What's the seat like?

[Katamaniac]

I removed some of the original foam from my seat and used some foam I had laying around from a back seat of a VW Beetle (new style) It is much better, but it still needs work. I think the shape of the seat is more of an issue than the firmness. If you nitice, the custom seats from Corbin and Seargant Cycle are contoured to fit your back side, which will distribute more of your weight and take more of the pressure off your tail bone.

[Ed G.]

I too got monkey butt w/in a half hour of riding.  The front portion of the saddle is too narrow for my butt,  plus the slope of the seat makes it uncomfortable to sit on the rear portion.   I tried a sheep skin on the seat.  It was  better but not great.
BUT I think I've solved the problem. I cut up an old foam sleeping pad  and contoured it to fill and  widen the front,  lowest part of the saddle.  After some experimentation,  I glued the foam to the bottom of the sheep skin.  Now with the padded sheepskin, when I slide back on the saddle  the foam is contoured  to keep me there and in the twisties,  when I move to the front of the saddle, the foam effectively widens the saddle and I'm comfortable there too.

Ed G.
Moderation in all things, including moderation.
Oscar Wilde

[KenB]

Two short rides - 50 miles and ten miles - and no major complaint on the stock seat. I've had much worse that's for sure. Time and miles will tell if it needs adjustment.

Having done the Sargent and Corbin seats on previous bikes, and never entirely happy with either one, I would be more likely to have this one modified or bite the bullet and turn to a Day Long.

[cookie99]

You guys are pussys.  

Try buying a pair of Bicycle shorts with padding and you can ride all day.  

I toured my Ducati 900ss around Northeren Australia in the 1970's wearing Jeans and cycling shorts.

[captain casual]

I have put more miles on my 06 bandit seat with a gel insert in the seat. This seat is destroying my tailbone!! I went to the chiropractor and after seeing x rays, there is definitely problems. I can ride all day on a bike that has a decent flat seat but this one is just skinny enough for me to put all the pressure of my body right between my hips. Sargent is accepting intro registration for our seats, go sign up. The seat will be wider and the foam more supportive. I agree that I have sat on worse seats but the ones in the good ole days were at least wide enough to support your body!! Tailbone pain is horrible especially in this age of technology.

[SteelD]

I don't have a problem with the comfort of the seat (well, I've never gone on a trip over 50 miles with the Bandit so far) but it looks cheap and I have a tendency to slide forward. So, if I do a seat swap, it will not only be for comfort but will be for looks and enough support to stop my butt drifting up to the tank.

[KenB]

I've logged nearly 1500 miles on the Bandit in the last 60 days, with the longest single ride being 350 miles. My initial impression of the stock seat was satisfactory. I've had worse. I've had better. I even visited the Corbin and Sargent sites to see what their plans were. I also talked to George (Spencer) about his modification options.

But I'm sensing the stock seat is breaking in. A 300+ mile ride last Sunday was fine. No aches or discomfort. I think I'll give it some more time before I plunk down $ on an aftermarket seat or stock seat modification. Right now, a new windscreen is a higher priority than a different seat.

[wilinfla]

I just found out that one of my co-workers and her husband have a business on the side doing motorcycle seats. She said they can use either memory foam or gel as an insert and use the original covering for under $50. Which would you recommend, the memory foam or the gel? I'm fine with the seat up to 100 miles, after that it's no fun.

[Red01]

I've heard of complaints of the gel getting hot in the summer sun.
Never used a gel seat myself though...

[CWO4GUNNER]

Because the gel block is solid it does not allow air flow if nested at the top of the foam against the vinyl. It has to be nested down lower with at least 1/8 inch layer between the gel block and the vinyl cover which will allow air to pass and heat to release from your butt or the sun light. When I get around to that project I will post it.

[wilinfla]

I got my seat back  I had them shave the seat and put memory foam on it so it looks stock. They did the passenger seat as well, the total cost was $100. I am very happy with the results so far. I haven't been able to do any long rides yet, but I can already tell a difference on the short 30 mile rides I have taken. I need to get it out and take a 200 mile ride to see how it feels for distance.

                                        Will