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Seats - and how to survive them...

Submitted by alec_stevens on Saturday, 2 July, 2016 - 01:00
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Commando

Having turned my 850 Roadster into an Interstate I picked up a 750 era thinner seat, in good nick. So far so good - the look and balance so suits the bike. Not so much perched on top, more part of the bike. however (and there"s always a however) my backside can take no more than a 100 miles at most before it calls for mercy. My question is this: Would a,say, reupholstered Leighton seat with the same dimensions result in a happier bum? Someone out there must have done this? I'm planning some Norvil rearsets for the same sort of reasons, but I"d really like to keep the look if possible.

Submitted by john_holmes on Saturday, 2 July, 2016 - 01:02

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Can't comment on the seat but the Interstate tank makes rear sets mandatory if you have bad hip joints, Madass140 does some very good ones and he posts on access norton forum.

Submitted by boo_cock on Saturday, 2 July, 2016 - 01:03

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Many years ago I too had a bad case of 'numb bum'. However, mine was due to some tight sod using a home made seat cover and padding, the horrid fleck type sponge.

I got a new cover and padding from RGM. It fitted well and was quite good on the nether regeons, for about a couple of hours. The padding was soft but not too soft that it felt solid. I found that posture was the best remedy.

I have heard of good results with gel seat inserts, but make sure it is a proper insert for the whole of your bum and not a poxy little pad that is more akin to a suppository.

Try some of the seat recovering people in Old Bike Mart. I have had some good feedback (literally) from their work.

For loooong distance rides I would recommend a sheepskin cover, failing that, a folded jumper works well or a while. Or, you could fit a Roadster tank. Seat and tank have the same mileage factor.

I would love to hear how the rearsets perform.

Submitted by tony_ripley on Saturday, 2 July, 2016 - 01:04

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A few years ago I did the lands end to John o' Groats ride over 4 days and for reasons I will not go into I had to do the homeward journey in one hit, that was a little over 700 miles. Luckily I had invested in :-

http://www.bykebitz.co.uk/brands/airhawk/airhawk-motorcycle-cushions/airhawk-cruiser-small-budget.html

This was on a Commando 850 MkIII Interstate with a standard seat. Without the airhawk I think it would have been a real problem doing that many miles in one day.

Tony

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sunday, 3 July, 2016 - 01:00

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A good number of years ago, Norman Hyde used to make a stepped Commando seat that was a couple of inches lower at the front. This made it not only easier to get on and off the bike, but it also prevented you from sliding backwards until your arms were at full stretch. Unfortunately, Hyde stopped doing Norton parts and they became unavailable.

I have one of these seats and needed it rebuilding before the Italia 2016 rally. I found out from Hydes that these seats were made by P & P Seating in Birmngham. I had them redo my seat and while they were at it, insert a gel pad under the part where the rider sits. I think the result was good and that it was more comfortable with the gel pad than before.

The type name for the stepped seat is Trifox should you want one, otherwise just specify Roadster or Interstate.

Attachments
trifox-jpg

Submitted by john_hawden on Sunday, 3 July, 2016 - 01:05

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I`v tried all sorts of solutions over the years, the only thing that really works is a lambskin, throw it over the seat and voila, comfort for miles, it also helps wick the sweat away from the nether regions.

 



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