[John_S]

Are the Triumph gel seats a noticeable improvement over a stock Bonnie or Thruxton seat?

 

[Tboneplayer]

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)

 

[Mekhem]

Are the Triumph gel seats a noticeable improvement over a stock Bonnie or Thruxton seat?

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.

 

[Tboneplayer]

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.

 

[Trumpettwin]

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.

 

[jtrory]

Any one have experience with

http://www.british-customs.com/british-customs-slammer-seat-diamond-stitch.html

or

http://www.british-customs.com/special-edition-slammer-seat-in-tuck-n-roll-leather.html

I'mn not sure other than the cross stitching if there is much of difference?

Yes I have the first one, the tuck n roll. Looks great, but not very comfortable. Certainly not any more comfortable than the stock seat. Also you have to be careful with those brown slammer seats as they are leather only, there is no vinyl version of the brown ones (at least not for now, they pulled the vinyl ones because of a defect). So you have to treat the leather regularly.

 

[PaulMattoon]

Burton Bike Bits DS003 seat. Enough said.

http://britishbikebits.com/ds003-bonneville-seat#.Vfa4J51Viko

Would agree that this it the best-looking overall seat for going less than 400+ miles; otherwise, a king-queen is a must. I put the DS003 back on just for looks and local rides, but break out the king-queen for longer rides. The gel-seat is flat worthless in Texas where it retains the heat and just bakes your butt after being in the hot sun, yet other than that, I can't complain on comfort. With the DS003, you don't realize you're sitting on seat as it is that comfortable; however, my rear couldn't handle it after major miles.

All of this (like mattresses) is totally subjective based on your posterior's anatomy, I reckon. Consequently, I would imagine all must have a collection of seats, like I do, until they find the right solution.

 

[steventhechef]

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

 

[Ripper]

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

Try this guy. He will re-style and comfort fit your original seat. He works/ships internationally as well, AFAIK.

http://www.elsemade.com/

 

[sql-lover]

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.

I actually like it! Looks nice.

 

[Rockyaj1]

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 $$$.

 

[PaulMattoon]

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.

 

[PaulMattoon]

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 $$$.

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).

 

[wbarnier]

Tboneplayer. Would you be interested in selling your Solo+rack seat that you took off your bike?

wbarnier

 

[meninblack]

I really like the Norman Hyde solo on mine.

Very comfortable, and the hump is pretty soft, so OK for short-distance passengers. It does raise the seat height about an inch, so I fitted 30 mm risers under the bars to get them back to where I wanted them.

 

[steventhechef]

Try this guy. He will re-style and comfort fit your original seat. He works/ships internationally as well, AFAIK.

http://www.elsemade.com/

Thanks Ripper but it will cost me over 100 quid to do return post I have a guy up in Toowoomba that worked on Leonie's seat that I will try firstly

 

[Rockyaj1]

Paul, you are so right. I will post pic when I get my seat. Hopefully by than I will know how to post pictures. I see your from Texas, I have aBMW R1100S Boxer Cup in Austin, Lakeway area, but so unchanged prefer my Bonneville. Mines a 2014 black with red T100, yours looks a lot like it.
In Texas I don't ride as much, too many people in cars trying to pick me off. With everyone on cell phones and texting while driving I have a difficult time enjoying a ride. It's a slower phase here in the Keys. But the Bonnie is my favorite bike. It brings back memories from my past growing up with British bikes. Happy Trails.

 

[Tboneplayer]

Tboneplayer. Would you be interested in selling your Solo+rack seat that you took off your bike?

wbarnier

Sent PM

 

[Rockyaj1]

Tboneplayer, I'm an old geezer rider also and the OEM seat is terrible. Any Replacment would be an improvement. I ordered the Corbin Smuggler, it is a solo seat with a cafe hump in back that has a locking trunk for small items like gloves and goggles. Which I don't need here in Key West. I does seem that us more mature riders (cuz we ain't too old) prefer the Bonneville. It's the old school feel of the Bonnie that makes it my favorite. I've got a 05 BMW R1100S Boxer Cup in Texas which is a beautiful looking bike but a bit of a hot rod. I Don't like bending over like a pretzel any more. I wish I had the BMW 30 years ago but couldn't afford one than not to mention they weren't made yet. But the Bonneville is so enjoyable for me today. Happy Trails

 

[Rockyaj1]

Chazzman, thanks for your thoughts on the Corbin Smuggler, mines on order and I'm in Florida like their factory, so hopefully it won't take too long. How does it look on the bike? Do you have a picture of it on your bike? Thanks Chazz your the only one to have had the Smuggler and all that had a Corbin agree that it was a well made product. Happy Trails.