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Tourer
Posts: 363
Goldsboro, NC | I'm either too fat or I ride in too much cold. Between the rider and pillion seats is a small vertical part. The seam between the bottom of the vertical and the rider seat has about a 6" rip.
Does anybody have an idea about how to repair or patch the seat?
A new seat will run over $800, if I recall.... and I don't have it. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | mine is torn and worn, another reason why I hate vinyl seats. I don't know of any fix per se, but you could just keep it covered to keep the elements out until you repair it. I have about 8" tear in mine on the left side of my seat. I plan to have it leathered which would cost around $500/600 at the local shop. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | For about the same price as a new factory seat (I hated the stock seat, to me it was like sitting on a bag of STA-PUFT marshmallows)you should be able to find a local custom seat maker who can make the seat fit your heinie with a gel pad(well worth it after about 3 hours in the saddle!). My new for me seat from a local guy across Puget Sound including riders custom back rest covered in snakeskin patterned black and gray leather, was about $1000.00, around $700 for just the seat w/leather. I had one of his seats on my VENTURE ROYALE and it stayed comfortable for over 12 hours in the saddle, and it was contoured to fit me so my hips and legs didn't go to sleep or cramp up (not a fun thing when you need to put your feet down @ the end of the off ramp to get gas).
And, Benji, can I give you just one word? LEXOL-
Edited by SYNSTR 2011-02-10 12:36 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | There is a guy in St Pete Florida that was featured in gofar magazine. He was going to do my seat with real temper foam. Some kinda exotic leather, ostrich I think, in two tone and stitch in a custom pattern for $800. The seat heater would still work. It is still on my wish list. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 935
Rockford, IL | Paul-
Sent you a PM with a few options |
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Cruiser
Posts: 199
Salt Lake City | I would not trade vinyl for leather for reasons I won't debate here. If you know an upholsterer, he could cover the seat with anything you want, usually for a reasonable price. I know a very good one here in SLC that could do darn near anything with your seat, including adding gel, refitting foam, building a new one, etc.- so I think you could find someone to re-cover yours if you're happy w/ the vinyl. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I would be curious to know your objections to leather.
I find I sweat way to much on vinyl and it becomes uncomfortable, stretches, and gives away some support. When I went to leather, I found it did not make me sweat as much, it was never uncomfortable and allowed the foam to retain the comfort since it didn't give out when it got hot. I know that leather requires more care to maintain it, but it was something that was well worth it to me. Personally, a premium machine like the Vision should have came standard with a leather seat. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | If you liberally apply LEXOL by hand about every 300 or so miles, the seat stays supple and as waterproof as vinyl and takes me about 10-15 minutes to apply, buff, and be ready to go. Second hand store or old bath towels are perfect as is a piece of wool for buffing-If monkey butt is an issue, carry along an old Sheepskin seat cover to sit on, gives good airflow and the wool actually is cooler than denim to seat. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 104
Corona, CA | I know this sounds like a New York cabbie but - seat beads really do work for keeping you comfortable on long hot rides !
I thought it was a stupid idea but I tried it on a ride in the Rockies last year and they kept me cool and my pants weren't all sweaty !
I agree they look stupid but do you want stupid or wet ?
Also look into underwear made by L D Comfort Wear. These REALLY work !
http://www.ldcomfort.com/store/ By the way - you'll sweat just as much on a leather seat.
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | team5150 - 2011-02-10 2:16 PM
By the way - you'll sweat just as much on a leather seat.
Thanks for your comments. However, my butt has been on vinyl and on leather, and it doesn't sweat as much on leather and is much more comfortable. That is matching the same conditions and the same amount in the saddle, in fact, I could stay in the saddle much longer on a leather seat.
I don't know about anybody else's butt, I can only speak for my own. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I have both the stock, heated seat and the Victory unheated leather seat/backrest. I didn't really notice a huge difference as far as sweaty butt goes on a hot day (black is hot in either material) but I really like the firmness of the leather seat. It took about 1000 miles to break in. The main advantage is the look. 1" deeper bucket (less padding) and the leather just looks classy. Psychologically, leather feels a lot better since I paid more for it.
Edited by SongFan 2011-02-10 3:06 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | You can get an 8-ball seat from Surdykes for less then $300 - but it is not heated...
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Cruiser
Posts: 199
Salt Lake City | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-02-10 12:47 PM
I would be curious to know your objections to leather.
I have no objections at all. When I ordered a Ultimate "Big Boy"($850) for my VTX, I wanted leather, but the Ultimate guys always suggest vinyl to their customers; 48K miles later, the vinyl wore-in beautifully. I ride with a skeepskin pad year round, so perspiration has never been an issue, and water just ran off during the several occasions it got rained on at night during rides. With very little effort, it looked as good as the day I bought it.
I still really love the look of a custom leather seat, but I'm just gonna cover it with a fitted sheepskin cover. I also have a riding buddy who dropped serious coin on a Russel Day-Long seat for his FJR that they fitted in vinyl. I say, use what pleases you.
Edited by wilsondude 2011-02-10 3:41 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 44
Middleburg, Fl. | +1 beads are the hot ticket for summer |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | This showed up on e-bay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Victory-Vision-Custom-Nasa-Visco-Vin... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| Check your local body shop for a vinyl repair guy.
I have known of leather seats allowing rain in the stitching holes and soak the foam and taking 3 days to dry. Whatever works for you. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| +1 On ebay I have seen several seats there. Unsure of price. It just gives you more options. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I'll probably get some beads this summer, I wanted to when I road across country but never did. I put a shammy on the seat and that helped a lot and kept any sweat soaked up. When you get the seat covered in leather make sure the guy knows what he is doing. The one I had covered on my wing was done right and never had a problem with even though it sat out side all the time, even in the pouring rain. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
Okotoks, Alberta | Is there anyone in particular at Surdykes to talk to for the $300 8 ball seat? |
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Tourer
Posts: 444
Bay of Gigs, WA | Duct tape if you're riding over 100mph. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Cap'n Nemo - 2011-02-11 7:12 AM
I'll probably get some beads this summer, I wanted to when I road across country but never did. I put a shammy on the seat and that helped a lot and kept any sweat soaked up. When you get the seat covered in leather make sure the guy knows what he is doing. The one I had covered on my wing was done right and never had a problem with even though it sat out side all the time, even in the pouring rain.
After you get talking about sweaty butts, I recomend you give this local Chesapeake girl a call:
http://lisascustomcanvas.com/
She did a great leather job on my Vegas seat at a reasonable price, and yes she negotiates. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | sgiacci - 2011-02-11 9:57 PM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-02-11 7:12 AM
I'll probably get some beads this summer, I wanted to when I road across country but never did. I put a shammy on the seat and that helped a lot and kept any sweat soaked up. When you get the seat covered in leather make sure the guy knows what he is doing. The one I had covered on my wing was done right and never had a problem with even though it sat out side all the time, even in the pouring rain.
After you get talking about sweaty butts, I recomend you give this local Chesapeake girl a call:
http://lisascustomcanvas.com/
She did a great leather job on my Vegas seat at a reasonable price, and yes she negotiates.
I'll have to ride down and see her, thanks Steve. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Hey you guys ever heard of baby power ??? Apply on your ass legs chest Keeps you dry NO monkey but
Leather is like a sponge look at the harley guys after a rain and there carrying around a extra 5 pounds and soaking wet jacket and they wounder why we wear are funny goretex light weight rain repelling jackets.
Vinyl repels water doesn't fade in the sun. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Ok guys, seats 101.... Vinyl and leather will make you perspire equally, IF both are non-contoured. The leather actually costs more and doesn't provide any advantage, to the contrary. They weather, leak when wet and require more maintenance for upkeep. So whats the solution? Goat skin! Sure you can do beads, sheep, etc.... but ask anyone who runs a LOT of miles, brags little and always arrives fresh and they'll surely be running a goat skin.
They aren't cheap and you do need to shop around for a 100% goat skin but they are worth every penny and you only buy them once. You simply throw it on the bike seat and go ride.
As to the torn seat? Take your seat off and take it to your local auto upholsterer who will charge you about $100 to make it just like new. The other option is to see your dealer and order the Ness seat for about $300.00...... You can transfer your heat pads to the Ness saddle to keep the heat feature. |
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Tourer
Posts: 401
| Cap'n Nemo - 2011-02-13 6:00 AM
sgiacci - 2011-02-11 9:57 PM
Cap'n Nemo - 2011-02-11 7:12 AM
I'll probably get some beads this summer, I wanted to when I road across country but never did. I put a shammy on the seat and that helped a lot and kept any sweat soaked up. When you get the seat covered in leather make sure the guy knows what he is doing. The one I had covered on my wing was done right and never had a problem with even though it sat out side all the time, even in the pouring rain.
After you get talking about sweaty butts, I recomend you give this local Chesapeake girl a call:
http://lisascustomcanvas.com/
She did a great leather job on my Vegas seat at a reasonable price, and yes she negotiates.
I'll have to ride down and see her, thanks Steve.
She isn't a storefront (works from home), so you need to call first. Getting in contact with her can be delayed sometimes since she works on site at marinas doing boats. She had a pretty good selection of leather and skins too. |
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Ripped seat
