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Best Bonneville seat(s)

137K views 176 replies 81 participants last post by  Terez 
#1 ·
I don't know if this is a tech question or what, so I'll just post it here...

I know this is subjective, but what's a good choice for replacing the stock Bonneville seat in terms of comfort? MADSS has a sale going on right now on Thruxton gel seats, as mentioned in another thread. It's certainly good looking but is it comfy? I have no idea but its GOT to beat the stock seat. Corbin solo seats? Do you like 'em? Triumph solo seats? Anything else? What do you like? Most of my riding is one-up so I'm considering a solo seat but wouldn't rule out a dual seat.
 
#39 ·
I've done a few 700 mile days on my Burton Seat and the single seat with rack. I prefer the single seat with rack as it has just a touch more ride height so it makes the legs a little more comfy. I will say the Burton is more comfortable out of the box but once the single seat breaks in it is real comfy. It takes a couple of good long rides to break in though.

The best thing I did for comfort was add beads for long days. It greatly aids in thwarting saddle butt. https://www.beadrider.com/
 
#40 ·
Yeah I had a set of the beads on my Lead Wing and they worked real good in keeping the butt cool and dry
Did some long days riding through hot desert and managed real well
Interesting Tex your comment on the solo seat being a little taller then the burton
Was that the DS03?
 
#42 ·
Thanks Tex
Tracking says my solo is out for delivery.
I'd heard the DS03 was taller then a stock t100 so if the solo is taller still I think I'll be happy.
I can use the extra leg room.
 
#43 ·
Tboneplayer, I took a chance on the solo seat and rack. I had a Mustang which was comfortable and low enough for my stubby legs to able to flat foot at stops. The solo is considerably taller, but I gotta say, that thing is comfortable. Much better than even the Mustang. I just got used to the extra height, and I'm tip-toeing at stop lights. If you're taller, I think you'll appreciate it.

At any rate, I liked the solo so much, I just sold the Mustang. Better someone else gets to use it than it sitting there collecting dust.
 
#46 ·
Got the solo mounted and been riding around.
Love the height. I'm 6 foot and it feels good to sit a little taller.
It's pretty comfy even for being stiff and new and I bet it will be a winner when it gets a little broken in.
That chrome rack is too much brightness for me though.
I think I'm going to have to do a black powder coat.
 
#52 ·
Well the Corbin's are an OEM Replacment and should be easily interchangeable. The solo seat for when your one-up and the box of rocks seat that Triumph puts on their new bikes for when you have a passenger. That should discourage them from ridding on your back. And don't we prefer to solo ride?
 
#55 ·
seems the Triumph solo + rack is well liked and is slightly raised from orginal seat. Same question as John, what about the Triumph solo (cafe racer style)? Is it comfy and how does it affect seat height? It looks good to me, and looks like it should be comfy and slightly higher??
 
#57 ·
I just bought a second hand Norman Hyde single seat, its more comfortable and gives me a bit of extra legfoom, but im not really sure about the styling, the hump looks too big for the bike. Also, you cant strap anything on the seat if you need to. I think im gonna get my stock seat retrimmed with extra height and put that back on.

 
#58 ·
I like the solo (cafe style) on my Thruxton but thought it a little too wide as far as looks go, esp. viewed from the back. I took a heat gun and carefully heated the pan and squeezed it about an inch and a half narrower front to back. Now it has the looks I was aiming for, and very comfortable.
 
#60 ·
Look how nice raproe's seat looks! Now what I did was put some straps on the seat to narrow it...carefully heated the plastic pan with a heat gun and narrowed it as much as I could, maybe an inch and a half on each side. It even looks better not being so "porky" esp. from behind. Comfortable and can ride all day. The stock Thruxton seat and cowl is a nice try but I just didn't like it.
 
#63 ·
Yes.

I got a gel seat and its about 100% better than the stock seat on my scrambler. Its firmer, has a better position for a passenger, and is more supportive over a longer period of time. For me.

But I think it has been mentioned that seats are a highly personal thing, Your height and weight make a difference, as does your 'natural' seating position on the bike.

I was considering a burton seat but had a shot at an OEM gel seat so I gave that a try first and it was good enough that I stopped looking at the burtons.

One thing to not about the OEM gel seat is that it is teh same width as stock, so if you are getting 'pinched' on inside the thighs this may not be the solution.
 
#62 · (Edited)
This seat thing has me obsessed.
Just wasn't feeling the love for the solo and rack that I posted a pic of a few days ago in the what did you do to your twin thread.
Height was good.
Certainly more comfy then the stock although no long rides.

It just didn't look right to me.
Was thinking black powder coat on the rack and grab rail would make me feel better but I ordered the Burton DS03A on Monday and it showed up here at work yesterday afternoon. (UK to Seattle 3 days is pretty darn good.)

Put it on and rode home dodging the repercussions from that fricken horrible Duck anphib wreck on the Aurora bridge that killed 4. Anyone living here knows what I'm talking about.

Anyway here's a pic.
It feels real comfortable and I think it's a smidge higher then the solo but I'd have to measure.
Know others have said the opposite so maybe I'm mistaken.
I like the look.
Now if I could just have it in real leather.....
(Maund tail lights and signals waiting for install)
 

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#64 ·
Following up on my new Burton ds03a the rise for the pillon starts too soon, for me anyway.
Love the looks but going to get it worked on to move the butt pocket back some.
I'm 6 foot with 34" inseam and extra long arms so that's what I need.
 
#65 ·
King of Queens

I tried stock AND Burton DS003 AND jello add ons. None of them were good for ten hours and they were flat.

Once I got the Bonnie to put 70hp to the rear wheel those seats made me frightened as there was nothing holding me on to the bike when I cracked WOT. The local drag strip informed me the seats were not allowed on the track "because they had no hump to hold you on."

So it was King and Queen for me. But I passed on the one with theugly tufted buttons which fall off and trap water. My King and Queen reminds me of my buddy's mid '60s BMW twin with the dual touring saddle set up.

Especially now that the front has a decent windshield---I think the larger King and Queen is more in proportion with the overall scale.

I have a couple of 003 seats around in case I want to wow them at the local drive in on "nostalgia nights." Otherwise my Bonnie does just fine with a big old K&Q.
 
#72 ·
I tried stock AND Burton DS003 AND jello add ons. None of them were good for ten hours and they were flat.

Once I got the Bonnie to put 70hp to the rear wheel those seats made me frightened as there was nothing holding me on to the bike when I cracked WOT. The local drag strip informed me the seats were not allowed on the track "because they had no hump to hold you on."

So it was King and Queen for me. But I passed on the one with theugly tufted buttons which fall off and trap water. My King and Queen reminds me of my buddy's mid '60s BMW twin with the dual touring saddle set up.

Especially now that the front has a decent windshield---I think the larger King and Queen is more in proportion with the overall scale.

I have a couple of 003 seats around in case I want to wow them at the local drive in on "nostalgia nights." Otherwise my Bonnie does just fine with a big old K&Q.
Imitation being is the best form of compliment, today I traded in my 2012 black & grey for a 2014 black & red. Though I was convinced before seeing your bike, I like the color. You have good taste. :) And the KQ seat does not look out-of-form on it.
 
#68 ·
I have recently bought a King and Queen seat. They are big and very ugly but so comfortable. My arse needed a rest as my stock seat had become increasing uncomfortable.

I will still look around for a better looking seat though
 
#71 ·
Paul, I like you plan to have multiple seats. They are so easily replaced. I have a "Corbin Smuggler" ordered, it cost through the the nose, hopefully it will be good looking. It's a solo seat with a cafe hump that is a locking trunk. Sounds like a good idea to have a secured place to keep gloves goggles Ext. But I haven't herd anything about this model, probably because I'm the only one dumb enough to buy one. But it's too late now as they got my $$$.
 
#73 ·
Rocky,

Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one to have buyer's remorse. I think it kicks in when you can't fathom how much you paid, verses whether it will work for you. It's a risk in anatomy vs seat construction as to whether it will work. The good thing is that you know you're not alone. (I had once recommended to the dealer, but it didn't go anywhere, to buy different seats, and rent them out for clients to try them out for 30 days.)

I wish you well with your Corbin smuggler. Post a picture of it when you get it, and give us a report, remembering that the real proof of the pudding is in putting serious miles (400+) in one day on it. I once rode an iron butt on my 2010 Thunderbird with a stock seat that gave me no problem. These Bonneville seats, made to look all retro and such, don't come close to the design of the T-bird seat. Except maybe the king-queen (comfort over aesthetics).
 
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