Has your seat been 'Melvined'

Big Nick

Big Nick

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Thought I'd create a thread for views from 1200 GS'ers who've had their seats modified by Melvin Hunter as bike comfort has been raised a bit lately.

Worthwhile modification of a waste of your hard earned????

(Please only post if you are posting a review and have actually had the work done!!)
 
I had a seat on the 1150 done by Melvin, top job, top seat, in fact I'd say better value than a Sergeant seat, the Sergeant is a little more professionally finished with the new seat base etc, but when it's on you can't see the base :blast
 
Yes I've been 'Melvin'ed', mine was done because I have the BMW low seat and although it was fine for general running around I found the old arse ached about the 150mile point and knees started to give me grief. Another was the BMW low seat forces you into a position where your nuts are against the tank and your lower back is twisted forward, again not that noticeable on the shorter journeys but nowhere near all day comfort.
I had my seat reprofiled so it raised the front of the seat by about an inch and had the gel insert installed, comfort was immediately better due to the softer seat but it also stops nuts being squashed and back being twisted. I would say it's not a magic cure for arse ache as I still get that but more like 200-250miles now but I don't have half as much trouble with back and knees.
Definately worth the money, he's willing to do whatever you want shape wise and you can go back if there's a problem. For these reasons alone let alone the price it's definately a better option than some of the aftermarket seats.
Melvin gets :thumb2:thumb2:thumb2:thumb2:thumb2 from me :D
 
As everyone will have a different opinion to help muddy the waters, here's my input. I had my Vtec seat 'Melved' and didn't find it to be a massive improvement, better, but not brilliant (and shortly after, I considered it a waste of money). In more recent times, I had a ride on Thunders Melved 12GS seat and again, a bit better than oe, but not the be all and end all. I bought an AirHwak for my own 12GS and was reasonably impressed with it, but IMO, it had a few things which I didn't like. So I then went down the Sargent route. Revelation ! The Holy Grail had been found and after the bedding in period, it turned out to be the most comfortable seat I have ever had fitted to a motorcycle.

On my Fazer 1000, I'm already considering investing in a Sargent seat as 100ish miles and the dreaded 'numb bum' starts to set in.

But remember, what works for me might not work for you.
 
This might be irrelevant as it was the seat on my R1100RS that was Melvinised, but even with gel inserts etc I still found I am uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

Their communications were excellent, design and workmanship too, but it could be that I am too heavy and the wrong shape.

Best seat I've found for me is the standard twin cam GSA, which I've heard others say is uncomfortable for them.

Sounds just like the screen discussions - one size does not fit all.

A.
 
Had my 1150 seat 'Melvined' but it was still painful, though it looked nice :( I too thought it was a waste of money.. Airhawk solved the problem for me.
 
Happy with my Melvinned seat: He reprofiled it so it didn't make you slide forward into the tank and put a gel pad in - Great improvement over the original.

:thumb2
 
I also read that gel is used for primarily cancelling out vibrations rather than providing better comfort.

Here's an extract from Corbins site about gel (and yes, I suppose you'd expect them to say that, but Sargent also don't do gel).



Recently I've seen some information about "Gel Seats". Why doesn't Corbin offer this?
Mike extensively tests every new foam technology that comes to market. Over the past 30+ years, we've done much testing on the gel padding and its possible usage for motorcycle seats and found that our advanced Comfort Cell foam is superior in both comfort and durability. Gel padding was originally developed as a prosthesis for mastectomy patients and was never intended to support more than its own weight. Gel has been tried as a cushion in running shoes, bicycle seats and gloves among other things (in fact, Mike has a gel seat on his exercise bike at home!) Gel is also very cold and is an inadequate cushion for most serious enthusiasts. Even when new, gel can apply pressure to areas of the body that are not well suited to load bearing. When subjected to heavy pounding, gel deteriorates developing pockets or holes. This situation worsens as the gel deteriorates.

Cooling air flow is blocked by gel and the material itself has what we call a Thermos Effect. Basically this means that when the gel gets hot, it stays hot and when it gets cold, it stays cold. Instead, Corbin saddles are contoured to distribute loads without applying pressure to sensitive tissue or blocking air flow. Instead of using a liquid displacement technology as in the gel foam, Corbin uses air as a cushion. (ask Nike about air pockets and support.) Corbin does this one better by combining the strength of closed cell foam and the air trapped inside to give the best possible support and impact protection! Corbin foam adapts to your body and provides you with evenly distributed support.
 
Steve said:
Ditto.

If I'd saved the money, I could have had my Corbins sooner :thumb

He does make a lovely cuppa though... :D
Click to expand...

I borrowed your seat as I recall Steve, and it extended the comfort factor by about 20 miles for me :(

Sargent was the answer on my old 1150 :thumb2

Oh, and Melvin's tea is awful - he left the tea leaves in my cup :barf
 
Another 1150 owner so not sure my opinion counts here :augie

Had Melvyn do the single seat on my R100GSPD and not only did he charge me £180 which is the same price he charged then for front and rear seats :mad:

I wasn't impressed as it was too high and only added about 30 minutes more comfort over the OE seat.

I bought a pair for my 1150 cheap (paid no more than a pair of OE seats would've cost) and these were also dissappointing.

Sargeant seats were next and definitley better but I also bought a Corbin for my PD and this was a world on for me in terms of comfort.

Finally I have got the Holy Grail and procured some Corbins for my 1150 and am very happy to have reached that Nirvana :bow

There won't be any looking back and other than finding a way of using the rear seat with my Givi top box I am pleased to have got here, only taken 8 years :D

Edit: teas was awful but he does like to chat!
 
As others have said.................maybe a waste of money as they only 30-40 mins comfort over an OE BMW seat

For a better option, I would rank the following................

Sargent - an improvement in comfort

Corbin - definitely the most comfortable bike seat I have ridden on
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Corbin - definitely the most comfortable bike seat I have ridden on
Click to expand...

In the standard 11** form agreed, I've ridden 18hrs+ occasionally with no arse ache, but in ADV form thought Corbin was awful....so imo if you can get a 1200 seat copied into Corbin shape you're onto a winner.

But this doesn't mean gel inserts, special foam etc. it's about the shape, my Corbin is rock hard yet very comfortable.
 
I fitted a Corbin to my first 1150GS and it was all day comfortable. I bought my second GS off Simon Eassom (sadly no longer on this forum) and he had the seat Melvined. It is not as comfortable as the Corbin and I start to get the numb bum after a couple of hours. I'm thinking of taking it to a local company in Redditch who recently altered a friend's Tiger seat and he is very pleased with the result.
 
bowser said:
I think that is a bit far of the mark there are some really ugly seats out there, have a look at these, I am sure they are good but by good they are not good looking

http://www.day-long.com/new_pages/bmw_R1150gs_2.html
Click to expand...


Don't get me wrong Bowser, ain't nothing ugly about the style of the Corbin seat, but you can specify the vinyl finish and I reckon Mike must've been on a bit of a dare (of had taken of the vine) when he chose his white faux snake skin design :D
 
judge said:
Another 1150 owner so not sure my opinion counts here :augie

There won't be any looking back and other than finding a way of using the rear seat with my Givi top box I am pleased to have got here, only taken 8 years :D

Edit: teas was awful but he does like to chat!
Click to expand...

Was a funny day that was, I remember it like yesterday :D

Why did I tag along :eek
 
judge said:
Don't get me wrong Bowser, ain't nothing ugly about the style of the Corbin seat, but you can specify the vinyl finish and I reckon Mike must've been on a bit of a dare (of had taken of the vine) when he chose his white faux snake skin design :D
Click to expand...

Ah I see light dawns, but thats just the colonials accross the pond their idea of style is a little different to ours, I am sure they think it is just fine and dandy. :-0
 
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