View Full Version : New seat......gel vs. foam??


eagleeye
09-12-2004, 09:35 PM
I have a back injury that is making my life hell. I am no longer active in most of my physical activities and I turn to my bike for "pshychiatric treatment" as well as plain enjoyment. There is no way in hell I will give up riding my bike. I am looking at purchasing a new seat, to ease some discomfort, and would like to hear what some of you have to say about gel or control density foam as used in Mustang seats. I understand that there is no "better than the other" choice except for personal preference. Has anyone tried both, and if so , which do you prefer. I know that both styles can get a bit pricy, but it would be a quick payoff if they are as comfortable as what I've read. Any brand over another? Thanks.

butcher
09-13-2004, 12:02 PM
harley came out with a new seat called the SUNDOWNER to compete with the mustang seats that everyone was putting on there bikes....i just put one on my electraglide and took a seven day trip with it and absolutely love it...no discomfort at all!!!!!!!!!

PHAT-BOY
09-13-2004, 01:48 PM
Looks like HD came out with a ton of new seats for 05. I don't have either seat myself, but I got a buddy with the gel pad and he swears by it. I think FBR has a Mustang or a Corbin, maybe he'll put his .02 in.

reno
09-14-2004, 02:01 AM
i had a mustang gel on my 99 nitetrain it was like the lowest profile @ the time that you could buy, i had it recovered w/some gator leather that i bought in mex.as far as comfort it was pretty hard in my opinion nothing beats foam the bikes originally come with.as far as the back problem goes i know how that feels having fractured my back in 3 places and breaking a bone in my neck it's not easy @ first to ride but doing things like forward controls and pullback bars help just as much as the seat does.
i hope this helps w/many painfree miles. later Reno

tekman
09-14-2004, 08:29 AM
you could just by the gel insert and have a seat guy put it in your seat for you. i'm looking to do that. you could get the gel insert off www.denniskirk.com --it's made by saddlemen, about $45. the seat guy might need to trim some foam out, but it should be good to go.

PHAT-BOY
09-14-2004, 09:08 AM
I didn't even know that was an option. I gotta look into that idea. Cheaper than a new seat for sure!!

butcher
09-14-2004, 10:00 AM
considering that i just shelled out all but $350 for my new seat, that would definitely be worth the time to check it out!

Tom
09-14-2004, 11:58 AM
well only gel my seat gets is my ever growing fat a$$
an it ain't all that soft of a ride either,,,,, ";-(

tekman
09-14-2004, 12:22 PM
here's the link:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=450845&store=Main&productId=p450845&catId=4&leafCatId=40801



i just ordered one for myself. going to see about having it put in my seat when I get it.


.

butcher
09-14-2004, 12:48 PM
is that pad actually made to be inserted into a seat or is it made to fit on top of your seat and be removable and your gonna try to install it into a seat?because if you came up with the idea to install it into the seat please let me know how it works and how thick it actually is....i have 2 rigids that i would love to try that on as long as i can keep an ultra low profile on the seats...

PHAT-BOY
09-14-2004, 12:58 PM
Looks like it's made to go on top of the seat, offering hooks and straps to keep it on, but I suppose someone could dismantle the seat, trim the foam, and get it in there. Let us know how it goes Tekman! You can be the guneia pig!

Tom
09-14-2004, 01:15 PM
yes, let us know,
because ;
If I added another 1/2 inch between my butt and the seat,I wouldn't be able to touch the ground.

sux being short ..............

tekman
09-14-2004, 02:41 PM
usually the saddlemen gel are supposed to go ON top of the seat with hooks and straps, but as that link shows, that's the RAW w/ no cover, that is meant to go INTO the seat, under the covering. the website says 1/2" thick, so some foam is going to have to be trimmed.