Seat Mods

[joesnomad]

I was wondering if any one has had any dealings with a company called Butt Buffer http://www.buttbuffer.com/ They are located in Ephrata Pa. I talked to the guy on the phone the other day, they offer drive in service and prices seemed fairly reasonable. They will remake my seat both driver and rider to fit me and install a gel pad for around $225-$250. If the stock covering can be reused. If they have to make new covers for both it would be approx $150-$225 more. Still not real cheap but I was looking at Russel's Day Long seats which I really like but what I want would be $875 plus shipping 2 ways.and insurance. The budget wont allow that one. I like the relatively flat surface of the Russel's I feel that is what it would take to make me comfortable. I cant stand anything touching up against my lower back it just feels like a hot knife is being stuck in back in just 2-3 miles I purchased a Corbin dual tour in 06 it was ok the first and 2nd year but for some reason this year my back must have gotten worse because I just cant deal with it. I put the stock seat back on tried both with a pro pad then I made another pad out of dense foam so I could hopefully set above the rise in the back of the seat. Well its close to being the same height but when I sit on it, its still about 1" low. But if I can stay away from the back part it seems to be ok. That is why I think a flat seat would be the answer for me. A back rest would help greatly but it wouldn't solve all the problems. I would like to have 1 of Lonnie's back rest but I need to get the seat issue fixed first.

[cactusjack]

The problem with gel pads is they tend to be very dense and get very hot and retain the heat for a long time. I don't know how big a concern that is for you in PA, but here in Phoenix, it's a very big consideration. A black seat gets hot anyway, a black seat with a gel pad in the summer is like sitting on a hot iron. Just my $.02 worth.

[dantama]

Good point Cactus, I have a gel cover that I can toss on top of the seat if I want. I remember the instructions saying that you can microwave it in the winter before a ride, or refrigerate it in the summer.

Haven't done it, but it backs up what you say.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

The problem with gel pads is they tend to be very dense and get very hot and retain the heat for a long time. I don't know how big a concern that is for you in PA, but here in Phoenix, it's a very big consideration. A black seat gets hot anyway, a black seat with a gel pad in the summer is like sitting on a hot iron. Just my $.02 worth.

I agree, I have a Butt Buffer pad that goes on the seat rather than built into it. I used it for a summer, and while at first it seemed a little more comfortable, after a while my back still felt the same as it did without it on the bike. I now have a Piper modified seat, and it too bothers my back after a while in the saddle. I don't know what the answer is, other than keep trying different seats until you find the right one. Thats not a practical idea if you have to keep on buying seats. I once talked to a guy that put a Corbin seat on his 99 Nomad and he said it made a huge difference in his comfort. It is a very firm seat, almost hard, but he said it was much better than the stock saddle.

[waterman]

I must be one of the freaks. Last year I was ready to do something to the seat because it was uncomfortable. Looked at a couple of sites for memory foam modification. However, this spring, I took a long ride and the seat seems to be breaking in finally. Only modification I will make is getting a backrest and possibly risers to move me back a little.

[cactusjack]

I rode about 250 miles yesterday and even with the Mustang seat, it was getting uncomfortable. I don't know what the answer is, either.

[dantama]

I wonder how much of seat style is just for the factory to get the look they want.

For many decades farm machinery and heavy equipment came with a metal seat, and all of them that I've seen had the same modified triangle shape.

I've seen that shape on very old harleys, and on a few newer police harleys, but not on any other bikes. I've wondered if there must be something to that shape, for it to last so many decades on equipment that was sat on with no padding at all for the whole day.

[bobzinger]

I'll attest to the fact that gel pads get very hot...Cooks your nads and stays hot for a long time.

[bobzinger]

Joe...was that $875 a from thier web page or a real quote? I have the Russell Day Long seat and even with the extra charges for heavy weight suspension front and back, CA sales tax, and the $80 "drive in" service it was $770 OTD...about the same as a Corbin. Call them and get a quote.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by bobzinger

I'll attest to the fact that gel pads get very hot...Cooks your nads and stays hot for a long time.

Hard-boiled eggs, Bob?

[oledawg]

Joe, I have talked with the guy & his wife at the Ephrata Bkfst. and the prices they told me were much lower than those you have. I don't know of anyone who has used their service, so not much help there, but there is a guy on Statton Island in NY calls his Co. The Phoenix and I've heard good things about his work, and his prices were very reasonable. Also he offered Leather as well as Vinyl.

[oledawg]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I rode about 250 miles yesterday and even with the Mustang seat, it was getting uncomfortable. I don't know what the answer is, either.

Jack, we don't get the heat here in Pa. like you get out there, but of all the things I've tried (Plenty) the sheepskin pad worked best,
but it looks like crap. The Mustang is much superior to the stock seat but still Fry's my touch when it hits the 90's. So in spite of many tries at different products I'm back to that goofy looking sheepskin. (natural) I've been thinking of trying one of those dyed one's from Alaska, I think at least they look so much better.

[joesnomad]

I did like the Corbin when I first got it. Yes it is very firm, it was a huge improvement over stock. however for some reason 2 years later its unbearable to me. Other people who have ridden on it love it some say its ok.
Bob I got the price off the website but in that price I included the backrest as I dont know if one of Lonnies work with that seat.
Ole Dawg I asked him for the worst case senario. I figure that the front seat would need recovered because it would look totaly different when completed. The passenger pillion would be ify but still maybe able to use the original. If I do get him to do the work it wouldnt be just taking off the cover on the front seat and inserting a gel pad it would involve raising the foam level then shaving down the back part the seat and cutting down some of the front part of the seat that goes over the tank. I need a flatter seat not that I really like the look ,although I do like the look of Russels seats. Its just what seems to be comfortable to me. I would not be opposed to putting sheep skin over the seat if I find it to be to hot. I'm really after comfort.
I would hope that the seat could be completed for under $400. Is that closer to the price that they were quoted ? Or were they talking only about having the gel inserted in the existing config.

[mrfuni]

Combo Mustang seat and an Alaska butt pad works for me. The sheepskin keeps me cool especially in the hot Florida sun. Joe

[Bdog]

Yep my butt is aching too..especially the tail bone area! Stock seat looks good but is crap. Not sure what to do because I'm hearing mixed reports on the expensive seats out there. I have a sheepskin buffing mitt( $8) that I dismantled with a pair of scissors, cut it to the shape of the seat. It's not pretty butt it works very well, I can ride all day with very little discomfort. I think next winter I will seek out an apholster to do some mods to the stock seat. I ran into voyager and thats what he had done to his seat for about 75 bucks.