Seat
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198 Posts
You will find a lot of posts on here about it. I would give a few weeks of riding before you decide to go with a different one. I worked through getting used to it and breaking it in. Now is comfortable. I can ride the stock seat and only need to get off when I get gas. It gets better for some on here.
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711 Posts
Like trublupsu94, I toughed it out and wore mine in.
I bought the bike at 1396mi, and I'm at 2950mi now. 1554 miles and the seat doesn't bother me at all anymore. The first couple long rides were a little rough.
I did 189 miles yesterday, and the only sore spots on my body was my right wrist, and my lower back.
If I do ANYTHING about the seat, I will most likely only go with the Kawasaki factory gel option. The shape of the other aftermarket seats makes me think I'll lose a bit of the "sport" of the bike.
I bought the bike at 1396mi, and I'm at 2950mi now. 1554 miles and the seat doesn't bother me at all anymore. The first couple long rides were a little rough.
I did 189 miles yesterday, and the only sore spots on my body was my right wrist, and my lower back.
If I do ANYTHING about the seat, I will most likely only go with the Kawasaki factory gel option. The shape of the other aftermarket seats makes me think I'll lose a bit of the "sport" of the bike.
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15,059 Posts
I have a kawasaki gel and am running my stock seat. If its better, its barely, and the gel is difficult to deal with on a hot day....or, any day where the sun is out.
Its gets hot, and stays hot in the sunshine. Truthfully, I hate it.
Its gets hot, and stays hot in the sunshine. Truthfully, I hate it.
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711 Posts
Good info. Perhaps I will stick with stock.
I just recently bought a low mileage 2011 N1K. I hated the seat but I've hated all my motorcycle seats. I have a friend who recovers moto seats and he built up the front of mine and added denser foam. The factory configuration had me slammed into the tank. I've done several 400 mile days since I got the new seat and have been totally comfortable on this bike. It is my opinion that the factory seat needs to be built up more towards the front.
I put about 4k miles on my stock seat (bike had 5k when I got it) and it still hurt when I tried to ride 100 miles or so (enough to not want to do that)....
I now have a Sargent seat (got it used) and it's much better but still no where near as nice as my old zx-6d or ninja 500 with a corbin.. Although the ex500 was much more upright...
Since I got my sargent seat I've haven't done any 100+ miles rides yet, only 50-75 mile rides.. but it is better, I just don't know how much better yet..
I thought about the gel seat but since my bike will be sitting in direct sun on 110f days I didn't think it would be a good combo..
~Mark
I now have a Sargent seat (got it used) and it's much better but still no where near as nice as my old zx-6d or ninja 500 with a corbin.. Although the ex500 was much more upright...
Since I got my sargent seat I've haven't done any 100+ miles rides yet, only 50-75 mile rides.. but it is better, I just don't know how much better yet..
I thought about the gel seat but since my bike will be sitting in direct sun on 110f days I didn't think it would be a good combo..
~Mark
I got a 2012 N1K last summer and found the seat to be bad. The designer of that awkward piece of work should be staked by his butt to an ant hill. I've sent my seats off to Seth Laam to be rebuilt. He's been recommended by others here. I'll let you know how it all came out.
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229 Posts
Like a few others have said, I had to really tough it out for the first half dozen rides or so for the first 3/4 to 1hr into my rides but I got used to it after and then could go until I needed a fill up and that's usually around 1-1/2 hrs mark into my ride. Good luck and enjoy the new ride. Overall, it's a great bike as many here and elsewhere will attest too.
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154 Posts
Did about a grand on the stocker and started making phone calls. He is very hard to get ahold of but Seth Laam has my business from now on. If you haven't tried a good aftermarket seat compared to the stock one, it will amaze you.
My seat never got any better, it was really uncomfortable. I had a big ride coming up, fiddled around until it was too late to use Seth Laam, the bought a Corbin. very comfortable, but the leather is slick as ice with textile pants. I'll like it if I can figure that out. If not I'll send the stock one out.....
It's only money, eh?
It's only money, eh?
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8 Posts
had my seat done by spencers motorcyle seat mod in florida he has a web site,new padding in the oem seat,it looks like the old seat but the bike is day and night it was $150.00 for both seats ladys and gents it was a homerun
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1,161 Posts
Great to hear! That's where I plan on sending mine as well.
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828 Posts
I used Spencer's in the past. Generally quite good. Try to clearly articulate what you want. Such as "flatten out the seat, reduce the slop to the front." If you can't go to him, send photos of you seated on the bike and naked photo of the bike.
Try to show where you think you have issues if you can. Don't forget that many seats you can sculpt later with an electric carving knife. It works quite well to make changes later.
For bang for the buck, I'd give Spencer's an A. As for my overall opinion, I would give it a B. There are better seats but they will cost you more. Of course everyone's rear is different and you may get enough improvement that you are happy with it or you don't ride enough at one shot to really matter.
I am likely going with a Corbin based on my past experience with them. They have a ride-in fitment option at their shop near San Jose. Their price of the base rider seat isn't bad at $250 or so. Ride-in fitment is the same price. Problem is they have pretty limited hours that conflict with my work/commute schedule.
Try to show where you think you have issues if you can. Don't forget that many seats you can sculpt later with an electric carving knife. It works quite well to make changes later.
For bang for the buck, I'd give Spencer's an A. As for my overall opinion, I would give it a B. There are better seats but they will cost you more. Of course everyone's rear is different and you may get enough improvement that you are happy with it or you don't ride enough at one shot to really matter.
I am likely going with a Corbin based on my past experience with them. They have a ride-in fitment option at their shop near San Jose. Their price of the base rider seat isn't bad at $250 or so. Ride-in fitment is the same price. Problem is they have pretty limited hours that conflict with my work/commute schedule.
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828 Posts
I think the key to any of the custom seat builders is to clearly articulate what you want. Almost any of them can do a great job.
Considering my relatively limited investment in the N1K, I didn't want to spend a fortune on it. The local seat shop did a great job on my seat and I am out only $140. That saves a few bucks to throw towards other mods I wanted to make such as Ivan's reflash. The ECU is on its way now there and I'll have it back later in the week.
One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes a simple seat covering can make a huge difference as well. I've had good luck with Airhawks in the past. Same goes for a sheepskin. I do take them off when I am in the serious twisties but on the super slab they can be real game changers with respect to comfort.
Considering my relatively limited investment in the N1K, I didn't want to spend a fortune on it. The local seat shop did a great job on my seat and I am out only $140. That saves a few bucks to throw towards other mods I wanted to make such as Ivan's reflash. The ECU is on its way now there and I'll have it back later in the week.
One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes a simple seat covering can make a huge difference as well. I've had good luck with Airhawks in the past. Same goes for a sheepskin. I do take them off when I am in the serious twisties but on the super slab they can be real game changers with respect to comfort.
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14 Posts
I bought the Sargent seat and love it. Very comfortable and only gets better the more it breaks in.
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1,161 Posts
Well, I was finally able to give my Spencer modified seat a good run. I spent about 5 hours on the bike yesterday and while my *** was somewhat sore, it's definitely a lot better than the stock seat. The main difference with the stock seat, is that you get a little sore after a few hours but it doesn't really get much worse.
I spent about 4 hours on the bike with the stock seat earlier this year and was VERY uncomfortable towards to end to the point I was switching sides and couldn't wait to get home!
So, in short, not super comfortable but a good enough upgrade that several hours in the seat isn't an issue. It may still get a little softer as well since the Supracor takes some time to break in.
I spent about 4 hours on the bike with the stock seat earlier this year and was VERY uncomfortable towards to end to the point I was switching sides and couldn't wait to get home!
So, in short, not super comfortable but a good enough upgrade that several hours in the seat isn't an issue. It may still get a little softer as well since the Supracor takes some time to break in.
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