The endless search for seat comfort.

[Nic]

A good while ago I started a thread about the seat and how it must be Suzuki's sense of humor on display. Not just Suzuki though, all bikes seem to suffer from crappy seat design, there mustn't be any money in it for the manufactures?
I spent $500 on getting the seat redone and while it is an improvement and it certainly looks the goods I'm still unhappy about all the arse pain.
As I did with my Suzuki Bandit, I have decided to make my own bloody seat, this being a new improved version, be that as it may it will still look slightly on the  crappy side but, if I can alleviate the pain I don't really care what it looks like, I'm at the point now where I'd rather give up riding altogether than put up with it any more.
I've learnt a few things about bike seats during the journey, short of bolting on a Lazy Boy lounge chair to the bike, it's nigh on impossible to have a bike seat that is "comfortable" for any length of time IMHO.
My solution is to "craft"  a piece of plywood into the shape you want, this is for the rider only, and then cut most of it out leaving about 2" of ply around the perimeter, then from underneath, screw with washers, straps of about 1" tiedown material across the hole both sideways and front to back, 3 or 4 each way, then you need a "good" piece of foam that has enough stiffness to give about 80% support, that is to say, if you put it on a piece of wood and sat on it, you'd still hit the wood with your arse but you'd have maybe 80% support.
With the hole cut out and the strap support in place I think this is about as good as you can get comfort wise. This will give a little as you sit on it so you don't need rock hard foam.
The tradeoff, there's always a tradeoff, is that the remaining 2" seat frame can cut into your legs, this is why you "need" a good quality piece of solid foam.
I have  mine pretty much  finished, still need to cover it but the latest test ride was extremely positive. I actually forgot about my arse while riding, imagine that.
If anyone's interested I can post some pics in the near future. I have also made a rear piece that connects via the seat lock and also locks into place via the 2 hooks on the frame, it's very solidly mounted and looks quite good, I have plans to experiment with the same idea for the rear by adding another section about an inch higher and cutting the guts out of that like the rider's seat but haven't got around to it yet, I figure if I "need" to take a pillion I can put the arse killer back on but I'm optimistic the rear can be made just as comfortable as the front.

[Nic]

Here are some pics, just fitted a rough black material cover. Other pics show the underside with the straps, the rear underside and how it looks on the bike. Still need to experiment with the rear but it's coming along.
From the underside pic of the front seat you can see there is a tongue that fits under the tank to lock it in at the front.
Yeah I know, work of art 

[DP1400]

I have a theory that the bigger, wider and softer the seat is, the more uncomfortable it becomes over a long distance. Back in the day when seats were narrower i dont recall this being an issue.
Maybe the entire riding position needs reviewing, ie. Moving bars forward just enough to shift body weight on the seat, for example?
My old standard Bandit 12's seat was crippling at anything more than 70miles, yet i could ride my 'Blade all day without a hint of discomfort!

[Nic]

Bandit seat the worst ever. Time will tell how well this one goes, so far it's better than what's been on there with the rock hard foam.

[Kiwifruit]

The easiest way to improve seat comfort is to put a piece of gravel in each sock before putting your boots on.
Focuses the mind away from your arse 

[Hooli]

Riding better roads fixes the seat.

I only find it uncomfy after long rides on straight roads. If it's twisty & I'm moving about a bit on the bike it's comfy all day.

[Notty]

Perhaps its your arse ? 

[Nic]

Perhaps its your arse ? 

I do believe you said the same thing in my other thread about the seat, you may be right though because I never had this problem back in the 70s.

[Kiwifruit]

Riding better roads fixes the seat.

I only find it uncomfy after long rides on straight roads. If it's twisty & I'm moving about a bit on the bike it's comfy all day.

Nic you sure you're not sitting on your wallet 
I'm kinda with you Hooli. Fortnight ago rode off the Cook Straight ferry fully loaded with kit at 12.15pm rode in the gate 500kms later at 7.00pm only stopped twice for gas, a drink and a bite to eat. Took a moment to get off the bike I have say but I'd become reasonably bike fit in the two weeks I'd been away. Bugger all motorway riding.

[grog]

Nic, stock seat terrible.Had mine changed yrs ago. 600ks not a problem, add our sheepskins, strap on in a few minutes, ride forever. No sore spots at all

[Kiwifruit]

Always liked the look of your seat Grog.

[grog]

And the sheepskins would make you feel at home

[grog]

Sorry Col, dishing up lamb chops. Yum

[Nic]

Nic, stock seat terrible.Had mine changed yrs ago. 600ks not a problem, add our sheepskins, strap on in a few minutes, ride forever. No sore spots at all

Yes mate, I had mine done by Mick at MJM in Goulburn, an improvement but no cigar, Notty's probably right, it must be my old soft arse just ain't up to the task any more 

[Mick_J]

I find most modern bike seats are uncomfortable which I believe is caused by the manufacturers making the front of the seat very low and narrow so that short arses can fit on their bikes.  I find you always slide forward and end up sitting on your knackers and bashing the tank.  I usually have the front of the seat raised and widened and that solves the problem for me anyway.