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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| I ride a vision tour prem. with a stock heated seat. the bike is a little tall for my stature. I am considering a victory "low" seat. question is[I know it is not heated] is it as comfortable as a stock seat? and is there another brand of a "low seat? I do not want to loose any butt comfort. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | You could also lower the bike as another option. Another cheap option is to buy shoes with thicker soles. My wife had to do that with a low seat on here CR. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| seat $500 bucks lowering bike $130 plus labor
what does your wallet tell you |
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Tourer
Posts: 466
Grand Cane, LA | Don't forget if you lower your bike much, you will have to buy the new saddlebag lower portion from Ness. Your swing arm will hit the bottoms and crack them. Found out this first hand when I lowered mine over an inch and hit a big dip last year. I have since taken my lowering link back off. The link I have is the one where you can raise the bike up to 1 inch and lower it down 1 1/2 inches. Would be willing to sell mine if you want it. They are pretty easy to install. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| Ness makes a Vision seat that will lower your ride height about an inch or so. Not heated though if that makes a difference. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 18
| I have the ness seat it does lower you about an inch and also pushes you forward some, and it feels comfortable to me. I also lowered the back one inch. |
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Tourer
Posts: 324
New Orleans, La, | I plan to have my extra stock seat cut down in the drivers seated area to 2 in of memory foam. The upolstery tech will then replace the heating elements to both seats and then recover in two tone gray ostrich. The cost approximately 400-425.00 and it will be 2 in lower, heated, and covered in custom ostrich. Less tan a Ness but more than a link and unique, I like. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| thanks guys for your input. last year i had 1" lowering link installed. that helped a good bit. Ive only a 30" inseam. last week,after reading about some riders lowering front forks; I lowered mine 3/4 inch in front.with that done, I torch heated lower part of ks and bent it to make it shorter. all is good riding solo. its when I have a 200# lb passenger''I struggle when stopping. so i'm gonna go with a low seat also. I here it is more comfy than stock heated seat[minus the heat of course] |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| The Ness seat is nice, I have it on mine and rarely put the heated seat back on. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | I have a 2009 Ness and I modified the seat myself and put in a heating element I got off of eBay for under $50.00. It works great!
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I also have a short inseam and sold my stock seat and went to the Vision 8-ball seat which is lower and actually gives me more lower back support than before...I never use the seat heater so no biggie for me...I also had a boot maker put 1/2 inch higher soles on my boots which really helped...No more flat footed issues at stop lights, etc. and I feel much more confident riding the bike....Total cost for me was $45 as I sold my stock seat for the cost of the new one...... |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | The low seat rocks I have it and have comfortably done 600+ mile days on it. No heat but that doesn't bother me. Better lower back support too |
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Cruiser
Posts: 112
Denver, Iowa | I ride with an 8 ball seat and it is the cat's meow for me. I needed something to do this winter, so I cut up a stock seat base to make it sit about 1 1/2" lower than the 8 ball seat, plus it's a solo seat as well. Not quite finished with it yet, as it is more fiberglass work than I thought it would be, but that's just me being way too picky. That will be my "bike night" seat... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Do the Ness and 8 Ball seats have the cut out for a backrest? I don't use the seat heat much so I wouldn't mind ditching that but I can't live without my Utopia backrest. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| The Ness seat does although as deep as the seat is I don't bother with a backrest. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Has anyone modified a low seat to fit on a bike with ABS? What's in the way anyway?
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | All the late models have ABS the seat fits just fine, no adjustment needed and it has the cutout for backrest as well. You sit much deeper in the seat so the backrest really only comes into play when you sprawl out on the interstate for "the long haul". |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| PhantomX - 2013-02-25 8:29 AM
All the late models have ABS the seat fits just fine, no adjustment needed and it has the cutout for backrest as well. You sit much deeper in the seat so the backrest really only comes into play when you sprawl out on the interstate for "the long haul".For some reason I could swear that I read somewhere that there was a problem fitting one of the low seats to a bike with ABS. There are two low seats, the Ness one with the embossed flames and the 8-Ball version which is plain. I'd prefer the plain version but as I remember it, the 8-Ball didn't have ABS and I'm wondering if that's the one that had the problem. On the other hand I can't see Polaris making two different bases for the same year. Does anyone know if the 8-Ball seat will work with ABS. BTW, the price or the 8-Ball and Ness seats is the same.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Double Post. Sorry!
Edited by marcparnes 2013-02-25 11:47 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
South Carolina | The 2009 Ness seat is leather and has the sockets for the driver and passenger backrests - ASM-SEAT,NESS,VISION (2684151) $781.97
I have one that is modified to fit ABS. The seat pan has to be notched on both sides to clear the ABS on the left and wire harness on the right. The clearance problems are outside of the rubber contact points so the structure isn't affected.
My wife doesn't like it so I'm selling it if anyone is interested plz PM me.
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
| Banjodan - 2013-02-23 10:39 AM thanks guys for your input. last year i had 1" lowering link installed. that helped a good bit. Ive only a 30" inseam. last week,after reading about some riders lowering front forks; I lowered mine 3/4 inch in front.with that done, I torch heated lower part of ks and bent it to make it shorter. all is good riding solo. its when I have a 200# lb passenger''I struggle when stopping. so i'm gonna go with a low seat also. I here it is more comfy than stock heated seat[minus the heat of course] ================================================================ I got a Ness 10 Anniversary from Surdykey for $299 I think. Spring of 2012. It has the slit for Utopia back rest but I had to get a new base mount from Utopia. (slit for passenger back rest, That's the leather version) Now the back rest will just pop on & off with a tug (check ball). Mention you a with VMC and that gets you the discount. I like it, for me it's good for 450 to 500 mile. That good for me. Stock was about 250 to 300. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 249
Phenix City AL. | I have a seat that HMD modified, 2 inches lower with memory foam, I like it. With the stock seat I had the back rest installed, with the modified seat I do not have the back rest, no need for it, with the lower seat and memory foam, the seat forms to you, adds mutch more comfort. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I checked the parts fiche again and all the seat numbers changed between 2009 and 2010 which is when they included ABS on the Tour version. That's probably when they modified the seat pan. So it seems low, high or Ness will all interchange from 2010 forward. I think I'm going to order one of the plain 8 Ball versions. I'm hoping I can figure out a way to transfer the heating elements and switches from my stock seat to the 8-Ball. My wife uses it even though I don't. Thanks for all the info.
Marc
Edited by marcparnes 2013-02-25 12:37 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I have the 2010 8-ball lower seat on my 2011 Vision Tour with ABS...No issues on fitment that I am aware of except it is not heated...I have seen a few posts here and on the VMC where some have bought aftermarket heating units that work...I don't use mine so did not have any concerns...The only minor issue I had with the 8-ball seat was the left front side near the tank does not fit real close and on occasion I need to pound it in a little with a soft rubber hammer...Just cause I am a nit-picker, so says "Mama"...Otherwise it is the best improvement I have made on the bike, except for pipes and chrome ...... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Has anybody dealt with www.Powersportswarehouse.com? They have the lowest price on the seat but I haven't heard about them before. Surdyke is $15 more. Surdyke is $321 and these guys are $306. Full pop is $377.99. If its questionable I'd just as soon deal with Surdyke.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Could someone with the OE low or Ness seat do me a favor and measure the height of the back of the rider's seat? That would be from the seating surface up to where the passenger seating surface starts. I want to compare it to my stock seat which is 7.5".
Thanks,
Marc |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 33
South Carolina | My OE 2011 seat is 7.25
2009 Ness Leather is 8 |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Thank you!
Marc |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| Marc.....The 8-ball seat on my Vision is about 8 & 3/8 inches from bottom to top.....Hope this helps. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Thank you. It looks like the back portion of the seat is about 3/4" to 1" taller. You mentioned before that it gives you better support. That's what I'm looking for as well. I have a backrest but I don't like it so this might be a good compromise.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | 1" difference doesn't seem like much. Is the pillion lowered as well as the driver section? Or is the drivers section only 1" lower? Either way, I'd still need my Utopia backrest. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Just ordered one from Surdyke. Polaris has the 8-Ball part# 2684351 for 2010 and later in stock. Retail is now $377.99 and Surdyke charged $302.39.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | What's the difference between the Ness and 8 Ball seats? And I noticed the stock heated seat is over $700!!!! I guess I could conceivably trade my 2500 mile heated seat straight up for a Ness or 8 Ball seat, eh? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Monkeyman - 2013-02-26 10:24 AM
What's the difference between the Ness and 8 Ball seats? And I noticed the stock heated seat is over $700!!!! I guess I could conceivably trade my 2500 mile heated seat straight up for a Ness or 8 Ball seat, eh?The Ness has flames embossed in the seating surface while the 8 Ball is plain like the standard seat. They also make a Ness leather seat but its $864 retail.
Marc
Edited by marcparnes 2013-02-26 12:30 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | I'm good with plain. Not much of a flame kind of guy. Are the 8 Ball/Ness seats comfortable for the long days or, because of less padding, are they a bit stiffer and more uncomfortable? I'm about 6'+ but weigh about 275 so I'm no lightweight. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I asked Nozzledog that when he was here with his Ness to install cams and said it was great. And he is BIG!
Marc |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I weight about 195lbs and have never noticed much difference on rides less than 400 miles...The stock seat has a little more butt/crotch/ padding for really long hauls but I would not go back to the stock seat at all....I really like the lower seat that lets me have better control of the bike at stops, etc. but, If my inseam were more 30" or more, I personally would keep the stock seat for that reason only...I do like the higher back support on the 8-ball and for me it works great.....BTW...to answer Monkeyman, yes IMHO the stock seat is more comfortable for taller people on long rides...And I said earlier I was able to sell my stock seat for $350 and cover the cost of the 8-ball seat...... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I wish you could get a heated 8 ball seat. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| jimtom - 2013-02-26 3:19 PM
I wish you could get a heated 8 ball seat.I was just doing a Google search for:
motorcycle seat heater kit
and a bunch of them popped up. Looks like it would be pretty easy and cheap. You could take it to the upholstery guy and have him install it. All he has to do is remove the cover and drill a couple of holes for the switches and put it back together again. Shouldn't be a big deal. If I run the low seat all year long I'll have to heat the back seat for my wife. She's gotten spoiled!
Marc |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | My wife too, even though I got her heated pants hahaha. Actually, I'm spoiled to the heated seat. My Vision is my work car. With a few exceptions, my seat has been on since December  If it's < 50 , my seat is on. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | jsut curious, if you can modify the stock seat and put an aftermarket heating element in it, why can the stock heating element not be reused? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I'm thinking the same thing. Need to see how it looks inside. Only thing is it will ruin the resale value since that's why many guys buy used ones. It might be cheaper and less work to just put in an aftermarket one.
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | marcparnes - 2013-02-26 5:24 PM jimtom - 2013-02-26 3:19 PM I wish you could get a heated 8 ball seat.I was just doing a Google search for: motorcycle seat heater kit and a bunch of them popped up. Looks like it would be pretty easy and cheap. You could take it to the upholstery guy and have him install it. All he has to do is remove the cover and drill a couple of holes for the switches and put it back together again. Shouldn't be a big deal. If I run the low seat all year long I'll have to heat the back seat for my wife. She's gotten spoiled! Marc Here are a few pictures of when I took off my 2009 Ness seat cover and did a refoam and heater. Here is the new foam and heating element. 
Here is the switch installed in the same hole that the factory switch fits in. I did have to enlarge it a bit: Finished project! If you look on Youtube there are vids on how to redo motorcycle seats. I learned a lot of tips / tricks. I've had my cover off 3x now and I think I want to do one more bit of adjustment... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Two questions:
1. Where did you find the heater and are you happy with it?
2. Do you have any idea if the stock heater sits on top of the foam like you did yours or is it embedded in some way?
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| This one looks pretty interesting and the price is right.
http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Heatedprod.html
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 244
| Here are a few pictures of when I took off my 2009 Ness seat cover and did a refoam and heater. Here is the new foam and heating element.
JS5Owner: What kind of foam are you using & where did you get it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | marcparnes - 2013-02-27 12:20 PM
Two questions:
1. Where did you find the heater and are you happy with it?
2. Do you have any idea if the stock heater sits on top of the foam like you did yours or is it embedded in some way?
Marc
That's 4 questions. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | marcparnes - 2013-02-27 11:20 AM Two questions: 1. Where did you find the heater and are you happy with it? 2. Do you have any idea if the stock heater sits on top of the foam like you did yours or is it embedded in some way? Marc I got the heating pad on eBay, less tha $50. I have no idea about how the stock heated seat is placed. I LOVE my seat being heated and have used it down to 37 degrees so far. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | wingit3611 - 2013-02-27 1:41 PM Here are a few pictures of when I took off my 2009 Ness seat cover and did a refoam and heater. Here is the new foam and heating element. JS5Owner: What kind of foam are you using & where did you get it. What you see in the picture was a 1/2" memory foam with 1/2" gel... It sounded good but in actuality it didn't work for me. I ended up with 1" of stiff foam. BTW the 2009 Ness seat has really hard foam and this is why I changed it out. So while I was doing the work I thought I'd add a heating element. Here is a seat heater pad on eBay like mine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-ATV-UTV-E-BIKE-SNOWMOBILE-CARBON-FIBER-SEAT-HEATER-WARMER-/220903183479?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item336edb1477&vxp=mtr |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| JS5Owner - 2013-02-27 1:00 PM
marcparnes - 2013-02-27 11:20 AM Two questions: 1. Where did you find the heater and are you happy with it? 2. Do you have any idea if the stock heater sits on top of the foam like you did yours or is it embedded in some way? Marc I got the heating pad on eBay, less tha $50. ?I have no idea about how the stock heated seat is placed. ?I LOVE my seat being heated and have used it down to 37 degrees so far. I was just looking at the same unit. Do you have two heat ranges or just on and off? In case it isn't dual wired I thought I might get a Heattroller for it so she can regulate the temperature. What kind of switch are you using?
Marc |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| I love you guys and wish you the best on changing seats/heaters/ etc.....But for the life of me, except for your significant others demands, cannot understand why you need seat heaters in California....Have family in Southern Calif and in the Walnut Creek/ San Fran area that ride and seat heaters are hardly ever used....I live in Michigan where it really gets cold at times and never rode with a seat heater...Did not like the one on my Vision and no longer have it with the 8-ball seat(boys and butt got to hot)...But too each his own and good luck...... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| My need is purely to keep the wife happy. I never use the heater myself. She even insists that she needs her Gerbings hooked up when its 55F out. Go figure...
Marc |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | marcparnes - 2013-02-27 3:18 PM JS5Owner - 2013-02-27 1:00 PM marcparnes - 2013-02-27 11:20 AM Two questions: 1. Where did you find the heater and are you happy with it? 2. Do you have any idea if the stock heater sits on top of the foam like you did yours or is it embedded in some way? Marc I got the heating pad on eBay, less tha $50. ?I have no idea about how the stock heated seat is placed. ?I LOVE my seat being heated and have used it down to 37 degrees so far. I was just looking at the same unit. Do you have two heat ranges or just on and off? In case it isn't dual wired I thought I might get a Heattroller for it so she can regulate the temperature. What kind of switch are you using? MarcThe switch came with the pad and it is a high/off/low rocker type with small indicator LEDs. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Perfect!
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Well, that didn't work out like I wanted. I installed the low seat today and the wife and I took it for a ride. It is definitely lower and moves you a little bit further forward. This is great for me as it reduces the reach to the bars as well as the pavement. With the taller back I don't even need the kidney belt/backrest I've been using all this time. So that was all good. But not for the little woman. She decides that it feels "different" and she doesn't like it and wants her old heated seat back. What the F---? They are exactly the same. Doesn't matter according to her, she just wants the old one back. Ok, this isn't going anywhere good so I just short circuited it and gave up. Its not worth it. I can win this battle but there goes the war.
So, the old one goes back on and the new one goes back in the box. Anybody want it?
Damn!
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | Is it heated? Is there a cut out for a backrest? Got pics? How much? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| Monkeyman - 2013-03-09 4:55 PM
Is it heated? Is there a cut out for a backrest? Got pics? How much?No heat. I was going to use one I found on line for $50 or use the one out of the old seat. Yes, the backrest cut out is already there. This seat will also fit later bikes like mine with ABS as well as the early ones. I paid $302 plus $25 shipping for it last week. make me a reasonable offer. Here's a pic:  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| I'm putting it on eBay unless someone wants it. Let me know please.
Marc |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 802
| The seat is sold now via eBay.
Marc |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
| Glad to read that I'm not the only vertically challenged Vision rider. I'm south of a 30" inseam too!
Anyway, I've done both mods. I put in the 1" lowering link, which helped. Then I had Mean City Cycles lower the seat and upgrade the foam. Finally, I brought it to a local upholstery shop and he custom shaped it to fit me perfectly. No loss of comfort and I'm flat-footed in sneakers.  |
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stock seat vs low or custom