Lower Seat - Less Comfort?

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Apr 11, 2011 | 09:08 AM

jeffreyjames

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 583

Likes: 2

From: South Florida

Lower Seat - Less Comfort?

Hi All,

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Mustang seat, that reads it's lower by 1.5".. I'm interested in this, because then I can get more wind protection by my head being lower than the windshield, and not having to increase windshield height.

My question is: Does it decrease comfort by being lower in the seat? I'm wondering if the seat is lower, would my feet / *** position be in an awkward arrangement from the stock setup? ie, if I sit in a position with my legs being bent in a position other than 90 degrees?

Hope this makes sense, and anyone have experience with what I'm talking about?

I'm wondering also, did the non SG and RG Custom bikes have a higher seat for comfort/ergonomics? hmmmm...

Apr 11, 2011 | 12:35 PM

dbinbc

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 156

Likes: 0

From: Squamish, BC, Canada

Don't know about the Mustang seat but I've got an HD reach seat and it lowers me. I'm only 5'7" and had trouble reaching the ground. I find the lower position more comfortable than the stock seat was, feels more like sitting IN the bike instead of ON TOP OF the bike. Highway pegs take care of any cramped leg problems.

Apr 11, 2011 | 02:05 PM

Cougar1959

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 206

Likes: 1

From: Heartland, Texas

I also have the HD reach seat. IMO, it has less padding than the stock seat, but I can control my Harley alot better with the reach seat. Also, I don't know about the Mustang seat, but the HD reach seat also pushes you closer to the gas tank. Took me a whole to get use to that with crushed ***** and all.

Apr 11, 2011 | 02:37 PM

Port Dawg

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 1,816

Likes: 2

From: New Hampshire

How tall are you? My guess is you are talking about the new Mustang Lowdown seat? What year bike will you be putting it on?

I'm thinking about getting one for my Road King and the drop in inches would be less than previous years due to the 2011 seat already being lower. It will still drop a bit but mainly I'll be getting the Mustang comfort and support that I loved so much on my VTX. Mustang seat locks you in place so you don't slide around as much. I find myself sliding forward a bit on some braking....

Report back on how you like it if you pull the trigger

Apr 11, 2011 | 03:27 PM

mkguitar

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 14,744

Likes: 402

From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

09 EG Classic

On long trips I use an ultra seat

around town I use a streetglide seat ( about 1.5 lower and farther back)

on occasion I use the HD solo Brawler seat, lower and farther back still.

the Brawler DOES put some strain on my hips and lower back, as I no longer can put part of my weight on my feet and retain good posture. From the seated position, getting my feet on the ground requires rotating my legs out and down= hip strain. (other seats just dropping my foot down to the ground)

the streetglide seat give nice even support and has a bumper which keeps me from sliding back, and allows good "***-steering" by shifting my weight. good for 4 hours--6 becomes painful.

the ultra seat is good for 12 hours or more, great seating position for keeping my body from strain, I'm "more on top" of the controls which is good for aggressive riding- and seems to keep me more alert esp. when on unfamiliar roads, looking exits, bad surfaces, crappy drivers...

I'm 6'2" 210 exercise regularly, but do have a history of lower back, neck and hip problems.

Depending on what i am doing I swap windscreens, it's only 3 screws to loosen, slide the old one out, slide the new one in.

I buy take offs from other riders ( I like the H-D lexan), and trim the bottom with a roto zip to match the height i want ( cut edge remains hidden) I open up the keyholes a bit to make it easier to slide them in and out.

I have stock, -1", -2" and -3"

That gets me the wind protection I want and keeps the top edge below my sightline.

BTW the FARTHER BACK you sit, the more wind buffeting you experience.

mike

Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 11, 2011 at 04:11 PM.

Apr 11, 2011 | 03:35 PM

Solitario

Tourer

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 439

Likes: 1

From: Spain (Europe)

have a rkc 09, im six fit tall. I changed stock seat for a mustan 15" seat, it was much more confortable than stock but it hurt my lower back after a couple of hours so I changed mustang 15" for mustan super solo seat wich is wider and lower than the 15". mustang super solo is really low and wide, is super confortable, I can ride all day without any problems.

stock windshield also works better with this seat and being lower makes the bike feel less heavy.

mustang super solo is also less firm than 15" but only in some areas of the seat, just in right place. it is a GREAT seat and the best thing I added to my bike.

jut one thing... super solo seat is WIDE but I love that wide seat retro look on my rkc.

hope this helps

Apr 11, 2011 | 03:54 PM

smithbrl

Road Warrior

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,692

Likes: 22

From: Denham Springs, La

Surely, a taller windshield would be a lot less expensive if you only want to get your head behind it.

I have the Reach seat because my legs are too short to get a firm grip on the ground when the bike is stopped and so I can back it up with some confidence. I'm 5'6 with a 29" inseam.

I rode it for 2 1/2 yrs like that. Then I took it to the upholsterer last week and had him cut out some foam on the edges where my legs go down when I'm stopped. I also had him trim the back a little farther back to give me a little more room, as I do get a little cramped on longer rides-not bad but a little. I use the hi way pegs to stretch out for comfort.

Went on a 250 mile ride Saturday and was very comfortable.

Cecil