Seat change was a bad idea...

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Koboldwrangler
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Seat change was a bad idea...

#1

Post by Koboldwrangler »

Ohai

I recently picked up a regular style seat for my gl1000 to replace the KnQ seat. Great shape, super soft, but holy cow my lower back hurts like crazy. The new seat shifted me back and lowered the riding height by an inch or two compared to the KnQ seat. I'm going to give it a few more rides, but I think I am going to switch back to the KnQ...

Did the KnQ seats naturally sit higher than the stock honda seats?
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#2

Post by wingrider »

That isn’t a stock Honda seat, but probably more comfy than the stock one.

My guess is the King/Queen seat due to its shape makes the reach a little longer.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#3

Post by pidjones »

GL1000 handlebars hurt my back in the midfle between shoulder blades. A "Euro" bar is still wide for leverage, but not as high by far. Stock '79 seat had barely a noticable rise to the back.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#4

Post by Lucien Harpress »

As said, stock seats were a bit lower and flatter. '75/'76 was worse. I love the look, but only ridable for about an hour at a time.
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nakedinterstate81
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#5

Post by nakedinterstate81 »

I don't like the KnQ seat either that came with my 75.
I can't move around, the raised front is compressing my junk and I never have a pillion.
The only good thing about it is that it prevents me from sliding off the bike when I give full throttle :-D

Curious to learn about other rider's favorite seats anim-cheers1
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#6

Post by Whiskerfish »

They are expensive but I never regret the money I spent on my Corbin's. I have the tour model on the dressed 1000 and the gunfighter on the naked 75.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#7

Post by Shadowjack »

I swapped a stock 75 seat (like riding a rail) for a used aftermarket KnQ seat that looked somewhat like Nakedinterstate81's in the front, but much higher in the rear of the butt cups. I felt like I was sitting a couple of inches higher, and it pressed on me in places I didn't want to, but it was still better than that stocker. It was also covered in faded velour, so not very practical. I took it and had it flattened and lowered. Now it's about right, even though I don't like the looks of a KnQ. Upholstery work is not cheap, though.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#8

Post by Koboldwrangler »

nakedinterstate81 wrote: Tue Jun 28, 2022 9:58 pm I don't like the KnQ seat either that came with my 75.
I can't move around, the raised front is compressing my junk and I never have a pillion.
The only good thing about it is that it prevents me from sliding off the bike when I give full throttle :-D

Curious to learn about other rider's favorite seats anim-cheers1
This is exactly why i wanted to change mine haha. It kinda hard after awhile and im jammed against the shelter. plus, my knq keeps me from opening the shelter easily--the tip of the seat pushes on the door and i have to hold it open while pumping gas.
Koboldwrangler
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#9

Post by Koboldwrangler »

Whiskerfish wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:11 am They are expensive but I never regret the money I spent on my Corbin's. I have the tour model on the dressed 1000 and the gunfighter on the naked 75.
ill have to look into them. my current knq is made by drag specialties. curious if they still make seats or not.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#10

Post by pidjones »

You can build your own. Take any seat pan that fits, rip the cover off, cut any foam away that you don't like and add where you want with "rebond" carpet padding glued in place with 3M spray contact cement that is used for auto headliners. Sculpt how you want (electric carving knife - NOT THE WIFE'S! and sanding disks). Upholster yourself or have someone do it. I bought my own upholstery online. This one may be thin for an all-day ridem but is very comfortable around town. The hump really is functional when I grap too much throttle!
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"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#11

Post by Sidecar Bob »

My '77 came with what I believe was the original seat. After an hour on it I fully understood what the touring guys meant by "Honda butt". Before long I took the seat off of the '82 Dnepr I had given up on getting running again (I bought the 'Wing for the Dnepr's sidecar) and adapted it to fit and I could sit on it all day.

The 1100's seat was pretty good the way Honda made it but even adjusted all the way back I still wanted more leg room so when I had it re covered I got him to move the bump back a bit but not so far that there isn't room for a passenger (not that anyone ever sits there with the sidecar attached ;))
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#12

Post by dontwantapickle »

A couple of weeks ago, My wife and I went on Vacation.
We took my 81 1100 and rode 3600 miles.

Before we left, my original seat was looking pretty tired so I swapped it out
with a nicer one that I have from a 1980 gl1100.

I can tell you that I had to stop and pee a lot more on this trip.
The replacement seat may be better looking but definitely harder on my ol' prostate.

When we got home, I ordered a new seat cover from Ebay.
It didn't fit and I had to send it back. :IDTS:

Such is life for an "old" motorcycle rider.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#13

Post by flyin900 »

Whiskerfish wrote: Wed Jun 29, 2022 6:11 am They are expensive but I never regret the money I spent on my Corbin's. I have the tour model on the dressed 1000 and the gunfighter on the naked 75.
I agree here 100% with Corbin seats. The soft seats from the factory are an hour or two at best, then back and bum issues for me. Corbin seats I can ride all day and no issues at all. They are quite firm in design, yet contoured to fit and support.
I am sure the Sargent or other brands are decent too, yet no experience with any other brand than Corbin.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#14

Post by 5speed »

Another vote for corbin's. I bought one for my 76 from a member here but that bike isn't on the road yet so I can't comment on the comfort.
However I got a used gunfighter for my fj1200 on e-bay, had it recovered and wow..I can ride for hours and don't get a sore butt, back...it's fantastic.
My wife won a corbin for her ryker and they called her and asked what kind of riding she does, her height, weight..
The instructions ay to give it 1000 miles to break in which she hasn't accomplished yet but she loves it already.
ETA..the seat on my 82 1100 is in good shape cover wise but the foam is worn out.
I bought an air hawk for it and it made a huge difference.
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Re: Seat change was a bad idea...

#15

Post by pidjones »

Every report that I've heard is that Corbin, like Mustang, requires 1000 miles to break in your butt.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
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