Most comfortable seat for touring?
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
I had gel pads installed in my 13 limited stock seat and my tailbone still hurts bad after 50 miles. I guess I'm too heavy at 300 lbs and 6'6". Anyone found a cure for this problem? I don't care what the seat looks like I am more concerned with comfort. All suggestions are appreciated.
You have a PM on your seat question with rec.
Scott
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 19
From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
I agree I have done several 1200 mile days on my Sundowner. It's solid to about the 1000 mile mark.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
I found the stock seat to be pretty comfortable, but hitting pot holes or bumps would send a harsh shock up my spine. Took several hours for that pain to subside, and I found myself worried about hitting another.
Switched out to a Harley Hammock, and that did the trick for me. No more bangers! Side benefit is that it was even more comfortable than the stock seat and moved me back and up just a bit to make the handlebars and pegs fit me even better.
Another way to make the seat more comfy is to install the Premium hand adjustable rear shocks. By smoothing out all those little bumps along the way, the seat becomes even more comfortable.
On longer trips, I even find that my butt quickly becomes used to longer days in the saddle. While the first day might start feeling the miles, by the 3rd day I can just ride through a couple tanks.
Harley usually has loaner seats for you to borrow and check out. Since everybody is a bit difference, only you (and your butt) will know for sure.
Switched out to a Harley Hammock, and that did the trick for me. No more bangers! Side benefit is that it was even more comfortable than the stock seat and moved me back and up just a bit to make the handlebars and pegs fit me even better.
Another way to make the seat more comfy is to install the Premium hand adjustable rear shocks. By smoothing out all those little bumps along the way, the seat becomes even more comfortable.
On longer trips, I even find that my butt quickly becomes used to longer days in the saddle. While the first day might start feeling the miles, by the 3rd day I can just ride through a couple tanks.
Harley usually has loaner seats for you to borrow and check out. Since everybody is a bit difference, only you (and your butt) will know for sure.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
You're quite a heavy chap and nobody has mentioned the most important thing IMHO - your rear shocks! Some of your discomfort is due to poor damping, an unfortunate feature of our Harleys, which is transmitting the bumps and thumps from the road direct into your poor backside. Consider changing them for a premium brand like Ohlins, which will give you a smoother and more comfortable ride.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: California
I put a H-D police seat on my '15 Road King and love it. I'm 6'2", 240 pounds, 34" inseam. I have the seat shock set at exactly the middle and I never bottom it out. I imagine at 300 pounds, if you crank up the preload on the seat, you would probably be okay.
6'6" is tough to fit on a touring motorcycle. It seems like every seat out there sets you right on top of the frame so you're "in" the motorcycle. The stock seat on my Road King put my knees up way too high and put me in a cramped position. It was hell on my lower back.
The police seat sets you up higher so you're not cramped. You can get your legs straighter which allows for proper tilting of your pelvis and takes pressure off of your tailbone.
You can get a backrest for it too, if need be. Mustang makes a passenger pillion that fits nicely with the seat. However, I need to send the pillion out this winter for some adjustments to suit my wife's particular needs. She's hobbit-like so the seat gives her some numbness in her legs after 200 miles.
I also like sitting up higher as it allows me to slide up on the gas tank for slow speed maneuvering and gives me a general feeling of better control.
There is a reason why H-D puts that seat on police motorcycles.
6'6" is tough to fit on a touring motorcycle. It seems like every seat out there sets you right on top of the frame so you're "in" the motorcycle. The stock seat on my Road King put my knees up way too high and put me in a cramped position. It was hell on my lower back.
The police seat sets you up higher so you're not cramped. You can get your legs straighter which allows for proper tilting of your pelvis and takes pressure off of your tailbone.
You can get a backrest for it too, if need be. Mustang makes a passenger pillion that fits nicely with the seat. However, I need to send the pillion out this winter for some adjustments to suit my wife's particular needs. She's hobbit-like so the seat gives her some numbness in her legs after 200 miles.
I also like sitting up higher as it allows me to slide up on the gas tank for slow speed maneuvering and gives me a general feeling of better control.
There is a reason why H-D puts that seat on police motorcycles.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 622
Likes: 2
From: Connecticut
The cop seat is great for the spine jarring potholes and highway seams but is killing my tailbone and *****. For me, the Tallboy seat is the winner. Could be a little narrower in the thigh section but otherwise perfect in the bucket.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 575
Likes: 4
From: SouthWestern Ontario
I posted a few pics here. Everything except the police solo seat and the Utopia driver's backrest, was bought second hand or was someone else's take-offs.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post14258052