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Comfortable Spring Solo Seat?

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Old Nov 26, 2013 | 09:34 PM
  #1  
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Default Comfortable Spring Solo Seat?

So I'm trying to decide on my winter mods, and for this winter (06' Street Bob) I'm thinking 16" Chubbies apes, 1/4 fairing, 21" front wheel, and I love the look of the spring solo seats, but are there any that are actually comfortable? What's some of the top ones for comfort on longer rides.
 
Old Nov 26, 2013 | 11:13 PM
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They do look great on a bobber, or just a stripped down bike.

They're extremely comfortable for urban riding. It's a myth that they are not. They will take bumps nicely. Those springs really do work. For this type of riding, they are more comfortable than any padded seat I've tried. (I don't try the really billowy ones though, just out of preference.)

A spring seat will typically sit you higher in the bike though. And that is a plus in almost any situation. You'll corner better, and see better. But for long superslab rides over 75 mph, sitting higher can get tiresome after several hours. Then again, padded seats, unless they look like marshmallows, turn my **** to stone on the superslab.

I've only ran one spring seat. The HD spring solo seat that I've had on my Slim as the best seating option for me. And I find it very comfortable. But I am looking for spring seat options that will sit me a little lower in the bike. Just like an inch would do the trick.

Others will chime in. If you're a bigger dude with a wider payload, haha, a spring seat may not be for you just from a practical standpoint. But other than that, I see no real drawbacks.

 

Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Nov 26, 2013 at 11:19 PM.
Old Nov 26, 2013 | 11:55 PM
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Longer rides is my major concern, because even my short rides are mostly highway 40-60 miles, and quite a bit of half day or all day rides.
 
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by SoCalSoftailSlim



That seat looks awesome on your bike
 
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 12:12 AM
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Thanks ynots! Great looking scoot you got there yourself. Black and chrome man. Black and chrome.

ajmil, I hear ya. I ride everyday in the city. Then take 140 mile superslab round trips on weekends to see relatives at times.

You should try a spring seat with a bit of arch to the rear, IMHO, and look for one that sits lower than most. That's actually the direction I'm looking to go.

Something like this: http://www.smokymountainsteelhorses....BBER_SEATS.htm

But I'd like to personally keep the torsion (aka scissor) springs as opposed to the barrels.
 

Last edited by SoCalSoftailSlim; Nov 27, 2013 at 12:16 AM.
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 03:22 AM
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Originally Posted by ajmilberg
So I'm trying to decide on my winter mods, and for this winter (06' Street Bob) I'm thinking 16" Chubbies apes, 1/4 fairing, 21" front wheel, and I love the look of the spring solo seats, but are there any that are actually comfortable? What's some of the top ones for comfort on longer rides.
We have a full line of bolt on solo sprung seats kits for Sportsters. We also have components that can be used to work wiht your SB.

I am 55 and did a 2100 mile trip with one of our sprung seat kits on a sporty. I was comfortable...more comfortable than a lot of the guys on baggers I was riding with. lol

Here's a Ride Report that you may find interesting.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...pic-heavy.html

Here is a LINK to our full line of Solo-Seat components.

The Barrel Springs will give the most suspension (most comfortable ride).

There are two main factors in comfort on a sprung seat-

1. actual suspension (springs)
2. padding/softness/hardness of the actual seat

As you can see in my Ride Report above I was using a seat without much padding. I have since added more padding under the leather and it is much nicer.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 10:01 AM
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Thanks for the link, Kevin. I'll check your stuff out too.

And thanks for the tips on the barrels. Though I like the look of the torsions better, suspension is the main thing.

Another thing I've been considering is a leaf spring seat. But of course, that will require some real fabrication. I don't have the shop, or the skills, really. But I know a guy who is good. We'll see.
 
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by SoCalSoftailSlim
Thanks for the link, Kevin. I'll check your stuff out too.

And thanks for the tips on the barrels. Though I like the look of the torsions better, suspension is the main thing.

Another thing I've been considering is a leaf spring seat. But of course, that will require some real fabrication. I don't have the shop, or the skills, really. But I know a guy who is good. We'll see.
Cool, appreciate you looking.

Yeah, we've been playing with the leaf spring style also. I really like the look, but we are still a ways off from adding it to the line.
 
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Old Nov 27, 2013 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by DK Custom
Cool, appreciate you looking.

Yeah, we've been playing with the leaf spring style also. I really like the look, but we are still a ways off from adding it to the line.
Ya, the leaf set up looks killer. And according to what I've read, it is actually the most comfortable of all if done right. Hope you guys come out with a kit. I'd certainly be interested.
 
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 01:55 PM
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To the OP, if you want to ride a long way without butt hassle, buy yourself a wide "tractor" pogo seat, with or without skirt, I've put one on my Sporty, there is no way back!

OEM numbers are # 52004-25 or # 52006-47B, you can easily find repros on Fleabay, or original ones at the stealership at big $$$$$

 



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