Racing seats_ Pros and cons

A friend of mine is converting his SV OEM seat to a racing seat. He is doing the conversion himself by slicing some of the foam off with a bread knife and sanding it. He willthen restaple the seat leather back on. he said he will now be more 'with' the bike instead of 'on' it.
Does this make sense?
What do you guys think. Would the riding position be comfier? I guess the distance of your leg to bum will get shorter and you'll get cramps easier.
On the plus side when braking hard it would be harder to topple over and the tank would lock you more to the bike. Serve as a stopper I guess.
Has anyone here done something similar?

Sounds bloody painful.

I get arseache after 60 miles on a standard seat.

I had my seat carved out and moulded by about 2" - results below:



But then that was because I'm a shortarse adn wanted to get my feet flat on the floor. I don't notice any difference with leg cramp or anything... but then that's because my left knee is screwed and cramps up sitting in a chair!

I personally find the position more comfortable and confidence inspiring. More a part of the bike kinda thing definately. I also find that I move back into the correct position more naturally when shifting for heavy cornering - but at the end of the day it's all personal preference and riding style to be honest.

I've had 2" taken out of the Blade's seat for the same reason. I think once you get used to a 'locked in' riding position you'll find everything else feels kind of perch-like.

My Corbin seat is lower than stock and I do find my legs cramp easier than before. Both my knees are fecked from bike prangs tho...

[madEG]

Originally Posted by zunkus

A friend of mine is converting his SV OEM seat to a racing seat.

Something like this I guess. http://www.brgracing.com/svSeat.html

I emailed BRG, and they said the charge is for ~two hours work resculpting the seat foam.

Also, there is this link I think I got on sv650.org some time back: http://www.itrocks.com/motorcycles/gel_seat.htm

Perhaps you could get one from Ebay, or a bike breakers, in case you are not happy with your initial results.

My bike's previous owner had done exactly this mod. However, the bike never felt natural to me, the handlebars seemed too high and away from me (SV 650 nekkid, not S). It proved impossible to restore the seat to its previous dimensions (add-on foam just settled down after a couple of weeks) so I got a brand new saddle. Wow, now everything started to "make sense". I could suddenly flick it better, with more input from my thighs and body than simply my arms and the force through my arms on the handlebars seemd to be at the correct, natural angle at last. I'm very happy I returned to the stock seat and I don't think I'll ever go back to the old carved one. The only problem now is my balls getting a little squashed now and then on some hasty braking...

Verdict: I wouldn't recommend this mod, at least on a naked SV650

PS: whoever wants to get my old "carved" seat, I'll give it away for, say, 40 pounds. It's in very good condition. The catch: if you are not satisfied you could always go back to your old stock seat, something you wouldn't be able to do correctly if you carve it...

model SV: 2000

[madEG]

Originally Posted by Damoulianos Marios

My bike's previous owner had done exactly this mod. However, the bike never felt natural to me,

Can you include two more things?

1. How tall are you?

2. How long are your arms? (like from a collared shirt measurement...)

Thanks for the info!

Regards,
-Matt

You guys are the best!

Thanks for helping out. I must say this conversion my friend is doing interested me most for the point that as a result of a lowered seat the front clipons would be up higher so as I won't be so hunched up. Yes my legs would get cramped as a result, though that can be remedied by moving the foots pegs further back and lowering them a bit.
I have already done some modifications to my bike, which may resulted to a not so comfy a ride. I did as follows:

1. Starting with a stock '99 naked SV650 I converted to SVS clip-ons. These cannot be mounted in the same position as on stock SVS due to a different top yoke. So my clip-ons are one and a half inch lower than stock SVS. That made the bike extreme. Great fun on a short distance but hard for more than a half an hour ride.

2. Studying my brother's SVS I found his footrests are an inch further back and up then mine. I made an aluminum bracket which remedied this. Much better now. I am thinking that leaving them an inch lower down would be much comfier though. I don't go that fast around these pot-holed corners anyway to bend so much.

Well someone asked for height, I'm 5'10" and have an inner arm of 18 1/2" (put a long ruler between my arm pit and measured up to my wrist)

I am searching for a book on ergonomics, but still think common sense prevails. The compromise must be between great flickability and a comfy easy ride. Honda seem to this quite well. Must find an old CBR and measure it up I guess. The new ones are crap in this department. I know. I tried.

Originally Posted by zunkus

Well someone asked for height, I'm 5'10" and have an inner arm of 18 1/2" (put a long ruler between my arm pit and measured up to my wrist).

Dear god I'm a fecking Neanderthal knuckle-dragger! I'm 5' 4" and I've just measured between my armpit and wrist and got 20 1/2"!

No wonder I find it hard to get jackets to fit!

Bloody hell K, I'm 6' and my inside arm is only 23"