Considering a new seat

[Dan23]

I've spoken with Sargent regarding what I want: I'm ok with the FJR seat, but my passenger isn't. She needs her section higher and with a bit of forward slant. Does the prototype seat address the passenger area?

+ 0.5 sort of...

Stock seat is the most comfortable stock seat I've ever been on, but I travel <300 miles per day.

My passenger, on the other hand, who is a little shorter than my 5"18", would love to find a pillion seat that is about 1 " higher, and a little more level. Raising the passenger seat on the '06 does not do it, she doesn't really gain any height and it pitches her forward, great for twisties, but not for 100+ mile comfort. I keep wondering whether a custom seat builder could make me what I want - - guess there's only one way to find out. Have to put in a request!

We compared the seats on the Futura and FJR this afternoon and she said that the problem with the FJR seat is the way it tips upward in the back... it probably feels to her like the stock seat did on my 1996 H-D Sportster Sport: It was a tailbone killer.

We are thinking that if we had Sargent fill in the foam to match the unladen seat fabric (on my bike the fabric does not touch the foam until you press it down), the result would be enough for her. Sargent offers a foam upgrade where they remove a section of the foam from a seat directly under the rider's pelvic bones and replace it with better closed cell foam of identical shape.

There's no reason I can see that the same thing couldn't be done to the stock passenger seat except replacing the foam removed with a straighter contour instead of an identically shaped piece.

No re-upholstering would be required since there's room for more foam under the seat cover as it is.

 

[Mark G]

I've spoken with Sargent regarding what I want: I'm ok with the FJR seat, but my passenger isn't. She needs her section higher and with a bit of forward slant. Does the prototype seat address the passenger area?

+ 0.5 sort of...

Stock seat is the most comfortable stock seat I've ever been on, but I travel <300 miles per day.

My passenger, on the other hand, who is a little shorter than my 5"18", would love to find a pillion seat that is about 1 " higher, and a little more level. Raising the passenger seat on the '06 does not do it, she doesn't really gain any height and it pitches her forward, great for twisties, but not for 100+ mile comfort. I keep wondering whether a custom seat builder could make me what I want - - guess there's only one way to find out. Have to put in a request!

We compared the seats on the Futura and FJR this afternoon and she said that the problem with the FJR seat is the way it tips upward in the back... it probably feels to her like the stock seat did on my 1996 H-D Sportster Sport: It was a tailbone killer.

We are thinking that if we had Sargent fill in the foam to match the unladen seat fabric (on my bike the fabric does not touch the foam until you press it down), the result would be enough for her. Sargent offers a foam upgrade where they remove a section of the foam from a seat directly under the rider's pelvic bones and replace it with better closed cell foam of identical shape.

There's no reason I can see that the same thing couldn't be done to the stock passenger seat except replacing the foam removed with a straighter contour instead of an identically shaped piece.

No re-upholstering would be required since there's room for more foam under the seat cover as it is.

My wife has the exact same issue with the pillion seat. I pulled the staples off, and we experimented with various foam thicknesses until she was happy, and I restapled the cover. The seat is now essentially level. That upturn at the rear is the problem, as you pointed out.

I'll be posting a report on a modification to the rider seat, with photos. I believe the pillion seat can be modified in the same way, cutting out the "flip" part as much as possible, and leveling then using the waffle cushion to create much more comfort for long distances.

 

[Bounce]

I've been looking at a lot of aftermarket seats myself. I like the Russell but as Lee stated, it seems more for slabbing it than sport riding.

it's the rider. not the bike (or saddle). i'll admit to not being the fastest rider around. those whom i lead to russellville, ar last month explained afterward that i wasn't the slowest either. i have a russell.

 

[Dan23]

I've spoken with Sargent regarding what I want: I'm ok with the FJR seat, but my passenger isn't. She needs her section higher and with a bit of forward slant. Does the prototype seat address the passenger area?

+ 0.5 sort of...

Stock seat is the most comfortable stock seat I've ever been on, but I travel <300 miles per day.

My passenger, on the other hand, who is a little shorter than my 5"18", would love to find a pillion seat that is about 1 " higher, and a little more level. Raising the passenger seat on the '06 does not do it, she doesn't really gain any height and it pitches her forward, great for twisties, but not for 100+ mile comfort. I keep wondering whether a custom seat builder could make me what I want - - guess there's only one way to find out. Have to put in a request!

We compared the seats on the Futura and FJR this afternoon and she said that the problem with the FJR seat is the way it tips upward in the back... it probably feels to her like the stock seat did on my 1996 H-D Sportster Sport: It was a tailbone killer.

We are thinking that if we had Sargent fill in the foam to match the unladen seat fabric (on my bike the fabric does not touch the foam until you press it down), the result would be enough for her. Sargent offers a foam upgrade where they remove a section of the foam from a seat directly under the rider's pelvic bones and replace it with better closed cell foam of identical shape.

There's no reason I can see that the same thing couldn't be done to the stock passenger seat except replacing the foam removed with a straighter contour instead of an identically shaped piece.

No re-upholstering would be required since there's room for more foam under the seat cover as it is.

My wife has the exact same issue with the pillion seat. I pulled the staples off, and we experimented with various foam thicknesses until she was happy, and I restapled the cover. The seat is now essentially level. That upturn at the rear is the problem, as you pointed out.

I'll be posting a report on a modification to the rider seat, with photos. I believe the pillion seat can be modified in the same way, cutting out the "flip" part as much as possible, and leveling then using the waffle cushion to create much more comfort for long distances.

Thanks for the reply, Mark. I passed the info along to the SO. Looking forward to seeing the photos.

 

[Bounce]

My Bill Mayer Saddle is perfect for me. I'm sure Russle seats are as good, but they couldn't be better.

That' not what old man (Bill) Mayer said before passing on. He was the creator of the original Russell design. When he sold the company he signed a non-compete agreement. After the time limit, he started up the new company which one of his sons (Rocky) runs. When asked, he said that there are limits to what he could do with different kinds of foam that his original design addressed. His new design is really good, but even he admitted it wasn't as good as his original design in all areas.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

My Bill Mayer Saddle is perfect for me. I'm sure Russle seats are as good, but they couldn't be better.

That' not what old man (Bill) Mayer said before passing on. He was the creator of the original Russell design. When he sold the company he signed a non-compete agreement. After the time limit, he started up the new company which one of his sons (Rocky) runs. When asked, he said that there are limits to what he could do with different kinds of foam that his original design addressed. His new design is really good, but even he admitted it wasn't as good as his original design in all areas.

Well I guess I didn't meet the limits then. I only did 1,200 miles in 24 hours, and then 900 miles the next day and never had discomfort. I suppose it is possible that pain might have come in if I had added on some mileage

Okay...this is kinda like "how many licks to get to the tootsie rool in a tootsie pop" question. How many miles to reach pain in Bill Mayer vs. Russle? I may never know Then there's the whole "every butt is different rule." and some people have been unhappy with Russle and I think I may have heard of one not too happy with BMS.

But thanks for this history lesson! I never knew that. So the current and alive Bill is a Jr.?

 

[GreyGoose]

My only experience is with corbin. Had them throughout the last 10 years. If you need to lower yourself on the FJR, its a great way to go. I dont doubt that there are more comfortable seats out there for long hauls, but its hard to go wrong with this corbin for the 06. Its comfortable, damn comfortable, looks great, breaths well, and drops the stock seat height 2 inches. Theres no other seat out there (at least that i've heard of) that lowers you that amount. Corbin occasionally has problems getting your order correct, but once its done, its a nice addition.

GreyGoose

 

[squeezer]

I had a Bill Mayer on my Concours and now have a Rick Mayer saddle on my FJR. I loved 'em both. Rick's seats are a little cheaper. I've only got about 1500 miles on it, so you can take my evaluation with a grain of salt, but I like the Rick Mayer saddle a little bit better. Both are going to kick butt on the stocker, though. There's a discussion of Rick's saddles and some photos at https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=13519

That' not what old man (Bill) Mayer said before passing on. He was the creator of the original Russell design. When he sold the company he signed a non-compete agreement. After the time limit, he started up the new company which one of his sons (Rocky) runs. When asked, he said that there are limits to what he could do with different kinds of foam that his original design addressed. His new design is really good, but even he admitted it wasn't as good as his original design in all areas.

Interesting. I remember people on the Concours list saying exactly the opposite -- that Bill Mayer claimed that he could do better things with the new types of foam than he could ever do with the springs in the (now renamed) Russell.

Both stories come second hand to me, so I'll defer to you on which version is accurate.

 

[FJReady]

I've had this Rick Meyer seat now for over a year and perhaps 12,000 miles. I have to admit it wasn't an instant love affair. We did get better aquainted over time and now I can't imagine riding with out it. This one is all leather. IIRC it was about $500 including shipping.The comfort, texture, cushioning/padding is just wonderful. Even after several hours riding. Its holding up quite well too. Highly recommended. www.rickmayercycle.com/ No affiliation, just a happy customer.

 

[boogahboogah]

After having the ass burns & tinglies & changing position every 3 minutes on some LD rides with the stock seat I realized I had to get a better seat. After much forum research I decided I wanted to buy one seat one time & not have to futz around & around like I'm doing with windshields.

Bought the Russell. Love it. Wouldn't trade for any other seat.

 

[ejworthen]

I've been looking at a lot of aftermarket seats myself. I like the Russell but as Lee stated, it seems more for slabbing it than sport riding.

it's the rider. not the bike (or saddle). i'll admit to not being the fastest rider around. those whom i lead to russellville, ar last month explained afterward that i wasn't the slowest either. i have a russell.

I agree it's all rider. I'm just wondering if the way the Russell seems to upturn at the sides prevents leaning off the bike. From the sounds of it that's not the case.

I'm not the fastes guy myself. I do my best to keep up though.

 

[ejworthen]

Rick Mayer is having a November special on FJR1300 seats.

Solo in vinyl- $299

Dual in vinyl- $349

For Leather add $150

No shipping!

On customer pans only

Pan exchange available at regular price.

Seems like a pretty good deal. You can get a dual in leather for less than a Corbin.

https://www.homestead.com/prosites-rmcycle/index.html

 

[Bounce]

My Bill Mayer Saddle is perfect for me. I'm sure Russle seats are as good, but they couldn't be better.

That' not what old man (Bill) Mayer said before passing on. He was the creator of the original Russell design. When he sold the company he signed a non-compete agreement. After the time limit, he started up the new company which one of his sons (Rocky) runs. When asked, he said that there are limits to what he could do with different kinds of foam that his original design addressed. His new design is really good, but even he admitted it wasn't as good as his original design in all areas.

Well I guess I didn't meet the limits then. I only did 1,200 miles in 24 hours, and then 900 miles the next day and never had discomfort. I suppose it is possible that pain might have come in if I had added on some mileage

Okay...this is kinda like "how many licks to get to the tootsie rool in a tootsie pop" question. How many miles to reach pain in Bill Mayer vs. Russle? I may never know Then there's the whole "every butt is different rule." and some people have been unhappy with Russle and I think I may have heard of one not too happy with BMS.

But thanks for this history lesson! I never knew that. So the current and alive Bill is a Jr.?

you're looking at the wrong conditions that bill said he couldn't address as well with only foam. if you fall within the limitations of his new design, then you'll be able to do the miles. the spring steel design of the original meant that the rider envelope was extended. miles are on one side of the equation. seat design and rider are on the other. think of miles as the constant with the seat design and rider as the variable (not miles as the variable).

Interesting. I remember people on the Concours list saying exactly the opposite -- that Bill Mayer claimed that he could do better things with the new types of foam than he could ever do with the springs in the (now renamed) Russell.
Both stories come second hand to me, so I'll defer to you on which version is accurate.

2nd hand to me too, but from before Bill passed on; at a time where Bill could have corrected the record if he disagreed.

 

[Silver Penguin]

The seat never used to bother me till lately. The wife said the same thing, so we're looking into new seats. Been eyeballing the Sargent World Sport. Heard a lot of negitivity on the Corbin. Give me some insight as to what you like and don't like. Any other makes out there? What about Mayer Saddles?

For the purpose of lowering the bike, I went to Bill Mayer Saddles (Rocky) for a ride in. He was unable to lower the seat appreciably, and explained his valid reasons why. I still opted for the custom seat though, on the recommendation of several trusted friends.

Fitting the new seat to my butt took about a half day. He took numerous measurements and asked a lot of questions about the type of riding I planned to do.

Riding home with the new seat, I was a bit disappointed because although it looked good, it felt a lot like the stock seat. As promised, it did wear in gradually. I no longer even NOTICE my seat, even on 500 mile days. It's just there.

The service at Mayer's was beyond five star. I highly recommend his ride in service, if you have that opportunity.

Jill

 

[Roadhound]

The stock ate me up! The Corbin Close ate me up! The Corbin Close modified ate me up. I now have 11K miles on the Russell including a few 600 mile days. I don't even think about it! Never!!1

Roadhound

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

you're looking at the wrong conditions that bill said he couldn't address as well with only foam. if you fall within the limitations of his new design, then you'll be able to do the miles. the spring steel design of the original meant that the rider envelope was extended. miles are on one side of the equation. seat design and rider are on the other. think of miles as the constant with the seat design and rider as the variable (not miles as the variable).

Oh. That makes sense to me. Lucky me ;-) I fit in a narrow envelope! :clapping:

 

[twowheelnut]

Interesting. I remember people on the Concours list saying exactly the opposite -- that Bill Mayer claimed that he could do better things with the new types of foam than he could ever do with the springs in the (now renamed) Russell.
Both stories come second hand to me, so I'll defer to you on which version is accurate.

2nd hand to me too, but from before Bill passed on; at a time where Bill could have corrected the record if he disagreed.

By Rocky a cup-o-joe, put your feet up, listen and keep your mouth shut. Good story, facts and history.

By the way, FWIW and IMHO, it's Rocky's seamless cover design that does it for me. Seams make your ass burn unless you have muchabuttosis. And, it ain't the miles, bounce. It's the time.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

And, it ain't the miles, bounce. It's the time.

Well, this envelope keeps changing. From miles to rider to butt to weight to time in the saddle. However all these variables work out in reality is probably pretty different for all of us. It is amazing, considering the variables, that two companies tend to make people very happy over and over again:

Russell and Bill Mayer Saddles. I think these two stand out. I'm sure other people will want to add to this list, but I don't hear a lot of people subtracting from it

 

[madmike2]

Had a Corbin on my ST and have one on my '06 FJR. Love 'em. Russell, etc. are great saddles, but they're best (IMHO) for comfy, "non-sporty" riding.

Uhmmmmm, ooookkaaayyyy. Whaddya think, Orangevale, does my Russell slow me down in the twisties?

Of course, I did a "ride-in" and had them leave enough room in the front so I could slide back and forth & side to side. The "bucket" is the ticket for me, once I had a couple thousand miles on the seat. As one person said after test-sitting my bike, "It feels like I'm sitting in a catcher's mitt."

One of the few farkles (and the best one) I harvested off of the totalled '04 was the Russell seat.

As has been inferred by many: If you are having issues with the stock seat, any of the "personalized" saddles (i.e., Russell, Mayer, etc.) will be a vast improvement. Though it was expensive and after much research I bought the Russell and it has proven to be the best for me.

 

[RsvlFeej]

I'm pushing 20K on my Rick Mayer saddle now. Still very happy with the looks and finish of the seat. I'm able to slide my butt forth and back in the twisties, have a nice cushion for the slabs, and inexpensive as custom seats go. Longest days have been roughly 14 hours in the saddle followed by about 10 hours the next day.