Hi Me Again!!

I've just got back from a 4 day camping expedition on the DRZ and my main complaint is the seat, I was able to travel further on my sports bike before numb bum/aching thigh syndrome set in!
Seems you can buy these air seats (expensive!!) or there's gel or other ones filled with little beans or something similar.
Any recommendations from anyone would be most appreciated!!
Dave

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DRZ? Bad Seat? And this is news to you?

Seriously, pretty well known fact the the DRZ seat is for "standing only" for kids under 19 years old!

No idea what custom seat makers you've got in UK ... we've got at least 4 or 5 good ones: Corbin, Sargent, Mayer, Fisher, Saddleman, and several others I can't recall. Most ship to UK. Try Pro Cycle in Oregon:
Suzuki DRZ400 Parts, Performance, & Accessories - ProCycle

Little strap on puff pads, to me, are a joke if serious mileage is on.
Get a REAL seat. In the DRZ community here most of the kids go for flavor of the month Seat Concepts. It IS an improvement over the stock torture device but is in NO WAY a serious or well designed seat. It's junk, uses crap foam.

Most here is USA use the DRZ off road, and most are kids ... who never ride anywhere far on that bike. So they've NO IDEA what a good seat IS or what it should BE. But over and over you'll hear Seat Concepts touted as THE WAY. Bullshit. Don't waste your money and be taken in by the cheap price.

I just ordered one at the insistence of a client ... she loves it ... but really just loves the look. (Carbon fiber look)
If she ever rode on the bike for any time ... she'd be in pain very shortly.


So spend the money and find someone who really knows how to build a proper seat, has a clue about what good quality high density foam should be and how to layer and shape it properly to make a good ALL DAY SEAT.

Several in the UK have done RTW on DRZ, including several on HUBB. Contact them, find out what they are using.

I put a Corbin on mine. Then a sheepskin. Then rode it to Capetown.

It was okay but could have been better.

Get an Airhawk too. !! I have one now after not taking them seriously for years.

I don't ride Enduro bikes without it now.


Tony Archer

Tony Archer - Classic and Modern Car Trimmer, Motorcycle Seat Specialists

He has a long reputation of rebuilding seats and often for under £100. Far cheaper than a replacement Corbin which are £££££££££££££££

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

My bike came with a Corbin and I couldn't get on with it at all. It was too wide at the back and too low at the front. I now use the stock seat with an Airhawk pad and can happily do 350 miles a day. (I've done 450) The advantage of using a seat pad is you can dump it along with your luggage and the bike is ready for some serious off-tarmac hooning about.

I have an airhawk, usually in place for pillions rather than self; but I have used it "up front" which is definitely an advantage of it - flexibility in a word.

There used to be cheaper copies for sale on UK ebay; the original design/concept came from medical seating for those confined to sitting for long periods, allegedly.
The copies on ebay were using similar ideas for spreading the upper body weight more evenly across the bike saddle last time I investigated the idea.

Gel seats also have their enthusiasts, especially on pedal bikes.

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Dave

There are two types of airhawk.

Their original model which is expensive.

They also make the 'airhawk 2' which is a cheaper manufactured product.

I have been using the '2' for a while now and it's quality is just fine..

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

I've tried Air Hawk pads on a couple bikes. I find them distracting as I'm not sat solid on the seat as the pad moves under me.

Also, I tend to move around going through corners, hard braking or going over rough terrain. That can move the pad or interfere with my ability to move easily, naturally and feel in control. So dangerous for me. But many do fine with them on.

When standing up, I screwed up the pad straps, pad would move off center, so needed adjustment.

I've never had one on MY OWN bike, so never really dialed one in over a long trip to "fine tune" it's function.

I'm sure it's great for many and sure beats being crippled by your seat on a long ride. I'm sure they do extend riding time, but I'm willing spend a few £ on a nice, custom seat.

The the Air Hawk is the PERFECT quick (and relatively) inexpensive fix!

If you know you're sitting on an Airhawk, it's TOO inflated. When inflated correctly, if feels almost flat when you handle it. It makes a big difference. It just 'fills the gaps'... It's not to sit on like a cushion.

That's what I was told by some long term users and it was much better when I tried the same thing.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hi Molly
Thanks for your thoughts. Sadly there isn't much good aftermarket stuff here in the UK, had to order my rack and pannier supports from your good old US of A!!

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seat concepts makes a kit

Thanks for everyones input. Appreciated,
Dave

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Thanks Ted !!

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I inflate it, sit on the bike then let it down enough so that my fat (but somehow still boney) arse feels the seat and doesn't squidge about. If I am feeling like I need to feel more contact with the bike I let it right down or remove it. Make sure you take it off before the steveoes strap your bike down on a ferry.

I can recommend these guys
https://viking-motorcycle-seats.co.uk/
Not too far from you. Take your bike over. They can then see you sat on it and see where adjustments are needed.

They used my base and got me to go for a ride before they covered it. It was a night and day difference and instantly noticeable.

Someone else was having gel applied to their seat so I thought I'll have some of that. Not recommended!

Don't know if its just theirs or if it applies to all gel but it acts as a heat sink. I have to cover it when I leave the bike in the sun or risk a nut roast.

Still pleased with the seat.
For info. it was on my YBR125 (Yes to cover any distance you have to ride for a long time!)

Exactly my thoughts right now. I've been using Air Hawk pads and I don't have any issues with it. Probably I am used to sitting on it since I bought my bike.