Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: plhcpat on September 04, 2009, 08:44:49 AM

Title: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 04, 2009, 08:44:49 AM
Hey,  Has anyone tried out the new seat Suzuki offers for '07 thru '09 1250's??? I have an '07 and the seat isn't very comfortable.. And no seats are cheap...
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 04, 2009, 02:07:46 PM
I've looked at the '09s on the showroom floor and the seat looks the same. Not much change from my 08 other than fork tubes and swingarm are now black instead of sliver.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 04, 2009, 02:57:16 PM
I don't know if that would be the same seat.  This was on their website for accessories for bandits,, gel seat,,, good to -40,, the original seats are like rock,,, I rode a guys 2000 kawi concourse 1000 and the stock seat was as soft as a recliner.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 04, 2009, 03:26:48 PM
I don't know if that would be the same seat.  This was on their website for accessories for bandits,, gel seat,,, good to -40,, the original seats are like rock,,, I rode a guys 2000 kawi concourse 1000 and the stock seat was as soft as a recliner.
Are these optional seats being offered or the stock seats you are talking about? ??
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 04, 2009, 04:26:53 PM
Don't know if they are optional but here is the page on Suzuki's website..
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/cycles/Products/Bandit%201250S/2009/GSF1250S/Accessories/Gel%20Seats/990A0-31000.aspx?Style=&CategoryId=5
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 04, 2009, 04:49:44 PM
thanks for the link. i will have to look into this more. I was going to have mine custom done locally.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 04, 2009, 05:09:02 PM
I'm hoping someone has tried this,,,cause I'm working on the wife for a new seat...  Did Americade in New York in June, (350 miles one way)  about killed my but...
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 04, 2009, 05:51:38 PM
I'm hoping someone has tried this,,,cause I'm working on the wife for a new seat...  Did Americade in New York in June, (350 miles one way)  about killed my but...
Tell the wife that if she expects you to return home on time from a bike trip you need to be able to do it without pain....or the trip may take an extra week or two with "rest stops"! On second thought, keep the original seat and take more time away from home!!
 :beers:
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: blchandl2 on September 04, 2009, 11:55:11 PM
Has anyone tried the Sargent seat? I can get the Suzuki gel seat from Ron Ayres for $290 but don't know how much of an improvement it would be.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: Jester on September 05, 2009, 01:19:29 AM
I have the aftermarket Gel seat from Suzuki. Have a little under 1000km on it now and it's a HUGE improvement over the stock seat. I have it set up using the high front / low rear method.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: blchandl2 on September 05, 2009, 01:22:17 AM
Thanks for the reply.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 05, 2009, 04:39:30 AM
I have the aftermarket Gel seat from Suzuki. Have a little under 1000km on it now and it's a HUGE improvement over the stock seat. I have it set up using the high front / low rear method.
Damn I feel stupid. I should have done that high front - low rear setting as I often find myself sliding into the tank. :duh:
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: BlueDog on September 05, 2009, 11:51:42 AM
I don't mean to start anything here, but I've seen this complaint a lot about "I keep sliding forward into the tank", and that's the same people who generally complain about the seat.
Now I know I've only had my 1250 for just over 1K miles, but I find the stock seat to be very good, and I have no problems with sliding forward. I sit forward up against the tank and my knees hugging the tank, back straight, balls of feet on pegs, and I find that position to be the most comfortable and affords me the best control when snapping the bike around the corners and so on. That's the position they teach you in most rider's schools too.
I just don't understand why would you want to ride with your butt slid back away from the tank anyway? It just puts an arch in your back and makes it harder to reach the handlebars, and you have less control of the bike because your center of gravity is too far back. The Bandit is not a 'cruiser', so why does anyone want to sit on it like it is?
I know, each to their own, but another thing I don't get is 'bar risers'... if you sit way back on the seat I guess they help correct for that, but if you sit forward properly, you don't need them. Besides, if I didn't like my handlebars I would change them, not bolt on more heavy stuff like risers that clutter up the bike and create an extra blockage between your sensitivity of the bike.
Ok, enlighten me guys and gals. What's up with all that?  :motorsmile:
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: Jester on September 05, 2009, 02:00:05 PM
I don't mean to start anything here, but I've seen this complaint a lot about "I keep sliding forward into the tank", and that's the same people who generally complain about the seat.
Now I know I've only had my 1250 for just over 1K miles, but I find the stock seat to be very good, and I have no problems with sliding forward. I sit forward up against the tank and my knees hugging the tank, back straight, balls of feet on pegs, and I find that position to be the most comfortable and affords me the best control when snapping the bike around the corners and so on. That's the position they teach you in most rider's schools too.
I just don't understand why would you want to ride with your butt slid back away from the tank anyway? It just puts an arch in your back and makes it harder to reach the handlebars, and you have less control of the bike because your center of gravity is too far back. The Bandit is not a 'cruiser', so why does anyone want to sit on it like it is?
I know, each to their own, but another thing I don't get is 'bar risers'... if you sit way back on the seat I guess they help correct for that, but if you sit forward properly, you don't need them. Besides, if I didn't like my handlebars I would change them, not bolt on more heavy stuff like risers that clutter up the bike and create an extra blockage between your sensitivity of the bike.
Ok, enlighten me guys and gals. What's up with all that?  :motorsmile:

I like being able to sit further back when I'm riding two up or on longer trek's. When I'm in the twisties I can always move forward onto the tank, what I didn't like was feeling forced onto the tank. For me I find the reach to the stock bars just fine no matter which position I'm in.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: icemakk on September 05, 2009, 02:01:47 PM
I agree with Jester. I think for taller riders one has to stretch out and move away from the tank.
Switching to Buell Pegs soon to get more leg room too.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: BlueDog on September 05, 2009, 05:18:03 PM
I'm 6'2", are you guys taller? How do you get your knees snug on the tank when you're far back away from it? I need to have a good grip on the tank with my knees and thighs to feel 'one' with the bike, y'know? I get a better feel and control, like riding a horse bareback I guess, sorta steering the bike with leg pressure.
I understand moving around on long trips to relieve different muscles and all, but when I try to sit back away from the tank for very long my back, shoulders, and neck start hurting pretty quick.
I dunno, different strokes for different folks I guess. But I still can't help but think that most of the complaints about the stock seat and 'sliding forward' are due to sitting too far back. I see guys riding like that with their butts slid back and their backs arched, shoulders hunched forward, and I just feel like telling them "Dude, straighten up you'll feel better!"  :stickpoke:
Correct posture and riding position works wonders for going long distances with minimum discomfort, I find myself slacking sometimes too, and I have to remind myself to sit up and straighten my back again.
I guess my mother was right when she kept yelling at me "Straighten up and quit slouching!"
Her training was so good it helped my riding too. Thanks Mom!  :thanks:
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: Jester on September 05, 2009, 05:51:59 PM
I'm 6'2", are you guys taller? How do you get your knees snug on the tank when you're far back away from it? I need to have a good grip on the tank with my knees and thighs to feel 'one' with the bike, y'know? I get a better feel and control, like riding a horse bareback I guess, sorta steering the bike with leg pressure.
I understand moving around on long trips to relieve different muscles and all, but when I try to sit back away from the tank for very long my back, shoulders, and neck start hurting pretty quick.

6'2.5" here but I don't need to grip the tank snuggly when I'm sitting back on the seat as that is when I'm just cruising along. When I go into the twisties I can still slide forward on the seat and grip the tank. I can sit up with a straight back even when I'm on the back of the seat so having the seat in this position. It's not a case of not wanting to ride on the front of the seat it's a case of the stock position forced me to ride there as I was always sliding forward. Now with the front on high and the back on low I can choose where on the seat I want to be for the conditions I'm in, which gives me more comfort.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 06, 2009, 10:31:08 AM
I have the aftermarket Gel seat from Suzuki. Have a little under 1000km on it now and it's a HUGE improvement over the stock seat. I have it set up using the high front / low rear method.
Thanks for the reply Jester.  Went to see the AMA Superbike / Daytona Sportbike races yesterday in Millville,NJ.  179 miles round trip...My but hurt when I got there and it hurt when I got back...I.m on the stumpy side around 5'6" (need a lowering kit too)..and I do sit on the tank, seems like after an hour I start squirming around.  Had other riders check to see if my posture or riding position was wrong or if they could suggest something.  they all said I looked fine.  So I know the seat is the issue...  Have to work some O.T. to pay for a seat and lowering kit.
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: tango59 on September 13, 2009, 10:35:47 PM
I have an 08 1250. I put a 07 GSX 650 seat on mine. Much more comfy, a bit flatter so it doesn't push you forward much, a bit lower, seat pan is the same as the 1250 and it's about $ 200.00 Got it at "Bike Bandit" last year
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: plhcpat on September 15, 2009, 07:12:06 PM
Thanks for the response.  I don't seem to have a problem with getting pushed forward,  but, (no pun inteded),  I seem to get sore after about an hour or so... I don't have a problem with my kids 250 ninja either.  Guess I just have to buy the new seat,,,can't afford it this year,, hope they still have it next year... Oh by the way... the wife seems to think I rig everything so if I tried to install a seat from a different bike , she would go wild...
Pat 
Title: Re: New Seat from Suzuki
Post by: BlueDog on September 18, 2009, 02:52:24 AM
Maybe it'll be broke in by then???  :stickpoke: