Saddlemen Seat Refinishing Kit

Anyone use one of these / hear of someone using these? Or even a review?

http://www.saddlemen.com/seat-kit-tour-sd-vfr800--1?search=

I'm thinking it might be a good alternative to a Sargent or Corbin ... thoughts?

 

There is a review on the 'other' forum (vfrdiscussion) I believe. Threads for both 5th & 6th gens. I know I put a couple of pix up as I just finished mine Sun. Can't give a ride review yet, but others have ...

ACE

 

Thanks for the info! Can you post some photos of yours?

What's your initial thoughts on it? Sounds like a stellar solution in comparison to a Sargent or Corbin for less than half the price. Yeah, it requires some elbow grease on our part but I don't mind. I've redone seats on some of my other bikes in the past.

 

Ok,

This ...
View attachment 32647

and this ...
View attachment 32646

I used an air powered staple gun, I don't think you could get by with less ... and I only used adhesive on the foam near the front, the 2 skinny protrusions ...

I like the new profile, less slant forward as others have mentioned. You may have to adapt the rear cowl, I understand it probably won't fit w/o some work. That doesn't bother me. Just sitting on this seat feels a bit wider as well. I'm hoping the ride comfort will be better as well, others have felt improvement over stock.

ACE

 

It looks great!

Is that the carbon vinyl? How's the grip?

 

That is the carbon look vinyl, & the grip feels ok. Another poster had the same concern, but I believe he stated that the grip was actually quite good. I'll be on a beaded seat, so I'm used to a bit of slide ... :laugh: ...

ACE

 

Haha... I don't care what anyone says, those wooden beaded seats (in the car anyways) feel awesome.

 

OK ... I broke down and bought one.

I went with the Suede / Touring version. I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

Is the gel pad already fitted to the foam? I hope nobody figures they only need an office type stapler.. It would be great to know what size (length) staples are best.

Price looks good on a VFR. The prices for seat fixes for other bikes are more. For 20 pesos it looks like they will do the work if you pay return shipping.

 

The gel is embedded into the foam. The kit comes with all new foam for the seat pan (new / wider contour) as well as the cover.

Guys who have done it already are recommending stainless staples of 1/4" depth if memory serves ... and recommend a pneumatic / air stapler.

Stay tuned. I'll give a full report once it arrives and I do mine.

 

Cool! I have a gel pad on my seat from Rich's. The old type stored heat. Found that oot the hot way.. Bike sat in the sun for an hour or so in Eastern Wa one day. A real bun warmer..

Stainless would be the way to go. An air stapler is probably the better choice of tools. Recovered a couple of seats on some older bikes I had. Steel seat pans I used pop rivets. Did one seat on a racebike and used snaps. The foam rubber was glued to the leather cover.

One thing ya might want to check up on.. Will a seat cowl still fit the new seat? They can be bent a little to fit but they will crack and the tabs will wear.

 

The solo cover won't work with the "touring" contour I've been told, but it will work with the "performance" contour.

Doesn't matter to me ... I take the cover off when touring anyways, my dry bag sits nicer on the back back of the bike (in front of the trunk) without it.

 

Arrow T-50 1/4" staples work well, and I would not want to try this without an air stapler ... I used a lot of staples and the plastic pan is hard ...

ACE

 

And Jeff, my wooden beaded seat cover from http://www.beadrider.com/ is great for distances. Massaged butt cheeks and allows xtra air flow ... ya just have to be careful if you decide to have fun in the twisties. You can 'get off' the seat very easily ... :biggrin:

ACE

 

Nice!!! Thanks for the link!

 

Good idea taking that cowl off when running bags. They are easy to break.

 

Good point, I hadn't even thought of that ...

 

Make sure it's the cowl and not the seat..