seat height

[Lazy]

i bought a new ultimate low rider seat for my 98 standard for 2 reasons. the first comfort, and the second to get me closer to the ground (i am like 5'8"). i put the new seat on and loved the looks of it and the feel but, i have a higher seat height than with the original. so, i have put the original back on becaues i have trouble handling the dragon in parking lot etc... with 2 up.
does anyone have any advice on another seat brand or a what to do. my rear is really disappionted that we are back on the original but i am toe tapping on the new one.

[Dragonryder2]

I am only 5'4" and I changed out the OEM shocks I put 11" ones on.  Really helped me reach the ground.  I did try the Ultimate seat on someone else's bike and like you said it seemes to raise me up.

Have a good winter.

[Chrisj CMA]

Something fishy..........I went to a lowrider for the comfort, the idea of lowering the seat height wasnt really important, but I noticed a pronounced lowering with the lowrider as compared to the OEM.  In fact I, at one point thought of going back to the OEM except for longer trips just because the lowrider was a bit too low for me, and Im 5'8" with a 32" inseam

[Blackduck KS]

You can lower the front forks or the rear shocks ,
if possible to help with the problem ,
I did my back shocks helped alot I`m only 5'8 too.
I have a lowboy also. I love it beats the stock seat.

Blackduck

[PAVALKER]

Something fishy..........I went to a lowrider for the comfort, the idea of lowering the seat height wasnt really important, but I noticed a pronounced lowering with the lowrider as compared to the OEM.  In fact I, at one point thought of going back to the OEM except for longer trips just because the lowrider was a bit too low for me, and Im 5'8" with a 32" inseam

I think I agree with Chrisj regarding the lowering of the LowRider.  However, it very well could be that with the nose of the LowRider being up on the tank it might give the impression that it is higher (depending on your seating postion, weight etc).  Could it be that you got a Big Boy instead?   Does your LowerRider look like mine below?  Show us a pic......   

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I have a set of near mint Progressive suspension shocks that are 12 inches I'd love to trade one of you short guys for the Progressive 13 inch.

[Lazy]

well, i considered the fact that the nose may be the problem but the fact still remains that my feet are farther from the ground. i have spoken with ultimate and they asked me to send it back for them to look at and mine looked pretty much the same as yours with exception of the sides and mine looked taller, which may be the problem. i have already boxed and shipped or i would send a pic.

do the lowrider and the big boy look alot alike?

[Puffs Daddy]

Something fishy..........I went to a lowrider for the comfort, the idea of lowering the seat height wasnt really important, but I noticed a pronounced lowering with the lowrider as compared to the OEM.  In fact I, at one point thought of going back to the OEM except for longer trips just because the lowrider was a bit too low for me, and Im 5'8" with a 32" inseam

Same here. In fact, when I purchased my seat from Ultimate I inquired about seat height and was told not to order the "lowrider" if I didn't want to lose an inch or so (as I recall) in height.

[Nodrog]

A true low rider seat definately sits lower.  I'm sure they will get it staightened out for you.

[Cruzen]

Trade your standard on an Interstate.  The seat height on the Interstate is lower. 

Please understand this base seat height difference when considering info supplied by other riders or aftermarket suppliers. 

I wonder if the seats for the two models are different and you are being supplied the wrong one?

[Spirited-6]

A true low rider seat definately sits lower.  I'm sure they will get it staightened out for you.

Sorry , not so. The Low Rider has a wider "nose" that puts your legs out , spreads your legs out more, hence less ground contract. I returned a Low Rider because of this. I now have a OEM seat off a 2000 Tourer that sits lower that OEM seat off a 98 Tourer. I have a 29" inseam and still have light contact with the ground.   But, if you want to get down to the NITTY GRITTY, it depends on how thick your thights are. A bean pole will have more clearance, where as a fat thight person will have less. OH, Sh** 

[f6gal]

The Ultimate does, in fact, "sit" lower.  The seat was designed so that you sit "in" the seat, hence the higher/wider nose to keep you from sliding forward.
However, that extra nose is an issue when feet attached to short legs come off the pegs.  Ask Des if they can do a "nose job" on your seat; ask him if he can cut it down like the nose on Connie's saddle.  (That's me, BTW)

[mikeb]

wow i was thinking that i would buy the wife a lowrider for the is she just started riding she's not 5' tall and handles it well but an inch lower would make her more stable i think ill have to follow this thread to help make up my mind thanks for all the input

[Charlie]

Listen to Connie.  She knows of what she speaks!

[Spirited-6]

wow i was thinking that i would buy the wife a lowrider for the is she just started riding she's not 5' tall and handles it well but an inch lower would make her more stable i think ill have to follow this thread to help make up my mind thanks for all the input

Hey all, you have got to think , "INSEAM" forget height. My wife is 5`2" and she has short legs, where as some ladies have a LOT longer legs than us guys. Like  one guy said, " she has legs all the way up to her ass".

[PAVALKER]

well, i considered the fact that the nose may be the problem but the fact still remains that my feet are farther from the ground. i have spoken with ultimate and they asked me to send it back for them to look at and mine looked pretty much the same as yours with exception of the sides and mine looked taller, which may be the problem. i have already boxed and shipped or i would send a pic.

do the lowrider and the big boy look alot alike?

Yes, they look very much alike, but the big boy is somewhat higher and I think a bit wider.  Beings you have it all boxed and ready to go, I am sure they will take care of it for you.   I am not sure if there is a significant difference between the same model seat on different model Valks tho.... that could also be an issue. 

[PAVALKER]

The Ultimate does, in fact, "sit" lower.  The seat was designed so that you sit "in" the seat, hence the higher/wider nose to keep you from sliding forward.
However, that extra nose is an issue when feet attached to short legs come off the pegs.  Ask Des if they can do a "nose job" on your seat; ask him if he can cut it down like the nose on Connie's saddle.  (That's me, BTW)

Connie..... how about showing us a picture of this Nose Job.....

Thanks in advance...

[Willow]

I have both a Lowboy and a stock (2001) seat for my Standard.  I can ussure you that I sit lower on the Ultimate.

I have a 30 inch inseam and rather large thighs. 

I do have a rather small butt if that makes a differeence.   

[fudgie]

Does the Ultimate sit lower then the mustang?

[fudgie]

I have both a Lowboy and a stock (2001) seat for my Standard.  I can ussure you that I sit lower on the Ultimate.

I have a 30 inch inseam and rather large thighs. 

I do have a rather small butt if that makes a differeence.   

Would I be outta line if I said I noticed! 

[Jess Tolbirt]

cut the center out of the middle of the bottom of the seat,,,
i did this and i dont need another aftermarket seat, this one works great,,,

[f6gal]

The Ultimate does, in fact, "sit" lower.  The seat was designed so that you sit "in" the seat, hence the higher/wider nose to keep you from sliding forward.
However, that extra nose is an issue when feet attached to short legs come off the pegs.  Ask Des if they can do a "nose job" on your seat; ask him if he can cut it down like the nose on Connie's saddle.  (That's me, BTW)

Connie..... how about showing us a picture of this Nose Job.....

Thanks in advance...

I'll try to take a couple tomorrow.

[mikeb]

cut the center out of the middle of the bottom of the seat,,,
i did this and i dont need another aftermarket seat, this one works great,,,

i thought about doing this how did you cut the foam  i hate to sound like a cheap ass but i dont want to spend 600.00 and have the old lady bich more cause it did not help ..did you just staple the seat back on the form

[X Ring]

I have both a Lowboy and a stock (2001) seat for my Standard.  I can ussure you that I sit lower on the Ultimate.

I have a 30 inch inseam and rather large thighs.  

I do have a rather small butt if that makes a differeence.  

Would I be outta line if I said I noticed!  

Maybe not but Kit might be concerned   

[blackvalk]

This post is about 12 hours too late.
First of all, I love my Ultimate Lowrider, but, my feet do not touch the ground like they did with the original seat on my Std. I emailed Des about this and ultimately, no pun intended, he said he would not modify his seat.
I agree with the theory that my legs are spread out because the seat is wider where my thighs hit, not only when stopped, but when riding.
I took my seat to an upolsterer yesterday morning to have him look at it. We agreed he would remove some padding where my thighs touch the seat. He wasn't sure how much could be removed until he had the cover layed back.
I drove away with my Honda Std. seat and said to my wife immeadiatly, "this sucks". I felt like I was sliding forward when I hit the brakes and like I was sitting on top of the seat and not in it like with the Ultimate.
I will post what the difference is early next week when I pick the Ultimate up.
I also agree the inseam is the important barometer to determine if your legs touch the ground. I have a 30" inseam and what I would rather think "muscular" (heavy) thighs.
The rebuild of my seat is costing me $90.00. The seat with 2 day delivery and the turn signal vibrator cost me somewhere around $700.00. I may opt for lower shocks in addition to the seat mod.

[Jess from VA]

The lowboy is an inch lower than oe "at the butt," but the seat and thigh width issue may negate the inch when putting feet to ground.  I also think there may be a bit of individual-bike-build issue here, as I have two '99 ISs, both with 13" 440s and GTTs, and one bike is definitely taller than the other. 

If you don't mind the loss of cornering clearance, to keep the lowboy you may want to consider going to 12.5 or 12" shocks. i wouldn't alter the forks for an inch or less change in rear shocks.

[mikeb]

my wife has an 26 inch inseam i had a ruff time measuring her every time i get close to her crotch she want some thing else their.. 26 inseam and overall 4'11" tuff little babe ..

[fudgie]

my wife has an 26 inch inseam i had a ruff time measuring her every time i get close to her crotch she want some thing else their.. 26 inseam and overall 4'11" tuff little babe ..

  

[mikeb]

The lowboy is an inch lower than oe "at the butt," but the seat and thigh width issue may negate the inch when putting feet to ground.  I also think there may be a bit of individual-bike-build issue here, as I have two '99 ISs, both with 13" 440s and GTTs, and one bike is definitely taller than the other. 

If you don't mind the loss of cornering clearance, to keep the lowboy you may want to consider going to 12.5 or 12" shocks. i wouldn't alter the forks for an inch or less change in rear shocks.

her  99 i.s. sits lower than my bike i understand that thay all have there own personalitys

[Jess from VA]

Well the "advertized" seat height for the IS is a couple tenths of an inch lower than the Std/Tourers, but it is strange when one '99 IS is lower than the other. 

[Lazy]

This post is about 12 hours too late.
First of all, I love my Ultimate Lowrider, but, my feet do not touch the ground like they did with the original seat on my Std. I emailed Des about this and ultimately, no pun intended, he said he would not modify his seat.
I agree with the theory that my legs are spread out because the seat is wider where my thighs hit, not only when stopped, but when riding.
I took my seat to an upolsterer yesterday morning to have him look at it. We agreed he would remove some padding where my thighs touch the seat. He wasn't sure how much could be removed until he had the cover layed back.
I drove away with my Honda Std. seat and said to my wife immeadiatly, "this sucks". I felt like I was sliding forward when I hit the brakes and like I was sitting on top of the seat and not in it like with the Ultimate.
I will post what the difference is early next week when I pick the Ultimate up.
I also agree the inseam is the important barometer to determine if your legs touch the ground. I have a 30" inseam and what I would rather think "muscular" (heavy) thighs.
The rebuild of my seat is costing me $90.00. The seat with 2 day delivery and the turn signal vibrator cost me somewhere around $700.00. I may opt for lower shocks in addition to the seat mod.

[Lazy]

let me know how how the alteration of your lowrider goes. i found out last nite that there is somewhere (don't know who yet) in tupelo, ms that will take the original seat and rebuild it to the individual liking. gonna check into that too.
thanks.

[Crazyhorse]

I have the lowrider seat on my I/S and Standard the seat helped my footing but was not enough. I have the 11.5 inch progressive shocks on the Standard and a low profile tire on the back. The I/S has a low profile tire and oem shocks. Both bikes set great and my inseam is 29.

[Momz]

Sitting Low= 11 1/2 Progessive shocks and a Saddle Men Explorer Gel seat.

[mikeb]

Sitting Low= 11 1/2 Progessive shocks and a Saddle Men Explorer Gel seat.

dam it george ya need to ride that bike up her so the old lady can sit on it ..
just kidding when you get well we will come see ya.  george and pam just take care of yourselves
we miss ya mike and kari 
 
ssdd!