| Author | Message | ||
     Hillis3 |
I can't take a picture right now cause I have my saddle bags on for a trip. There is a small gap in the back and at the right angle I can see down where the shock is. It is not a huge gap. It is almost like the connectors on the bottom of the seat pan is about 1/8 inch off. This gap is not a deal breaker for me. I will know more about the seat during the labor day weekend. I'll be putting about 2000 miles on it. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Same gap on mine... Also no big deal 4 me. | ||
| Sprintst |
that *looks* like it has 3x the cushioning of the stock seat. does it feel like it? | ||
| Al_lighton |
I've noted the gap issue, just got off the phone with a customer that explained the gap he is seeing. If anyone has a good photo of a bad rear gap, please send to me. I'm not seeing a bad gap on my bike, but I can see the cutout for the XB compression adjuster. But there are tolerances bike to bike, so every bike will be a little different. It's tight to the front, and that is on purpose. But perhaps it's tighter than it needs to be. There were numerous complaints with the stock seat of the gap at the front, and it was very inconsistent. ANY gap there lets a fair amount of heat out, especially on the XB models, so we deliberately kept it justified as far forward as possible. But we may have overshot the mark by a little. We'll likely be moving the seat back about .1" on future builds. Al (Message edited by al_lighton on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Sprintst |
just ordered mine today! When I saw pics on an actual bike, I don't care for the channel that much, plus I do want max padding, so I went for the one I thought I liked the least, at first, the Tech. Fingers crossed! (Message edited by sprintst on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Al_lighton |
BTW, we only brought 5 Tech versions in, thinking they would likely be the least popular, and they're all sold. I'll be ordering more some time next week, not sure how long production will take. Me, unless I was using it for JUST sport touring chewing up BIG miles, I'd opt for the Sport. Al | ||
| Al_lighton |
Good data point: I told the customer that called about the gap earlier today that he could return it for a full refund if it bugged him that much, but he said he wanted to try it out first. I asked him to handle it carefully so that it was AS NEW if he still felt he wanted to return it after trying it. He just called after doing a ride on it, and said the seat was WONDERFUL and that he'd be keeping it. He is 6'1", was concerned it didn't have the space to the rear. But the shape is so much nicer than the stocker, he indicated it just wasn't an issue. He seemed pretty stoked. Others out there that have them, feedback is good, post here as you see fit. Al | ||
| Hootowl |
Al, is there any talk of this company making seats for the XB Lightnings? | ||
| Sprintst |
Al - Why the sport? It was last on my list, mainly because I could see the faux suede look getting matted and looking old pretty quickly anyone have a picture of one mounted on a bike? Seems a bit odd to me, suede on a sportbike...... Also, how about the durability of the "chrome" strip down the center of the one seat? If it gets boogey'd up, can it be easily removed? (Message edited by sprintst on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Reepicheep |
There's a dangerous thing to say on the Internet on a Friday afternoon. *shudder*. | ||
| Al_lighton |
A few reasons: 1) Movement. It is the seat that is easiest to slide your butt around on. In a test with a track rider on a ZX-10 with all 4 types of seats, the test rider preferred the Sport the best, the Tech the least. In a track or pure sport type environment, I can see how the Tech bumps would be detrimental. In a pure track type environment, there's not much bad about the STOCK seat. But away from the track...ugh.. 2) Looks. I see your point, not sure what the long term wearability of the material is, too soon to tell. But when new, it is just gorgeous. Hopefully someone that got the sport seat will post up some pics with it on the bike. To me, it looks great. The bumps on the Tech seat don't do much for me aesthetically. But of course, looks are very subjective. 3) It breathes. If you put your mouth against the surface of the seat and blow against it, the Tech and the Sport seat are porous and will likely be cooler than the non-porous vinyl on the Track and Track-CF seat. I can't speak to the durability of the simulated brushed stainless strip down the center of the Track seat. It is a vinyl material, I suspect it will outlast the covering given that it is down below the surface and isn't rubbed on. The Track-CF has that strip covered in the same material as the seat covering. On the channel, I tell ya what, sit on one in the riding position with and without that channel and you'll be sold on its benefit. I didn't realize how much pressure was there until I sat on one back to back with and without. Hoot, there aren't any plans on any Lightning seats at this time. I can't say I've heard the same level of dissatisfaction with the stock seat on the Lightnings as I have on the Firebolt/1125 models, though I personally HATED the stock lightning seat and have a Corbin on the shop XB-S. The stock Firebolt/1125 seat, with it's screw type attachment, has so very little support for the hip joint bones because of the seat pan shape and the requirement to be able to fold the seat back on itself to access the screws. It's a damned uncomfortable seat after 50 miles in the saddle. But tell you what, rally the troops in the XB board as the folks here did over a year ago, get a whole bunch of folks screaming for one, and I might be able to convince Saddlemen to do something. Al (Message edited by al_lighton on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Trbulnt |
Just received and installed the Sport model and love it!! On to some detailed pics.       | ||
| Al_lighton |
Chris, NICE.. Could I trouble you to forward high res pics (no more than 5Meg per email, please) those pics to me at sales at americansportbike dot com? The gap seems pretty minimal on that one, doesn't jump out at me as a big deal..Bike tolerances, seat tolerances, personal tolerances, I guess  . Thanks! Al | ||
| Sprintst |
Great pics. Okay, just shot sales a email saying I'll go with the Sport, on your recommendation Al! (Message edited by sprintst on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Trbulnt |
Al, emails are sent! If any of the files are too large let me know. Hope they help and thanks again for a great product and fast shipping! | ||
| Sprintst |
Al - http://www.americansportbike.com great service, same as last time! keep up the good work~! (Message edited by sprintst on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
just wish the sport wasnt in suede, ive never had good luck with suede and keeping it clean is a big pain in the butt....how do the track and sport compare?? Thanks Jake | ||
| Trbulnt |
The sport seat seems like its made of a nice high quality suede like material. It is thicker than normal suede if that makes sense. Looks like it will be easy to maintain and keep clean but only time will tell. | ||
| Hillis3 |
I just finished riding 520 miles on the track-cf and it did a great job. My bottom side started getting a little tired near the end but I could not ask for a better seat. The gap on my CR looks like the one on Chris's bike but as I said before, no big deal. Al, I think moving the seat back the 0.1 would fix the problem. That being said, thanks for helping with this and making us great seats. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Got my seat yesterday and Installed it, fit was nice (has small gap at rear) and quality is great! I have some crappy cell phone photos, I put a yellow cloth underneath to show the gap... It was harder to see in the dark garage than it was outside today. I rode the bike to work and back today and notice it pushes you forward a bit but the Chanel makes the pressure displacement on your butt fell very even. I'll be doing a full day ride tomorrow to really test it out!      | ||
| Dennis_c |
Whats the hole in the middle for to hold water to keep your but cool.  | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
Duh no it's for when the excess pressure builds up in the southern exit it doesn't hold the pressure beyond the set limit of the o-ring. And will allow for the smooth transmission from the pressure vessel to the atmosphere with out causing undue noise.  | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Did a 350 mile canyon ride this am.... So much better than before!! My ass was still sore but much better! | ||
| Hillis3 |
I finished my 1500 mile trip this weekend and the seat did great. Granted, near the end, I started getting a little sore, but that was at the end of 1500 miles. Normally that would have been at the beginning of the trip. This upgrade was well worth it. My CR has never felt better. | ||
| Trbulnt |
Just went for my first real ride on the new seat and it is perfect! I have nothing but positive comments to say. If I were to start all over again with this bike I would add parts in this order. 1. Erik Buell Racing ECM 2. Saddleman Seat | ||
| Sprintst |
Sport seat came in today! Thanks Al! No issue with the gap the pillion cover will fit under the hardcover, even just over top the stock cover. Which IS NOT the way the instructions say to do it. They recommend removing the stock cover and installing the replacement and stapling in place. I usually use the hard cover, so I'll skip it.          (Message edited by sprintst on September 09, 2011) | ||
| Motorhead102482 |
The channel keeps you from getting sweaty sack. haha | ||
| Dannybuell |
The reference is in the first link, additional info in second link. Bottom line is it keeps your weiner alive. http://www.saddlemen.com/store/index.php?main_page =index&cPath=511_514_519 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perineum | ||
| Motorhead102482 |
Definitely now on my list of things to get for my bike. I was waiting for a real seat to come out. I"m glad I waited. Now how much blood and gene material do I need to sell to make $260. It's ok to sell those, because the seat helps them flow better. | ||
| Utesch |
As I was unaware that American Sport Bike was still working with Saddlemen, I sent my stock saddle to Saddlemen to convert to one of their sport saddles with the gel channel. I really needed this modification as I recently underwent surgery followed by 8 weeks of daily radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Prior to surgery I asked my doctor how long it would be before I could ride again. His first question was, "What kind of bike do you ride?" When I answered sportbike he suggested I buy a cruiser and I could ride in four months. I discussed the Saddlemen option and he was intrigued as he felt that it would remove pressure from the nerves in that region. So... it's 6 months past surgery and my new saddle works great. It removes pressure from my personal plumbing modifications and associated nerves. Without it, I'd either be riding a cruiser (I tried it... not my style I'm afraid) or not riding at all. I recommend the saddle highly. It's "just what the doctor ordered." And buying it pre-made from American Sport Bike is quicker and cheaper! BTW, September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For all you 40+ guys out there... make sure you see your doctor for a checkup. |
