KymcoForum.com
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Neil955i on July 30, 2022, 09:48:03 AM
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Just looking at the humongous seat on my X-Town you’d assume it’s very comfortable. And up to about an hour at a time it is. We’ve had both wife and daughter’s cars off the road this week so my bike & scooter have been our sole forms of transport, often two up. It’s meant I’ve done a lot of riding (and no, I didn’t sabotage the cars!) so have had ample opportunity to assess comfort.
As I say, up to an hour the scooter is fine, but then I start shifting on the seat. I know a lot of you guys Stateside use Air Hawks & the like, but has anyone gone the reupholster route to address comfort and if so, with what degree of success? I did this with one of my Triumph Daytonas with real success and I’m tempted to try and repeat it with the X-Town.
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Just looking at the humongous seat on my X-Town you’d assume it’s very comfortable. And up to about an hour at a time it is. We’ve had both wife and daughter’s cars off the road this week so my bike & scooter have been our sole forms of transport, often two up. It’s meant I’ve done a lot of riding (and no, I didn’t sabotage the cars!) so have had ample opportunity to assess comfort.
As I say, up to an hour the scooter is fine, but then I start shifting on the seat. I know a lot of you guys Stateside use Air Hawks & the like, but has anyone gone the reupholster route to address comfort and if so, with what degree of success? I did this with one of my Triumph Daytonas with real success and I’m tempted to try and repeat it with the X-Town.
I wish I could sit back several more inches on my seat. I'm 5'10" and 3 or 4 more inches would be a lot more comfortable riding for me. Keep me posted on this, and I may try to get my seat modified over the winter.
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I wish I could sit back several more inches on my seat. I'm 5'10" and 3 or 4 more inches would be a lot more comfortable riding for me. Keep me posted on this, and I may try to get my seat modified over the winter.
I know Stig had this issue with his Like 200 and was able to modify his seat to allow for more leg room. He’s 6’ 4” if I recall correctly! I’m sure he’ll be along here soon…
Edit: also see: https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=28870.msg200698#msg200698
If I do go down the reupholstery route, it’ll likely be winter for me too, but I will keep you posted.
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I spoke with a couple local motorcycle shops....got no leads on fixing my LIKE200I seat.
So bought a spare seat from a wrecked LIKE50 on ebay....took a shot at it myself.
Probably should have taken it to a seat cover shop to have s new cover put over my foam rebuild....for better appearance.
But MAN is it more comfortable than the stock seat!! (which is safely stored in the closet...for the next owner, after I go in for that big Final Service some day)
Stig
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I have 5 bikes. Only one has a stock seat that is comfortable. I have ridden 300 mile days on my Like 150i with the stock seat. I have an Airhawk seat cushion on my Versys. The stock seat is a weapon of Ass Destruction. I don't think i could comfortably ride it for 5 minutes in stock form. I put a seat concepts seat on my KLX250. My Majesty and ADV150 both have gel seat pads on them.
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My Majesty and ADV150 both have gel seat pads on them.
Interesting Klav. From my research I’ve found a company in the NE of England who will inlay gel pads to the stock seat so I’ve asked them for a quote on that solution. Back in the 90’s I had Corbin seats on a ZX-9R and my first Daytona. Good for 500 mile days, but sadly they don’t manufacture for scooters - with the exception of Vespa I think.
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Update: Well after the other week I now know that I can do 3+ hours in the saddle with no permanent damage!
Still looking for a better ride comfort though and as the reupholstery company never got back to me, as an interim measure I’ve invested £15 in a gel pad to try which arrived at the weekend. It’s now strapped on, so I’ll let you know how well it works. Edit: First ride with the gel pad tells me two things straight away:
1. Most importantly it does make for a more comfortable ride which augurs well for a reupholstered seat with gel pad inlays which would address the other thing...
2. The add on gel pad raises the seat height by just under 25 mm (1") which is not a deal breaker for me with a 32" inseam, but might be a problem for others?
Makes me want to try again to find a seat upholsterer who can help me in my quest for the most comfortable X-Town seat available!
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Update: Well after the other week I now know that I can do 3+ hours in the saddle with no permanent damage!
Still looking for a better ride comfort though and as the reupholstery company never got back to me, as an interim measure I’ve invested £15 in a gel pad to try which arrived at the weekend. It’s now strapped on, so I’ll let you know how well it works. Edit: First ride with the gel pad tells me two things straight away:
1. Most importantly it does make for a more comfortable ride which augurs well for a reupholstered seat with gel pad inlays which would address the other thing...
2. The add on gel pad raises the seat height by just under 25 mm (1") which is not a deal breaker for me with a 32" inseam, but might be a problem for others?
Makes me want to try again to find a seat upholsterer who can help me in my quest for the most comfortable X-Town seat available!
I see a problem here.....when you slip into your speedo at your new beach house - your dimpled caboose is going to be the talk of the village!
I have never heard anyone continue to look for seat comfort after purchasing an Airhawk pad. You DO have to inflate it correctly for it to work properly.
Stig
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I think my Speedo days are long gone Stig. Wouldn’t want to scare the horses! As for an Air Hawk, I may take another look at that as a possible solution.
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I think my Speedo days are long gone Stig. Wouldn’t want to scare the horses! As for an Air Hawk, I may take another look at that as a possible solution.
I've seen several riders using what looks like the late family cat.
I can't do that, and whoopie cushions of any kind are too like hemorrhoid rings to my eye.
Not the image I want to put forth.
Stig
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The AirHawk will cost a tad bit more that the gel pad, but I think your will find you like it better too. You will b e able to play with the amount of air in the bladder to find the right inflation point to satisfy your keister.
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I'm not finding my AK550 seat uncomfortable at all. Ergonomics is another story, I'm used to riding a standard riding position, feet on pegs under your torso with your torso canted forward slightly. The AK is closer to a forward control cruiser, all my body weight is supported by my spine instead of sharing it with my legs & arms. The little lumbar nub helps some, a back rest would help more
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Not the image I want to put forth.
Stig
Stig, concerned about image?! Don't believe it.
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The AirHawk will cost a tad bit more that the gel pad, but I think your will find you like it better too. You will b e able to play with the amount of air in the bladder to find the right inflation point to satisfy your keister.
Don't know about the prices in US Manc, but here they're over £100! For that, I reckon I can get gel inserts AND a recover of the seat.
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I'm not finding my AK550 seat uncomfortable at all. Ergonomics is another story, I'm used to riding a standard riding position, feet on pegs under your torso with your torso canted forward slightly. The AK is closer to a forward control cruiser, all my body weight is supported by my spine instead of sharing it with my legs & arms. The little lumbar nub helps some, a back rest would help more
Randy I do concur. It's weight solely on the spine which leads to my discomfort after a few hours.
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Randy I do concur. It's weight solely on the spine which leads to my discomfort after a few hours.
I know the answer, I have to loose about 60-75 lbs and strengthen my core
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I know the answer, I have to loose about 60-75 lbs and strengthen my core
Let me know how Randy and I'll join you!!
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Still no response from the motorcycle reupholstery company in the NE, but I’ve found an automotive reupholstery guy about 20 miles away who gets good reports. He’s willing to take a look at it so I’m taking a run out there in the morning for him to take a look and quote me. Update will follow.
Update 7 Sept - took a nice ride out there yesterday morning to let Rob give my scooter seat the once over. It's do-able to quote him and he'll remodel it to move the bum stop back a couple of inches which will be great, giving me a useful increase in the legroom. Will need it for 2-3 days so we've agreed I'll drop it in at the end of the month for the transformation.
BTW his main source of income is upholstery repairs for the motor trade, but he has another sideline restoring classic cars for enthusiasts. While mooching round his workshop I saw a 1980's Triumph Stag in for a new soft top and seat work and a 1950's (I think) Alvis also in for seat recovering. Alvis is a long-gone marque which used to be manufactured in Coventry just south of where I come from in Birmingham.
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Randy I do concur. It's weight solely on the spine which leads to my discomfort after a few hours.
No issues with any of my 4 scooter seats....after I fixed the LIKE200I's seat...but I get homicidal after 3 hrs in an airline seat!
Stig
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Update: Well after the other week I now know that I can do 3+ hours in the saddle with no permanent damage!
Still looking for a better ride comfort though and as the reupholstery company never got back to me, as an interim measure I’ve invested £15 in a gel pad to try which arrived at the weekend. It’s now strapped on, so I’ll let you know how well it works. Edit: First ride with the gel pad tells me two things straight away:
1. Most importantly it does make for a more comfortable ride which augurs well for a reupholstered seat with gel pad inlays which would address the other thing...
2. The add on gel pad raises the seat height by just under 25 mm (1") which is not a deal breaker for me with a 32" inseam, but might be a problem for others?
Makes me want to try again to find a seat upholsterer who can help me in my quest for the most comfortable X-Town seat available!
I work in the nursing industry, that kind of looks like one of the inserts that we put on the patients weelchair to prevent bottem breakdown.
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I work in the nursing industry, that kind of looks like one of the inserts that we put on the patients weelchair to prevent bottem breakdown.
Ha ha