Anyone in Marlyand

[Timberwolf]

I had a gel insert done to my 04 FJR and while it is better its still not the best. I would like to know if anyone around has a Sargent installed on their FJR and what they think of it? Or am I truly faced with having to spend the money on a Russel due to my 250 6ft frame?

 

[Fred W]

It depends mostly on you. Everyone is different in how they tolerate seats and what their desires and goals are.

I bought my 1st gen with a Corbin Canyon on it. Many folks like those. I couldn't stand it. Just too hard.

I bought a set of stock seats and they were actually better than the Corbin for me.

I then had my stock seats customized with Gel and memory foam inserts. As you said, better but not good enough.

I bought a Corbin modular driver seat that had been customized with added foam cushioning. It was still too hard, just like the Canyon.

I then bought a set of used Rick Mayer custom seats from a crashed bike. These were better still, but I still developed hot spots since the seats were not built for my exact body shape, and did not support my weight evenly across my butt.

Finally I broke down and sent the money (and my previously gel modified stock seats) to Russell. No more pain. Ride all day. Bike buttock bliss.

When I bought my V-strom last year I skipped all the intermediate steps and sent the seat to Russell in the first group buy I could get in on.

I also have a Sargent for my VFR and I like that seat considerably more than the stocker. But it's not as comfortable as Russell.

 

[FJR Flyer]

I'm a bit south of CasinoLand, down near Annapolis. I've got a Corbin that the PO installed. I have a Corbin on my FJ, so I'm used to the flat and hard seat, and I like it. Its also lower than the stock seat, which helps since I'm vertically challenged.

 

[Roadstar]

Go on this ride https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=136137 & i`ll let you know at the end . I bought a used one over the winter (like new) & didn`t get to try it on any longer distance, as i have only tried it back and forth to work (but it sure felt great for the 40 miles round trip) over the stocker.

 

[Eric L]

I tried the Russell this weekend thanks to a fellow member. It looks really cushy but it doesnt feel soft It is broad and the wings take some getting used to, especially when you stop and put your feet down. For sure it feels like it would be comfortable on long rides. I did have the tendency to slide forward. Well, it's not my seat, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Next stop for me is a used corbin I picked up here. Should get it Tuesday. I would offer you a sit on it, but you are 90 miles from me.

You know there is this guy who will rebuild your stock seat in two days turn around for $75 with some fancy foam stuff. Just a thought

 

[Nikk]

@Timerwolf, I find the Sargent's a great after market seat. I'm over 6' and around 220 lbs. I had a Sargent on my Honda sport-tour and found it well worth the money. If you buy used you don't risk much, you can always resell in the forum.

 

[Eric L]

Just noticed I didnt mention the website for the rebuild from Spenser.

https://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

 

[Fred W]

I tried the Russell this weekend thanks to a fellow member. It looks really cushy but it doesnt feel soft It is broad and the wings take some getting used to, especially when you stop and put your feet down. For sure it feels like it would be comfortable on long rides. I did have the tendency to slide forward. Well, it's not my seat, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Bingo!!

Russell seats do look cushy, and most folks are kind of disappointed when they first sit on one as they don't feel nearly as soft as they look. In general, the softer heavily cushioned seats do not eliminate butt pain. What eliminates butt pain and allows you to ride long days in the saddle is the concave shape of the seat supporting you across your entire butt, and those wings help by supporting the back of your upper thighs. When you get a custom made seat (for you) they will shape the seat concavity to your individual derriere. They will also adjust the slope to your arm and leg length so you do or do not slide into the tank per your preference.

I had to send my FJR's Russell seat back for an adjustment where they scooped out a little more foam in the back to make a deeper pocket away from the tank. After they did that it was perfect for me. You can see how the scooped out shape supports your butt in my half-moon stitched pattern seat. The other stitching patterns work the same, just less obviously so.

When I had my V-strom seat made I knew to ask for them in advance to develop a deep pocket away from the tank as my preferred position, so they did that first time.

Russell seats do take a little getting used to, especially when coming to a stop, and especially for those short in the inseam. You have to kind of slide forward as you come to a stop avoiding the "wings" and giving your legs a straight shot to the ground.

 

[Eric L]

Fred, that's a nice looking seat. When I test rode the Russell, I found that 'pocket' to be a little too far back from my preferred position, forcing me to stretch my arms a little more than I prefer. I assume I can communicate this to Russell when I can finally afford their seat in the next FJR group buy.

 

[Fred W]

Yes, absolutely. That is the whole point of getting a custom seat made.

No two people are physically identical. Being able to tailor the seat with input from how you'd like it to be is why you pay more than from an "off-the-shelf" seat maker like Sargent or Corbin.