Making a seat more comfortable?

[Recluso]

Hey folks.

I'm seriously considering having a custom seat made for the XJ6 - long story short I need to find something a little more comfortable as I have arthritic hips which result in several days worth of considerable pain after even a couple hours on the bike. I've seen some rather awesome stuff made in Europe (moulded seat, gel inserts, heating options etc) but they come with a pretty chunky price tag with even more chunk for delivering across the water.

Has anyone had a custom jobbie done in the UK that can recommend anywhere? Google brings up a whole menagerie of options, but would like to see if there's any first hand experience with anyone.

Alternatively, what do people think of those gel over the seat pad thingies as that is something I might consider as an alternative although I am very tempted by the heated options too.

I've seen the stuff made by these people (https://www.topsellerie.co.uk/YAMAHA-XJ6-DIVERSION-seats-petrol-tank-covers-tank-bags-motorbike_8_507.html) and I like a LOT but don't know whether going for the whole shebang would actually help alleviate any discomfort.
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[sickpup]

Is your seat lowered, I can't remember?

Question is how far do you want to go and how much do you want to spend?

The seat on my Deauville is extra firm due to having a heat pad fitted and is fine for riding until you run out of petrol, a softer seat isn't necessarily a more comfortable seat.

I would suggest you keep an eye out for a second seat off Ebay and then decide about fitting things like firmer foam, gel pads, heat pads etc. Just remember what works for others may not work for you

The best person to speak to is Lee over at Vikings.

[Recluso]

Yeah Pup, has been lowered/shaved.

Cost-wise I'm not sure yet. I'd like to find out what sort of options are out there and see what is recommended for my needs/requirements rather than just cap myself by saying 'oh I only want to spend x amount'.

Good thought on the second hand seat, I've noticed that people ask for the original base.

Biggest hurdle is deciding what is best to do to it.

EDIT: Perhaps first step is trying an unlowered seat first?
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'Just erotic. Nothing kinky. It's the difference between using a feather and using a chicken.'
Honda PS125i > Yamaha YBR125 > Yamaha XJ6 Diversion > Yamaha Tracer 900

[sickpup]

In your case after staring at your bottom previously I would suggest looking at a gel seat insert / memory foam and a heated seat pad. You are restricted by your cut down seat as to thickness of inserts though.

May have to look at fitting gaitors and dropping your front a bit if it hasn't been done but then you will need a modified side stand as well so keeps eyes open for a standard one of those on Ebay as well.

This one maybe, send it here and I'll get it modified for you.

Seat as well.

[Rogerborg]

Isn't this an issue with riding position, rather than seat comfort? Have you tried some bikes with different positions to see if they help?
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GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[_Iain_]

I would highly reccomend contacting Viking Vinyls & discussing with them your options.

https://www.viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk/

info@viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk

07977 874 075

Have sent people their way before & am yet to hear of someone who's had an issue or was unhappy with the finished product.
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[davebike]

Yes I will condense the advice to go and see Lee @ Viking He been the go to guy for the London trade for 20/30 years where seats are concerned
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[waffles]

[Monkeypony]

I've had saddles made by these guys for my last 3 bikes.

Not cheap, but great quality and comfort.

https://www.topsellerie.co.uk/
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[MarJay]

I'd have said that for arthritic hips, the squishiness of the seat would be fairly irrelevant. What you need to do is to fine tune your seating position and the position of your legs in relation to your seat.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Recluso]

[Quornholio]

Buy my X5, that has an uber padded seat AND an upright riding position
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[chris-red]

[Monkeypony]

That's odd as they use OEM bases.

I send my base to them, my base comes back as a new saddle.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[chris-red]

[Cadbury]

I have no experience of them, but how about something like an AirHawk seat?

[-Matt-]

www.diggerseats.co.uk over in Newport was good when he did some work on a seat a couple of years ago.