opinions on seats

[sarge1057]

Hello everyone I’m looking for opinions on Mustang seats, Corbin and even the Day long. This past winter I had a local upholstery shop put in a gel pad but I’m not satisfied. To be honest it was more comfy as a stock seat with the beads on it. I may try to modify it myself but would really love opinions on the above mention seats. My concern is that this summer I will be going cross country 16 days 300 hundred to 500 hundred mile days need to be comfy.

[dogdoc]

vast majority are going to say Mustang. my brother bought one for his Nomad and loves it. Im fixing to pull the trigger and buy one myself with backrest of course.

[cactusjack]

Seats are very subjective things. What works for me may not work for you. I have a Mustang seat with the driver backrest. I also put a Mustang on my previous bike. Is it like sitting on air? No. It was a vast improvement over the stock seat, though.

I say this a lot, but it's too bad you can't "try before you buy". Seats are damn expensive, and it would be great to be able to demo one before you plunk down hundreds of dollars.

[trip]

CJ is right....every butt is different. I've ridden over 40,000 miles on the Nomad stock seat with a Utopia backrest. But, that's what works for me.

Good luck on finding something suitable.

[taranis]

If you're interested in more information on modding your own seat, here's a pretty good site: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/

I've still got my stock seat with Grasshopper backrest, which suites me fine for 300-500 mile days, but if I were going for a new seat I'd drop the money on the Day-Long. Really expensive, but I've heard nothing but positive reviews on them. Kawi also has a stock gel seat for the Nomad that's around $200.00. It's too bad you can't try before you buy.

Trip is right though - everyone's different.

[dandolfn]

I'm getting ready to order a day long.

Most folks seem to say the Mustang moves you forward, and I don't want that.

[strobe]

CJ is right, very seats are very subjective.

Had the Mustang and call it the largest waste of money I spent on my bike. It seems that several taller riders have more issues with the stock / Mustang seats, I am 6'4" and it was no better than stock for me. I ended up with a Day Long from Russell Cycle Products and it is great!

[bobzinger]

I've got the Day-Long. It's awesome!

[shnyroq]

Love my Corbin - I can ride all day easily.

[Cajunrider]

Had mine modified by Mean City Cycles. I've only taken short rides since I put it on. It's very comfortable so far on the short runs. But, the stock seat was very nice until about 60 miles. Then it became a PITA....I'll post a report on the modified seat after my trip to Tennessee next week.

[ccmjr77]

I like my Mustang, but would have loved to try the day long. I have never sat on a corbin, but I have sat on a day long on a goldwing, very comfy.
If you get the Mustang, I would strongly suggest paying the extra for a backrest. My last bike, I had a mustang without the backrest and it is much nicer with the backrest.

[lw]

I moved from stock to Mustang when I found one for a steal of a deal, although it doesnt have a backrest. The difference in the height of the pillion of the Mustang provides more lower lumbar support for me than the stock did so it is OK without it for now.
My travel bag when fully packed makes a good backrest.

SHould I increase my travel mileage significantly in the future and have an extra grand to invest, I will likely go with the day-long.

[mikesth]

Here's the deal - just about anyone that pops for over $500 for a seat is going to tell you that theirs is the best. Problem is, almost no-one has bought two or more competitors seats to actually compare because the initial investment is so high. It is probably going to come down to you making an educated guess. Remember, these high-quality seats do conform to you, thus if you 'try' someone else's seat - it's conforming to their shape not yours. I do think that if you plan on doing a cross-country, you should spring for a better saddle, break it in fully, and then consider supplementing with bead seats/and/or sheepskin/gel, that way you can change if you start to develop hot spots or are uncomfortable. That's just my opinion though.

I think the one thing just about everyone agrees on is that the backrest is essential.

and I'm 6'4 and love my Mustang.

[skeeter]

Had a Mustang on previous bike. Found a deal on a used Mustang that would fit the nad and scarfed it up. No backrest yet. Previous owner upgraded to the backrest. I've put 17K miles on this saddle.

[ringadingh]

I have a Piper modified saddle, and it fits me better than stock , but after a long day in the saddle I want to get off the bike regardless of the seat.

[ponch]

FTR, I am 6'5 and north of 300. I used to get butt burn after 30 miles with the stock seat and I got the 2 piece wide vintage without a backrest and now I get 60 miles until butt burn starts. I will also say that the Mustang puts you forward and higher than the stock seat. I feel like I am sitting on the tank. I will either modify the Mustang myself or send it to Russell to have it Day Longed. A friend of mine did that with her 2004 Nomad and said it made a world of difference. In the interim, I have ordered a sheepskin pad from Alaska Leather. I haven't ridden on a Corbin, but I did sit on one, a rumble seat model on a V2K and it felt very firm, but better than you would think. You never really know though until you ride on one for more than a few miles. May be I will just sell the mustang.

[Scoot]

Had a Mustang on last bike got one for this bike love the Mustang

[landman]

asking opinions on seats is kinda like asking about oil.everyones but is differant so you will get varied opinions.i have owned
mustang seats on five differant cruisers from suzuki and kawasaki.for me they are very comfortable.i have also owned
corbin seats on a suzuki bandit 1200 and on a yamaha bike i had.
for that style of standard motorcycle they were very good.

[rlfaubion]

Have only ridden on an '03 and '06 stock seat, and then I rode to the Corbin factory in Hollister a few years ago, and had one custom made for my skinny ass. I have a Corbin Touring Seat. I ride 15,000 miles a year, and don't bar-hop. My longest trip is 3,000 miles. I would buy another one, but they are pricey now. None the less, I consider Corbin a good seat. They are firm for at least a 1,000 miles or more required for the break-in period.

[pirate]

To echo what others have said, it's a personal opinion topic. I had a Mustang on my VTX, and I was not satisfied with it at all. I didn't feel it was worth the $600 pricetag, and I won't buy another one.
On the Nomad, I have the stock seat with a newly added grasshopper backrest, and I really like it.

[Top Cat]

I had a Mustang on my 06 Yamaha. It wasn't any better than stock for me.
You CAN try Mustang seats and if your not happy you CAN return it in a certain amount of time.
I have a stock seat off a 2007 Classic on my Nomad with a grasshoppers back rest. It is much better than a stock Nomad seat.

[markusmaximus]

These comments are so helpful. I'm riding stock saddle now, but when (not if) I'm able to do some serious touring, I'll cough up a thou and buy the Russell Day Long seat. I like that the seat is made to fit your dimensions and riding posture.

[paul]

I Have experience with a standard Mustang and the Regal version. I highly recommend the Regal. It's sort of the pillow-top of Mustang seats. (Think pillowtop mattress). Add to that a sheepskin and you're good for the whole day! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[sarge1057]

Thanks for all the comments I know its a personal choice and got what I was looking for. I like the day long But almost feel I should go to the Factory. Between the Mustang and Corbin There wasn't any difference in Price. I went with the Corbin.

[mrfuni]

Love my Mustang. Put in several 500 + mile days with the Mustang and no problem...

[mattbren]

I have lowered my seat by 3" with eva foam, get a sore spot after 50 miles. Looking at putting a gel insert in, or injecting gel. Rides alot better than the stock.

[Todd]

My redone extra stock seat is ready at meancitycycles for me to pick up........two layers of medical/hospital quality memory foam.....gotta get it next week and break it in a little before Custer...will let ya'll know when I get there.

[oldbikers]

On several different bikes I have had 5 stock seats, 3 Mustangs, 2 Corbins and one Saddleman Travelcade built to my measurements and liked the Mustang better than any of the others just can't afford one right now.

[ponch]

THey don't have that for the 1600.


I Have experience with a standard Mustang and the Regal version. I highly recommend the Regal. It's sort of the pillow-top of Mustang seats. (Think pillowtop mattress). Add to that a sheepskin and you're good for the whole day! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Cajunrider]

My redone extra stock seat is ready at meancitycycles for me to pick up........two layers of medical/hospital quality memory foam.....gotta get it next week and break it in a little before Custer...will let ya'll know when I get there.

Todd, I had the same mod done on my stock seat. I think it will work out good. I've ridden maybe 40 miles on it so far. Not nearly enough to begin the break in. I'll know more after next week.

[Todd]

[quote="todd (Nomadis Custodis)":nbd9n5nb]My redone extra stock seat is ready at meancitycycles for me to pick up........two layers of medical/hospital quality memory foam.....gotta get it next week and break it in a little before Custer...will let ya'll know when I get there.

Todd, I had the same mod done on my stock seat. I think it will work out good. I've ridden maybe 40 miles on it so far. Not nearly enough to begin the break in. I'll know more after next week.[/quote:nbd9n5nb]

I dropped mine off by there and had a chance to talk with em a while...they were 30 days out taking reservations.....I told em no problem that I didn't need until the first of June...told em about the trip to Custer and the website. They showed me several seats in different stages of being reshaped and built and explaned exactly how they did it. Was very interesting and I enjoyed talking with em. Well, 5 business days after I dropped it off, they called and said come by a pick it up and make sure you like it...ride it a while for breakin and if something doesn't feel right drop it back off................Great Guys

[tomm]

Well, I went with the Day-Long, and frankly, after spending a thousand bucks for it, my brain is going to tell my butt it's sitting on a cloud even if my butt's telling my brain it's sitting on pointed rocks.
That aside however, it really is a very comfortable seat and I'm glad I got it, but I had also gotten pretty comfortable with the stock seat too. My biggest complaint with that was that it didn't seem to allow me to move around a lot into different positions.
However, a few things to note with the Day-Long.
1) Both driver and passenger seats are the same width at 18". Provides great support and comfort for both. Haven't seen any other seats that have a passenger seat that wide and the primary reason I went with the Day-Long instead of something else. Wife absolutely loves it.
2) The width does force me to slide forward a bit, even at 6'2", to put both feet flat on the ground at a stop.
3) The driver backrest, especially with the pouch, doesn't leave a lot of room for the passenger. I had to use a block to push the backrest forward a bit, and it's still snug. Forces me to sit up pretty straight, but that's probably a good thing. Don't find my back hurts anywhere near as much as it used to after a long ride.

[sarge1057]

Its so true after reading all these post it really depends on the butt, and not the seat I hope my butt likes the Corbin. :)

[dkdixie]

First, I'm not convinced there is a motorcycle seat that is comfortable for somebody that has no butt!

That being said, I figured there had to be one that would be better than stock seat.

So, after talking to many riders, setting on different custom and semi-custom seats, I purchased a Diamond Custom Seat (www.diamondseat.com) about 6 months ago.
While it may not be perfect, it is much better than stock. At least is designed to fit me.

If you view their website, you'll find you can not order on-line. They want to talk to you about your particular needs, how you want the seat designed, put you forward or further back, etc.

After we discussed the basics, I had a few points I wanted to make sure were covered.
I wanted to feel like I was sitting "in" the seat, instead of on top of it. Also wanted the backrest and back of rider seat to be one continuous line. Also asked move me forward about an inch.
Last, but not least, being 5'7" wanted to make sure I could sit with both feet flat on the ground.
All these points were covered.

As far as price, total cost was over 700.00 for all 5 pieces (including pouch). Not really that much more than some of the semi-custom seats out there. Too save a little money, the passenger backrest is a cover, but you really have to look at it to notice.

Diamond offers smooth or diamond pattern seat.....same price.



http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/dkdixie/Seat012.jpg

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee16/dkdixie/Seat013.jpg

[dantama]

If you're interested in more information on modding your own seat, here's a pretty good site: http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/



I've been thinking of modifying my own, and Taranis' link has great info. I have a 1500 mustang seat, and an extra stocker. The link inspired me to go to Goodwill and buy a used electric knife and I'll experiment before Custer.

My opinion that hasn't been covered yet is that the 1500's seat was a great stocker, and the 1600's sucks. Magazine opinions said the same thing back in 06 when it came out.

I was shocked on my first 100 mile ride on the 1600. I couldn't believe how bad it was. Others ride on the 1600 no problem though. As has been said, every butt is different.

[redjay]

I had a Mustang on my last bike (Virago) and it was better than the stocker which is horrendous. Having said that the Mustang was still only good for about 2 hours. Having that experience made me go for the Daylong on the Nomad. Now 500 mile days are in relative comfort.

[vaccam]

I am still on the stock seat on my 1500. I like it for comfort, but I wish it looked more like a custom. Does anyone recover stock seats? Oh, I just remembered that PH Customs will recover the stock seat.

When I had my Vulcan 750, I hated the stock seat so I put a Corbin on it. It looked fabulous, but ruined the ride. I could feel the bike shake much more than with the stock seat. Maybe that is not an issue on the Nomads. I switched to the Mustang seat and loved it, looks and comfort.

I did not realize a custom seat could move me forward. I could use a little more bend in my elbows.

Michael

[mattbren]

being an upholsterer I cant see where the money is on the after market seats.

[tazfl]

I'm still running the stock seat on my nomad at this time...but...I switched to a Mustang seat on my previous 1500 classic and LOVED it. I can't compare the mustang to any other seat cause I never purchased any other aftermarket seat. I do know that everyone that has the "daylong' seat raves about it, it's more money and looks sort of funky but it has a strong following.

[jamiep24]

I'm just glad I like the stock seat, that is, my butt likes the stock seat. Drove over 400 miles on Sunday without much stopping and never bothered me. I was really surprised. I figure that's 500 bucks I can spend on something else. Jamie

[Cajunrider]

I'll say this much for the stock seats, they do break in. I had ridden on my stock seat for about 9,500 miles when I purchased Valdez's new stock seat. I put it on my bike and couldn't ride more than 40 or 50 miles without a serious case of butt burn. On my broken in stock seat I could go over 100 without getting off. I sent the new stock seat to Mean City Cycles for modification. It's on the bike but I haven't ridden more than 10 miles with it. I'll know if my money was well spent next week on my 1,100 mile round trip to Tennessee.

[coacha]

Stopped over in Daytona yesterday and visited with the people at Ultimate seats. They had the Nomad 1500 seat in and put one on my bike so I could test ride it around the parking area...actually wanted me to take it out for a longer ride but I didn't feel comfortable doing that. I will tell you what, if I decide to get something other than my re manufactured seat, I would go with them. Great people, willing to do what ever it takes, 14 day no questions asked return, great product.

The Nomad 1600 model will be done in about 2 weeks. I will post pictures tomorrow.

[coacha]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/CoachA/RideintoHistory2009033-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v39/CoachA/RideintoHistory2009032-1.jpg

[dennisbailey]

Hey CoachA. What did that seat at ultimate seats cost?

[Todd]

Got my MeanCityCycles on this weekend....seems nice and comfy to sit on.....really rainy so I have not been able to put any miles on it. I like the look and position it puts you in....pretty much both are stock.

[coacha]

Hey CoachA. What did that seat at ultimate seats cost?

I think it was around $600 for rider and pillion and another $200 for the backrest, but don't quote me on that. It may be a little lower on each but I think I'm in the ball park.

Mike is getting one from Diamond Custom Seats, I think. He should have it in a couple weeks.

[racinchef]

I have had a Mustang seat on my '99 Suzuki Intruder LC1500, '97 Yamaha Royal Star, '00 Honda Valkyrie and my '00 Kawasaki Nomad and if I get another bike and the stock seat isn't to my liking a Mustang seat is my first choice. While the Mustang isn't perfect, it is a very good seat and the model that is studded with conchos makes any bike look super.

[ridemslow]

I had my stocker modified to resemble that of the 1600 Classic. The upholsterer used memory foam, no gel. That along with my BAKUP backrest, (similar to Utopia) make a great combo for me. ::) I think IMHO.. that Mustangs are over-rated, but the Daylong's look like a good investment. Either way you decide to go, make sure you have the backrest.

[sarge1057]

Well I got the Corbin in on Friday no long rides yet, but I defiantly like the way I sit in instead of on the seat.

[paulo]

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents---
I suffered a broken tail bone summer of 2007 and lost 4 months of riding.
As I started to ride, I found that the oem seat was very uncomfortable for me. I ordered the mustang seat with back rest attached to the driver seat. Once I was able to ride this seat has been great It has been a godsend---litterally it has saved my ass. Today, I am able to ride with comfort. I use the backrest all the time and find it is a must for me.