I have an 05 gl1800/ csc. the factory seat is very uncomfortable afte 60-70 miles. I have have a gel pad put in, but very little help. please give suggestion on aftermarket seats.
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seat suggestions for 05 g/w
I have an 05 gl1800/ csc. the factory seat is very uncomfortable afte 60-70 miles. I have have a gel pad put in, but very little help. please give suggestion on aftermarket seats.
I have an 07 that I converted to a CSC Viper last year. It has the stock seat on it. One thing I don't like about stock seats is the material used for the seat cover. It seems to grab onto my jeans and makes it hard to move around and get comfortable. What I did was to add a beaded seat and It is much more comfortable now. I know a lot like to add sheepskin but I didnt care too much for that. There are several places that offer seat modifications such as wingsoft.com or replacement seats such as Corbin or Hartco. I didn't feel like paying all kinds of extra money for something that may or may not work. The beaded seat was an economical solution that I have used for years. I got mine at cyclemax.com . I also removed the straps and just tuck it under the back of the seat to keep it in place. I just recently had to replace it because a racoon stole mine in the middle of the night while on a camping trip. I really noticed not having it while riding and replaced it as soon as I could.
You'll get many opinions on seats and custom seats. Many will share their experience, but since we are all different, their suggestions may or may not be a solution for you. Therefore, it's best to go to a large GL1800 state or national rally and try out the seats from the seat venders that show up at the rallies. Or, possibly there are some seat makers near you. Some will even let you try out their seat for a day before you buy.
Here are a couple of well known seat makers in CA.
https://day-long.com
http://www.corbin.com
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
I use the Airhawk R cushion and find that help immensely. Much less expensive to try than a new or modified seat.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...uiser-seat-pad
Wing with Roadsmith kit, Traxxion Ak20 cartridges and Accuride System.
07 ST 1300 for two-wheeled fun!
I to have an 05 gl1800, could not get comfortable with stock seat. Tried a couple of different seat pads, did not help much. So I bit the bullet and went with the ultimate seat. Pricey but was well worth it for me.
There are companies that will modify your stock seat, off the shelf aftermarket seats, seats made for your measurements, covers for the stock seat, cushions and pads.
We have had a Diamond custom seat on 2 trikes, a 1500 and our current 1800. Custom seats are pricey, but after doing the gel pads, beads, air cushion and fleece, we found a custom seat was best for us. 600 mile days are not a problem. A riding buddy couldn't stand his seat, I gave him an air cushion that didn't work for us and he couldn't be happier. So YMMV. GoldWingrGreg has the right idea, try as many options as you can. Picking a seat or saddle modification can be harder than picking a brand of trike - there are more options.
One or two notes - If you ride with a passenger, I suggest you get a modified passenger backrest. The stock one leans the passenger back, the modified ones let the passenger sit more upright, and gives them more room. A rider backrest is also a good thing for the pilot. I found it adds miles to the day.
Don - 2004 GL1800 Champion trike, 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
2 wheeler: 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100
FORR Local 11, AMA, MRF, Mid-South MILE Committee
Tom Simmons, TS custom seats, is a couple hours ride from you it looks like. You might give him a call and see if he can do anything for you. I had him build a seat for me and couldn't be happier. I tried a few other modifications before I gave up and paid the price. Would of been much cheaper to go the custom route to begin with. When you call you will probably get his answering machine, leave your number and he will call you back and answer any questions you may have and also give you answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet.
I'll agree with this comment totally. Tom will put you on your trike ask a ton of questions take pictures and do it right the first time. It is actually a custom seat like the Russell Day Long. I'm on my second seat from him the first went with the bike when I traded it for a trike. Had 80K on it looked like new this one has about 40K on it and is the same. Picked up both at his shop and rode them home 350 miles pretty much non stop no break in required.Originally Posted by michael2480
I've done the same. Left on a 12,000 mile trip after buying an AirHawk and beads in hopes either would help. Although both somewhat helped, for me, a custom seat is really needed. The best part about an AirHawk is that it covers the common seam tear in the right "stitch area."
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
Just returned from a 3000 mile trip on a new to me Russell Day Long seat. Although it wasn't made for me it was for a gentleman of similar proportions. Most comfortable ride in a long time. I actually didn't think about the seat for long stretches. And the wife liked it, too.
Correct me if I'm wring, but I know a Mustang and I believe a Russell Day Long are harder seats. For my *ss, they seem best. Of all the Wings I've test road, and for the many that have custom seats, for me I'd get one of them.
I believe almost all custom builders, for GL1800s, set the rider about an 1" father back and lower. For the passenger, most set their back more straight in a less laid back position.
Please keep in mind that anytime I share or give advice about a motorcycle, unless I state otherwise, I am always referring to GL1800's and no other.
Just curious what you decided on?
For next to nothing, I went to Walmart and just purchased a seat pad for maybe $2.50 and placed it on the seat of your bike.. You can buy a pad as soft or hard as you prefer, I can ride for hours/miles longer w/o any added expense.......Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa sure does feel good, plus many times I have lent my seat pad to others in "need " during our long rides....just make sure that they give it back after rides over! lol
Ronnie
Tried gell pads, etc, but I do not own or have vast experiences with the 1800s. Strictly and only because they made life so comfortable on my 'GL1200A BIKE and '97 GL1500 SE TRIKE, CORBIN is / would be where I would focus my search ..... even so far as to test ride a CORBIN adorned 1800 at a dealer ..... if they had one. Then let the dealer order me one if I used his demo thusly?
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