+1 on the custom. Just got mine redone at Rich's in Seattle yesterday, and I'm really happy with it so far, though it still needs broken in.
Got this titanium colored carbon fiber look leather:
Very nice seat Jeff, did you ride up for a fitting? If so. how long did it take? Price?
Bill
Bill,
Yes I rode in. I wanted to make sure I got the best fit possible prior to heading to San Diego later this month. I made the appointment about 3 weeks ago. Rich and his team were doing 3 bikes and a scooter at once - a Ducati, a nice BMW, the FJR, and the Vespa. I got there about 9:30am and left around 4 or 5pm. I think in his "off" season (October or so), I'd have gotten done much faster. I have more pictures of the process if anyone is interested, though they're similar to what's been posted elsewhere. The funniest parts of the day where 1) when Rich stuck a "It's not illegal to be a biker" bumper sticker on the trunk of the Vespa - the young lady that owned it looked mortified and B) when we were entertained by a CD Rich had with lounge versions of heavy metal done by Pat Boone.
It took about 3 hours or so just for the fitting, including a test ride that felt SO good - the sore spots on my butt actually seemed to be fading as I was doing the test ride. After that, the delay came from the back up with them sewing custom covers for each of the bikes. The Ducati had to have half the bodywork taken off to remove the seat - and with the owner's permission, Rich reworked it so it was just a pulloff seat, no bodywork removal necessary.
Total was a little over $600, I believe (don't have the receipt right in front of me). Would have been less for a vinyl cover. I think Rich's closing line justifies the cost - "If you're happy with it, tell your friends. If you're not happy with it, tell me, because I stand behind my work and I'll make it right."
Despite my sore rear end from the ride up, I did the ride back in one shot, no breaks (190 miles or so). I feel like I have A LOT more support around the back and sides of my butt, and he dug out some material under my "sit bones" to avoid those hot spots, then placed a thick gel pad in as well. He said it'd be a little hard at first, but give it 500-1000 miles to break in so the leather could stretch and soften.
Dougc - a straight recover would be done a lot faster and be less costly... Rich mentioned to someone else that they could do those easily.
He's dedicated to his customers - as I was heading out, a couple came in on BMW GS's. They were late - they just bought the bikes and had intended to get the seats done, then ride home to Alaska. The shop closed at 5:30pm, but Rich had no intention of leaving before the job was done.
