Which one???
- Thread starter bigkev
- Start date
Just a thought of an alternative. I've used an Airhawk cushion for my travels. One of the things that I've done to adjust the seating position is to slide it forwards and backwards. Sliding it slightly rear will force you forward.
Chris
Chris
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
With respect to RDL seats, whether or not an they will move you forward depends completely on how any given RDL seat was made, not on the fact that it is an RDL. All RDL seats are custom made to the original purchasers requirements and desires. If that person wanted to be moved closer to the tank it will have been made with the seat pocket moved further forward. Conversely, people with long legs will have had it made with the seat pocket as far back away from the tank as they deemed desirable for them.
Have you considered going to an STOC event to see and try a variety of saddles? The Sargent that was on my bike when I bought it was flat and hard, and surprisingly comfortable. That seat was what I would call neutral - it did not push me against the tank or seat me farther away.
Ty i did not know that, but now I do.I think that's the seat I'll get then.Because I'll have it adjusted to my needs.I appreciate that thank you
Where is that event
Oh boy.
Be nice. There's probably an emoticon for a slap on the head when he realizes what STOC is. 
Attachments
Good choice.
Well, you just missed one:
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/oh-stoc-2026-jun-11-14-mcarthur-oh.189551/
But there are plenty more:
https://www.st-owners.com/forums/calendar/
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1uQoasZS0qKLihdS4F_sHFEq_-Emw5C0&ll=36.87893774291169,-84.08243308872895&z=5
The next question, now that you know What it is, ... is Where and When is the next one that you can get to? 
The other question that just bounces around in the dark neglected recesses of my mind and doesn't go away is...why spend the money for a custom seat and skip all the intermediate cost options? I know, "different strokes for different folks", or something like that. Just checking quickly on the RDL website, it looks like I could spend anywhere from $600 to over $1000. And buying a used RDL is questionable since that's the entire appeal of a RDL or other custom seat. It is for my derrière, not someone else's.The next question, now that you know What it is, ... is Where and When is the next one that you can get to?
Airhawks seem to have gone up in price to right around $100. Not cheap, but if it works, it saves $400 - 900 dollars for other farkels or overnight trips. Beadrider seems to have gone out of business, but I found hard wooden beads were wonderful on a previous bike. Other beaded seat cushions are still around. A million taxi cab drivers in NYC can't be all wrong.
And lastly, there are a number of gel seat cushions. What goes in to the custom seat? Oh...padding. Probably gel padding. Just like in the $39 gel seat cushion off Amazon that makes my low seat (with little to no built-in padding) option on my BMW an all day seat.
Let's see. $40 for a seat cushion vs $600 for a seat...plus I'm out the seat while they build it.
The worst that can happen is the OP is out $40. The best that can happen, is he walks away with half a grand in his pocket to spend elsewhere.
I'm missing something...
Chris
That’s not what I meant but it came out wrong and a bit snarky. Seats are so personal but I guess we have to start out somewhere and a seat thread is as good as any. I prefer the feel of hard or firm seat that is flat or slightly dished. Sargent, Corbin, Ultimate or Mayer were good seats for me with Sargent the best, for me, on a ST1300. I had a Russell Day Long on a Goldwing and I did not like the way the “wings” forced me to slide forward in order to reach the ground. Goldwing with an Ultimate worked better for me. At OH-STOC one year a rider noted my ST had a Sargent seat. His bike had a new Sargent and he asked when would it break in? My Sargent had 135,000 miles, his was brand new. Sitting on each in turn revealed no discernible difference in feel.
Top of this page, click on 'Home', right hand column. Click on any event for the thread describing location, lodging, food, etc.
I'll add that seeing and trying someone else's custom (or stock aftermarket) seat will give you a LOT of information about the design of the seat and its suitability for your body. For example, both @dduelin and I are short guys with legs that just reach the ground. I found the narrow and curved OEM seat did not push my legs outward. The Sargent that came w/ my 1300 did push my legs outward a bit but I could still tiptoe the bike at stops. An RDL I tried was like a fitted bucket seat with 'wings' that lifted my feet off the ground unless I slid forward and kissed the tank. A taller guy might not have this problem - but I've read some guys don't like RDLs. YBMV.
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