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Compared to which stock seat? Some stock seats are VERY different than other stock seats.
Personally, the Fat Boy/Lo, and Heritage seats are comfortable enough for me that I would not change them. The one on my Slim was so bad, almost anything would be better.
The Barebones is a pretty stiff seat, and it takes a while to break in. Took a while for me to get used to it, and, I suppose, for it to "get used to" me. I'm happy with it now. No gel - don't know if/how much better it would be with it.
I have had both gel and non and I really can't tell to much of a difference, like tagalong said it's more for contour looks. When I ride around town I use mine and switch back to my stock Deluxe seat for longer rides. I think it's the best looking seat for a Softail but don't buy it for comfort.
I have a Bare Bones on my Slim as well. At first you feel like you may as well be sitting on the frame; but as stated above its merely a matter of getting use to it. It took about a thousand miles to feel like it has be broken in. While you could see all this as a pretty big negative, the positive side is that I'm pretty sure there's not a better looking seat out there!
I just got back from a 700 mi. trip on mine with a bare bones gel,and I can say my back felt much better with that than anything else I've ridden with in a long time.
I can ride all day on my Barebones. The first 500 - 800 miles on it weren't that great but once broke in it is just right for me.
A lot of people will get a new seat and ride a few hours on it. Never giving them time to break in. Then they complain how bad it is and sell it. Truth is if you only ride a few hours a month your not going to get used to being in the saddle all day.
I got the BB with biker gel and I give it a -3 out of 10 for comfort. I can ride from gas to gas, but I usually can't feel my @$$ after riding that long on it. It sure LOOKs cool, tho!
On a serious note, I don't think the gel helps much, but if you want the coolness factor AND a comfortable seat, check out what member dennyo did to his here.
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