Saddlemen Seat Kit - Installation

I recently purchased the Saddlemen "Performance Restoration Foam & Cover" kit for my '06. The stock seat didn't need any sort of replacement. But I purchased the kit as an upgrade to the stock seat. Saddlemen offers this kit in two versions with two available covers. They have a touring version, and a sport version. Both available in a carbon fiber print vinyl, or a suede trim. I went with the touring version with carbon fiber. I purchased it through Revzilla for the sale price of about $140 and it took about a week to receive it. For that sort of price I thought it was worth a try as Corbin or Sargent are substantially more. But this isn't a 'pull out of the box and install seat' .... it is a new foam and seat cover that you install on your existing seat pan. Tools required are: screwdriver, pneumatic staple gun, and some spray adhesive. The installation was pretty straight forward and took me about an hour to do. I've done new foam/covers on snowmobile seats before. So this wasn't anything new for me.

I've attached a few pics of the installation for comparison sake against the stock seat. The new foam is substantially heavier than the stock foam. I would guess it to be about twice as heavy, but I didn't weigh it. I did notice during installation that the new foam is about an inch or more thicker than stock. So it is going to raise you up in the saddle over stock. The cover is also well constructed. The stitching is very straight and sturdy and the material used is much thicker than stock, but still quite pliable.

Regarding comfort, I have yet to ride it. Still quite cool here in WI. But just sitting on it in the garage I can tell some differences. I expected it to be super soft when seated. But was surprised that it actually feels a bit stiffer than stock. Maybe this will change with time, but we'll see how that goes. I'm not sure if that is better or worse. But only riding it will tell. The foam is supposed to have gel inserts in it, but I couldn't see it when installing. It must be hidden under the final layer of foam. Regarding the shape ... It definitely feels better. The sides are nicely contoured and don't 'cut' into your inner thighs like the stock seat. And the slope of the seat is different than stock. It still retains a slope at the back of the seat so that your pelvis is correctly aligned with your back. But the front of the seat is more flat so you aren't sliding towards the tank all the time. The passenger spot is also thicker in the foam and is contoured nicely in the inner thigh area.

Overall at this point I'm extremely pleased with the kit. It is well made, installation went smoothly, initial comfort is good and it looks great. I can't wait to get some miles on it

 

Doesn't look too shabby. I was considering this kit for my 5th gen, but I decided to pony up the extra cash and get a Sargent. Part of that was due to the lack of reviews for the Saddleman.

 

I was looking at one of these the other day as well. Seems like potentially a great way to upgrade the saddle at half the price with a dab of elbow grease. OP did you get a chance to ride it yet??

 

Unfortunately, no - not yet. We did have week of really nice weather here in WI recently. But I had a bad bank-angle-sensor that took me a few days to track down, then a few more to get a replacement. So that shot the entire week of nice weather. Lately it's been cold with a few days of snow yet. Hopefully soon

 

Keep us posted Gade, the saddle looks great on the bike. If it feels as good as it looks, that might be where my next upgrade dollars are spent.

 

Well, I finally got a bit of seat time in. I went for about a 45 min ride yesterday, and my 15 min commute this morning. So far I'm very happy with the new seat. Reminder - I went with the touring version with the carbon fiber vinyl. The seat is much more contoured and doesn't cut into my thighs. The slope is different so I'm not sliding up towards the tank all the time, but doesn't twirk my hips into a weird position. And even though it is a vinyl cover, it seems to have more grip than the stock seat as I don't slide around much on it. I'm sure the suede version has more grip than the carbon fiber, but this was a nice surprise over stock as I didn't expect it. The biggest benefit I see so far is the better distribution of weight over my entire rump. The seat seems soft as you feel it with your hand, but quickly feels stiff once sitting on it. My weight is very much spread out without any specific spots.

Can't wait to get a longer ride in. But so far, I'm very happy