Last week I decided to modify my 2009 Ness Vision seat.  Most of you know that the 2009 Ness seat is different from the 2010, which is different from the 2011...  What I like about the 2009 Ness seat is that it has both a drivers back rest slot and passenger back rest slot.

The stock Ness seat is quite hard.  I originally took it to an upholsterer and had it re-foamed and the guy did an OK job but I still wasn't satisfied.  Thanks to YouTube I saw how easy it was to modify / cut foam using a hand grinder.  So I took a whack at it and made a big difference... but I wanted more.  Thanks to eBay I found a cool gel-memory foam pad (Conformax) and a "universal atv / motorcycle seat pad heater."  So I took the cover of again and made some mods.

Here is the seat with cover off and foam excavated to fit the gel/foam pad.

Here is the seat with gel/foam pad in place.  I made sure I sat on the bike for about 10 minutes just to get the feel of what it would be like.

Here is the heater pad on top of the gel/foam.  I also covered it all with a "smoothing foam" that helps make it look smooth when the cover is put back on.

Here is the heater hi/off/low switch.  I had to enlarge the existing (but unused) switch hole and route the cables underneath the seat.

Here is the finished product.  It feels really good and the heater is fantastic.  You might note that I have and extra bit of padding where my sacrum would sit.  I find for me that this helps cradle my spine and allows my back to have extra support.  Also I did not excavate foam on the back so the added gel/foam pushes me forward about 3/4" which works for my short arms.  The gel/foam conforms to me!

kris1956 - 2012-04-04 4:32 AM I'm curious, what were you charged to recover your seat?

I paid the first guy $150.00 who did an OK job.  Then I started reading and watching YouTube and realized that I needed to try it myself.  So I did.  The big challenge is re-stapling the cover back on.  I enjoy a challenge!

bob5219 - 2012-04-04 10:47 AM which size pad did you buy?

 X Large.

V92SC - 2012-04-04 4:41 PM What youtube video did you watch and was that hand grinder like a 4' grinder used for metal?

 I don't recall which vid I watched but I'm sure you could search for it.  My grinder is a 90 degree Ryobi and my wheel is the multi purpose.

bob5219 - 2012-04-05 12:13 AM I have used an electric carving knife like you use on turkey, works great with much more control.

Yes, such a tool is great for straight surfaces but for "dishing" or curving, the grinder is so quick and easy.  You just touch it to the foam and the foam is gone.  I did some deep concave dishing in the passenger seat and the grinder was perfect.  The other tip was to use 3m spray adhesive to glue foam to foam and the seat cover to the foam.   It gives enough stick that things don't slide AND you can pull it apart if needed.