Sargent World Sport Seat Impressions

Here's my impressions from the Chicago Cycle Show of the new Sargent two-piece seat and the quick-release pins:

Seat is nice, though it's only a prototype. Just as comfy as the normal Sargent seat if you're familiar with it. The beauty of the two-piece design is you would only be using the passenger half IF you're carrying passengers, i.e. NOT using the seat cowling. They're making the passenger seat half with a lot more shape and cushioning. So I doubt the cowl would fit over it at all, though the point is you really wouldn't need it to. Just one-up riding, use the cowl and the front half of the seat. Less weight, too. It does bring up the issue of stopping off at the store for bread and milk, which is a lot more fun to do on the VFR than the SUV, and whether or not you believe in tying things on top of the seat cowling vs. using the passenger half of the seat, but I digress. The two halves come together by two flat pins that slide under the back half of the front seat. Once it's together it seemed solid.

As for the quick-release pins, I'm split. Really a lot more convenient and easier to get stuff from under there without an allen wrench. They are not shiny metal, chrome, or even remotely attractive looking. More like marrying her 'cause she's got a good personality vs. the LOOKS. You do have to drill out the threads of the seat post, so it is a permanent set-up, no doubt about it. My two cents: if you're constantly getting stuff under there, which you could be doing more of if you've got all that room under the cowl suddenly at your disposal, they're for you.

Sargent did say they think the quick-release pins will be included in the seat order, so you can decide then what to do with 'em. Look for pricing near the $300 mark for the seat and quick-release pins, available near April.

Oh, and I saw a really cool new Honda. A twin, goes by the name of RC-51. Anyone heard about this?

Keith Mitchell '98 VFR800fi

"I have a bad feeling about this".