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just call me Mr. Hibbs
07-17-2011, 05:38 AM
Thinking about a seat upgrade and know a lot of members are happy with aftermarket seats like Mustang, Corbin, Russel Daylong etc but wondered if anyone has the Kawasaki gel seat and what they think of it.
ringadingh
07-17-2011, 07:55 AM
I had a Butt Buffer gel pad that I put on my seat, I found it too be very hot in the summer. Especially after the bike sat in the sun for a while. Overall I don't think the gel pad did a great job, it was a change but not really an improvement. Im not sure if the Kawi seat would absorb heat like that or be more comfortable.
Considor an Ultimate seat, they are made somewhere in Mississauga, and are supposed to be very good.
dale55
07-17-2011, 08:11 AM
If u are cheap like I am you may want to keep the stock one and consider some seat beads. Supposed to be pretty good especially on longer rides. Does raise you up some from what I have heard.

Dale
chucks1911
07-17-2011, 08:37 AM
Don't cheap out on this item. Seat comfort can make or break your whole "motorcycling" experience. I have the Ultimate and wouldn't trade it for the world.

Came with a tag that says "made in canada"
landman
07-17-2011, 10:23 AM
spend the money up front and get the ultimate seat.or you can do like i did and first try gel pads sheep skins,mustang seats none of which worked out real well for me.i love my ultimate!
recumbentbob
07-17-2011, 10:36 AM
I sent my seat to http://greatdaytoride.com/

he modified it and it is very comfortable.

Bob
AlabamaNomadRider
07-17-2011, 10:36 AM
Here is a link from the Vulacan Forum. Read where one guy bought it and liked it.
http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5192
cactusjack
07-17-2011, 10:46 AM
Just my opinion, but I don't have faith that Kawasaki can build a comfortable seat for the Vulcan line. I think the aftermarket does it better. Of course, there are those who like the stock seat, but I wasn't one of them.
ponch
07-17-2011, 11:26 AM
Get a seat that is made for you. Off the shelf seats can be an improvement, but for the same money I would rather get a custom seat that is made for my ass and not a compromise to work with a broad range of people's asses. Just saying. ;). Russell is one, Rich's seats is another, Rick Mayer comes to mind.
ponch
07-17-2011, 11:28 AM
Just my opinion, but I don't have faith that Kawasaki can build a comfortable seat for the Vulcan line. I think the aftermarket does it better. Of course, there are those who like the stock seat, but I wasn't one of them.

When I rode the Voyager, it was a lot better than the stocker or the Mustang on my 1600, but I didn't get a chance to try it on the long haul. In fact, I liked it better than the Ultra's seat as that seat put a little pressure on my tailbone. I felt that it would bother me after a while.
ponch
07-17-2011, 11:31 AM
This is a russell on a Nomad.

http://www.day-long.com/gallery_Kawasaki/Vulcan_02.jpg
ringadingh
07-17-2011, 11:39 AM
Ray; I wouldn't be surprised if you rode over to Ultimate that they would probably let you try one out
coacha
07-17-2011, 12:04 PM
I went to Ultimate in Daytona and they put one on my bike and offered it to me for 2 weeks to test.
Top Cat
07-17-2011, 12:09 PM
I have tried Mustang, Kawasaki Gel, and a variety of mods I did to my stock seat. Was not happy with any of them.
I now have an Ultimate seat I got off Ebay and it is better but NOT great.
I have taken the cover off and used an electric carving knife to slim down the front sides and added foam to the front top. I also put a sheet of plastic over the foam before I recovered the seat as the Ultimate will let water in the seams and soak into the foam.
They say they do this so it will not hold the heat. But it is a pain in the ass to have to cover the seat when washing the bike.
They sell a cover for $30 for this purpose. If any one of you guys who have an Ultimate seat need a rain cover let me know http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif I have one I don' need anymore.
VulcanE
07-17-2011, 12:20 PM
Ray, I replaced my OEM seat with a Mustang, and it was a great improvement, but on a long ride (ride taking several days or longer) the seat became very uncomfortable. I tried beadrider seat covers and they are fantastic on day trips, but again on longer trips, started feeling like sitting on a concrete curb. I then tried a HD product called Circulator Seat Pads (here's a LINK (http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444877408 2&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374309040862&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374309040862&locale=en_US&locale=en_US&bmUID=1310922507924&bmLocale=en_US) ) to them. These things are great. But ultimately, in January, I went ahead and ordered a custom made seat, and posted it here. I'm very impressed with the comfort and the looks of this seat, and the price is about the same as a Mustang. Here's a link to my post on the new seat.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=22199&start=0
jasperboy
07-17-2011, 02:01 PM
Ray,
I have been using a Kaw-Gel for the past few years and am pleased with them. I got both the rider and "tall" passenger off ebay, and like the way the tall passenger feels when I don't put my grasshopper on.
Had a Mustang on the previous Nomad, but didn't feel it was worth $600. Might spring for a custom or Ultimate some day, but the Kaw-Gel is good enough for me now.
Can't beat the prices, I've seen them for low $100's.
Jeff
just call me Mr. Hibbs
07-17-2011, 02:30 PM
A lot to consider, thanks to everyone for responding :)

Ray
AlabamaNomadRider
07-18-2011, 03:39 AM
Ray be sure and let us know what you decide to go with.
Top Cat
07-18-2011, 10:01 AM
Ray be sure and let us know what you decide to go with.

Really, why do we care Gene ???
ponch
07-18-2011, 10:03 AM
Ray be sure and let us know what you decide to go with.

Really, why do we care Gene ???

It's keeps the post count going up. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
Top Cat
07-18-2011, 10:10 AM
Really, why do we care Gene ???

It's keeps the post count going up. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

That is what I thought. ;)
waterman
07-18-2011, 10:18 AM
If u are cheap like I am you may want to keep the stock one and consider some seat beads. Supposed to be pretty good especially on longer rides. Does raise you up some from what I have heard.

Dale

I have a set of beads for the seat. I love them. I can change it up by removing them or having them on the seat. When it is hot, they sure do move the air under your butt to keep it cooler.
usranger74
07-18-2011, 11:54 AM
If u are cheap like I am you may want to keep the stock one and consider some seat beads. Supposed to be pretty good especially on longer rides. Does raise you up some from what I have heard.

Dale

I have a set of beads for the seat. I love them. I can change it up by removing them or having them on the seat. When it is hot, they sure do move the air under your butt to keep it cooler.

I use both the beads and an air hawk cushion. I change one to the other at gas stops when on a long ride. on short rides, I like the beads best when it hot as more air circulates under them.
jmax5105
07-18-2011, 12:58 PM
I ordered the HD circulator pad the other day. I don't have the cash to buy a new seat right now and that looked like the best option until I can upgrade. Hopefully it gets me to the West Coast Rally and back ok. I'll let you guys know how it works out for me. I hope that between that and the Grasshopper backrest, the stock seat will work ok for the rally.