Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => BIG BANDIT BANTER => Topic started by: SteelD on April 27, 2007, 06:46:46 AM

Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: SteelD on April 27, 2007, 06:46:46 AM
I've heard reports that the seat isn't so good for long distances. Is it the same seat as on the previous B12? I thought it was a 2-piece but it's actually a single unit.

Corbin hope to do a seat shortly but I don't know about Sargeant. I guess I'll wait until I have a few miles under my butt before I decide.  :wink:
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: ZenMan on April 27, 2007, 01:16:17 PM
SteelD... The '07 B1250 is a two-piece adjustable unit.

I finally got the whole thing edited and condensed into a comprehensive illustrated tutorial. Hope this helps:

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?p=70283#70283
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: PhilS on June 18, 2007, 09:57:26 PM
I adjusted my seat with that write up y'all did. My dealer did not know how to do it - which sucked. I thought I adjusted the seat up by only moving the front two seat bolts, but as it turned out, that was only 10% of the job.

Thanks for the write up on the seat change - it worked out very well. It is better from a height perspective, but a gel embedded seat will be slick.......waiting on the GunFighter in '08.
Title: Seat sux
Post by: captain casual on June 24, 2007, 09:44:56 PM
I have the same seat on my 06 and with it adjusted up or down my tailbone is riding on the back edge of the seat. There  is almost no padding there and my tailbone starts aching after about 60 minutes. There must be a way to get a better seat on this thing!!!! After 3000 kms my back has never felt so lousy riding a motorcycle. My klr 650 with the corbin on it was 1000 times more comfortable. Corbin Help
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Vlad on June 29, 2007, 04:16:23 PM
My butt got sore after just over half an hour on it. I think it's much worse than the second generation stock.

First thing that would go on my new 1250 is the seat, followed closely by that howitzer posing as the exhaust can. I found the riding position quite alright though.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Raphy on June 29, 2007, 05:06:53 PM
I installed an AIRHAWK cushion on my B650 (same adjustable seat as the 1250) and i can do all day rides now without ANY issues - no joke!  :motorsmile:
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Vlad on June 29, 2007, 11:28:40 PM
Quote from: "Raphy"
I installed an AIRHAWK cushion on my B650 (same adjustable seat as the 1250) and i can do all day rides now without ANY issues - no joke!  :motorsmile:


That sounds very interesting, but I'm cheap :). Sheep skin on Second hand Corbin seat for me. Looks goofy, but the effect is just like you described :).
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: leedogg on July 04, 2007, 05:44:50 PM
I asked in another thread if the 1200 seat would fit the 1250...

Anyway- I rode about 200 miles last saturday and my seat was killing the ride.  Definately need something more comfy.

Any options available yet?
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Red01 on July 04, 2007, 06:21:48 PM
The only 1200 seat that would fit the 1250 would be the one from a 2006 1200 which is the same body style - and not sold in the USA.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: leedogg on July 04, 2007, 10:34:05 PM
Thatnks for that info red.

Someone needs to put out an alternitive.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Raphy on July 05, 2007, 10:58:08 AM
Quote from: "vlad"
Quote from: "Raphy"
I installed an AIRHAWK cushion on my B650 (same adjustable seat as the 1250) and i can do all day rides now without ANY issues - no joke!  :motorsmile:


That sounds very interesting, but I'm cheap :). Sheep skin on Second hand Corbin seat for me. Looks goofy, but the effect is just like you described :).


I bought mine for about $120   :bigok:
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: ZenMan on July 26, 2007, 02:30:49 AM
Some good seat info here relating to all big Bandits, and the thread will be more appropriate here since it's not engine/tranny related.   :motorsmile:
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: SteelD on July 26, 2007, 07:11:41 AM
I've not made any long trips on my 1250 yet so don't know how the seat shapes up for me. However, I fancy something a fraction lower and less stock looking but Corbin and Sargent don't make seats yet so I might look round for a K6 seat (2006 model) from a scrap yard and get that reformed and recovered along the lines of a Corbin seat and swap them over.

Who knows, if it works, I can do another and set up a business selling 1250 seats ahead of Corbin and Sargent...
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: pitrider on July 28, 2007, 08:25:45 PM
I can ride aprox 180-200 miles with the stock seat.. too firm..I hope some aftermarket solutions are available soon..
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: skipper on August 09, 2007, 09:41:54 PM
Quote from: "vlad"
Quote from: "Raphy"
I installed an AIRHAWK cushion on my B650 (same adjustable seat as the 1250) and i can do all day rides now without ANY issues - no joke!  :motorsmile:


That sounds very interesting, but I'm cheap :). Sheep skin on Second hand Corbin seat for me. Looks goofy, but the effect is just like you described :).


After two weeks of working on my seat using regular foam memory foam sweat shirts and so what I found that works best on my 52 yr.old buttis a green sleeping pad I found in my basement I cut a piece that match the bottom pan and slid it under my oem pad the green pad is 1/2 inc thick and much more dense and absorbs the vibration much better and supports the oem foam.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: Katamaniac on August 10, 2007, 10:26:49 AM
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.
Title: Bandit Seat
Post by: Ed G. on August 14, 2007, 12:33:43 AM
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
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: KenB on August 14, 2007, 08:30:22 AM
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.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: cookie99 on August 19, 2007, 07:35:36 AM
You guys are pussys.  :boohoo:

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

I toured my Ducati 900ss around Northeren Australia in the 1970's wearing Jeans and cycling shorts. :grin:
Title: This seat still sux!!!
Post by: captain casual on September 15, 2007, 11:57:32 PM
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.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: SteelD on October 12, 2007, 08:58:42 AM
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.
Title: What's the seat like?
Post by: KenB on October 12, 2007, 09:09:08 AM
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.
Title: Re: What's the seat like?
Post by: wilinfla on December 01, 2007, 01:59:43 PM
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.
Title: Re: What's the seat like?
Post by: Red01 on December 01, 2007, 11:22:38 PM
I've heard of complaints of the gel getting hot in the summer sun.
Never used a gel seat myself though...
Title: Re: What's the seat like?
Post by: CWO4GUNNER on December 02, 2007, 12:12:33 AM
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.
Title: Re: What's the seat like?
Post by: wilinfla on December 18, 2007, 01:15:32 PM
I got my seat back  :grin: 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