Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Suzuki Tech
Seats Seats
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Suzuki Tech Suzuki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Suzuki riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 6
Seats
Can anyone tell me the best seat for a long haul to my Dr 650 SE 96 and the cost of it?

In alternative (and certainly with a lower cost) are there any covers to improve the confort of the original seat?

Where can I find both?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 19
Yeah the seat is a plank, but time spent on it improves it. The comfort issue is with the width rather than the foam density.

For a 3 week tour of Europe I made up a seat widener from a split bicycle seat (costing about 26stg). A strap across the seat and bungies to the footrest brackets tensioned the contraption, resulting in a seat width of about 14 inches. I also used an airseat on top, but I could have forgone this. Perfect comfort for long days in the saddle.

(This really need a photo, but I don't have one, sorry).

A great thing about this approach is that you can swap the device between bikes, and remove it altogether when you need room for control.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2007
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
Apart from the width I found the biggest problem to be the steep slope. I can't sit at the bottom of it when riding on the road, and I don't want to. The constant tension of my skin caused excruciating pain.

Solution: Add more foam to make it wider and higher in the front, so the seat has almost no slope. I made the mistake to make it too wide in the front, which causes problems with the thighs. Then I had a new cover made by a car upholsterer.

I suggest you take the modified foam for a long test run, before the new cover is made, because it's easy to make changes beforehand.

My bike is a bit too high now, but otherwise I'm happy with the seat now.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nicholasville,Ky.U.S.A.
Posts: 93
Smile
I use a flat Corbin on my KLR and it suits me fine. Last year I rode to Alaska with some friends and one of them got aseat enhancer called a Sweet Cheeks. Its a fabric and foam rig that goes over the seat and has pockets on the edge that you insert 2 liter plastic soda bottles in. There is an air pump arrangement to adjust the hardness of the bottles. This makes for a really wide seat, and thougfh I didn't try it my buddy kept it on for the duration of the trip.
I don't know the web address, but you can google sweet cheek seats and have a go.
__________________
ride,smile,repeat as nessasary
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ashford Kent UK
Posts: 163
a sheep skin on the seat will make it alot more comfy & is cheap also good for sleeping on sitting on etc . Used one on 8500mile ride round N/W Africa & it was great only down side maybe is it will make the seat higher.
Good luck kev
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 26 Feb 2007
hurcomb's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 71
now i've just bought myself a sheepskin here in Marocco (v. cheap) and i rode for 3 hours a couple of days ago and i didn't notice any improvement in arse ache.

Does it need to be of a certain type or quality? and i take it its shaggy side up?

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 28 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 19
If any bike encourages home-made solutions it's the DR, the cheaper the better. I've already built my home made pannier rack, I've sorted the seat to my satisfaction. Next I'll turn my attention to a home made centrestand.

(It's a hobby).
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 28 Feb 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 19
Hi Mollydog,

I rode through Northern France with one meal stop, on or two muesli bar stops and the usual petrol stops every 150km, from 10am to 2.30am. Long day. Seriously, no discomfort. For everyday use I don't use the "device", it's too fiddly.

Can't take much credit for the centrestand. I bought one, purportedly for the DR650SE from Ricky Cross (an Italian company), which didn't fit. It may or may not have fitted the older DR. The bolthole postitions on each side don't mirror each other, so it may be just bad manufacture. Even so the stand sits unacceptably low on the bike (and I've lowered the DR so this is a real issue). The project would be to cut and reweld the stand to a new tighter fitting bracket. Yes, getting the balance right is going to be tricky, and I've no engineering know how to guide me. Still it is worth a try. I like to park on a centrestand, especially in the city.

The racks were my "project" in a beginners metalwork class. I'm quite pleased though. I got them powder coated.

I'll try and post pics of the seat "device" in a day or two.

Cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Feb 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ashford Kent UK
Posts: 163
My sheep skin is about 2 inches deep & not cut down (yes shaggy side up) & it works for me i tried a wunderlich & a corbin seat before but in the end found the sheep skin better now use standard seat with sheep skin . Im not saying there arent better seats out there but i wouldnt have been without it on my last trip & still use it alot at home .they do vary i find the ones where the wool is quite tight togther better . It also stops you getting a sweaty arse. & as my sheep skin hangs over the sides of the seat on my bike it dose make it a bit wider.
Cheers Kev
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 1 Mar 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 6
Thanks a lot for all of your opinions and helps.
I'm going to try and find an importer of the sheep skin here in Portugal to know more details and costs.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 1 Mar 2007
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Exclamation
Try pet shops. That's where I get my sheepskins from. They sell small oval ones perfect for bike seats here.

Regards

Nigel in NZ
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 3 Mar 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 19
Here's a few seating options for the DR650. Homemade seat widener with adjustable straps (The Device). It's held on the the bike with bungies:





Sheepskin:



Airhawk airseat:



The sheepskin is great for keeping you cool in hot weather. It doesn't address the problem of insufficient seat width.

The airseat is great for distributing you weight over the seat. On its own though it doesn't widen the seat enough (it adds a few cm). I use it with The Device, and move it between bikes. Here it is on a DRZ400sm:



Of course there are drawback to any of these add-ons: they're very fiddly to attach, they can detach themselves from the bike, they can be stolen from the bike. Also ugly, not a big concern with me.

I think the best option would be a standard seat with inflatable side wings which (upon squeezing a bulb inflater a few times) would expand to the shape of a Russell Day Long seat, and as easily deflate to the standard shape. Will any manufacturer make such a thing? Probably not, too expensive and not enough demand, not to mention fugly.

My own experiments will continue...
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 16 Mar 2007
redsnapper's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 90
Try these guys if you have the cash
Lot of good words said about these guys:

Renazco Dual Sport Seats

They rebuild your existing seat to your spec, wider, softer, lower, whatever. Looks good quality, from 300 bucks from what I can gather.
__________________
'Peaches are better than Tanks'
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 8 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Portugal
Posts: 6
What about this one?

the DR650 thread - Page 242 - ADVrider

It looks wierd but comfortable.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
sideways facing seats in the uk moggy 1968 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 4 12 Dec 2006 11:34
Getting seats re-cushioned dionysos Yamaha Tech 6 10 Mar 2005 18:50
LC seats into LR Runner Equipping the Overland Vehicle 0 13 Jun 2004 15:37
Replacement Seats davidlomax Yamaha Tech 5 26 May 2002 06:37
Seats for A KLR Scott Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 4 24 Aug 2001 07:08

 
 

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

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 00:00.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top