Help on understanding Sportster seats...

[gumshoe4]

OK, this is probably a crazy thread, but I need some help understanding Sporty seats.

I'll be buying a new bike in January when I retire. Right now, I'm leaning towards an '04 or later 1200 Custom or Roadster. I'm 5'11", 30" inseam and weigh about 275.

Don't have any direct H-D experience, so I tottered on down to the local H-D store yesterday and checked out a couple of Customs they had down there. Nice bikes, but clearly, I'll probably need the forward controls. The most important thing I noticed, though, is the stock seats SUCK on ice!

Does H-D think that the seats must be small and rigid like a 2x4 to prove we are men? Good night! I want to be comfortable riding the bike...as in, cushy, soft, not painful, can ride for more than 30 minutes at a time comfortable...

Please tell me that such seats exist for the Sporty and will work for my big fat self!

Thanks!

Bob

[AsSeenOnTV]

For you a vintage mustang wide seat, and some progressive or better shocks will do the trick.

denniskirk.com had the seat for $150 when I bought mine.

I just installed my own progressive shocks on my own bike, and no more biting my tongue accidentally when i hit potholes.

[Kimbo]

Mate I can recommend the Mustang range of seats. They have a heap of different solo and twin seats to choose from.

I have the 12.5 inch 'Studded Solo' with an 8 inch 'Studded Standard Rear' and find the ride excellent.
You can get this seat in a wider (14.5 inch front/10.5 inch rear) version which sounds likely to be more suited to you??

You can check their website at: http://www.mustangseats.com/
and request a catalogue which gives you the full range.

Good luck!!

[paralegalpete]

I took delivery with the hd sundowner seat, and found it to be super comfortable.

[xlcruser]

+1 on the Sundowner Seat. Mine is great.

[ttopbandit]

Yeah, who cares what ppl think. When it comes to where you put your butt, that's yer deal. I have a plush solo seat, a HD Badlander, and a plush 2-up seat. Each one serves a purpose, so get what makes you the happiest in the saddle. The mustang's are great, my buddy has one on his 03 custom, nice.

[savage118]

Go cheap and find a used pillow top HD 2up seat on eBay. usually around 120 or less all the time, I got mine for half that shipped(perfect, but no grab strap). The stock seat was ok for me till the wife said get a softer seat, and boy am I glad she did. No more sliding around, butt sinks in just enough. IMO they look better than the sundowner on a custom. It made it a whole new bike IMO. If you are buying a sissy bar also, get the detachable one, it sits back a little further than the rigid one giving passenger, and you more room.

[Brad]

Did 761 miles today on a Sundowner ('05 custom with 13" Progressives) Got it for 25% off at Chicago Harley (on sale - usually 20% off) Spend the money where you sit IMO.

[Rock]

First thing I did with my 07 1200 Sportster was change the seat. Went with a Sundowner and it makes a difference. Took a couple hundred miles to break in but no more "sleepy" butt syndrome for me.

[flashedwards]

My Mustang Vintage Solo (12.5 inch) was the best comfort investment that I have made. Second would be RK air shocks. If you look around you usually can find Mustang seats that are used but in good shape for around $150.00.:tour
Flash

[gumshoe4]

That's a bunch of good information...

I like the looks of the Mustang Vintage wide solo (14.5"). I forgot to mention that I ride solo...

So this tells me that the problem is solvable...

I've also heard about the necessity to change out the shocks with RK or other longer travel shocks. The RKs sound good...will have to look into that. Is there any particular part number I ask for? Are the RKs a straight bolt-up, or do they have to be altered in some way?

Thanks a bunch for the info...I knew I'd get the answers here...

Bob

[Tulsaghost]

I have the reach seat..my inseam is the same as yours...I have done 400 miles (with stops) but I didn't need an ass transplant at the end of the trip...when I had the stock seat..I could do about 40 miles and had to stop...just my .02...

[nichiowa]

definitely another believer in the Mustang seats, I got the Wide Vintage and couldn't imagine a ride without it.

[savage118]

That's a bunch of good information...

I like the looks of the Mustang Vintage wide solo (14.5"). I forgot to mention that I ride solo...

So this tells me that the problem is solvable...

I've also heard about the necessity to change out the shocks with RK or other longer travel shocks. The RKs sound good...will have to look into that. Is there any particular part number I ask for? Are the RKs a straight bolt-up, or do they have to be altered in some way?

Thanks a bunch for the info...I knew I'd get the answers here...

Bob

I have seen a few install threads on the RK's with part no.s and stuff, search it. I believe you have to find a place for the air lines, and maybe drill a hole for the air valve. Don't have them, but most people find take offs on eBay, but does make one wonder why they seem plentifull in the used market. Don't they stand up well on RK's, or are there that many wrecked RK's being parted out? Just a random thought.

[Folkie]

I love my Le Pera Sanora:

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll251/Folkie_XL/CustomSanora3.jpg

[Gone]

I took delivery with the hd sundowner seat, and found it to be super comfortable.

Careful with that. I'm 6'1 with narrow butt and long legs and Sundowner is pure torture for me. 35 miles is max I can ride it. If anyone wants to swap it for a Mustang or single I'm all ears.

[Robotech]

I have seen a few install threads on the RK's with part no.s and stuff, search it. I believe you have to find a place for the air lines, and maybe drill a hole for the air valve. Don't have them, but most people find take offs on eBay, but does make one wonder why they seem plentifull in the used market. Don't they stand up well on RK's, or are there that many wrecked RK's being parted out? Just a random thought.

The RK guys upgrade their shocks. Most of us go for the 13" RKs because they are pleantiful and cheep. You'll see when the 12" RK shocks are up for sale they go for a lot more because the guys with the 13" shocks are trying to lower their bikes. I think that's a lot of what it is...guys with 13" RKs going to shorter shocks so they sell their used 13"s to guys like me.

About the only "mod" you have to do for RK shocks is to put a couple washers between the shocks and the mounts to clear you belt guide and figure out what you want to do for your air hook-ups. Other than that they are pretty much a direct bolt on. Like others said, search and you will find pleanty on them.

As for your original seat question, I found a nice gel seat for 2-up riding on eBay for about $110 shipped. I like it, it's very comfortable, it's wide, and I think they make a solo version. However, I eventually will be changing out my stock solo seat to something like a Mustang vintage because I've heard such good things about them...just got to save up some...

[flashedwards]

Like Robotech said most of the RK takeoffs are the 13 inch models. If this is longer than your stock shock and you want to maintain the original stance then you will have to use lowering blocks. Tamarack makes 2 models...1 inch and 1.75 inch. I have used both and they only add a couple of minutes to the RK shock installation time.
Flash

[K0lt45]

I just put a Corbin Voyager 2 up on my 05 the "Invicta" model ran a full tank of gas out straight out of my shop and was ready for another 200+ miles.