Slim seat options
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 396
Likes: 1
From: WNC
I just went through this same decision 4 months ago. Stock seat was causing lower back pain at highway speeds.
Went with the Mustang Wide Tripper solo with backrest. I know, I know, you said no backrest... I was the exact same way. My riding buddies all made fun of me too UNTIL THEY RODE it. Now they are believers.
Don't get me wrong... I still think they are ugly and a bit too 'old man', especially on a bike like the Slim. But I literally can ride until my tank is drained with 0% back problems. That alone is a miracle and the reason I'm keeping it on. And, you can always slide the backrest out and store in your solo bag (if you have one) when you park.
I did ride a couple times without the backrest... and it's definitely a bit better than stock as it does rise up more in the back. Anyway, may be worth considering. Here is a pic:
Went with the Mustang Wide Tripper solo with backrest. I know, I know, you said no backrest... I was the exact same way. My riding buddies all made fun of me too UNTIL THEY RODE it. Now they are believers.
Don't get me wrong... I still think they are ugly and a bit too 'old man', especially on a bike like the Slim. But I literally can ride until my tank is drained with 0% back problems. That alone is a miracle and the reason I'm keeping it on. And, you can always slide the backrest out and store in your solo bag (if you have one) when you park.
I did ride a couple times without the backrest... and it's definitely a bit better than stock as it does rise up more in the back. Anyway, may be worth considering. Here is a pic:
I have a 12 Slim. i took the original seat and had a gel pad inserted with the orig foam and had it reupholsered with real leather. Also the pillion pad widened w/ gel and 2" wider, all less than $350.00, cash of course. Looked at the seat with the back rest, but with long legs, afraid it would put me to close to the tank.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 612
Likes: 3
From: Massachusetts, west side
oops, here it is. The stock seat is is far back as you going to get i believe, unless you want to sit on the rear fender.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Naperville IL
I agree with the above post; the stock seat is as far back as you can go and probably as low as you can go.
I just got the Danny Gray Buttcrack Solo. It was a little over $300, shipped. The quality of construction makes the stock Slim seat feel cheap by comparison. The Danny Gray is made of high quality pebbled leather, like you would find in a luxury car. The foam is nicely firm and supportive, and the seat pan is solid, not plasticky. This seat is fairly narrow- if you are a wide-body, it may not be for you. Aesthetically, I like how it follows the contour of the fender struts (in contrast to the Slim seat, which looks as if it was made for a different bike the way it sticks out past the struts). As far as position, this seat feels like it puts you maybe 1/2" more forward and 1/2" higher. I would attribute this, at least in part, to the fact that the foam does not compress as much as the stock seat. I'm 6'6" 215 and it works well. Keep in mind I use my stock forward controls the way normal-sized people use mid controls, with about a 90 degree bend at the knee.
Summary: highly recommend.
I just got the Danny Gray Buttcrack Solo. It was a little over $300, shipped. The quality of construction makes the stock Slim seat feel cheap by comparison. The Danny Gray is made of high quality pebbled leather, like you would find in a luxury car. The foam is nicely firm and supportive, and the seat pan is solid, not plasticky. This seat is fairly narrow- if you are a wide-body, it may not be for you. Aesthetically, I like how it follows the contour of the fender struts (in contrast to the Slim seat, which looks as if it was made for a different bike the way it sticks out past the struts). As far as position, this seat feels like it puts you maybe 1/2" more forward and 1/2" higher. I would attribute this, at least in part, to the fact that the foam does not compress as much as the stock seat. I'm 6'6" 215 and it works well. Keep in mind I use my stock forward controls the way normal-sized people use mid controls, with about a 90 degree bend at the knee.
Summary: highly recommend.
Last edited by bvkamp; Oct 30, 2013 at 12:37 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
I agree with the above post; the stock seat is as far back as you can go and probably as low as you can go.
I just got the Danny Gray Buttcrack Solo. It was a little over $300, shipped. The quality of construction makes the stock Slim seat feel cheap by comparison. The Danny Gray is made of high quality pebbled leather, like you would find in a luxury car. The foam is nicely firm and supportive, and the seat pan is solid, not plasticky. This seat is fairly narrow- if you are a wide-body, it may not be for you. Aesthetically, I like how it follows the contour of the fender struts (in contrast to the Slim seat, which looks as if it was made for a different bike the way it sticks out past the struts). As far as position, this seat feels like it puts you maybe 1/2" more forward and 1/2" higher. I would attribute this, at least in part, to the fact that the foam does not compress as much as the stock seat. I'm 6'6" 215 and it works well. Keep in mind I use my stock forward controls the way normal-sized people use mid controls, with about a 90 degree bend at the knee.
Summary: highly recommend.
I just got the Danny Gray Buttcrack Solo. It was a little over $300, shipped. The quality of construction makes the stock Slim seat feel cheap by comparison. The Danny Gray is made of high quality pebbled leather, like you would find in a luxury car. The foam is nicely firm and supportive, and the seat pan is solid, not plasticky. This seat is fairly narrow- if you are a wide-body, it may not be for you. Aesthetically, I like how it follows the contour of the fender struts (in contrast to the Slim seat, which looks as if it was made for a different bike the way it sticks out past the struts). As far as position, this seat feels like it puts you maybe 1/2" more forward and 1/2" higher. I would attribute this, at least in part, to the fact that the foam does not compress as much as the stock seat. I'm 6'6" 215 and it works well. Keep in mind I use my stock forward controls the way normal-sized people use mid controls, with about a 90 degree bend at the knee.
Summary: highly recommend.
As much detail as you gave, I'd really love to see and hear about the DG Buttcrack on a Slim. Not that a Blackline ain't a great bike. I'm just curious how the seat looks and feels on an FLS.
Any Slimsters running one?
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 695
Likes: 50
From: South Carolina
For those that were asking I can give some of my thoughts regarding the Le Pera Barebones seat on a Slim. I have been riding with mine on for a few weeks now and this is what I can say about it.
I got mine with the gel pad installed. It is way more comfortable than stock, of course.
It fits the contour of the bike beautifully. The shape of the seat makes it feel like a dish that hugs and supports my lower back nicely. I am 5'6", 215lbs and the width is just fine to me.
It doesn't feel like the seat has changed my riding position any. I don't feel pushed forward, and I don't get pulled off of the back when I get on the throttle.
I do have one issue that I am not satisfied with and that is with the adhesive they used on the felt backing. The felt backing is a really nice touch if you are concerned about your rear fending getting scuffed. However, on my seat at least, it is not adhering well. It is not coming off, but you can easily pull it apart from the seat. And, it appears that heat only exacerbates the issue like when on longer rides. I don't know how bad it is going to be in the heat and humidity of a summer in the south, but if it gets worse I am going to have to send it back and get them to fix it for the amount of coin I shelled out for it.
I got mine with the gel pad installed. It is way more comfortable than stock, of course.
It fits the contour of the bike beautifully. The shape of the seat makes it feel like a dish that hugs and supports my lower back nicely. I am 5'6", 215lbs and the width is just fine to me.
It doesn't feel like the seat has changed my riding position any. I don't feel pushed forward, and I don't get pulled off of the back when I get on the throttle.
I do have one issue that I am not satisfied with and that is with the adhesive they used on the felt backing. The felt backing is a really nice touch if you are concerned about your rear fending getting scuffed. However, on my seat at least, it is not adhering well. It is not coming off, but you can easily pull it apart from the seat. And, it appears that heat only exacerbates the issue like when on longer rides. I don't know how bad it is going to be in the heat and humidity of a summer in the south, but if it gets worse I am going to have to send it back and get them to fix it for the amount of coin I shelled out for it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
