Euro trip = sore butt ! New seat needed

[Big Nick]

I bought a second hand Sargent off here and at first was a bit disappointed with it as it seemed not much better than the OE seat.

As time has passed though its got much much better to the degree that now I barely notice bum ache when out for a days ride.

My advice is buy a used one and give it time to bed in, if it's not for you then you'll easily get your money back selling it on here

 

[MarkyRR]

AirHawk for the long trips works for me

All the way, this. I recently bought a pair of them for me & the Mrs and are still almost in disbelief that the claims of 'doubling your ride-time' are actually very true!

Ok, yes, you ideally need to unhook them when you leave the bike but we don't see it as a problem really.

 

[Spike]

My butt must be the only one that fits the standard seat then, ok bike has just over 40K on the clock but I can do 2 1/2 hour stints no problem on my gsa.

spike

 

[Rasher]

I got some used seats from here for about £70 and paid Tony Archer another £70 to add some foam and re-cover them - not bad for the money and I sold them for a ton when I flogged the GS.

Not saying this is the best, but Tony knows his stuff and can do whatever you want with regard to padding / Gel / Style and at very reasonable prices.

I have also used cheapo blow-up stadium seats for long motorway stretches, at about £10 a pop these are very good value - but the feel on twisty roads sat on these things is a bit odd.

 

[F104]

My butt must be the only one that fits the standard seat then, ok bike has just over 40K on the clock but I can do 2 1/2 hour stints no problem on my gsa.

spike

Same here. 6'4" and some 200 lbs. However I believe it has much to do with your position on the bike, eg upper leg angle to spine. If your upper legs have a reasonable angle to your spine, then you can use those upper leg muscles easily to shift in the seat as needed, and the weight of the legs is a bit more more supported by your feet. I might be way wrong, but my guess is most of the people complaining about the seat are taller (that is likely more weight too), and sit too low. Take bicycles as example, our bike seat area is umpteen times that..
I have some 3" more seat to peg distance vs. a standard GS with seat in high (GSA seat set 30mm higher, lowered wunderlich pegs (25mm)

 

[Steptoe]

Corbins are better for most of us who are tosser size

I'm a Corbin man after trying all the other seats, pads, sheepskin covers etc etc.
And i'm far from the average tosser size.

So comfy i even bought a Corbin for my harley off american ebay for peanuts

 

[bod]

Same here. 6'4" and some 200 lbs. However I believe it has much to do with your position on the bike, eg upper leg angle to spine. If your upper legs have a reasonable angle to your spine, then you can use those upper leg muscles easily to shift in the seat as needed, and the weight of the legs is a bit more more supported by your feet. I might be way wrong, but my guess is most of the people complaining about the seat are taller (that is likely more weight too), and sit too low. Take bicycles as example, our bike seat area is umpteen times that..
I have some 3" more seat to peg distance vs. a standard GS with seat in high (GSA seat set 30mm higher, lowered wunderlich pegs (25mm)

True!

My discomfort with the stock seat was the pressure on the base of my spine due to the upright position.

The Sargent isn't much comfier than the stock seat, but a different shape that takes the pressure away from the cocyx area.

I am sure that adjusting the bars/pegs etc would have sorted it out eventually, but I just took a gamble & threw £300 at it .... and it paid off!

Putting the standard seat on the high front setting & low back setting half sorted my problem, so it's only small increments we're talking about.

 

[Pablo1]

can vouch for the sargent being comfy, had this on my gs for last year including 2k trip to europe.
ive just bought a new gsa and sold the sargent to help me justify the expense, i figured the gsa seat would be a big improvement on the standard gs stock seat plus i really like the two tone colour styling, a bit worried by your post now that i'm heading for a right sore arse in the next few weeks on the annual euro trip

 

[walrus]

Well you can't have it back! I like it.

 

[stonehenge]

Kahedo (Touratech) do it for me

 

[Pablo1]

Well you can't have it back! I like it.

lol , takes a wee bit getting used to the different shape but over a standard gs seat its mega better, enjoy john

 

[stever1]

OK , heres my 2 penneth worth. I also suffered the poor GS seat problem (2010 R1200GS). I took them to Tony Archer who put gel pads in and some other tricks and it did make a difference- slightly.
When we went to Burgundy last month I realised it was not really any better for distance days- say 280 miles +. It still put pain into the base of the spine.
I went over to Switzerland and bought 2 Airhawk seat pads.
MUCH, MUCH better . However i was then on tip toes due to the extra height. Not good 2 up and fully loaded. In the end sold the bike and got an RT.
I think its the curvature of the GS seat thats the problem.
Now left with 2 surplus Airhawks, shouldn't have rushed in and got them

 

[MELLOWYELLOW]

Hi Mellowyellow,

Apologies for interupting your thread on seats but, i have been trying to contact (not easy as you are not a subscriber) you regarding your PR3 tyres you were looking to sell a couple of weeks ago.

Do you still have them? do you want to sell them? if so give me a call on 07803 856 487.

Regards,

Tony.

Hello matey. Thanks for the interest but I've managed to sell the hoops. Cheers all the same.

 

[MELLOWYELLOW]

Thanks for the response guys.

I've just ordered a Sargent seat, standard height with silver piping and m-sport logo.

Incidentally the website states the gs seat is the same height as the Sargent seat, what about the GSA? Surely the standard GSA seat is thicker than the gs, therefore by putting the Sargent on my GSA seat height will be reduced. Correct ?

 

[MELLOWYELLOW]

5,000 miles around Europe on a Rick Mayer custom made saddle in June, bloody brilliant, no sore rear. Have the Rider and pillion and just sold the bike so I will be putting them on here for sale soon. Just have one issue to resolve, when left with water standing on them they turn blue! Back to black as soon as they are dry again. Contacted Rick who is sending a waterproof cover and waterproof treatment.

Mellowyellow I see you are in East Yorkshire, you are welcome to bring your bike and take the seats for a day or so to try them.

Thanks for the offer pal much appreciated. However I've taken the plunge with a Sargent seat.

Thanks all the same.

 

[phillh]

Thanks for the response guys.

I've just ordered a Sargent seat, standard height with silver piping and m-sport logo.

Incidentally the website states the gs seat is the same height as the Sargent seat, what about the GSA? Surely the standard GSA seat is thicker than the gs, therefore by putting the Sargent on my GSA seat height will be reduced. Correct ?

I can confirm the Sargent seat I fitted to my GSA is a little lower than the standard GSA seat.

 

[Beemerman59]

I can confirm the Sargent seat I fitted to my GSA is a little lower than the standard GSA seat.

+1 the standard height Sargent seat when fitted is about an inch lower than the OEM GSA seat.

 

[CafeMaster]

Just bought that on eBay

The cheapest 'proven' option gets my vote!

I've just returned from over 2K miles in the Alps with a borrowed Airhawk - bloody fabulous piece of kit. Next on my shopping list. Cheaper than a seat and portable so it's a no brainer for my wonga.

I have just ordered Airhawk 2 on eBay after reading many positive opinions about it. Starting my 5000 miles trip around Spain and Portugal in 2 weeks and looking forward to testing the seat.

 

[MELLOWYELLOW]

I have just ordered Airhawk 2 on eBay after reading many positive opinions about it. Starting my 5000 miles trip around Spain and Portugal in 2 weeks and looking forward to testing the seat.

I've used an airhawk for years now and can confirm they are very good. However even adjusted correctly I don't like the amount of movement and extra height added to the GSA seat height.

Wife uses one on her bike and loves it.

 

[Mark Hooton]

Airhawk + Sergeant seat

I use both because I`m a proper wuss.

But by god, its like having your ass kissed by a thousand angels............

But the earlier point about lack of feedback is quite true!

Pleased you got sorted.