Yet *another* seat question

crashfaster · Post by **crashfaster** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 4:50 pm

After seeing the many threads here on seats I have narrowed my choices down to the Russell Day Long or the Sargent. So far I've heard almost 100% positives for both, and I was wondering if any of you out there with these aftermarket seats could let me know what the negatives are. If it helps, I'm 5' 11", 220lbs.
Also: is the Russell the only one that does heated seats?
Thanks!

johno · Post by **johno** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:02 pm

I am the same size as you in both ways, and I have the Sargents.
While better than the standard seat, I am not doing cartwheels.
I am "top" heavy, with skinny legs, so most of my weight is directly on the seat. I also have a tailbone issue, so I have different pain areas than others.
I think this is the problem-everyone has a different "but" issue, so what suits me, may not suit you.
I have had Corbins on my GS, and the same story, better than standard,
but no miracle.
As we here in Australia dont have access to all the varieties you do, it makes it a bit hard to decide-unless we import.
Maybe more stops in our rides is the only answer.

Post by **TicTac50** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:19 pm

I think that Sargents is a very good seat.
But personally I opted for Russell since they make better accommodations for the passenger. I picked Russell "half moon" design in vinyl.
At the Rally in Vermont I met a rider with same bike like mine but with the Sargents seat. We swapped the bikes for about 60 miles ride. I was OK with the seat (not better than my Russell) but my wife did not like the passenger seat at all.
With original seat I was able to do 150-200 miles a day. My wife was able to ride with me for about 50 miles without complain. I have Russell for about 25000 miles.
Last time we did 975 miles in one day, with just stops for gas and food. My wife did not say anything about the seat. I kept quiet and did not ask any questions.
For the sports riding, Sargents is an excellent choice. For the touring comfort, I would go with Russell.

crashfaster · Post by **crashfaster** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:14 am

Thanks!
I had a Corbin on my previous bike, and I was not at all happy with the purchase. It was better than stock, but not by much.
Everything tells me that I should go with the Russell, I'm just a little warry of the way it looks. They only have one pic on their site, and it's a bit of an eye sore. TicTac50...do you have any pics?

Post by **mcollect** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:57 am

I recently put a sargent on my R. After 500 miles I hated it. Went looking for another option, I have Corbins on my other bikes. Well last weekend I went on a longish ride and the sargent is fianlly breaking in. It is still not great in real slow traffic but on the road it is great, I can slide to the side in turns, and move forward and back on the straights. I think it is a keeper, at least for my Butt and riding style. BTW I think the Russell is Butt ugly, and might hold you in one seating position.

wsmac1150r · Post by **wsmac1150r** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:22 am

Granted, I have never tried anything other than a stock seat and this corbin - but I can't imagine a better seat. This one is done in faux Ostrich leather, gray...looks a lot better than the examples on their web site. It's not very "cushy" - but it has room and I can ride for hours without discomfort. The back rest is removable, of course.

joel · Post by **joel** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:54 pm

I love my sargent. It is comfy, yet still looks good on the bike. I also like that you don't have to send your seat pan in and miss out on riding time.

m49512 · Post by **m49512** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 5:45 am

Tried the Sargent, and it didn't work for me. Stocker is (obviously) a real pain in the A$%. Now on a Corbin, and suddenly the seat has turned into a non-issue. Can ride all day. Did take about 1k to break in, though.

DK · Post by DK » Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:54 pm

I put a Sargent on mine in the spring and found it to be a great addition. I just got back last night from a 6 day trip where I was on the bike 8 to 10 hours a day and it worked great! Yesterday I put in over 13 hours on the bike to get home and today I have no butt pain. As stated in an above post, the Sargent looks good on the bike too.

Dwayne

crashfaster · Post by **crashfaster** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:06 pm

DK - That's certainly a ringing endorsement. I'm still undecided, but I like the fact that buying the Sargent doesn't require that I send in the seat pan...that way if it didn't work out, I could still have the stock seat recovered...

johno · Post by **johno** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:50 am

I just came back from a 1,000klm round trip, and I am not overly happy with my Sargents. 200klm stint was about it, even with a dead sheep on as well.
I have put my stockies back on for a while to decide what is best.( complete with sheep).
I also looked up the Rick Mayer site, and dont mind the look of his product, but as the Russell, you have to send in your old seat.
What are the comments on the Mayer seat??

MIXR · Post by **MIXR** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 5:59 pm

16,000 kms in 22 days with only one day off, all on a stock seat with a sheep skin over the top. Longest day of 1100 kms and several at 1000 kms. Can't see what the problem is.

fallingpines · Post by **fallingpines** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 7:33 pm

I had my 04 delivered with the tall Rockster seat and didn't like it much, after riding about 45 minutes I wanted off, but it did make for a better knee position than the stock seat. Problem was that it is too crowned, so I removed the rear part of the cover and re-shaped the foam by removing nearly .75 an inch from the highest spot at the back, leaving it nearly flat. In the process I also angled the surface of the seat back. Problem mostly solved, seat is nice and comfy, feels good after a couple of hundred miles, doesn't have me sliding towards the tank and still looks stock. Down side is the reach the pegs is now about the same as a standard seat and it would be nice if it was about an inch wider at the widest point. Oh, free comes to mind also.

klentz · Post by **klentz** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 8:21 pm

i have a rick mayer seat . 25000mi. on seat and just keeps getting better.
i ride 600 mi days and have leather witch will conform to your arse.
i weigh 185 and with you at 220 might be better off with the russell. i love to ride and when my arse covers the seat the only ugly part showing is me!
kevin

Lost Rider · Post by **Lost Rider** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:33 pm

I just did 4500 miles on my Sargent with a Alaska Leathers sheepskin pad.
10-12 hour riding days, and my arse was just fine. No pain, no gig-butt.
I bought a Pillion Type 2 Rally Special pad for my passenger, but it worked out real well for me, only $35. The Sargent seat looks and feels great, but I feel the sheepskin pad is what helped keep my behind comfy by keeping it dry.

my2Ã‚Â¢

pneuby · Post by **pneuby** » Thu Oct 12, 2006 1:09 pm

I just ordered an Alaskan pad. I'm hoping that's all I'll need to dial-in my OEM tall seat.

Updated 10-19:

I'm on my third ride with it, 40 miles to work each way. It does raise you up probably another 1/2"-3/4" or so, which set a few new muscles into motion.

So far, so good.

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Yet another seat question

Yet another seat question

Sargents Vs Russell