The stock seat in my ‘18 Deluxe isn’t working for me. It’s too wide, and I need something that sits me a bit lower.

Harley just came out with two seats that look like they might work for me, and the Brawler solo on the right looks like the better of the two. However, both of them say that they come with protective tape for the rear fender.

Obviously, I haven’t seen them in person yet, and I’ve never even looked at an OEM seat that wasn’t a stock one. I normally use Le Pera Bare Bones, but their seats for the ‘18’s are not supppsed to be ready until Spring (and they’ll be more expensive than these new Harley seats).

Does Harley normally not put any sort of felt backing on any of their seats? If not, I’m wondering if I could just cut my own piece of felt and hot glue it on to a seat. Has anyone ever done that?

 

Since your stock seat doesn't work for you, how about sending your seat to one of those "seat re-contourists" out there. You should get your seat back before the temperature hits 55F.

 

I've purchased HD seats before from the dealer - a "low" seat when I had my Road Glide Ultra and a "reach" seat when I had my Dyna LowRider. Neither of these seats had felt on the underside.


My LePera seat for my Breakout however is very well cushioned on the underside with felt to protect the fender.

 

My Heritage has film on the rear fender from the factory. The way the film is scuffed from the pillion, I am glad its there. Easier to replace the film than repaint the fender.

 

 

I’ve been using felt-backed seats for 5 years, and this has never happened to me.

 

I had a Brawler seat on a Sportster. It was hard on the ***. Took it to upholstery shop and put in gel pads & better foam.
It did not prevent fender scratches. I put 2-way tape sticking to seat but did not peel off strip on fender side. Also duct tape on fender.

 

I bought some 3M protective film for a project.... followed directions and worked like a champ. Can't hardly notice..... it was $20 range for a chunk to do both bag tops and have some left over for couple spots on side covers. I know this doesn't answer your question, but the stuff works, can't hardly notice, and is really easy to install.

 

I swap seat frequently when I remove my tourpack. I noticed the stock seat was starting to rub into the fuel tank. 3M film works great, and as Spartanden mentioned, you can't see it if you do it right. Bunch of vid's out on youtube.