2016-17 Harley Iron stock seat question.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
2016-17 Harley Iron stock seat question.
Hi, new to the forum... I have a 2014 Iron and am looking to get a new seat, I currently have a sick saddle diamond pleated leather seat and a mustang vintage solo...not happy with either for different reasons but am wondering if anyone has any experience with the new stock seats on the 2016-17 Iron?...They look awesome to me on the Iron but are they comfortable and how does it affect riding position? Thanks.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 716
From: Pennsyleffinvania
What are the reasons you are unhappy with two different seats? How many miles have you put on both seats?
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
Got about 2000 miles on each, the sick saddle was the most uncomfortable seat I ever sat on was killing my thighs and I liked the mustang but it set me up and back too much for my liking.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
Mustang solos, in particular the wide vintage are hard to beat for comfort. You could get some 1.5" or 2" risor extensions from DK customs for little money (~40) and raise your handlebar up to compensate. You can do so with out changing cables. That is what I did for my wife's and my own sportsters. You are riding on 11" poorly performing shocks that make a big difference in comfort. Now have you tried adjusting them at all? That will make some difference. Put on even a low priced set of progressive 412 12.5" rear shocks ($250) and you will have a significantly better ride. Than drop in a set of progressive fork springs for $120 and you will think you have a new front end in the corners and bumps. Just put a set in my wife's 11 iron and she was very pleased, felt more confident and in control.
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
Don't really have any issues with the suspension it's just those 2 seats are killing my thighs, I had progressive 412s and didn't find them much better than stock, definitely not worth $250...I don't mind the roughish ride of a sportster it's part of the appeal for me, I like to feel the nuances of the road but for whatever reason I can't seem to find a seat that doesn't give me hot spots....My question is really just for any 2026-17 Iron owners who have some saddle time with the new iron and there impressions so far but thanks for the info.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
I came across a 2016 Iron seat for cheap and I liked the looks, so I added it to my collection for my 2014.
Compared to the stock seat, it kept you in place a bit better due to the tuck and roll design and I thought it was the best looking seat I've seen.
But, for comfort, the butt area was pretty narrow and the front weirdly dug right into the "taint" area. Anything over like 20 miles became torture, so I don't think it's your answer in the quest to find the right seat.
I actually fixed my sore butt woes with a Mustang Vintage Solo seat, but seems you already have that. It did set me higher/further back which took getting used to, but the trade off for comfort was worth it.
I've since traded for a street bob (on which I can ride 8+ hours a day on the stock seat with no pain, hooray!) and I have the 2016 for sale locally.
If you want to try it out, PM me.
Compared to the stock seat, it kept you in place a bit better due to the tuck and roll design and I thought it was the best looking seat I've seen.
But, for comfort, the butt area was pretty narrow and the front weirdly dug right into the "taint" area. Anything over like 20 miles became torture, so I don't think it's your answer in the quest to find the right seat.
I actually fixed my sore butt woes with a Mustang Vintage Solo seat, but seems you already have that. It did set me higher/further back which took getting used to, but the trade off for comfort was worth it.
I've since traded for a street bob (on which I can ride 8+ hours a day on the stock seat with no pain, hooray!) and I have the 2016 for sale locally.
If you want to try it out, PM me.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans
Yeah bike will be paid off next year and I think I'm going to go the same route as you and get a street bob.... I will probably just tough it out for 6 more months...thanks for the info though.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15,449
Likes: 7,791
From: Alabama
(Rather than start a new thread, I'll add my questions in this one!)
I'm looking at an Iron 883, took a completely unnecessary test ride a week or so ago (I already know Sportsters fit me and I like the handling), but I wasn't all that impressed with the new stock seat. A bit rough on my parts, even on that relatively short ride.
In looking at HD seats, though, I was wondering how the sprung Solo Saddle or the Sundowner hold up in terms of comfort versus the stock seat. I'm looking at using the bike for daily commutes of a half-hour each way, with the occasional day trip on the weekend every now and then.
If anyone has words of wisdom on these two seats, or an aftermarket that does the trick even better at a comparable or better price, fire away- all advice appreciated.
I'm looking at an Iron 883, took a completely unnecessary test ride a week or so ago (I already know Sportsters fit me and I like the handling), but I wasn't all that impressed with the new stock seat. A bit rough on my parts, even on that relatively short ride.
In looking at HD seats, though, I was wondering how the sprung Solo Saddle or the Sundowner hold up in terms of comfort versus the stock seat. I'm looking at using the bike for daily commutes of a half-hour each way, with the occasional day trip on the weekend every now and then.
If anyone has words of wisdom on these two seats, or an aftermarket that does the trick even better at a comparable or better price, fire away- all advice appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Likes: 24
From: Florida
(Rather than start a new thread, I'll add my questions in this one!)
I'm looking at an Iron 883, took a completely unnecessary test ride a week or so ago (I already know Sportsters fit me and I like the handling), but I wasn't all that impressed with the new stock seat. A bit rough on my parts, even on that relatively short ride.
In looking at HD seats, though, I was wondering how the sprung Solo Saddle or the Sundowner hold up in terms of comfort versus the stock seat. I'm looking at using the bike for daily commutes of a half-hour each way, with the occasional day trip on the weekend every now and then.
If anyone has words of wisdom on these two seats, or an aftermarket that does the trick even better at a comparable or better price, fire away- all advice appreciated.
I'm looking at an Iron 883, took a completely unnecessary test ride a week or so ago (I already know Sportsters fit me and I like the handling), but I wasn't all that impressed with the new stock seat. A bit rough on my parts, even on that relatively short ride.
In looking at HD seats, though, I was wondering how the sprung Solo Saddle or the Sundowner hold up in terms of comfort versus the stock seat. I'm looking at using the bike for daily commutes of a half-hour each way, with the occasional day trip on the weekend every now and then.
If anyone has words of wisdom on these two seats, or an aftermarket that does the trick even better at a comparable or better price, fire away- all advice appreciated.
I tried out the Sundowner and it was pretty bad. Sat me up way too high, wasn't all that comfy, and pushed my center of gravity way high on the bike. Hated it.
Not sure how the springer would be but they are like 500 since you have to buy another part than just the seat.
All through my sportster ownership I struggled to find a seat I could sit on more than 40 or so miles. Tried the stock, 2016 redesigned stock, Badlander, Sundowner, and even an AirHawk pad.
I didn't realize when I bought the sportster that my riding style would become mostly highway trips and exploring. I loved riding, but the butt and tailbone pain was unbearable. Wasn't until I got my Mustang Wide Vintage Solo seat that I finally solved my problems.
Seating position is a bit high and back, but not enough to have bothered me. It also has little rubber feet all on the bottom of the pan which reduced vibrations since it wasn't sitting right in the rails.
As mentioned above, I did trade my bike in for a dyna and do have my Mustang seat for sale too if you want to PM. And since you didn't buy it yet, also test out a dyna before deciding if you have the funds.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post