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1200 seat.......ouch, my butt hurts
Guys....I love my 1200, except for the stock seat. I'm good for 25-30 miles, then the pressure points start to ache. Tailbone is the worst, also gets me on the sides of my inner thighs. I know this is a common problem, I've read about many guys having the same issue. I'm looking for some options ... short of investing in a Travelcade or Corbin seat...the $$$ just isn't there right now. Does anybody know anything about a foam kit that JC Whitney sells? I've considered pulling the seat cover back and inserting a gel pad or 2, but I'm a little timid of opening a bigger can of worms than I need....I'm not an upholstery guy. Maybe I should get a local auto upholstery guy to take a look at it?

Any opinions??
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#1 01-03-2007, 01:44 PM,
Last May I took mine to a local upholstery shop and had it re-stuffed with that heavy foam like they put in the Chevy Trucks. The only thing now is when I'm braking I tend to slide forward to far. I wish I would have had them dish the seat out like Corbin and the others do so I wouldn't slide forward like that.

I've looked at several Corbin and other brands since then and they all have the high nose on the front of the seat and the rear of the seat where the tail bone sits is kinda dished out and the sides are tapered more to relieve the pressure on the thighs.

I had them put naugahyde on mine which is the closest thing to leather without actually being leather. It cost me $110.00 and the color matches the rest pretty close.

Mine still rides good the way it is now I mean I can make it to the next gas stop without much trouble and I try to gas up at about 150 miles.

Of course riding every day helps toughen up the old back side too. Living here in South East Texas I can just about ride every day and I usually do to unless it's raining which it seems to have been doing a lot of here lately.

I rode around 230 miles on January 1st and had fun all day. It started out a little cool at around 30 degrees but it warmed up nicely to around 60 with the sun shining bright. It was a beautiful day.

Life is good on a wing.
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#2 01-03-2007, 04:22 PM,
Last summer, I had the 22 year old foam replaced in the stock seat by a local upholstery shop. It cost about $200 Cdn but what a difference! He used firmer foam and managed to raise the passenger section by almost a full inch. Doesn't sound like much, but my wife was very happy with the improved view. Shortly thereafter, I won a fitted lambskin cover which improved the seating yet again.
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#3 01-03-2007, 04:31 PM,
Have you considered adding the gel pads available?

I don't use one but have been told by users that they are very good.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gelpad.net/index.htm">http://www.gelpad.net/index.htm</a><!-- m -->

I have seen the gelpads in the drug stores but never thought about having one inserted in the seat, hmm being vertically challenged I cant make the seat any higher off the ground that it is.
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#4 01-03-2007, 06:58 PM,
Yes, I looked at gel pads, both locally and through the internet suppliers but found them to be very pricey. A medical supply place had them here but they would have cost me close to $500 Cdn by the time I was done. Plus, they would be subject to theft in my opinion. We are very happy with the new foam and cover.

As for being vertically challenged, re-foaming the seat may prove to be a viable solution.
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#5 01-03-2007, 08:14 PM,
It may seem strange but since I had my seat trimmed down (cause I'm vertically challenged!) I think my seat is more comfortable than before. I have a Mustang seat on my Shadow and it is the most comfortable seat I've experienced and it is very firm. Trimming down my GW seat made it firmer and that is what I think contributes to my improved comfort.
JimC in NC
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#6 01-03-2007, 08:23 PM,
Coincidentally, I just received the new issue of Rider magazine and there's a buyers' guide covering undergarments. Aerostitch and LD Comfort make riding shorts that are seamless and padded in the right places. As Rider rates them fairly highly and the prices aren't out of line, I think I'm going to get a pair. I know my son's friends, who are serious mountain bikers, swear by them. Pardon the pun, but it can't hurt!
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#7 01-03-2007, 08:36 PM,
When I bought my '86 in November, it came with a after market seat, I am not sure who the manufacturer is. This seat is W I D E and comfy. I did close to 400 miles on the first day I owned it, after not riding for close to 2 years. I had no pain.
1986 GL1200 Aspencade
[Image: blue1200.gif]
"I ride too far, too fast, too often to own a Harley!"
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#8 01-03-2007, 10:00 PM,
If I had the money, this is where I would spend it on the seat.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.day-long.com/">http://www.day-long.com/</a><!-- m -->

They say you can ride their seat all day long in comfort. A little pricey but I think they are probably worth it.
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#9 01-04-2007, 06:24 AM,
I have a Corbin on my 1200 and it is FIRM. I regularly ride 500 plus mile days and I get "monkey Butt", I just deal with it. The Corbin is better than stock, but I would like to have a Diamond or Russell that is made for me
Remember, No matter where you go...There you are!

Here is where I have ridden my 1984 GL1200I
I completed the lower 48 states in August 2009, riding the whole way with my Dad

[Image: VisitedStatesMap-1.jpg]
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#10 01-04-2007, 07:05 AM,
Thank you guys, great information.

There is a guy here in town that does auto upholstery and seats....I think I'll take the seat to him. I was tempted to experiment myself, but after reading of your success I'm going to farm it out to a "pro".

I knew I was not the only one getting monkey butt on that stock seat!!

Thanks again

John
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#11 01-04-2007, 11:08 AM,
Just curious...anybody ever try one of these?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.buyaqua-aire.com/site/721518/page/263173">http://www.buyaqua-aire.com/site/721518/page/263173</a><!-- m -->

probably not a replacement for a good seat, but might be a nice extra to carry?
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#12 01-04-2007, 05:20 PM,
Lloyd Dotson Wrote:If I had the money, this is where I would spend it on the seat.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.day-long.com/">http://www.day-long.com/</a><!-- m -->

They say you can ride their seat all day long in comfort. A little pricey but I think they are probably worth it.

I've got a used Russell day long seat for a GL1200 for sale. My wife loves it and so do I but my rear end is too wide for the seat and the side bolster dig into my legs. It would be ideal for a guy that had much less than a size 48 waist.

I'll post some pics of it tomorrow in the parts for sale forum.
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

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#13 01-04-2007, 05:43 PM,
Vic

That sounds like a nice seat, but.............

Let's put it this way. I was a 48 waist when I was 20. I'm 49 now.

I don't think that seat is for the likes of skinny old me...... :cry:

I'm sure someplace there is a monkey butt just waiting for it though.... :lol:
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#14 01-04-2007, 07:36 PM,
Hhhhhhmm, have you considered 2 seats side by side. :lol:

Just joking.
Ed (Vic) Belanger - 1954-2015
Founder of gl1200goldwings.com

Reply
#15 01-04-2007, 08:37 PM,


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