Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Nov 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Here and there
Posts: 44
Is the stock KLR seat really uncomfortable?

Hi

I'm very close to getting a US KLR - from browsing around the web it sounds as though the stock KLR seat can be very uncomfortable.

Any comments?

There are a number of suggested alternatives to the stock seat in
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...64/page36.html

It looks as though the Russell Day Long might be a good aftermarket seat (http://www.day-long.com). Can anyone confirm this? A negative for this option (as far as I can make out) is that the Russell seat is built on the stock seat base - which means you'll be without your bike for a few weeks.

Thanks
Grant

[This message has been edited by gmarch (edited 27 May 2005).]
__________________
Grant March
"Live as if your life depended on it!"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Nov 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
Yes, I guess you'd have to say the stock seat is pretty uncomforatable. But then most stock seats are in my experience. Also, it is narrow which is preferrable in situations where you have to move around (stand up over the tank for climbing for example) but this doesn't lend itself well to weight distribution. A large touring saddle I think would be a disadvantage in off-road and bad-road situations. I've left my KLR stock and found that since I ride it one-up, i can move around on it enough while on the highway to make it bearable. Of course, I try to stay off the highway as much as possible.

There's also a gel insert that can be had for the KLR. I haven't had any feedback on how well that works. On my BMW R11R I just throw a gel pad over the stock seat and can manage 800 mile days with that.

Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Nov 2001
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 102
The seat on my KLR was rotten when I got it, and 200 miles was all I could manage in a day.

Now have a corbin seat which is wider, but my legs are very long, so pretend am riding a horse. It's comfortable enough, but I don't like the way it is cut to curve steeply from back to front. Am either jammed up against the gas tank - good off-road, or almot in the pillion pose - highways.

If you have plenty of time before your trip, you could get one and have them re-cut it for you. But Corbin move veeery slowly.

Happy travels
Toby
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Nov 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 233
While I can't attest to it's effectiveness, Dual Star (www.dual-star.com) sells a 'gel seat' in the form of a kit you replace the existing foam and cover. A much cheaper option than a whole aftermarket seat. Maybe someone here has had some experience with it.

Kurt
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Nov 2001
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: montana/texas usa
Posts: 40
hey guys, when i first got my 99 klr in montana 2 yrs ago i set off on my 1st moto/climbing tour- a week long ride around idahos selway-bitterroot wilderness, along the lonely darby-elk city dirt road, doing day climbs of easy peaks off the road (on foot- this is Wilderness- no geeky motors allowed!) at one trail head i left my klr overnite as the peak i wanted was far enuf in to warrant spending the nite in the wilderness on foot. imagine my surprise on returning to my bike the next eve to see a huge hole chewed in the seat by a (black)bear! seems he found the sweat smell too tempting. he was hanging around the trailhead and i got good video of him- bet he didnt last thru october hunting season. bummer. got a local upostery shop back in whitefish to add some foam and re cover it for cheap. had to stuff clothes in the hole the rest of the trip, but still made it up 5 peaks in about 50 miles walking and 750 mx riding. fun!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 1
I just did a 14 hr day ride "01 KLR650" from NJ to OH and back with a Travelcade seat and it was cold out L 36 H 55 and I was fine
Tammy
__________________
www.agwgo.com/klr650/main/

Last edited by Bertrand; 22 May 2009 at 10:44. Reason: bad link
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MD, USA
Posts: 19
I have a Day-Long for my Concours which I like. But, Day Long has been sold if you look at their web site, and from what I understand it will take around three weeks longer to get a seat now. It took me six months to get mine back.

What I've found to help with long days in the saddle is to use silk boxers. Either that or I've cut the elastic out of old underwear and that helps too. I've also heard good things about Corbin, though no personal experience.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hemet, CA , USA
Posts: 35
Hey tammy!! Isnt this board awesome! This whole site really rocks. Poor glenn is going to go mad when he sees how much nicer this site is. although i still want to post over there to stir up trouble - those guys are really irritable.
anyway, i think the stock seat is a whole lot better than most competing bikes. ever sat on a honda 650-- ouch!! I almsot bought a corbin seat, but my money found other outlets. travelcade looks nice also.
__________________
[i:]Happy Riding[/i:]
[b:]Ian aka \"Maniac\"[/b:]
[i:]93\' KLR650[/i:]
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: St.Paul,Minnesota USA
Posts: 29
yea pretty funny he told me he didn't appreciate me posting links to other sites and I'm sure thats why he made the board rules topic. I was trying to give people the heads up about this great place, geesh were's the KLR love!

[This message has been edited by c0_re (edited 13 February 2002).]
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Alpine, TX, US
Posts: 11
The stock seat is uncomfortable for a fat guy after about 10 minutes in the saddle. I bought the Happy Trails highway pegs and the seating positions improve the effectiveness of the stock seat about a million percent. Another benefit of the pegs is the crash protection... let me rephrase that... the spill protection. They saved me about $1000 when a friend took a jaunt down a stone wall recently (oh, HE bailed off just in time to save his hide).

2dogstruckin
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hemet, CA , USA
Posts: 35
good to see you over here 2dogs. hey i remember that story about your friends dance with the wall - hope you got your bike all prettied back up.

------------------
Ian aka "Maniac"
93' KLR650
__________________
[i:]Happy Riding[/i:]
[b:]Ian aka \"Maniac\"[/b:]
[i:]93\' KLR650[/i:]
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 26
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Maniac28:
Poor glenn is going to go mad when he sees how much nicer this site is. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Literally (poor). IT TAKES MONEY.
These are some of the things you can do with money, Ian. I can't edit our board much... it has a pre-defined layout and only allows me to use html headers, footers, ect..

I have run boards before (vbulletin boards which are EXPENSIVE) and they are great. This one is an infopop board which offers free service(this is upgraded so there are no ads), but you still have to pay for the hosting.

[This message has been edited by Glenn_M (edited 14 February 2002).]
__________________
Glenn, Founder of:
/KLR650.NET - Your Kawasaki KLR650 Resource (16+ years and counting)
..I link 2 HU!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 14 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 26
The stock seat, obviously sucks. I would get a Corbin seat if I were to get anything, because the "kit" that Dual Star sells isn't worth the money in my opinion since you have to restaple it and do it yourself. Corbin comes ready to install.
__________________
Glenn, Founder of:
/KLR650.NET - Your Kawasaki KLR650 Resource (16+ years and counting)
..I link 2 HU!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 16 Feb 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Hemet, CA , USA
Posts: 35
Sorry, i didnt mean to stir any trouble glenn.

Anyway, i was looking at the corbin klr650-flat seat for 199.99 - looks like a great deal and i have heard great things about it. I will get one soon. It doesnt have that dished out front like many ppl hate.
__________________
[i:]Happy Riding[/i:]
[b:]Ian aka \"Maniac\"[/b:]
[i:]93\' KLR650[/i:]
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 26 Feb 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: madrid, spain
Posts: 16
I´ve just returned from a 12,000 k trip thru Africa in a KLR650. The bike was great, no problems at all, but I have to agree with those who say that the seat is unconfortable. The brakes are not the best either, but I still strongly recomend the bike.
Juan Pablo
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:07.