American Soft Seats

[jon]

I want to give a review of this company: http://www.americanasoftseats.com/

Several months ago I sent both stocks seats to this company for gel pad and memory foam inserts. Because I am 6'7", I also had them reshape my seat by lowering me 2" and moving me back about 2"s. The seats came back with excellent workmanship and looked new. My seat fit great although the nose of the pillion seat now presses into my lower back, like a low backrest. The price was $200.

My wife and I found them very firm at first, but the ride improved somewhat. We still suffered numbness or butt burn in an hour or so. I went to a bike rally in Jefferson, TX two weeks ago and noticed many bikers (both H-Ds and Wings) had sheepskin covers on their seats.

After a little Internet research I ordered black sheepskin buttpads from Alaskan Leathers. These were sized for my Nomad and fit and look great. The total cost was $100.
http://www.alaskaleather.com/

The combination of the AMSS gel pad/memory foam inserts and the Sheepskin Buttpads, make riding a dream. The wife and I went out twice this weekend for several hours each time with absolutely no discomfort. The funny thing is I found myself riding with my feet on the driver's floorboards the whole time instead of my usual position on the highway pegs to get comfort.

The good news is I think I found the perfect combination for our comfort.

The bad news is that at a total of $300 for the fix, in the back of my mind I wonder if for a little more, a Mustang seat with a backrest (around $550) would have been better.

[socwkbiker]

Ummmm, probably? You'll have to ask the guys who have bought them. I still have the stock seat and I'm just fine.

[socwkbiker]

Don't believe him jon. I'm only a few minutes from terrell and he can't hook up for a ride.

[dogdoc]

Jon; I appreciated your review of your seat fixes. I too am contemplating a Mustang as well as my brother. We both can't ride more than 50-100 miles w/o numb butts on the Nomads. We are wondering if that much money is going to totally fix our butts because some say NO. Sounds like you fixed it even better for half the cost. tell me more about how the seat company thingy works, how long it takes, etc. I'm going to check out both company's. Any pics would be nice as well as more details. Thanks and ride comfy.

[jon]

Now that I figured out how to post pics I'll post a few more of the seat.

When you go to Americana Soft Seats website, there is a great section that has pics and description of the step-by-step process.

I had my seats back within 10 business days.

[dogdoc]

great site, did you go with the 3/4 gel pad and the 1/4 inch memory? Which would be their soft version i think. What state are they in? Thx.

[bobzinger]

for $505 dual, or $400 solo, you can get a russell day long saddle...good for day after day riding.
http://www.day-long.com/index.htm

[Todd]

[quote:weknc5qj]Don't believe him jon. I'm only a few minutes from terrell and he can't hook up for a ride.

I don't know what your getting at, but as I remember you are the one that backed out on hooking up.[/quote:weknc5qj]

Now girls...behave!

On the serious side.....I guess it's just me...I previously had a Mustang on another bike and I find the stock Nomad seat to be very comfortable, as much as the Mustang was, for 200 miles when I need to stop for fuel......maybe just me ... I do suffer from noassatall disease.

[jon]

Doc,

They are located in new Jersey. I went with the 3/4 in gel pad and 1/4 inch memory foam on both seats.

The biggest benefit for me was they reshaped my seat by taking out foam in the back and moving me back a few inches. I'll post pics later of my seat (without the Buttpad) so you can see the difference.

Again, I did not find the comfort level greatly improved until we added the Buttpads. I would say it was better than stock, but I still couldn't ride in comfort more than 50 to 60 miles. Like I said earlier, I went for two hours in the saddle this weekend and didn't need to get off (just needed gas).

[dogdoc]

the only you don't get with american soft seat rebuild is no driver back rest. would have to add an aftermarket one for another $250.

[jon]

Add $250 for a backrest and I would have to think of a Mustang or Longrider. It was easier for me to spend the money slowly then tell the wife it's going to cost $500 to $600.

[dogdoc]

what size sheepskin gelpad did you go with, chart says lg but jumbo is about the size that looks best?

[jon]

I recall the chart for Nomad said medium for front and #4 for passenger seat. Fits perfectly. Double check the site.

[jon]

Kawasaki

Model
Driver Passenger

ZZ-12 R Pillion Type 1 Pillion Type 3
ZRX-1100 Pillion Type 1 Pillion Type 3
Ninja (all) Pillion Type 1 Pillion Type 3
ZX9 R Pillion Type 1 Pillion Type 3
ZX11 Pillion Type 1 Pillion Type 3
Vulcan (all) Medium Pillion Type 4
Drifter Large Pillion Type 1
Nomad Medium Pillion Type 4
Concours Medium Pillion Type 2
KLR/Tengai Dualsport or Dualsport Full Saddle N/A
Voyager (1200) Large Med. (turned around)
KZ Large Pillion Type

[Top Cat]

Here's my experience. I had a 650 silverado Yamaha last year. Seat pure torture. Wife couldn't go 20 miles with out pain. Put on a Mustang seat, $450. Not a heck of a lot better. Sold it on EBAY after using it for a couple weeks. Bought a gel pad at Americade and it felt like I was up in the air 2" higher than stock. Sent it back for full refund.
This year I got the Nomad and the seat doesnt bother me or her for 120 miles or so. Made a couple sheepskin pads by following the directions on Gadgets page. Sometimes they are better and sometimes they are not.
Bought a Bakup backrest and what a difference. Pricey but I think it was worth it.
Bottom line is I don't think Mustang is all it's cracked-up to be.