Seat Swap

[Straniero]

Fot those unaware - Triumph are replacing the seats on all the earlier Street Triples FOC - this follows complaints apparently from the USA that there was insufficient padding in the original seat thigh area. Dealers seem to be a little retiscent to let people know (I was not told, I had to ask)however all you need do is call your dealer - ask him/her if your bike is eligible (I guess if you have literally only just taken delivery it will already have the uprated seat) and arrange to have it swapped over - I have already done this and frankly can't see any visual difference but I figured I mights well take advantage of the offer.

[Diego]

Actually, the first replacements were done in the UK. See doggy675's post in the first service thread.

Not all the seats came from Italy with insufficient padding, though. And, there haven't enough new ones around to replace the entire original production run. That's why dealers aren't making a big fuss over it, but are replacing them for those who actually experience discomfort.

Those of us who don't, well, we're lucky. We probably shouldn't get in too big a hurry and let our greed for free stuff deprive someone else who may truly be in need of kiester comfort at this point.

[Shakey]

I find the seat to be pretty comfortable as it is. I have no idea if mine has the original, or the new seat, but whatever it has it works well enough for me. I may eventually have it covered in leather, just because I like a leather seat and have alwyas had one on my bikes, but that would be it so far.

[Luxamor]

So you wouldn't recommend the gel seat, or is that a personal choice/comfort call? (Thinking ahead to my options order.)

[Diego]

I'd recommend waiting to see how it does for you first before spending the money. Gel seats require a little breaking in, and even then, not everyone finds them an improvement. I definitely liked the gel better than the stock seat on my Speed Triple, but I don't think I'd find it worth the money on the Street.

I developed a little thigh muscle soreness on the Street until I got used to gripping the tank with my knees again, but that wasn't because of the seat. (I had gotten out of shape from not riding the Bonneville very far this past year, and the Tiger doesn't require that sort of effort on my part. Only took about two days to regain muscle tone, though.) The seat itself has been very comfortable for me so far, up to three hours at a time in the saddle. Even with the gel seat, the Speed wasn't quite that comfortable.

[Straniero]

Thats' nonsense Diego - if Triumph have made a decision to replace all the seats before a ceratin date then all people with those seats should if they wish get them replaced - Triumph is not a charitable foundation, it's got nothing to do with being greedy ! How on earth can you objectively determine whether your seat is comfortable or not without trying each seat to see if you can tell the difference - which would of course be a ridiculous scenario . Let's just trust the people at Triumph who feel that a certain number of the early seats should be a tad more comfortable and on that basis are willing to replace them for you.
I spoke with Triumph Uk today and there is a replacement seat for every one of the faulty batch in question ... even if you are a very considerate person - you won't be depriving anyone else of their seat by getting your replaced - I promise
It does'nt matter how comfy (you think) your seat is or how developed your thigh muscles are - if it's one of the faulty batch go get it replaced - it's free and it's your right as a consumer and there's plenty to go round !!
If you just plain don't want to then that's entirley up to you of course.

[Diego]

Thats' nonsense Diego - if Triumph have made a decision to replace all the seats before a ceratin date then all people with those seats should...{etc}

Whoa, take it easy.

Operative word there: if. All any of us know about this is third hand information at present; your call to the UK helps fill in some gaps. If they made such a decision, if there's some certain deadline involved, if there are enough replacements (and in this country), if they know which batch is affected--then yes, anyone who has one should get it replaced. Even if it weren't the case, my opinion doesn't carry any power to make people not do what they wish to do anyway.

How early is "early," for instance? That's kind of the key. By aome definitions, every bike now in consumers' hands could be considered from early production. Did your dealer have a range of VIN numbers, perhaps? That'd be a lot better than everyone having to hound their dealers individually to find out.

Triumph is not a charitable foundation, it's got nothing to do with being greedy !

Did you not notice the smilie after that paragraph?

How on earth can you objectively determine whether your seat is comfortable or not without trying each seat to see if you can tell the difference - which would of course be a ridiculous scenario.

Clearly, if buyers initiated the complaints, they recognized discomfort when they felt it. For them, it apparently wasn't a subtle question of degree requiring comparison.

As for the comments in my second post, they apply only to Luxamor's question about whether to go with the gel seat, not to the point you were making. Relax. Enjoy.

[Luxamor]

I understood the response and, as usual, appreciate your feedback John.

[Jon.sb]

If I have a faulty seat and the dealer wants to replace it what effect will that have on my alarm which has a sensor bonded onto the existing seat????