I'm looking to upgrade from my OEM seat on my Sportster, but I'm not sure there's an off-the-shelf "custom" seat that meets my needs/wants. Bullet points:

• 2007 Sportster 1200C, 4.5 gallon stock tank, converted to mid controls. Front pegs are still there and the passenger pegs will stay for another alternate foot position on long rides

• I really like to ride twisties. For long rides I'll drop my Airhawk seat pad on top if the new seat isn't comfortable enough for long days in the saddle. I want the saddle to be highly suitable for controlling the bike. I'm planning on a track day or two next year.

• I'm 6 feet tall with a long torso and short legs

Features I really want:

• Solo seat

• Would like to add 1-2" to my seated height - I love the mid controls, but I'm a little cramped. I would like my upper legs to be level or slightly inclined down, right now they're inclined up from the hips to the knees

• Enough of a rear lip to provide resistance to hard acceleration

• Leather top

• Something to cover the dang fender-mounted ECM on my '07

• No studs or other bling

• NO OBNOXIOUS BRANDING I was talking to the rep of a well-known, supposedly custom seat maker and, after discussing my wants, I was close to ordering. Then I mentioned that I did not want to have THEIR advertising sewn onto the side of MY saddle, and he said that they would not take my order unless they could do so. YGTBFSM. Yes, this is a deal breaker.

Features I'd like to have (not deal breakers):

• My seated position perhaps an inch further back from stock, but of that I'm not so sure

• Comfort

• A custom pattern stitched in a contrasting color

• Relatively easy to change back to the OEM seat for rare 2-up rides.

• Appearance

I've seen the major "custom" seats recommended here time and again, but unless they'll build me one without their advertising on it then no deal.

I'm ready to drop some coin for what I want - after I had ticked all the options on the aforementioned big name seat maker I was a few clicks from spending $700, then the rep refused to accept my order.

So, is there an off-the-shelf "custom" seat out there that will likely work, or do I need to find a truly custom seat builder?

 

You could buy the seat you selected (with the logo) and have an upholstery shop replace the panel with the offensive advertising on it

 

Have you actually sat on any alternative seats yet? Your local H-D dealer may have seats you can try out on your own bike, possibly take for a ride round the block. There are several options available from each of H-D, Corbin, Mustang and many other brands, so no shortage of choice. You can view them on-line to see if they are likely to meet your requirements and, as John suggests, get one recovered if you wish. Much better to get out there and do some sitting around.......

 

find and buy a cheap seat off craigslist and send it here...
http://www.astechseat.com/?gclid=CPT...FZCFaQod1bEHIQ
http://www.astechseat.com/seat-modifications/
http://www.astechseat.com/seat-modif...he-technology/
they do GREAT work! Check them out.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm checking out astechseat.