Quote from: steve porter on Thursday, 26 November 2020, 10:18 PM
Knew a guy that circumnavigated Oz on a Ducati 250 Desmo, dopey bastard should have been locked up
I bet he didn't have a modified seat like the drama queen's on here.
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Friday, 27 November 2020, 08:01 AM
I bet he didn't have a modified seat like the drama queen's on here.
Some of us are so fat and heavy that we squash all foams known to man with a single bounce. Not even the mighty unquestionable 14 seat can withstand our enormous rhinoceros sized arses. We deserve comfort too unlike some ballerinas on here who wouldn't ruffle a feather with their svelt and slender athletic runway model physiques who would be perfectly comfortable sitting on a plank of wood for days on end.
#noseatshaming
Quote from: SA14 on Friday, 27 November 2020, 09:01 AM
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Friday, 27 November 2020, 08:01 AM
I bet he didn't have a modified seat like the drama queen's on here.
Some of us are so fat and heavy that we squash all foams known to man with a single bounce. Not even the mighty unquestionable 14 seat can withstand our enormous rhinoceros sized arses. We deserve comfort too unlike some ballerinas on here who wouldn't ruffle a feather with their svelt and slender athletic runway model physiques who would be perfectly comfortable sitting on a plank of wood for days on end.
#noseatshaming
I'm with you fellow fat bastard
128Kg isn't that heavy, is it? :facepalm: Lucky I'm over 5'5" tall than eh.
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Friday, 27 November 2020, 08:01 AM
Quote from: steve porter on Thursday, 26 November 2020, 10:18 PM
Knew a guy that circumnavigated Oz on a Ducati 250 Desmo, dopey bastard should have been locked up
[/quote
I bet he didn't have a modified seat like the drama queen's on here.
Std seat, and I reckon he probably slept on sharp rocks as well
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Friday, 27 November 2020, 09:38 AM
128Kg isn't that heavy, is it? :facepalm: Lucky I'm over 5'5" tall than eh.
slip of a lad , surprised a stiff breeze doesn't whisk you away
:clapping: :happy1:
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Thursday, 26 November 2020, 08:54 AM
Australia, the BIG lucky country!
"Convictshire " ! that cracked me up ! lol.
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 09:19 AM
I'm with you fellow fat bastard
We keep the farmers in business. We're practically an essential service, not to mention the upholsterers who get repeat business every time we buy a new bike that needs space shuttle landing seat suspension.
Quote from: SA14 on Friday, 27 November 2020, 02:42 PM
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 09:19 AM
I'm with you fellow fat bastard
We keep the farmers in business. We're practically an essential service, not to mention the upholsterers who get repeat business every time we buy a new bike that needs space shuttle landing seat suspension.
you get yours done yet?
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 03:13 PM
you get yours done yet?
Had a few quotes. One guy took it seriously and asked me to bring the bike in so he could measure and said multiple densities are needed. $350 if I used my cover which I'd prefer. $700 if I wanted a diamond old school pattern or anything special like a certain type of leather.
$350 is a good price. Had mine done & I supplied the gel insert (previously procured from USA via Ebay) n it cost $400! I'd love to see if he actually put the gel insert in as I can't tell. He said he put foam on top, so guess I wouldn't notice it. It is less 'painful' though, which means I can ride for longer without getting a sore arse.
Did you notice much of a difference? People go on about how comfortable these seats are supposed to be and mine is in great condition with no ripples or flat spots so I'm wondering how much is my problem and how much improvement I can actually expect. I'd love to be able to ride at least for as long as a tank lasts. I tried standing up on the pegs the other day, felt unnatural and dangerous so slowly sat back down but I did get a tinge of relief so it doesn't take much off time to gain normality. Normally just fueling up and going in to pay is enough to give me another 20-30 minutes. How people ride from Melbourne to Croatia is beyond me...or did I read that wrong? :rofl2:
I was going to get rid of mine as it was so uncomfortable, but since doing the seat it`s the most comfy bike I`ve ever owned, I`m on it for 2 hours most days now and don`t ever think about the seat.
Yes, it's definitely different to sit on. I had the slope forward taken out & leveled it off so it's more flat but still padded. He could of done a better job at sculpting it but there ya go. Reckon I was charged $400 because he made 2 covers, he didn't like the first one so made a 2nd version. Think I paid for both myself. I did make sure I got the original cover back though, Can re-pad it & bung it back on & looks standard.
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:18 PM
Yes, it's definitely different to sit on. I had the slope forward taken out & leveled it off so it's more flat but still padded. He could of done a better job at sculpting it but there ya go. Reckon I was charged $400 because he made 2 covers, he didn't like the first one so made a 2nd version. Think I paid for both myself. I did make sure I got the original cover back though, Can re-pad it & bung it back on & looks standard.
I had mine raised 50 mm at the front and 30 at the back which when added to the foam not squishing to nothing gives me 100 mm extra leg room,
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:18 PM
Yes, it's definitely different to sit on. I had the slope forward taken out & leveled it off so it's more flat but still padded. He could of done a better job at sculpting it but there ya go. Reckon I was charged $400 because he made 2 covers, he didn't like the first one so made a 2nd version. Think I paid for both myself. I did make sure I got the original cover back though, Can re-pad it & bung it back on & looks standard.
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:38 PM
I had mine raised 50 mm at the front and 30 at the back which when added to the foam not squishing to nothing gives me 100 mm extra leg room,
Interesting because I wouldn't have known what instructions to give him. How does one arrive at these measurements and instructions regarding slope and height? I want to get it right without regretting it from not being as comfortable as I expected. I want a seat that will make me forget about the seat and give me the correct height too. Are there any hints anyone can share about what to request or how to arrive at the desired mods, slope, height and density? I think he said it needed to be harder (denser) - not softer which surprised me as do these slopes and measurements you all are mentioning. He said to come back with my exact weight and height so it's off to the vets (zoo is too expensive to get in these days) to borrow their scales again...lol
My seat modded now over 8 yrs. Hated stock seat. Now has a couple of ripples, paid seat bloke $50 to pull apart and check. Says i need new top layer foam, will use same cover. $300. I could keep using, still comfy but Virgos hate shit thats not perfect. Best bike seat ive had, can ride all day. Wife still slides a bit on it, fit sheepskin, dual layer for her, no more move, much better hot days. Im a short arse so had it cut down a bit, A great result. SA a seat pro will measure what you need.Its critical for comfort.
One of the best moves is to either raise the front or lower the back, your nuts wil appreciate it
Quote from: SA14 on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:48 PM
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:18 PM
Yes, it's definitely different to sit on. I had the slope forward taken out & leveled it off so it's more flat but still padded. He could of done a better job at sculpting it but there ya go. Reckon I was charged $400 because he made 2 covers, he didn't like the first one so made a 2nd version. Think I paid for both myself. I did make sure I got the original cover back though, Can re-pad it & bung it back on & looks standard.
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 06:38 PM
I had mine raised 50 mm at the front and 30 at the back which when added to the foam not squishing to nothing gives me 100 mm extra leg room,
Interesting because I wouldn't have known what instructions to give him. How does one arrive at these measurements and instructions regarding slope and height? I want to get it right without regretting it from not being as comfortable as I expected. I want a seat that will make me forget about the seat and give me the correct height too. Are there any hints anyone can share about what to request or how to arrive at the desired mods, slope, height and density? I think he said it needed to be harder (denser) - not softer which surprised me as do these slopes and measurements you all are mentioning. He said to come back with my exact weight and height so it's off to the vets (zoo is too expensive to get in these days) to borrow their scales again...lol
Gotta be denser as Japanese test riders all look to be about 50 kg, slope is easy as I was always sliding forward and height depends on leg length, I'm 6'4" with dodgy knees so went as high as possible, my bike is now too high for my 5'10 mate to put both feet on the ground so I threw the original seat on it the other day so he could have a ride
Perfect. Thanks, I now totally understand and will forward those instructions when I get it done. Will the extra height require a new cover? I'm guessing yes but might there be enough room to raise the height a bit under the stock cover? I'm also guessing that even if there's not the extra density might raise it up a smidge anyway as it won't sink as low. Judging by your guess on the average Japanese rider weight I'll need something at least 2.5x extra density. :grin:
I also got him to round off the edges a bit so it didn`t dig in to my legs
(https://i.imgur.com/99KCnak.jpg)
Quote from: steve porter on Friday, 27 November 2020, 07:39 PM
...my bike is now too high for my 5'10 mate to put both feet on the ground so I threw the original seat on it the other day so he could have a ride
Did you buy an old wrecked seat base and had them work on that for your new seat? May I ask how much that cost? Mick Hone has new seat assemblies
listed for $465 (http://www.mickhone.com.au/partFinder/fiche/suzuki/2004/gsx1400/seat#next). But it seems a shame to ruin any good original seat. I know I can't eat my cake and have it too so I'm curious.
Anyone else amused by how this thread has drifted to bum talk and how that sits with the original title? :happy1: [oh grow up SA!]
I got one from a wrecker in QLD for$250 and then paid 450 for the mods, depending on your height you could just get the foam replaced
The French seats cost $750+ shipping, you paid about that and employed a local craftsman and did some recycling so I guess if I can get away with it for $350 it seems like a pretty good deal. If I add better foam it's bound to help a bit. If I change some angles while doing it it might help some more but if I have to go full out and spend $700-ish on a seat it'll improve my enjoyment exponentially because it really does bother me that such a fine motorcycle is letting me down in comfort. I literally can't sit on it for more than about half an hour without really wishing I could get off it and take a break and that seems a shame to me. I've put almost 1,000km on it since I bought it and my comfort isn't improving so I'll have to do something about it one way or another.
Thanks for all the input. I wish we could split the seat portion of this thread out into it's own new thread called "GSX1400 seat comfort?" I used to run and admin a VBulletin board and I could select posts and create a new thread out of them. Not sure if SMF forums can do the same. Admins?
We can split from a certain point & create a new thread, guess that may suffice.
Quote from: SA14 on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 11:31 AM
The French seats cost $750+ shipping, you paid about that and employed a local craftsman and did some recycling so I guess if I can get away with it for $350 it seems like a pretty good deal. If I add better foam it's bound to help a bit. If I change some angles while doing it it might help some more but if I have to go full out and spend $700-ish on a seat it'll improve my enjoyment exponentially because it really does bother me that such a fine motorcycle is letting me down in comfort. I literally can't sit on it for more than about half an hour without really wishing I could get off it and take a break and that seems a shame to me. I've put almost 1,000km on it since I bought it and my comfort isn't improving so I'll have to do something about it one way or another.
Thanks for all the input. I wish we could split the seat portion of this thread out into it's own new thread called "GSX1400 seat comfort?" I used to run and admin a VBulletin board and I could select posts and create a new thread out of them. Not sure if SMF forums can do the same. Admins?
pity you`re not in Vic as you could have a go with my seat
Quote from: steve porter on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 12:14 PM
pity you`re not in Vic as you could have a go with my seat
Actually the SA/VIC borders just opened up again. Brain cogs turning. But for a real test I'd have to ride for an hour or so. That would be pushing any friendship. Alternatively I could "rent" just a seat for a few days and ride mine around for a tank or two. Much cheaper option. It's a lot to ask though. It'd require a sizeable deposit but it might be an easier solution than packing my king sized doggo into the commie wagon and risking a drive to the east. Although an adventure might be needed to shake off the china flu "disruption".
Quote from: 😎KiwiCol on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 12:09 PM
We can split from a certain point & create a new thread, guess that may suffice.
That would be awesome and I think really useful. I think it started my "so fat" comment #33.
Where do we send beer money for the effort?
I had a spare seat so had that raised 2" at the front and 1/2" wider and 1" at the back, also had the slope lessened so I don't keep sliding forward (should have had it raised a bit more really) and it's much better now. New cover with basket weave inserts made.
Quote from: mjgt on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 07:59 PM
I had a spare seat so had that raised 2" at the front and 1/2" wider and 1" at the back, also had the slope lessened so I don't keep sliding forward (should have had it raised a bit more really) and it's much better now. New cover with basket weave inserts made.
Weird question time: May I ask how tall you are and if you're a member of the fat bastards club?
Mine is a standard seat and I have the same problem
@mjgt , I keep sliding forward until my nuts get cosy with the tank and also being a fat bastard at 17,1/2 stone (245lb),(111kg) it's not long before it becomes uncomfortable to sit on so that's another thing on my list, get the seat seen to. :rofl4: :popcorn:
Quote from: SA14 on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 10:05 PM
Quote from: mjgt on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 07:59 PM
I had a spare seat so had that raised 2" at the front and 1/2" wider and 1" at the back, also had the slope lessened so I don't keep sliding forward (should have had it raised a bit more really) and it's much better now. New cover with basket weave inserts made.
Weird question time: May I ask how tall you are and if you're a member of the fat bastards club?
I am just over 6'3" and as thin as a rake at 12st, so not a fat fucker like most of the population. :whistling:
Looks like I am tallest and heaviest fucker on the forum, 202cm and 140kg :frustrated:
I'm not sure if your tallest as
@Blubber is very tall .
Personally I'm just to short for my weight lol
Haha... mlivkovich... you win in volume :salute:
I am just 107 kg @ 203 cm
Quote from: Blubber on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 03:35 AM
Haha... mlivkovich... you win in volume :salute:
I am just 107 kg @ 203 cm
Skinny! :cheers:
Quote from: mlivkovich on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 01:50 AM
Looks like I am tallest and heaviest fucker on the forum, 202cm and 140kg :frustrated:
A veritable mountain of a man!! :clapping: :onya:
Quote from: mjgt on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 11:24 PM
I am just over 6'3" and as thin as a rake at 12st, so not a fat fucker like most of the population. :whistling:
Wow, that's thin but your way taller than me. Just trying to gauge height and weight against comfortable seat mods. All you other guys who pitched in with your height and weight (thanks) have you done any seat mods? If so, what mods? Are you happy and for how long can you ride before you start feeling discomfort and then how long before you must take a break?
Hopefully this thread will be split into the "mother of all seat mods thread" when the mods get some free time and we can really get to the bottom of this (pun intended). Some big guys are fine with their standard seat but it looks like quite a few of us are sadly uncomfortable on these big machines despite all the press going on about how big and comfortable the seat is. It could be that even though my seat looks fine the foam may have lost some of it's factory firmness. Or it's that I need to build some toughness back there. I'm not sure. I know it sounds weird but I absolutely remember a biker friend of mine telling me when I got my brand new GSX250 back in 1983 that it'll take some time for my bum to get used to sitting. "It'll be sore for a while but you'll get used to it" (I know that can sound funny as hell) Anyway, all I know is that
I can't sit on it for more than about 20 minutes before feeling uncomfortable and it's detracting from my enjoyment.
So a casual database of seat mods would be handy for me and probably others who are uncomfortable as well. So if all who have done mods and are happy and can ride for a full tank without discomfort in the seat can remember and post what mods they did it's bound to help those of us who are about to dump hundreds at the upholsterer.
Did you add or remove height at the front or the back? Do you remember anything about the type of foam used? Are there any density specs we can quote? "Firmer or softer" foam will probably do. Have you used gel pads? From where? eBay or did the upholsterer supply them? Sheepskin? Home made mods? This is all pretty interesting stuff for me because I want to just ride out of my driveway and get lost for hours until I have to refill the tank then ride some more.
I have only one disappointment with this bike and that is I can't ride it for long. For the record, I'm 6 foot tall (183cm) and probably around 125kg (20 stone). I'm not an aggressive rider (yet) so the sliding forward thing isn't an issue but I'd like to address it anyway so I can be ready for when I gain the confidence to ride in a more spirited fashion. And thank you to all who have posted specs. I've already got a rough idea of what I'll be asking but the more info the better.
To get really technical we must take arse size into account a a big arse will spread the load over a greater area ie an elephants foot won't sink into a marshy bog as deep as a deers foot even though the deer is considerably lighter, so I'm shit at maths but arse size divided by weight = pounds per square inch on seat foam, therefore a 90 kg skinny guy with no arse may in fact be exerting more downward force on the seat than a 130 kg guy with a fat arse, I personally fall into the worst catagory of 120 kg with no arse, it's just science 😁
Obviously pics of the said arse would help no doubt. :happy1: :whistling:
@Hooli spends so much time on his bike, his arse is now the shape as his seat! :stir: :happy1:
Quote from: steve porter on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 08:01 AM
To get really technical we must take arse size into account a a big arse will spread the load over a greater area ie an elephants foot won't sink into a marshy bog as deep as a deers foot even though the deer is considerably lighter, so I'm shit at maths but arse size divided by weight = pounds per square inch on seat foam, therefore a 90 kg skinny guy with no arse may in fact be exerting more downward force on the seat than a 130 kg guy with a fat arse, I personally fall into the worst catagory of 120 kg with no arse, it's just science 😁
Fair point, but I think in this case, roughly will be helpful enough. We don't have to get down to the exact millimeter and density dynamics. Just a feeling for (say) ad an inch of height at the front, use denser foam and a gell pack and it'll be far more comfortable. I'm quite heavy and have what I'd call a big arse. Fitness left my body decades ago but I'm not the fattest thing on the planet. Just "big". My legs and arms seem comfortable enough. I don't feel cramped or anything. Riding position seems fine but I think I can see the benefits of lifting the front of the seat a bit. Not sure if I want to sit too much higher though. If I could stay as comfortable as I am in the first 10 minutes for as long as I want to ride I'll be fine. Could it be that the foam stands up to my initial weight but collapses a bit after 20 minutes?
Thanks for splitting this thread Mods! :hat:
Drama Queen's.
Its not difficult to shape the seat yourself.
https://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=5429.15
I did my own and kept shaping it and trying it out. (bought a stanley shaver tool from Bunnings)
I dished the riders part of the seat similar to a sargent seat. Bought some seat foam from the local upholsterer (who also owns and rides bikes, so got some great advice from him). Just a matter of using contact glue (Tarzans grip they used to call it) to glue layers of the foam ontop of the current seat foam.
Then use the shaver to shave it all back to the shape you want that suits you.
Did the same thing to the passenger seat. The link above doesn't show all the layers I added and then shaved back. I added more to the front. So that I stopped sliding forwards into the tank.
Then when I was happy with my part of the seat and the wife was happy as well, I went back to the upholsterer to have him cover it for me.
The sides are leather and so is the top, but the top is reversed leather, if that makes sense. The underside of the leather with the pattern I wanted also helps to stop sliding around. Especially good with braking with a passenger on the back. The wife no longer slides forwards any more and is super comfortable. We can easily go from Tamworth through to Port Macquarie (through the Oxley) and back to Tamworth in one day and no discomfort at all.
I have a spare seat, that I am going to re-shape as well, but something a little different - like the seats from Japan that are quite low at the front and more flatter in the passenger area - level with the rear of the bike. But shape it to be as comfortable as what I've got now.
Ive done two in the past on other bikes. As said,just keep shaping until it suits. Not difficult but i did get upholsterer to fit covers and advise on foam density.
Quote from: Irish in Oz on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 08:49 AM
Drama Queen's.
I don't think it's unreasonable or dramatic to want to be comfortable.
I don't think I'm going to stay with this thread, it's unhealthy. SA14 who is a fat short bloke started it all of with asking people about their arse felt. Steve want us all to measure our arses and work out if we put more or less pressure on it after getting a calculator out and Col want a picture of Steve's arse. :facepalm:
My wife tells me I'm not thin, I'm slim. :salute: I cant afford to get fat, my leathers wont fit.
Quote from: mjgt on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 07:49 PM
I don't think I'm going to stay with this thread, it's unhealthy. SA14 who is a fat short bloke started it all of with asking people about their arse felt. Steve want us all to measure our arses and work out if we put more or less pressure on it after getting a calculator out and Col want a picture of Steve's arse. :facepalm:
My wife tells me I'm not thin, I'm slim. :salute: I cant afford to get fat, my leathers wont fit.
I ignored col
Quote from: mjgt on Sunday, 29 November 2020, 07:49 PM
I don't think I'm going to stay with this thread, it's unhealthy. SA14 who is a fat short bloke started it all of with asking people about their arse felt. Steve want us all to measure our arses and work out if we put more or less pressure on it after getting a calculator out and Col want a picture of Steve's arse. :facepalm:
My wife tells me I'm not thin, I'm slim. :salute: I cant afford to get fat, my leathers wont fit.
Hey, at least we got a new title!