Please Help My Bum!
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Illinois...not Chicago
Please Help My Bum!
We have finally fulfilled a dream...proud owners of a 1985 FXSB Low Rider! Two seats came with her, but neither is particularly kind to my bottom. Have looked around the internet, but am having trouble finding a seat that will fit. She is beautiful and I am unwilling to ruin her lines with just anything.
Is the only option a custom seat? Does anyone have any ideas? Really want to be comfortable riding longer than 100 miles. Appreciate the help...my bum thanks you too!
Is the only option a custom seat? Does anyone have any ideas? Really want to be comfortable riding longer than 100 miles. Appreciate the help...my bum thanks you too!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
We have finally fulfilled a dream...proud owners of a 1985 FXSB Low Rider! Two seats came with her, but neither is particularly kind to my bottom. Have looked around the internet, but am having trouble finding a seat that will fit. She is beautiful and I am unwilling to ruin her lines with just anything.
Is the only option a custom seat? Does anyone have any ideas? Really want to be comfortable riding longer than 100 miles. Appreciate the help...my bum thanks you too!
Is the only option a custom seat? Does anyone have any ideas? Really want to be comfortable riding longer than 100 miles. Appreciate the help...my bum thanks you too!
Having owned my 1990 Glide from new I have only earlier this year cured our comfort problem, also stopped it from bottoming out and at last have a happy wife!
The solution is to start at the ground and work up. A change of tyres from the stock ones can improve the quality of the ride, just by using a superior brand. My preferred brand is Avon. They will give you both an improvement in comfort.
However the best improvement is new rear shocks. Some of us have tried several brands with varied success, but ended up giving Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal a call and getting his custom-built Ohlins. Don't buy cheap alternatives, do it just once and be amazed!
When you have sorted out the 'foundations' you may find you don't need a new seat, or if you replace it you will be in seventh heaven!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Welcome to HDF, from the UK!
Having owned my 1990 Glide from new I have only earlier this year cured our comfort problem, also stopped it from bottoming out and at last have a happy wife!
The solution is to start at the ground and work up. A change of tyres from the stock ones can improve the quality of the ride, just by using a superior brand. My preferred brand is Avon. They will give you both an improvement in comfort.
However the best improvement is new rear shocks. Some of us have tried several brands with varied success, but ended up giving Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal a call and getting his custom-built Ohlins. Don't buy cheap alternatives, do it just once and be amazed!
When you have sorted out the 'foundations' you may find you don't need a new seat, or if you replace it you will be in seventh heaven!
Having owned my 1990 Glide from new I have only earlier this year cured our comfort problem, also stopped it from bottoming out and at last have a happy wife!
The solution is to start at the ground and work up. A change of tyres from the stock ones can improve the quality of the ride, just by using a superior brand. My preferred brand is Avon. They will give you both an improvement in comfort.
However the best improvement is new rear shocks. Some of us have tried several brands with varied success, but ended up giving Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal a call and getting his custom-built Ohlins. Don't buy cheap alternatives, do it just once and be amazed!
When you have sorted out the 'foundations' you may find you don't need a new seat, or if you replace it you will be in seventh heaven!
But if you are looking at seats, in my humble opinion Mustang makes far and away the most COMFORTABLE seats out there. I dumped Bertha's rock-hard Corbin for my Mustang Regal, and never looked back! The Corbin is supposed to mold itself to your butt - but I guess it didn't notice my scrawny butt was ever on it. It felt like a park bench, whereas the Mustang feels more like a La-Z-Boy on wheels! My legs no longer fall asleep after 30 minutes on the bike because of the Corbin's far-too-wide throat, either... the Mustang's throat is much narrower, which enables me to ride comfortably and actually reach the ground with both feet flat-footed. I can ride literally all day in the Mustang!
BTW, I SOLD the Corbin for $300 on eBay - which paid for most of the new Mustang seat...
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Welcome.
We have a '90 Ultra and the only real choices in seats for ours was Mustang. I do like having a sheepskin, you may not like a sheepskin.
We have a sheepskin outlet about an hour away and have gone there a few times to replace our sheepskin - it a pretty nice ride for us. here is one of the photos from their web site:
http://www.sickafus.com/
We have a '90 Ultra and the only real choices in seats for ours was Mustang. I do like having a sheepskin, you may not like a sheepskin.
We have a sheepskin outlet about an hour away and have gone there a few times to replace our sheepskin - it a pretty nice ride for us. here is one of the photos from their web site:
http://www.sickafus.com/
Last edited by pajoe; Aug 21, 2010 at 06:25 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,590
Likes: 444
From: Ohio
Pay no attention to the comments about air shocks, the FXSB does not have them. Do look into quality shocks, Ohlins and Works are the high end, Progressive are good and less money. The biggest problem is that seats for '85 & '86 FXs are hard to find. You may only be able to get a decent seat by having one built. A good one will not be very cushy, but will be firm enough to give good support.
Good luck
Good luck
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Illinois...not Chicago
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 18
From: SE Michigan
Road Sofa
Sound comfy? It is. Do check out Saddlemen Seats dot com to see if they have a mold for your year and model. Since I put my "Road Sofa" on Blue Belle the only time I have to stop is to hydrate, dehydrate, or fuel up. It's like Momma Bear's bed; not too hard, not too soft, and has built in gel and great lower back support.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Funny things Corbins. We have one on my Glide and with the Ohlins it is far more comfortable! They also cured bottoming out, but I only suffered that when riding 2-up.
What we have proved with the Ohlins is that they provide a smoother ride, which is itself less tiring on long journeys and a good enough reason to buy them IMHO. That the bike handles better and rides sweeter on even the shortest trip is a real bonus!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Mine is a 93 FXLR, so not sure about the fitment on your earlier model. I have Drag Specialties flamed Predator that I use for short trips and running around town. Looks good on the bike, is one piece and matches the flames on my tank.
For longer trips I swap over to a two piece Mustang model #75321. Super comfortable and a very high quality piece. Nice part is I can swap them out in less than 15 minutes. Try Mustangs online catalog and see if they have a fitment for your year. If not try calling them and speak to Rae a sales rep there. They still may have a pan or mold in stock and can build you one. It's worth a try.
For longer trips I swap over to a two piece Mustang model #75321. Super comfortable and a very high quality piece. Nice part is I can swap them out in less than 15 minutes. Try Mustangs online catalog and see if they have a fitment for your year. If not try calling them and speak to Rae a sales rep there. They still may have a pan or mold in stock and can build you one. It's worth a try.