ST1100 Aftermarket Seat For A Tall Rider

Garry_Coates

Garry_Coates

Joined
May 16, 2017
Messages
75
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Bike
Honda ST1100 ABS/TCS
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 guy I know who has already done a few ST1100s with new foam. Great reputation.

2. Buy aftermarket:

  • corbin
  • sargentcycle
  • saddlemen
  • topsellerie
  • russell day long

I have reviewed their websites and only topsellerie has 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 my 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
 
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I can say that I think the Russell would be your best choice. All day comfort is what you really do get. I'm not your size (smaller) but Russell can accommodate you too, no problem. Just ask Uncle Phil - mileage eating king - what he thinks of them. He has 3!
 
"..... He has 3!"

I think it's 4, but who is counting?

I think Russell has changed hands. The seat I got from the less than a year ago was not a typical Russell Day Long from years past. :mad:
 
I’m a midget compared to you at 188cm 6’2” but around the same weight. I have tried 3 on your list and next season will try a 4th. The OEM seat makes me feel I’m riding on top of the bike and less control. I then got a travelcade, which dropped the seat height and made for a more comfortable ride. My second ST1100 came with a worn out Corbin, I reupholstered it, added a 1/2” foam and that has been the most comfortable riding seat for me on a 10-14 hour riding day. I tried a Russel Day long for a day. It was for a rider 2” shorter than me and 30lbs lighter. I wasn’t a fan of that seat, and because it wasn’t built for me that review is kinda worthless. I acquired a Spencer last fall and have yet to try it out.
Do you still have the original set up for handlebars? Risers or Helibars make a vast difference in your riding comfort and seat to bar relationship. I have Helibars and I can tweet the position of the bars to lessen the fatigue on my torso and arms and the position of my legs. A slightly more upright position changes the seating geometry and the rotation of your hips to your legs. By adjusting the brake and clutch levers so they are in line with your hand stretched out, so you don’t break your wrist when you have to grab the lever, also eases the fatigue factor.
As I ride solo 99% of the time I also tend to place my feet on the passenger pegs, I would also alternate with one foot on the passenger and the other on the front peg, change them up.
For taller people all the little things I mentioned affect our comfort when riding. In my opinion changing the seat will not necessarily get the result you seek, rather, the relationship to the controls and seating position go hand in hand as it were. Your results will vary of course.
 
Hi Guys,
thanks for the feedback. I have contacted a Ron on www.st-riders.net that has had multiple RDLs. Hi Kiltman thanks for the feedback. Did the 3 seats you have tried apply any science to the choice decision? Measurements taken? Changes made?

For ergonomics please refer to http://cycle-ergo.com/

The two problems I have with the seat are: it is angled too low at the front and my knees touch the faring. I slide forward a bit in stop/start traffic which is annoying. The oem seat just feels too soft, low and narrow. No control problems for me and in the past have done 1200km days.

I have lowered the foot pegs 22mm to get a better knee angle and the air seat gives me an additional 10mm. Some aftermarket seats come 30mm higher. I use the OEM bars and would prefer them lower and wider. Higher bars would not improve knee and hip much (refer ergo website for the st1100). They would also impact getting low when cornering.

My two trail bikes have higher bars etc as I spend a lot of time standing up. No problems there with a 930+mm seat heights.

Regards Garry
 
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Garry_Coates said:
The two problems I have with the seat is angled too low at the front and my knees touch the faring. I slide forward a bit in stop/start traffic which is annoying. The oem seat just feels too soft, low and narrow. No control problems for me and in the past have done 1200km days.
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You're being too kind. Mine slides me forward at all times, and my knees are bent much too far to use my legs to push back. I end up either hugging the bike with my knees, which is tiring, or hugging it with my you-know-whats.

If it wasn't for my PSR blades, the ride would be hateful, especially for long rides. I often keep my right foot forward even when riding where I need to shift gears a lot. Having a second foot position really changes pressure points.

When I make my legs completely comfortable with my feet on the main pegs, I'm sitting on the back half of the seat. Fortunately, I have Helibars on top of extra-long risers, so arms are no issue. I really need a custom-made seat.
 
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Larry Fine said:
I really need a custom-made seat.
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Yes, you really do Larry and I suggest you take some of your holiday time and book a one day ride in service with Russell to get a RDL custom fitted at the factory. By the time you get back home on the new seat, it will be broken in and you'll have a great cross country trip too, especially comfy on the way back!

Been there done that and it is totally worth the personal touch at the factory, where any needed adjustments can be made the same day.
 
Garry_Coates said:
The two problems I have with the seat is angled too low at the front and my knees touch the faring. I slide forward a bit in stop/start traffic which is annoying. The oem seat just feels too soft, low and narrow.
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The Russell seat tilts you back somewhat, so that your butt is firmly planted into the pocket of the seat, which will also change your knee position for the better. The Russell also raises you a bit higher than the stock seat. You will NOT slide forward on a RDL and neither will a passenger, as their portion of the seat, if you choose to do the full seat, also tilts them back.
 
Garry_Coates said:
Hi Guys,
thanks for the feedback. I have contacted a Ron on www.st-riders.net that has had multiple RDLs. Hi Kiltman thanks for the feedback. Did the 3 seats you have tried apply any science to the choice decision? Measurements taken? Changes made?

For ergonomics please refer to http://cycle-ergo.com/


Regards Garry
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Sadly there was no science involved. The first seat, the travelcade, was second hand and I acquired it just after purchasing my 1990 ST. For me it made a world of difference. I did not encounter any sliding forward. My second ST the 97 had a Corbin, and I switched back and forth between it an the travelcade. I kept the Corbin and gave the travelcade to the new owner of the 1990. I acquired a second Corbin but it was a different model, the pan of it wasn’t as nice. That one will go with the 97 when I sell it in the spring. Oddly my 2002 came with a travelcade and it too will be included with the sale of the 97. I will keep my original Corbin. I need to change the cover of it to one that will match my new bike. In the meantime I will try the Spencer.
All the best on your search.
 
I am 6'-4" 220# Could only ride 100 miles on the OEM seat and bars. Bought the Helibars ($500) and RDL ($630). Much, much better. Road 400miles with only minor fatigue. The RDL definitely is higher than OEM. Gave them my measurements and two pictures of my on the bike with center stand. I think you will also be better off doing both Helibars and RDL. I also had to put on MRA 4025066125036 X-Creen Clear Bolt-On/Add-On Variable Windscreen Spoiler Blade ($129) to move the wind above my helmet and it works great.

Chris
1993 ST1100
 
Bush said:
Yes, you really do Larry and I suggest you take some of your holiday time and book a one day ride in service with Russell to get a RDL custom fitted at the factory. By the time you get back home on the new seat, it will be broken in and you'll have a great cross country trip too, especially comfy on the way back!
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There is no way I can afford the time to ride that far and back, nor the toll it would take on my body. I also can't afford the expenses to even get there, such as gas, food, lodging, not to mention the cost of such a seat.
 
Thanks guys, this is a good conversation but no cigar. RDL seems to be the answer but I am none the wiser on the actual measurement difference between it and the OEM. To the guys who have an RDL what science was employed in you decision? Did anybody get one customised by a phone conversation or a web form? What info does RDL gather? I cannot go to the RDL factory so would like an objective way to ensure I get what I need. I know somebody in Australia who had to send their ST1100 RDL back for more work which is expensive. The alternative for me is to go on a 4000km journey to somebody who has a great reputation and knows the ST well (see original).
Regards Garry
 
The RDL will generally sit you about 1-2 inches higher than the stock seat on a ST1100 (I have 4 ST1100s and 2 RDLs with back rests). I also do the flip-clip handlebar mod that raises the bars up and back about 1 inch. BTW, I'm 6'2" tall with a 32 inch inseam - on good days. :biggrin:
 
Garry_Coates said:
What info does RDL gather?
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You would need to send them your height, weight, and inseam measurements. You also have to send them a few photos of you sitting on the bike, in as close to your normal riding position as possible. They want photos that clearly show your leg placement and where your butt rests on the stock seat, so wear pants that clearly show the distinction between your arse and the seat. Full details of their requirements are on their website.

Day-Long - Motorcycle Seats - Russell Cycle Products

Welcome to Russell Cycle Products, home of the World Famous Day-Long® Touring Saddles! The Day-Long motorcycle seat is designed for comfort & support...
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Garry_Coates said:
Did anybody get one customised by a phone conversation or a web form?
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I imagine the vast majority of RDL owners did the web form process, as they only do one ride in service build per day. Yes, there have been some here that had to send them back for an adjustment, but the numbers we hear of seem quite low. Good photos and exact measurements probably go a long way to preventing a problem. Mine was done with the ride in service and it was perfect from the get go. Went down again the following year with another 1100 buddy and he had the same experience.
 
I've done it both ways. The first one was phone/form and it was fine. I decided on getting it 'refurbed' after 200,000+ miles and having them build me a second one so I did a ride in. In my experience, the ride in is much better because they can perfect it with you sitting on the bike. Once they build the 'mat', you sit on the 'mat' on the bike in normal riding position and give them feedback as to more forward tilt, hot spot here, etc. -

 
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