V7 (and) my a$$

[Rich A]

I read on the internet (so it must be true) that the suspension for the V7 is set up for a 160 lb rider. I'm thinking the stock seat was designed for that same rider, but I'm heavier than that, about 185 lb starkers. At best, I thought the OEM seat was tolerable, more often uncomfortable. The gel "comfort" seat is a little wider than the stock one, I think, about 9 inches wide across the top from seam-to-seam. For comparison, the Corbin on my Jackal sidecar rig is close to 15 in wide and the reworked seat (by the PO) on my Convert is 13 in wide. What makes the stock V7 seat worse is that it is crowned, that is, higher in the center than at the edges. I think the narrowish seat and its curvature puts pressure on the lower part of your hip bone called the ischium, and that's what makes the seat uncomfortable.

So, I took my seat to one of the local re-upholsterers and had the seat widened (the side of the seat now flares out a bit at the top instead of tapering inward) and made flatter on top. It's now over 12 inches at its widest--the pictures below are a little distorted, so it's hard to tell from them exactly how wide the seats are, but you can get an idea of how the seat has been re-shaped. It is much more comfortable now with the added cheek support, in fact, I'd say that it's one of the best things I've done to the bike to make it more comfortable. Also, I think the lines are fine and it doesn't look out of proportion.

Gel "comfort" seat



Modified seat



Side view



***While out on a ride today, I saw a guy on a motorcycle wearing a face mask, t-shirt, and shorts.

Rich A

[Siamese]

Hope you solved the seat issue.  I'd like to do the same with my v7III, 2018. 

I'm weigh in at 158lbs., and can tell you the seat is NOT made for a 160lb. rider.  It's probably not even made for a human being.  Too narrow, and the padding just isn't very good. 

Like you, I'm going to turn mine over to someone to redo it.  There's a place in a neighboring state that has a good reputation.  I'll want a new cover, so it can be made wider under the rider, much better foam, and more foam.  At 5'11" this bike is a little short.  I already lowered the pegs, making a huge improvement, and if the seat was another 1/2" to 3/4" higher that'd be fine with me. 

 

[Lannis]

As far as I remember, no motorcycle manufacturer has ever called me and asked me to send in my measurements so that they can make sure the seat feels right to me ....     .... so on any bike I buy, I already know that the seat was made for 1) Low Cost   2) Showroom Appeal  3) and Style, all of which are generally antithetic to 4) My Personal Comfort.

I haven't had a bike yet that I haven't modified the seat.   Nothing more personal than your interaction with the motorcycle down there.    Custom seats, beads, gel, new foam, they always need something.

Lannis

[Gliderjohn]

Surprisingly my 2011 Norge seat is almost perfect for me anyway. Been amazed how comfortable it stays even over long travel days. Read quite a few remarks over the years from others saying the opposite. Luck of the draw I guess.
GliderJohn

[ohiorider]

Surprisingly my 2011 Norge seat is almost perfect for me anyway. Been amazed how comfortable it stays even over long travel days. Read quite a few remarks over the years from others saying the opposite. Luck of the draw I guess.
GliderJohn

I liked the shape of my 1200 Sport saddle, similar if not identical to the saddle on the 2v Norge.  However, the padding was too soft in mine. Sent it 2x to Sargent, and it came back much more firm and comfortable.

Bob

[jpv7]

As far as I remember, no motorcycle manufacturer has ever called me and asked me to send in my measurements so that they can make sure the seat feels right to me ....     .... so on any bike I buy, I already know that the seat was made for 1) Low Cost   2) Showroom Appeal  3) and Style, all of which are generally antithetic to 4) My Personal Comfort.

I haven't had a bike yet that I haven't modified the seat.   Nothing more personal than your interaction with the motorcycle down there.    Custom seats, beads, gel, new foam, they always need something.

Lannis

Lol...after owning a number of Ducatis, i fully expected to change out my V7ii seat when i got it.  It turned out to be just fine for me at 165 lbs.  Go figure. I must be the only one...

[kingoffleece]

The as delivered V7 seats abuse one of the most basic rules out there.  They come concurve.  That's ridiculous.

Seats, screens, and helmets.  Unique to the owner.

[John Ulrich]

Motorcycle seats are designed for the most part for the average consumer to throw their leg over in the showroom and have his shoes sit flat on the floor.  You and I then fall in love and except the fact that the seat will be modified or replaced.  I've never owned a cycle I did not replace the seat and suspension.

[ridingron]

I rode a '80 Suzuki GS 850 L for 40K miles in 3 years. Most comfortable stock seat I ever sat on! Great bike!

[Huzo]

Thanx for the beaut shots of the V7 seat..
Any chance of a couple of your a$$$..?
I threw in the extra $ as incentive...

[wymple]

I rode a '80 Suzuki GS 850 L for 40K miles in 3 years. Most comfortable stock seat I ever sat on! Great bike!

The "L" seats were rank when compared to the straight bike G model. I still have an 81 GS850G. The seat got in bad shape and I grafted on a seat from a Yamaha Venture. Best I've ever had, followed by the GS850G Suzuki and my old Cal 2. My son Chris bought an aftermarket seat, may be a Corbin, not sure, for his V7. He can sit it all day.

[Rich A]

Any chance of a couple of your a$$$..?
I threw in the extra $ as incentive...

Sssshh! I think there's a no soliciting rule for this BB.

[Huzo]

Sssshh! I think there's a no soliciting rule for this BB.

Whoops...!...(sorry) 

[Lannis]

Whoops...!...(sorry) 

You guys better get a room take it offline ...     

[Chethro]

Fisher Seats 1" taller than the rear carried thru to the front.






image hosting sites free

[tazio]

Thanx for the beaut shots of the V7 seat..
Any chance of a couple of your a$$$..?
I threw in the extra $ as incentive...

You ain't right, Huzo.
But THAT'S why we love you.

[Huzo]

You ain't right, Huzo.
But THAT'S why we love you.

Believe it or not, down under I’m considered rather straight laced...

[Lannis]

It seems that we have people with "universal arses" (that fit any seat) and "convex arses" (that fit concave seats).

Takes all kinds.

Lannis

[Huzo]

It seems that we have people with "universal arses" (that fit any seat) and "convex arses" (that fit concave seats).

Takes all kinds.

Lannis

Nice, (and not a little surprising) that you use the anglicised form of the “a” word and not the hackneyed U.S. version...Classy 
(Still a picture would have been worth a thousand words) 
Also, I may need educating here, but I’d have thought a concave seat would have required a convex arse..?
But I defer to your greater knowledge of such things.

[Lannis]

Nice, (and not a little surprising) that you use the anglicised form of the “a” word and not the hackneyed U.S. version...Classy 

Classy is a by-product, the main reason is to avoid the American censor programs .....

[egschade]

I re-contoured the seat so it's flatter, cut out a section to insert a gel pad from a seat cushion already on hand, then covered the area with 1" of firm memory foam. Looks pretty much OEM but is much nicer on my bony butt.

[twowheeladdict]

I would like to get my OEM Carbon seat worked on, but I want to retain the red threads and alcantara insert.  That means finding a custom seat maker who doesn't ahve a 9 month back log. 

I am enjoying the stock Racer seat for the 30 to 40 mile twisty road rides I do on nice evenings, but for 150 mile rides I definitely need more support.