Review - Sargent World Sport Adventure Touring Seat Kawasaki KLR650 1991-2017
I enjoy riding my 2012 KLR but I found the stock seat to be very uncomfortable. Short 20 minute rides around town were about the limit before my butt started to express its disagreement with the seat. Finally, after a long four day trip, including two days of off-roading, I'd had enough of the stock seat. I could barely sit on the bike by the time I arrived home. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Riding wasn't enjoyable with the stock seat; it had taken the fun out of Adventure Riding. It was either sell the bike or get a more comfortable seat.
I did my research and decided I'd bite the bullet and buy the Sargent seat based on reputation. I really wished I could have tried one out or at least seen some decent comparison photos. I figured if it didn't work out I could sell the seat online and try something else.
I’ve now had the seat on the KLR for 15 months and put 6479 km (4025 miles) on the bike.
Most of my time is spent commuting short distances around town but every now and then I take the bike on a trip. I've done a couple of long distance weekend trips and a four day 1298 km (806 miles) trip so I believe I've used it enough to provide some meaningful feedback. My thoughts on the seat are as follows:
- Easy to install. It took less than 2 min to install.
- The seat can be a little slippery when new.
- Very durable.
- Same ride height as the stock seat.
- Comfortable. I am 6' 1'' / 190 lbs and the wide butt-pan of the seat feels like I am sitting on a firmly padded lawn tractor seat. My butt had no issues after four days in the saddle.
- Easy to slide forward/rearward or side to side when controlling the bike.
- I wish it was cheaper, but I don't regret buying it.
I've attached some comparison photos that show the difference between the stock seat and the Sargent Seat.
Motorbike seats are a bit like shoes. One sized doesn't fit all, but the Sargent seat works for me.
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