The stock seat that comes on the new 883l looks excellent on the bike, but once you sit on the bike your opinion will quickly change. The seat seams to interfere with your tailbone. I feel that H-D made a mistake when they took an inch of ofam form the regular 883 solo seat. The seat also pushes you forward into a position that makes the bars feel to close. To remedy this problem I purchased a leather badlander. This seat does not positon you so far forward and it is also free fo the hump that interferes with your tailbone. There is only one problem with the badlander, it takes away form the low look that the stocksolo seat provides, and it also hides the nice rear fender.
Has anyone tried the lepera bare boes seat, or the solo seat that harley offers for the sportsters?

The solo seat from Harley only fits with the 4.5 gallon tank. It's not a bad seat though.

I've also got the LePera barebones LT and pretty comfortable for 150-200 miles. If I had an L I'd definitely go that route.

the seat on the 883L is like sitting on a board!! I can only go about 15 miles before I have to stop and stretch. I just ordered the mustang solo vintage, 12". When I put it on the bike, I will post a review.....

The solo seat from Harley only fits with the 4.5 gallon tank. It's not a bad seat though.

I've also got the LePera barebones LT and pretty comfortable for 150-200 miles. If I had an L I'd definitely go that route.


I do believe the stock 883s (with peanut tank) come with a solo.

yes, the 883xl does come with a solo, if that's what you want to call it!!! It's still a piece of wood....

The stock seat that comes on the new 883l looks excellent on the bike, but once you sit on the bike your opinion will quickly change. The seat seams to interfere with your tailbone. I feel that H-D made a mistake when they took an inch of ofam form the regular 883 solo seat. The seat also pushes you forward into a position that makes the bars feel to close. To remedy this problem I purchased a leather badlander. This seat does not positon you so far forward and it is also free fo the hump that interferes with your tailbone. There is only one problem with the badlander, it takes away form the low look that the stocksolo seat provides, and it also hides the nice rear fender.
Has anyone tried the lepera bare boes seat, or the solo seat that harley offers for the sportsters?

Didn't they make the 883L seat that way b/c they designed this model for short folks -- short reach in all directions? Probably that "hump" that interferes with your tailbone is there to shove people with short arms closer to the bars. AFAIK most aftermarket seats move you back slightly from the stock position.

The hump is there to shove people farther forward. I have tried the stock seat solo seat off of the xl 883 standard, and the hump is gone but so is the nice low look of the 883l. Has anyone taken the seat to an upholstery shop and tried to get them to cut some of the foam out and get rid of the hump. I don't really care if it is terrribly uncomfortable becasue I only use this seat for riding around town anyway. And remember it is all about the looks.

I have an '05 Low, and like Scratch says, I think the hump on the seat is designed to help short folks like me (5'2") reach the bars....I really like the way it holds me in position (especially when you whack that throttle!!)

Yep, it aint very comfortable, but it sure does look good! Since all my rides are relatively short day rides, I'll take the discomfort for the looks until someone makes an aftermarket seat that mimicks the looks of the stock Low model seat

I've got an 883L also. Love the way the seat looks - but a couple of 100 mile days prompted me to call Mustang. I have a vintage solo on the way and I'm hoping it will make a big difference. The stock seat isn't great, that's for sure - but it will do the job until I find something better. Once I get the Mustang I'll post a review (or add my 2 cents to an existing one)..

Lets see ... Harley-Davidson has been making Sportsters since 1957 ... that's 48 loooong years ... And they still haven't figured out how to make a comfortable seat.

Thank God the companies not making airline seats!

I think one book author put forward the opinion that HD knew everyone was going to change out the seat anyway so they put a cheap seat (that typically looked OK for marketing) on the bike.

I've got a Low, yep the stock seat was a friggin joke! The awefullest seat my butt has ever met...

I ride with a Lepera barebones LT, and it looks GREAT!
It is not a touring seat however...
I can do about 70 miles and need a little break, but that doesn't bother me. Good to stretch anyhow.

I would recommend the seat. But its not a plushy one...its really what the L stock seat should have been in some ways. IMHO of course

ace57

I've got an 883L also. Love the way the seat looks - but a couple of 100 mile days prompted me to call Mustang. I have a vintage solo on the way and I'm hoping it will make a big difference. The stock seat isn't great, that's for sure - but it will do the job until I find something better. Once I get the Mustang I'll post a review (or add my 2 cents to an existing one)..


Manny, did Mustang warn you that most of their Vintage saddles raise seat height by an inch? That's what they told me. Might be an issue for you, being as how you ride a Low...hope it works for you...

Manny, did Mustang warn you that most of their Vintage saddles raise seat height by an inch? That's what they told me. Might be an issue for you, being as how you ride a Low...hope it works for you...


Scratch,

I'm looking at a Mustang Solo for the rubbermount Sportys. I have a Low model and retaining the low seat height is a must with whatever new seat I get.

Do you know anything about the Solo's and whether they raise the height? If it's less than half and inch, I guess I could deal with that.

I like the Mustang better than the others I've looked at because it looks like it has that hump like the stock Low seat....

Scratch - no mention of that was made when I spoke with the person at Mustang. I did receive the seat a few days ago and after putting it on, I noticed that yes, I did sit a bit higher (an inch? not sure). For me it is not a problem at all - almost a welcome change as the stock postion almost felt too low once I adjusted to the new bike. Either height level is/was fine with me. I do like the new seat but I haven't logged any serious miles on it yet. Maybe this weekend if I don't head up to Laconia for the races. I think it's a good move getting the mustang - a nice solid feel and yet more plush feeling than the stock one.

Follow Up:

Stayed on Long Island this weekend and just got back from 200 mile ride. Mustang seat was absolutely wonderful. Not only is it more comfortable as a seat, it also mellowed some of the shock to my spine (those crap stock shocks have got to go!). A big, big improvement - could jave ridden much longer - very impressive seat.

Hey, Just wanted to put my 2 cents in. I put a mustang studded vintage solo on my low because that stock seat was horrible! I have noticed it did raise me about half an inch. My problem now is, I am too far back from my handle bars!! I think the seat moved me back some. Can I put some risers in?? Don't know what I should do! any suggestions?

Hi,

I found the original position of the bars too upright for me. Rather than buy any new hardware, I did as Xena mentioned in another post and simply loosened the bars and tilted them closer - fits perfect now. Took two minutes but really made a difference for me. Just a thought!

Scratch,

I'm looking at a Mustang Solo for the rubbermount Sportys. I have a Low model and retaining the low seat height is a must with whatever new seat I get.

Do you know anything about the Solo's and whether they raise the height? If it's less than half and inch, I guess I could deal with that.


Hi, SG. I don't know about the Solos, but when I called Mustang customer service, they were really helpful, I wasn't even on hold very long. Give them a call, the number's on their website www.mustangseats.com.

Hi, SG. I don't know about the Solos, but when I called Mustang customer service, they were really helpful, I wasn't even on hold very long. Give them a call, the number's on their website www.mustangseats.com.

Will do, thanks Scratch.

I think I want the Mustang "DayTripper" seat