Seat Question, In General

[NA7A]

I just installed my new Mustang Wide VentageTouring seat on the Sportster yesterday and the dang thing sits up at least an inch higher. Dang, now my feet don't sit as flat on the ground as they used to with the stock seat. I read on the Mustang web site that their seats will sit a half to an inch higher then the stock seats due to the more foam and better seat construction. I guess I will just have to live it but does anyone have any input on this and their experience with a new seat and any suggestions?

[Motorcycle Forum]

[Rickster]

I don't have any personal experience with Mustang seats, but I have found, that pretty much any "improvement" I make to one of my rides, has an unforeseen adverse effect of some kind............. Give and take buddy,,,,,,,,,,,,,give and take.

[NA7A]

Hey Rickster, yes, I am finding that out now. The footpegs I installed also have changed the way I sit on the bike too. Man, I hate to admit this but I really kind of liked the bike stock when I first test rode it. Except for the looks and sound, I am finding out that being comfortable on the bike is really the most important thing. I am trying several positions on the bike pegs now but I never realized like what you said, change one thing change another.

[MoonRunner]

That Mustang seat will soften and compress over time. I had one on a 2004 Road Glide and within the first 2000 miles I found myself sitting more than 1/2 inch lower than when new. By 5000 miles the padding would compress to a miserable level of sitting on the pan within a 300 mile day. Easily sitting 1 1/2 inches lower than when new. I do weigh 250 so I can't say that my weight and the fact I do a lot of 500+ mile days are not factors but I sold the seat to someone much lighter than I and he is happy with it.

[Rickster]

MoonRunner, does that nic-name come from doing a lot of riding at night with your lights off? As in not wanting to be seen.

[NA7A]

MoonRunner, thanks for the vote of confidence on this seat. I'll watch is overtime in hopes it will do the same. By the way, from your post I assume you sold it because it compressed to much during long rides?

[MoonRunner]

Yes after a few thousand miles of long days the padding didn't spring back over night when running multiple days of 400+. By the third day the padding seemed flattened by 150 miles. My friend weighing only 180 lbs or less said it worked fine for him even after the long days but my 6'2" 250 lb body was too much for the cushy Mustang. The Harley Sundowner I replaced it with went a bit soft too after similar miles but the addition of a sheepskin pad from Alaska leather kept life good. I still use the pad on my current Ultra SE. I have a Corbin solo on my RK Custom. Hard as a flat rock the first 1500 miles but after either the seat or my butt broke in at around 2000. The Corbin is now very comfortable. I especially like the fact it moves me back about 1 1/2 inches from the bars.I would recommend the Mustang for folks not exceeding 200 lbs or not riding alot of 450+ days. It looks good and appears well made. But in my opinion they are made for the masses, the average 180 lb 5'8" guy. They and most seats are designed around that standard for seating position and foam density. If you are not the average Joe then be prepared to custom order or go Corbin as they are made of much denser foam to start with.

[NA7A]

Thanks again MoonRunner for the info on seats, nice to know how others are using theirs. I guess I have no choice but to wait it out, I sure like the looks of these seats though, they make the bike looks bigger especially on a Sportster. Man, you must really see the sites in your travels, I bet you have a photo collection that's a big as Mt. Everest.

[ucommbxny]

buy a good pair of riding boots thick sole and heel that will help.