Best Touring Seat???
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 130
From: Now Western TN
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 457
Likes: 73
From: New Hampshire
I also have back issues and like Tjroadie mentioned… an adjustable backrest did wonders for me. That and my Mustang touring seat. But I also agree that changing out the shocks would also make a huge difference as well.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,578
Likes: 8,406
From: Inland NW
Man, it is so hard to take anybody's opinion on seats. There are SO many choices.
I can do 500 mile days on my Harley CVO seat, no problem. If I was going custom, I would buy another C&C seat. Spendy, but worth it.
My back isn't the best, I recommend you upgrade to great suspension as soon as you can. I have Ohlins all the way around.
I can do 500 mile days on my Harley CVO seat, no problem. If I was going custom, I would buy another C&C seat. Spendy, but worth it.
My back isn't the best, I recommend you upgrade to great suspension as soon as you can. I have Ohlins all the way around.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 46
Likes: 51
From: Canada
I'm only mentioning this because you say you have serious back problems - If you don't have to drive a Harley you should try out a Gold Wing GL1800 or an F6B. I own both a Harley (Electra Glide) and a Gold Wing and for me, at over 6 feet tall and over 230 lbs, the Gold Wing is INSANELY comfortable compared to the E-Glide when it comes to my back and (long) legs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 390
From: NJ
Look into shocks and bars first. The seat is actually not the starting point.i’ve been down this road. About a dozen seats later the trick was actually bars and then shock just put the cherry on top.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,471
Likes: 6,342
From: pacific northwest
The problem is everyone's butt is different, the stock seat on the RGL my wife loves the passenger seat but my butt gets sore after a few hours. Am trying to decide on a different brand of seat or go with a custom made, am toying with trying Rich's custom seats here in Wa. state as have tried the different makes before with no luck.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 269
From: Central Florida
Seats are very subjective... one's man's "greatest seat in the world", is another man's "piece of crap".....
I have been looking for my "Holy Grail" touring seat for 10 years and 2 different baggers....
I have found some that are more comfortable than others... but I have never found one that doesn't cause my butt to start burning after about 4 hours... On multi-day trips, each day the "butt burn" starts earlier and earlier...
My research has found that some like firm seats, some like plush, some like much support, and some prefer little.... and many like form over function....
There is just one seat that I have never heard/read anyone say was "uncomfortable"... Some don't like it raises you up about 1" over OEM, and some consider it "ugly", but again, no one ever said it was uncomfortable...
I am talking about the Russell Day Long Seat....
https://day-long.com
It is used by a lot of "Iron Butt" riders on various different bikes...
They are not cheap, but I have purchased 5 different seats over the years, and the total I have spent is a bunch more than this seat costs... I've always wondered if I should have just bought one right away (buy once, cry once) and given myself years of comfort and avoided numerous seat costs...
Although I am currently using a Le Pera RT66 w/backrest, and it is "almost" great... it's still falls a little short for me.. So I have production date with Russell Day Long, and by the end of August, I should know if that seat is as great as its reputation.... Or if I have just one more seat receipt...
I have been looking for my "Holy Grail" touring seat for 10 years and 2 different baggers....
I have found some that are more comfortable than others... but I have never found one that doesn't cause my butt to start burning after about 4 hours... On multi-day trips, each day the "butt burn" starts earlier and earlier...
My research has found that some like firm seats, some like plush, some like much support, and some prefer little.... and many like form over function....
There is just one seat that I have never heard/read anyone say was "uncomfortable"... Some don't like it raises you up about 1" over OEM, and some consider it "ugly", but again, no one ever said it was uncomfortable...
I am talking about the Russell Day Long Seat....
https://day-long.com
It is used by a lot of "Iron Butt" riders on various different bikes...
They are not cheap, but I have purchased 5 different seats over the years, and the total I have spent is a bunch more than this seat costs... I've always wondered if I should have just bought one right away (buy once, cry once) and given myself years of comfort and avoided numerous seat costs...
Although I am currently using a Le Pera RT66 w/backrest, and it is "almost" great... it's still falls a little short for me.. So I have production date with Russell Day Long, and by the end of August, I should know if that seat is as great as its reputation.... Or if I have just one more seat receipt...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
I just picked up a used 2019 Road Glide Special.
It has the stock seat. And I have MASSIVE back issues. Before anyone says, "Don't ride a bike", I can't not ride. I'm riding till I die.
So, I'm looking for a good seat for riding 100 miles or more per day. I'm 6' 2". 205lbs. Long legs.
I need something comfortable for long-distance rides. I like the look of the step up Saddlemen but I have bad pains in my lower and middle back so I'm thinking I might need at backrest as well. I've heard that a Lucky Daves might be a good option, but I don't know anyone who actually has one.
Can you fine gentlemen (and ladies) post pics and a few details of your seat, please? Thank you all in advance.
It has the stock seat. And I have MASSIVE back issues. Before anyone says, "Don't ride a bike", I can't not ride. I'm riding till I die.
So, I'm looking for a good seat for riding 100 miles or more per day. I'm 6' 2". 205lbs. Long legs.
I need something comfortable for long-distance rides. I like the look of the step up Saddlemen but I have bad pains in my lower and middle back so I'm thinking I might need at backrest as well. I've heard that a Lucky Daves might be a good option, but I don't know anyone who actually has one.
Can you fine gentlemen (and ladies) post pics and a few details of your seat, please? Thank you all in advance.
We're almost exactly the same size (I'm 6'3", 205 lbs, longish legs), and like you, I've suffered from lower back issues (L5/S1) for 15+ years now.
First off...a backrest is a MUST for me. I use the HD fully adjustable backrest. It's nice for the long hauls as it can be adjusted on the fly to change it up a bit if needed.
I'm running the older Hammock (52000003A) seat that I had on my previous 2012 UC. HD says it doesn't fit newer bikes but it fits my 2020 RGL just fine.
It's cut back about 3/4" so it sits me back a bit. But the KEY for me (as vizcarmb stated above) it raises me almost an inch. This positions my hips & knees more level.
It changes the angles a bit so I can straighten/stretch out my legs a bit more. I know a lot of guys like to sit low and "in" the bike but that doesn't work for me with my back issues.
Unfortunately HD no longer makes this seat but there are used ones out there. If not, sounds like the RDL seat also raises the rider and may be an option for you.
So far, I'm happy with my Hammock. That being said, I'll be interested in hearing/reading the ride report from hattitude on his RDL after putting some miles on it.
With this set up, I can run 400 - 500 miles a day without issue. The other thing I have is a Wild-*** seat pad. I don't use it all the time but keep it in the bike and throw on/off as needed.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 229
From: Saskatchewan
Many dealers have loner seats in different sizes and styles for you to test out. Why not drop by a dealer to try a few out for a few days. A different riding position may be all you need.
For me the adjustable rider back rest helped my lower back pain making it almost non-existent. I do also get butt pain from the stock seat which may add to the back issue but the back rest makes it much better. I believe my butt issues are from me not taking enough breaks on long trips. I say that the stock seat is far from uncomfortable for me.
For me the adjustable rider back rest helped my lower back pain making it almost non-existent. I do also get butt pain from the stock seat which may add to the back issue but the back rest makes it much better. I believe my butt issues are from me not taking enough breaks on long trips. I say that the stock seat is far from uncomfortable for me.
