Slimmer seat for 1150GS ?

[WhipHubley]

Hi there.

I'm about to pick up an 1150GS - well pleased !

Trouble is I'm a short-arse, and this means that unless I take measures, I'm going to drop it. I've already dropped one before - but thankfully it wasn't mine

I don't want a lower seat - it already feels like I'm riding a bike with ape-hangers as it is. What I'd like is a slimmer seat, which should make a big difference.

Being as I'm new to this GS lark I was hoping the peeps on here would be able to help.

Any recommendations? Perhaps there's a good place which will re-shape the original seat. Or may there's a really good aftermarket alternative.

Thanks for your help.

 

[AdamA]

I'm a short-arse

Watcha cocka.

Your best bet is get yourself along to a big meet, see what people have and find out what suits.
There are quite a few different seats out there and some will be a lot better than others for you.

 

[WhipHubley]

Watcha cocka.

Your best bet is get yourself along to a big meet, see what people have and find out what suits.
There are quite a few different seats out there and some will be a lot better than others for you.

Hey up. I need to get it sorted quick, as it really is a bit too tall and heavy for me being honest, so was hoping for an easy answer ("Yeah, get a so and so seat" or "Bob's place do a great job of slimming down the stock one") but perhaps it's not quite as black and white as originally thought.

Maybe a sharp knife and some gaffer tape will do the trick for starters

 

[AdamA]

Hey up. I need to get it sorted quick, as it really is a bit too tall and heavy for me being honest, so was hoping for an easy answer ("Yeah, get a so and so seat" or "Bob's place do a great job of slimming down the stock one") but perhaps it's not quite as black and white as originally thought.

Maybe a sharp knife and some gaffer tape will do the trick for starters

Do a search mate. Must be loads of info on seats on here.

 

[mpriestley]

http://www.motorbike-seats.co.uk/intro.html

Mr Hunter is the man for reshaping your seat on a budget

 

[WhipHubley]

You're right Adam - I'm being lazy.

Cheers mpriestly - I'll take a look at that.

 

[AdamA]

You're right Adam - I'm being lazy.

Only trouble is, like I said, what's right for someone else won't necessarily be right for you.
So whatever a search/recommendation turns up won't help too much without actually trying one for yourself. Hence the suggestion of a meet to try a few out.
They mostly all cost shitloads, so it's a lot of wasted money if you make the wrong choice (tho saying that you should be able to shift it on here no worries cos everyone seems to have delicate arses anyhow. )

 

[Dave & Val]

I used diggerseats.co.uk in south Wales £150 to reshape and recover my seats, he did a great jobs to fit my bum!!!

 

[Mutley]

Just fit some crash bars, GSs drop really well

 

[AdamA]

Just fit some crash bars, GSs drop really well

Well said.

I dropped my 1150 4 times with no damage except one broken pillion peg hanger.

How tall are you Whip?

 

[DrAlf]

He's about 5' 4" and hasn't dropped it so far Platform boots maybe?

 

[AdamA]

He's about 5' 4" and hasn't dropped it so far Platform boots maybe?

Lo Adam, hows tricks bud?

Yeah I knew he was shorter than me, but couldn't remember how much.

Surely if it's on smaller wheels it's lower anyhow?

If not, your suggestion has merit:
http://www.daytona.de/english/boots_e/gore/2_mstargtx.html

Raised sole, but you wouldn't know it from the outside.

 

[DrAlf]

Yeah whips a little shorter than you, but at least he’s not a ginger

Spot on with the 17” wheel comments – a 17” front does drop the seat weight quite a bit. Much more manageable for the vertically challenged

Great bike – sad to see it go. I’ll be back soon

 

[AdamA]

Yeah whips a little shorter than you, but at least he’s not a ginger

Why I oughta!

Great bike – sad to see it go. I’ll be back soon

I said that, but its taken me about 3 years.

When ya looking at getting another mate?

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Doesn't unwinding the preload on the rear shock, let the bike drop down lower?


Depends how porky you are as well though!

Try it anyway, it's free.

Your height isn't an issue, it's your inside leg measurement. I'm 5' 10" but have a short arse 29" inside leg.

Remember that the seat has two height settings, make sure yours is on its lowest.

 

[AdamA]

Doesn't unwinding the preload on the rear shock, let the bike drop down lower?

Yes, but it is a preload adjuster, not a ride height adjuster.

Using it to drop the height is a bit daft. The preload is there for a reason.
It set's the correct sag for the bike and load. If you back it off (assuming it is set up correctly for the load - whip - beforehand) then it will lower its ride height and give it too much sag, meaning it will handle like a pile of poo.
It will also transfer weight from the front towards the rear, and lessen the steering geometry, meaning slower steering, unless you lower the front also. Lowering the bike also reduces ground clearance. Possibly not an issue for most but definitely is for some (and I have seen whip ride), especially when the bike is lower than standard anyhow because of it's wheel conversion.

 

[WhipHubley]

5'4" - bloody cheek! I'm 5'7.5"

I didn't realise the seat has 2 height settings (I've got a lot to learn about these GS things) but whatever it's on is a lot better than I thought. I put a good few miles on it Sunday and had no trouble getting my feet down. Well, my foot down.

OK - getting it off the main stand and moving it about whilst sitting on it is a bit challenging, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I quite like the look of those boots actually...

As for the suspension I need to have a fiddle. It's got that nice yellow stuff front and rear so I'm sure can be improved.

Cheers all for the tips !

 

[AdamA]

OK - getting it off the main stand and moving it about whilst sitting on it is a bit challenging, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

It just takes a bit of pre planning when it comes to parking up, rather than just abandoning it in the first availible place. That and moving it while off the bike if you need to.