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America seat alternatives

23K views 27 replies 18 participants last post by  67L48 
#1 ·
Can anyone recommend a good seat for the America? I have a new 2016 America LT (has just under 500 miles) and I’m already finding the seat very uncomfortable. It wasn’t bad in the beginning but it’s getting much worse now that the seat is starting to break-in and get softer. I feel squeezed & pinched with lots of pressure on the back side of my tailbone after only a few minutes of leaving the driveway.

I was also wondering if the SpeedMaster seat is much different than the America seat. It appears to be a little slimmer / harder and might allow me to rotate my hips a little. (Or maybe the stock seat I have now will continue to break-in and 'thin-out' a bit and relieve the pressure - I don't know.)

I'm over 6 feet tall, 205 lbs. and have a 34" inseam so I don’t want anything that pushes me more forward – I certainly don’t want any more bend in my arms & legs.

I like so many things about this bike but I need to able to ride for more than 25 minutes without the serious discomfort.

Duff
 
#2 · (Edited)
Duff...... that's been my complaint about the America is the pain in the tail bone area after even short rides. I haven't tried different seats yet but things that I have done that help some is getting progressive shocks, a gel seat pad and backrest. The backrest helps me because if there are any big bumps I can push back on it a little to lift my butt off the seat. It also forces me to keep from slouching which always puts me more on my tailbone instead of my hip bones. The gel seat pad was a stop gap measure before I decide to rebuild my stock seat. I think rebuilding with some gel or better foam would improve comfort. There are other seat manufacturers out there and plenty of people that have gone that route. I believe the real issue is the posture the foot forward position puts you into. The best fix probably would be to get pegs mounted underneath you or at least significantly more to the rear from where they are now. I think newbonneville or Fast Eddy had mid mount pegs for sale at one point but it entails getting rid of your passenger pegs to make it happen. Expensive too if I recall.
I'm about the same size as you so I feel your pain. Don't want to be closer just want to be off that tailbone. Ouch.

Oh, I just remembered I put bar risers on my last America and bringing the bar up and back seemed to help keep me from slouching too. Something to consider.

-Ryan

Edit: http://www.triumphrat.net/cruisers-...-speedmaster-america-foot-peg-relocation.html
That's a page here on RAT that lists both an attempt to move the pegs and other links to pages that people have moved the pegs if you want to go that route.
 
#3 ·
Duff,
Had the same problem on my 09 Speedy. We are around the same size. First thing I did was put risers on to bring the bars back and that helped then I put on an airhawk pad that can be adjusted and finally bought a saddelman gtec seat which gives me some back support. Only use the airhawk for long rides Hope that helps.

Dan
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thanks for the advice Ryan / Dan,
Although, it's disheartening that it doesn't sound like there's a quick or easy fix available like I'd hoped. At this point I'm not sure if I should spend more money trying to find a solution (that may not exist) or just take the hit now and trade it in on something that fits me better.

I got the America as a compromise because my wife wanted something she could ride too - the low seat was why she liked it (Got a great deal on it too). It fits her well, but now (after her MSF training class) she's decided it "feels too heavy" and won't even attempt to ride it.
I actually think it's a great bike except for this big comfort issue.

The Triumph dealer closest to me has a new 2016 T100 (same engine as the America) so maybe I'll go and check it out.

Duff
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the advice Ryan.
Although, it's disheartening that it doesn't sound like there's a quick or easy fix available like I'd hoped. At this point I'm not sure if I should spend more money trying to find a solution (that may not exist) or just take the hit now and trade it in on something that fits me better.

I got the America as a compromise because my wife wanted something she could ride too - the low seat was why she liked it (Got a great deal on it too). It fits her well, but now (after her MSF training class) she's decided it "feels too heavy" and won't even attempt to ride it.
I actually think it's a great bike except for this big comfort issue.

The Triumph dealer closest to me has a new 2016 T100 (same engine as the America) so maybe I'll go and check it out.

Duff
I won't help with your decision because when I had my first America I put in lots of money to fix this exact issue. Rivco risers, Fast Eddy Backrest, Progressive shocks.....made it much more enjoyable and at the time my wife loved to ride pillion so the bike was perfect for that. I wanted a little more sport to my ride so I eventually traded it in and got a 2012 Bonneville. Great bike. The wife liked riding on the America more than the T100 but the T100 was much more comfortable right out of the box for me. I still put Hagons on the T100 but otherwise didn't touch the seat. I love the America as this is my second one and don't plan on getting rid of this one but I've already put on all of the improvements I had from the first one. I'm looking currently into putting on a second set of pegs underneath me like in the link I shared. Good luck in your decision but I would at least keep the America a bit longer to see if you get used to it or if a minor change will improve the comfort. Any accessories can be taken off and sold.
 
#6 ·
Howdy Duff. The Air Hawk is a good solution for long rides. I too have one and use it just for long rides. The big difference for me is that I made a drivers back rest. Used an old sissy bar rest and built a couple of brackets so it could mount up on my back. I have crossed the US twice (Western Colorado to N.C. Camp Lejeune and back 2 times around 5,000 mile round trips) and found it very comfortable. (Though I usually don't put in many more than 400 + miles per day) I also put on floor boards instead of pegs and that allows me to move my feet around which helps to relieve some back pain. ALSO you can't believe what a difference it makes when you are riding in the rain!
I have thought about the risers that others talked about and after reading their post think I might do so.
I know this isn't about some aftermarket seat I bought but the Air Hawk really helps for long distance. I recommend it.
Oak
 
#8 ·
Mrs' America - Mustang seat w/ rider backrest. Tried the stocker, then with an airhawk (a couple styles), then Saddlemen, then to the Stang. She's done a couple of 9 day trips now with me, and the Mustang's been the best for her so far.
 
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#9 ·
Hi Duff - By now you've seen almost everyone has problems with the stock seat, and mine were the same as yours. I've got a Corbin now which solved my lower back and upper butt issues, but it's a hard seat pad. Since it cost $1000 I'll keep it, but I wish I had looked at others for a softer seat. Once upon a time they made seats with springs in them...........................Good luck.
 
#10 · (Edited)
#11 ·
Thanks for the recommendations everyone. This forum is an awesome resource!

Gargoyle, Do you have some pictures of your bike with the Saddlemen Explorer on it?
That's the seat I've found online & it's available. I'd love to see some better photos of how it actually looks on the bike.

Duff
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the recommendations everyone. This forum is an awesome resource!

Gargoyle, Do you have some pictures of your bike with the Saddlemen Explorer on it?

Duff

Hey Duff,


Sorry to keep you waiting.
Saddlemen also makes a very nice a touring bag that fits perfectly over the seat.
 

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#17 ·
I went through about 4-5 different seats for my 2012 Triumph Speedmaster, before I finally settled on the Corbin. It is not cheap, but the best motorcycle accessory I have bought -- allowing me to go from 20 miles getting a sore butt to close to 200. It does take a bit to get used to the seat as it can feel a bit awkward to ride in compared to other seats. But you won't regret making the purchase.
 
#21 · (Edited)
I have the same bike 16 Triumph America and the same exact problem .Even with the stock floorboards a great bike and a pain to ride . My solution is the Mustang 2 up with their adjustable drivers backrest . Although Mustange does'nt list it for this year when the tank was increased in size the front rubbed a little and a few people compalined about the paint being rubbed so Mustange stopped their recommendation to avoid issues . Its not a problem to me and if so I'd put a buffer on that contact point although it not severe or visible to the tank with the seat on. My 65 yr old problem back is well satisfied and no longer an issue at all . Got mine used for $400 , but now ride happy and free . Is it worth the 4 0r 5 bills for a very comfortable ride - absolutely , going for a ride now ,catch you later .
 
#25 ·
I really appreciate this thread.
I've got spinal stenosis and arthritis in my left hip joint so riding more than a few miles in the standard seat gets painful.
Heck getting on the bike is a bit of a trial.

The Saddlemen Explorer Special Seat with Driver Backrest looks like the ticket for me.
I'm buying it from West End Mororsports, no tax, free shipping and a 5% discount brings it to $636 shipped.
 
#28 ·
That guy hasn't been here in 3 years, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an answer.
 
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