Modifying / replacement seat - help my boney ar*e! [Archive] - SV650.org

Bayside GTR

27-02-08, 09:23 PM

Hi all!

Has anyone on here altered their seat - changed padding added extra themselves? was it easy to do and what did you use? how much difference did it make etc?

Touring europe in the summer and hoping to save my boney Ar*e a little grief! :smt100

Alternatively what replacement seats have people tried and how did you get on - were they worth the money?

Cheers guys!

dizzyblonde

27-02-08, 09:36 PM

get a gel seat. I got one, but bought it off a nice person on here, for touring France last year....a sound investment

zunkus

27-02-08, 09:36 PM

I did make my own seat from marine plywood, aluminum sides and foam. Also used rubber door stoppers for its feet. It came out really smart but I made it lower than original so not much use to you. It also came out quite hard due to the type of foam I used (of which was very little used). My idea was to create a 'racing seat'. Well I did have fun running around on it for a month or so but switched back to original after that, which is much comfier. If you want more info PM and I'll see how I can help.

northwind

27-02-08, 10:03 PM

Bayside GTR

27-02-08, 10:11 PM

been looking around the net found a place (unfortunately in the US) that reshapes and then uses 5.5lb 2" thick hospital grade memory foam on top to give the added comfort.... only $90 but academic seeing as its over there! doh!

which brings me onto the next bit - sounds like Zunkus you may be best to answer.... can you reshape the existing foam to give the clearance for 2" memory foam? so you end up with a seat that looks the same but moulds itself to you?

dizzyblonde

27-02-08, 10:52 PM

I've got the SUzuki gel seat for the curvy, which is pretty nice but slightly oddly shaped... Certainly comfier than standard, despite being thinner, because the stock foam just squishes while the gel seat supports.

Got a Corbin too, which I'm having trouble adapting to, it reminds of of a go-kart seat in that you sit right in it, and while the riding position's pretty nice, and it's basically comfy, it's very firm and passes all the vibrations of the bike right into you. Also, it's odd when you go to put your feet down. I'm not sure I like it tbh.

Is that the same one I got, that I got from luckypants at AR last year..the one in your Avatar that steams when wet???!!!
You just put me off the corbin one now...been trying to steal Chris's for ages! But still I got two bikes that need a comfy seat...lol

northwind

27-02-08, 11:07 PM

Aye, that's the one... Good seat with some damp issues :rolleyes: The real fun comes when it gets soaked then freezes into a big seat-shaped icecube! If I keep it, which I think I will, I'll get it re-covered and sealed so that never happens again, it doesn't just give you piles, it gives you frostbitten piles. And then it melts and your frostbitten piles get wet.

Dangerous Dave

28-02-08, 12:06 PM

I have the Suzuki gel seat too, feels different but much better than standard. As Northwind said, it supports a little.

wow

28-02-08, 12:11 PM

This company looks good and I've heard of people who used them that they liked the company/seats. I spoke to them and they are v helpful. They make gel seats. Everything really.

http://www.ppseat.co.uk/

northwind

28-02-08, 12:23 PM

There was a company at the Excel show, LICS I think the name was, who I thought were pretty impressive, if you want a pro job- good prices, lots of options, materials etc. If you do want to try it yourself, the best source for gel pads is probably a horseriding gear place.

maultin

28-02-08, 06:34 PM

you must have very boney ar5e. i have had inches scooped out of mine coz i am a short ar5e & its still very cumfy.

eat more pie & cake before the summer & you wont need to worry about being boney :D

these guys did mine, i bet they can help to reshape & put memory foam in
http://www.prestoncartrim.com/index.aspx

this is the bike seat part of the same company
http://www.bootlegbikeseats.com/index.aspx

Bayside GTR

28-02-08, 06:34 PM

Bayside GTR

28-02-08, 06:39 PM

sam anon

01-03-08, 06:05 PM

How about cycling shorts under your leathers?

maultin

01-03-08, 11:01 PM

why not go the whole hog & wear a nappie :p

embee

01-03-08, 11:29 PM

I've played with shaping bike seats quite a lot.

On the curvy SV I found a scoop out about 1" deep midway front to back works well. You then sit "in" the bike rather than on it.

It's easy DIY if you're at all handy. Electric bread/carving knives are the best tool for shaping foam, alternatively a 12" hacksaw will do it. You need to smooth out the surface, any slight ripples will show through once re-covered. A small angle grinder works a treat for smoothing foam, best done outside because it makes dust by the bucket. Get a good quality staple gun, Arrow or Rapesco are good, and hold the seat firmly against something solid or the staples bounce and only go halfway in. Recovering, fix the midline at the front and back first, then midway along each side, then work around symmetrically.

I've used B&M (http://www.bandmlatexupholstery.co.uk/) for foam, Latex pincore is supersoft and top quality for seating.

Also as suggested by sam, cycling shorts with pads work well. For longer trips/touring, I use Lusso Coolmax from Ribble (http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=LUSSZSHS400), check out the site (home) for special offers, offer codes etc.

Razor

01-03-08, 11:32 PM

it's very firm and passes all the vibrations of the bike right into you. I like it tbh.

Yeah me too. :D

Bayside GTR

02-03-08, 01:56 PM

Lots of good ideas coming out Ive had a response regarding the memory foam they reckon its too soft for the bike application and not easy to work with.

I like the idea of the reshape though and will definitley try the cycle shorts got a pair upstairs to try.

Ill take a look on Ebay later for seats so I can play about with a few ideas on another seat.

$tevo

17-03-08, 03:11 AM

There's a Corbin seat on Ebay at the mo.

Item number: 170202353623

fubber

17-03-08, 01:54 PM

I fitted one of these (without cover) to a spare seat over the winter - still to use it in anger but it fitted nicely and give what looks a better shape to the seat....

http://www.danmedicasouth.co.uk/gelstore.htm

dizzyblonde

17-03-08, 02:33 PM

mmmm corbin seat. Northwind was kind enought osell me one of those. A bit odd at first but very comfy after a while

dirtydog

17-03-08, 03:06 PM

mmmm corbin seat. Northwind was kind enought osell me one of those. A bit odd at first but

Oh you soon get used to Northy being a bit odd ;)

chazzyb

17-03-08, 03:12 PM

Found this company - square foot of memory foam for a fiver!

http://www.smfoam.co.uk/site/html/grades.html

Was thinking of getting another seat of ebay cutting back the original foam by 2 inches and ovelaying the 2 inch memory foam and recovering - seat plus fiver for foam could be worth the experiment!

I have a curvy seat in my garage - the product of a failed experiment to make my own gel seat. Some of the foam has been removed over the main bum contact area (about 2 cm) and replaced with gel keyboard wrist rests. Easy to get the cover off and replace, if you have a big staple gun. PM me if you're interested for a small consideration plus the postage.

hutchy

17-03-08, 05:00 PM

got a corbin for euro tour 2 years ago - 3500 miles in 9 days and no pain in the a**e to speak of, great investment even at 150 quid, it did take a bit of getting used to.

northwind

17-03-08, 06:50 PM

Oh you soon get used to Northy being a bit odd ;)

:smt090

Dizzy thinks I was being nice selling her the Corbin. I hated it ;)

dirtydog

17-03-08, 10:18 PM

:smt090

Dizzy thinks I was being nice selling her the Corbin. I hated it ;)

Shhhhhh don't let her know that ;) you've probably just blown your free beer at AR08

dizzyblonde

17-03-08, 10:22 PM

Any suggestions how to stop it being so slippy??? T'other day when I tried it, it felt like Mr.Sheen had been sat on it, I ride right up to the tank as it is, I don't fancy sitting on it!

dirtydog

18-03-08, 09:16 AM

Super glue?

seriously though, how much has it been used previously? might get less slippy the more it wears in? I doubt northy polished it ;-)

ArtyLady

18-03-08, 10:38 AM

I have the Suzuki gel seat too, feels different but much better than standard. As Northwind said, it supports a little.

Dave - where did you get your Suzuki gel seat from? Ive googled til Im blue in the face but cant find one :rolleyes: :)

ArtyLady

18-03-08, 10:40 AM

There's a Corbin seat on Ebay at the mo.

Item number: 170202353623

says it's for a thou - I wonder if it would fit a '99 650? :cool:

Luckypants

18-03-08, 10:52 AM

Dave - where did you get your Suzuki gel seat from? Ive googled til Im blue in the face but cant find one :rolleyes: :)

Suzuki stopped selling them for curvys about two years ago. EBay is the place now, some dealers had them in stock and put them up there to get rid. I got mine 2nd hand from a breaker on EBay, was like new. Dizzy has it now.....

ArtyLady

18-03-08, 11:22 AM

Suzuki stopped selling them for curvys about two years ago. EBay is the place now, some dealers had them in stock and put them up there to get rid. I got mine 2nd hand from a breaker on EBay, was like new. Dizzy has it now.....

oh poo! :(

never mind - I'll keep looking out on Ebay :)

Luckypants

18-03-08, 11:34 AM

oh poo! :(

never mind - I'll keep looking out on Ebay :)

Well this thread got me thinking about seats (the viffer is hard on the sit bones!) and I have seen some sexy Baglux seats (http://www.baglux.co.uk/seats.php)for it. PeteVtwin and Lissa have baglux seats on their curvy and they look lush. I had a sit on Pete and Lissa's bike at NW2 and the seat is much more supportive than standard.

I also came across Sargent seats (http://www.sargentcycle.com/suzwssv65.htm) that like an alternative to Corbin.

I just might have to get the baglux seat for the viffer........... :cool: (although my bum got used to the pounding off the seat on my France trip - maybe we just need to man up!)

petevtwin650

19-03-08, 08:35 AM

[QUOTE=Luckypants;1450187]Well this thread got me thinking about seats (the viffer is hard on the sit bones!) and I have seen some sexy Baglux seats (http://www.baglux.co.uk/seats.php)for it. PeteVtwin and Lissa have baglux seats on their curvy and they look lush. I had a sit on Pete and Lissa's bike at NW2 and the seat is much more supportive than standard.

QUOTE]

This old thing? :)

Yeah we got the Bagster seats about 3 years ago. Just over 200 quid for both seats. However they are not gel seats but orthopedic foam. Still very comfy.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/orgphoto/seats.jpg

$tevo

19-03-08, 08:45 AM

says it's for a thou - I wonder if it would fit a '99 650? :cool:

:(

It's an SV-10-F-3 which means its K4 onwards according to Corbin's website.

http://www.corbin.com/suzuki/sv650.shtml

Bayside GTR

23-03-08, 07:24 PM

Razor

23-03-08, 09:26 PM

The corbin seat is well comfy if you have a big 'arris

21QUEST

23-03-08, 09:51 PM

Just bought the Corbin off ebay for ?50 plus postage so not bad for ?66! Especially if they are as much as people have mentioned to buy new.... fingers crossed Ill get on with it.

Thanks for the spot and tip off Tildo! :D

Bayside GTR, good deal ;) .

If you don't get along with it or doesn't fit(seeing it's off an SV1000), I'll be interested in it for my bike or just let us know, if putting it back on Ebay.

Ben

dizzyblonde

23-03-08, 09:59 PM

The corbin seat is well comfy if you have a big 'arris
I got such a little bott, that theres enough room to fit two little botts on my corbin!!

Razor

24-03-08, 12:01 AM

I got such a little bott, that theres enough room to fit two little botts on my corbin!!

Lucky you, my cup overflowth with bott...

Bayside GTR

24-03-08, 05:13 PM

haha! I wouldnt say Im overfloweth..... hence boney!

21 Quest - If it doesnt fit or I find theres to much room on it etc you have first dibs.

Looked on the Corbin site apparently this fits all SV K4 onwards.

$tevo

25-03-08, 12:13 AM

Just bought the Corbin off ebay for ?50 plus postage so not bad for ?66! Especially if they are as much as people have mentioned to buy new.... fingers crossed Ill get on with it.

Thanks for the spot and tip off Tildo! :D

http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/Media/Image/MrBurns.jpg

Excellent!

$tevo

25-04-08, 07:06 AM

There's another Corbin seat on ebay at the mo

Item number 130217426022

skidmarx

25-04-08, 11:01 AM

http://www.airhawk.co.uk/images/get_wise_b.gif (http://www.airhawk.co.uk/getwise.html)Anyone tried one of these? An Airhawk Seat, s'posed to be good thinking of one myself for longer trips

skidmarx

28-04-08, 11:40 AM

If anyone is interested, I got on of these here Airhawks. There good, but not great. They do significantly raise the seat height, dependong on how much air you put in, and this will throw a bit more weight onto the wrists (thereby trading off some of the comfort gains). Very well made and easy to fit, on and off in a minute. Quality materials and they do not slide about of the seat as I thought they may. Biggest downside however is the effect on your riding! On acceleration you pitch back gently and on braking you pitch forward as the air moves between the cells inside. It's a bit like a waterbed effect for those that have tried one. If you like to move your weight from side to side during more spirited riding, then this aint for you imho, you do lose some of the feel through the seat of your pants and because of all the air squishing about inside you do not have a direct attachement to the seat, if you see what I mean. Good on the motorway though and really helps if your thinking of going long haul in a straightish line. Folds up but takes up a lot of rucksack room. Get one if your touring, but take it off when you want to have some fun I suppose. Best of all , you can keep it and transfer it between bikes no problem. And no I don't have farmers....;)