bought a Corbin, no help for my backside. Then I bought a Russell, still no joy. The Russell was fine on the road as was the brick Corbin, no joy for my short legs. They were to wide for me to flat foot the bike and made me uneasy with in town rides. I was upset with the whole deal, $ out the window and still only able to ride 50-100 miles without a break. I drifted around from seat to seat, and finally my back side started to get in shape. I went back to the Spencer seat, and I haven't looked back. The Russell, and the Corbin were not built for me. They made me feel like I was riding on them, were the Spencer seat makes me feel like I'm riding in the seat and part of the bike.Time in the seat was the key for me, and I since I can't afford leg extensions, I will keep riding in the Spencer seat. Now I will work on getting the backside in shape. I realize that I may never get to the point I can ride 1,000 miles in day like I did 20 years ago , seat time is my only hope.
Click to expand...

This must have been a real epiphany for you. Its something of that for me. "Time in the seat"....hhmmmm.......

This would tell me to be patient and maybe ride the existing seat for the summer and see where my head (and butt) are in a few months.

Hey, thanks!
 
Rick Gibson said:
The Russell, and the Corbin were not built for me. They made me feel like I was riding on them, were the Spencer seat makes me feel like I'm riding in the seat and part of the bike.
Click to expand...

This is the only part of what you said that doesn't resonate for me. I find the Spencerized seat of mine to be narrow...that it does not support the full (and impressive) width of my posterior. Someone described the stock seat as sitting on a paddled 2"x6".

The Corbin and Russell seats I've had a chance to sit on felt as though my entire rump and the tops of my thighs were "inside the seat". The aftermarket seats appear to be wider than the stock of Spencerized seat. And that, to me, spells more comfort (fewer pounds per square inch equals less "observed" pressure).

Just the opposite of what you said.
 
for me the problem with the stock seat as being pushed into the fuel tank all the time ....I found that I was constantly having to try and hold myself off the tank . I have a corbin now that I sit more "flat" and it is wider than the stock but I find that after a 300 mile day it is not totally comfortable either but got a really good deal on it so decided to give it a try . I may put the stock seat back on and give MCL seat risers a try .
http://www.MCL OUT OF BUSINESS - DO...ain_page=product_info&cPath=1_3&products_id=9
 
Everyones backside is a different size. What works for me, doesn't mean it will work for you. I feel apart of the bike using the Spencer seat, and on top of the bike with the other two. This is mainly because I can flat foot with the Spencer and only tip toe with the others. The width of the Corbin and Russell cut into the back of my legs when I stop and pit my feet down. I'm not trying to sell anything here, just relating my experience.
 
I have a Corbin Canyon Dual Sport (leather) on my '99 ST1100 which came on the bike when I bought it in 2006. It is not wide in the front and is sloped down where my legs are, so there is no ridge under my hamstrings to irritate them (of course the Corbin for the 1300 is probable made different).

But (or should that be butt), I had never been able to ride more than 50 miles before my hinney wanted a break. Then last year I tried a fleece pad that my wife had on her horse saddle and it made a Big difference. It has two elastic straps to hold it onto her saddle, one in the back to fit over the cantle (the raised curved part at the back of the
saddle) to help hold it in place. I strech it around the Corbin seat, and a short one on the front of the pad which goes around the saddle horn. That strap fits over the front of the seat and I put it over the stub that the front of the seat attaches to. Easy to put on, easy to take off.

I tried a rubber one (made out of the stuff as a tool box shelf liner is, only thicker) just like the fleece pad, but it only made the situation worse.

I don't know if the fleece allows a little non-stick butt movement, or air circulation or what, but it helps ALOT. Where, before I wanted to throw the Corbin away, now I can spend the money on some other farkles.

While I'm not saying this will work for you (though it may for someone) the reason I'm posting this is to say don't spend your money on a new seat until you experiment with something along this line.

The one I have is made like this gel one http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=be7caba9-9f4e-4274-b7e5-04765266f4c5 but is fleece on one side and some kind of material (black color) on the other. I don't think I would like a gel one because I'm thinking I would roll around on it too much, but I've never tried the gel.

I think the fleece one cost her about $15.00. I put the fleece side towards the saddle just because it looks better to me that way.
 
Well, the conclusion for me here is that there is no silver bullet. And I could go broke trying every possible solution. I think the best advice is:

1. Give mother nature a chance to toughen up my hindquarters and see if the existing (arguably a huge improvement over stock) seat becomes acceptable.
2. Try some simple, inexpensive remedies...sheepskin, gel, fleece pads.
3. Try as many seats as possible...though without riding a seat for several hours I don't know what I'd learn.
4. Then buy a (insert your favorite seat here.)

Actually one responder said something that i could identify with...the sensation that I am constantly sliding into the tank and that my "plumbing" is getting...how should I say this...packed a bit tighter than I like? I have a sense that this is a function, to a degree, of what I'm wearing. While I have tried the LD Comfort tights and they are my "go-to" undergarment, today it was 80-85 and I thought I'd just wear a pair of very light weight nylon cargo pants. Noticed a couple of things:

1. The air circulation around my legs was much improved and much appreciated.
2. My plumbing was still getting shoved around, but I think less so than with the LD Comfort.
3. The nylon pants I wore had a lot of pockets folds and zippers and while the material was ideal for this warm day, the design of the pants was less so...I can do better.
4. The sliding that was now possible between my nylon pants and my Darien pants made me more comfortable than I would have been with the LD Comfort. My conclusion is that LD Comfort is a great product, but maybe not so great for hot weather.
 
bobframe said:
Actually one responder said something that i could identify with...the sensation that I am constantly sliding into the tank and that my "plumbing" is getting...how should I say this...packed a bit tighter than I like? I have a sense that this is a function, to a degree, of what I'm wearing.
Click to expand...

As far as the sliding forward into the tank goes, I did that on my ST1100 even with bar risers on the stock handlebars (Corbin seat as in previous post). Then I switched to Heli Bars which let me set even more upright. After installing them (still same Corbin seat) I no longer slide forward.

Since they are made different, I don't know how much the Heli Bars that are made for the 1300 allow for sitting up straighter. Many here will know.

Also some of the guys with the 1300 set the front of the seat at one height and the back of the seat at a lower notch. I think they say you have to work at it a bit but it is do-able. Many here will know that too, and whether or not it helps with the sliding forward bit.

I don't have as much a problem with squashing my "boys" as others probably do. My wife keeps them locked away somewhere
and I rarely get to see them. But if they ever do get to go on a ride with me again I'm sure they will appreciate the Heli Bars as much as my shoulders and wrist do.
 
Larrypv said:
I don't have as much a problem with squashing my "boys" as others probably do. My wife keeps them locked away somewhere
and I rarely get to see them. But if they ever do get to go on a ride with me again I'm sure they will appreciate the Heli Bars as much as my shoulders and wrist do.
Click to expand...

LMAO. :D
 
Larrypv said:
Also some of the guys with the 1300 set the front of the seat at one height and the back of the seat at a lower notch. I think they say you have to work at it a bit but it is do-able. Many here will know that too, and whether or not it helps with the sliding forward bit.
Click to expand...

The stock seat does seem to have a forward pitch to it. I'd love to know how to set the back of the seat at a lower level than the front and bring the seat into a more "level attitude".
 
You can place the front attachment bracket in the middle or upper position, and force the rear of the rider's seat into the lower or middle slot. Someone on the forum also raised the front attachment bracket; a search might turn up the thread.
 
There is no need to spend a bunch of money on a custom seat unless you are a short guy who needs one cut down and made narrower
you can have a GEL-PAC installed under the stock upholstery flush with the foam so it can not be seen, you will think you are in an easy chair.
Average cost is under $250 for the Gel and labor. email me I will help if I can
motorcycledave@mac.com
Dave
 
Motorcycle Dave said:
There is no need to spend a bunch of money on a custom seat unless you are a short guy who needs one cut down and made narrower
you can have a GEL-PAC installed under the stock upholstery flush with the foam so it can not be seen, you will think you are in an easy chair.
Average cost is under $250 for the Gel and labor. email me I will help if I can
motorcycledave@mac.com
Dave
Click to expand...

I did my 919 (myself) for about $80. Big improvement. 3/4" gel + 1/2" memory foam. You can buy the kits on Ebay in all different sizes and shapes.

2466810311_9732bb5040.jpg


2466811731_0916fa904e.jpg


2467638330_9b7ecc9479.jpg
 
marylandmike said:
I did my 919 (myself) for about $80. Big improvement. 3/4" gel + 1/2" memory foam. You can buy the kits on Ebay in all different sizes and shapes.

2466810311_9732bb5040.jpg


2466811731_0916fa904e.jpg


2467638330_9b7ecc9479.jpg
Click to expand...

What exactly did you do? I've poked around eBay and don't find anything. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks.
 
Larrypv said:
As far as the sliding forward into the tank goes, I did that on my ST1100 even with bar risers on the stock handlebars (Corbin seat as in previous post). Then I switched to Heli Bars which let me set even more upright. After installing them (still same Corbin seat) I no longer slide forward.

Since they are made different, I don't know how much the Heli Bars that are made for the 1300 allow for sitting up straighter. Many here will know.



Also some of the guys with the 1300 set the front of the seat at one height and the back of the seat at a lower notch. I think they say you have to work at it a bit but it is do-able. Many here will know that too, and whether or not it helps with the sliding forward bit.

I don't have as much a problem with squashing my "boys" as others probably do. My wife keeps them locked away somewhere
and I rarely get to see them. But if they ever do get to go on a ride with me again I'm sure they will appreciate the Heli Bars as much as my shoulders and wrist do.
Click to expand...


I have done all of these things....except let someone lock my boys away where I can't get to them !
 
I received a message from someone who suggested that at least part of my problem is related to my height and how it forces me to sit on the bike. His suggestion was that my height forces me bend my knees a lot, causing me to put more weight on my butt and that if my legs were shorter (or if the pegs were situated lower) and my knees bent less that I'd be distributing some of my weight from my butt to my feet. This makes sense.

I appreciate his input and it goes to my original question of "WHY is my seat uncomfortable?". If I correctly understood this responder, you could try anyone's saddle and still be uncomfortable since its a weight distribution issue and not a seat padding/material/design issue.

Now, his solution was to install a certain brand of highway pegs. Might help, but it would seem to me that moving my feet forward would add to the weight being carried by my posterior...and therefore would help with stretching my knees out (which would be nice), but would not help with a sore butt.

It made me think about another approach. A good friend (and very experienced rider) has installed foot peg lowering kit on his R1200RT. The result is less bend in his (bad) knees and (I guess) some of his weight is shifted from his butt to his feet. Now, he also has a Russell Day-Long saddle, but he seems happy enough. Hard to say what is at the root of his satisfaction...probably a bit of both.

I'm thinking that simply lowering the foot pegs a skosh might also help.
 
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