Seat Recommendations?

[SgnDen]

I used the search function but, wow, not exactly easy to decipher the results. Either way, I didn't see anything that helped with seat reccos.

I just bought my '98 Standard and it has Ultimate Low Rider seat with backrest and passenger seat. It's way too short and forward for me.   

What seats have any of you had good luck with for excellent quality and range of size that can get me up and back?  I'm 6'1" 270 so this "low rider" thing is far from right for me.

I'll be selling this seat(s). They are in perfect condition so hopefully will bring decent scratch to help offset the cost of a new seat.

Thanks!

[klb]

I have the Ultimate King Big boy and it sets me back and
up a bit. At 6"2" 350 lbs it works good for me.

[SgnDen]

Excellent!  Thanks for the pics, that really helps.  They have "Big Boy" model and "King" model. I am between sizes according to the Ultimate website.

I've had Mustang, Corbin, and Sargent seats on past bikes.  Had never been on the Ultimate seat but it was excellent on today's inaugural ride.

[carolinarider09]

I would have to got and verify for sure but I believe the seat on my 2003 standard is a Mustang seat.

I am 6'1" 225.  Have had it on the bike since 2004 or 2005 I forget when.  It still rides well.  It is comfortable.  I don't have a reason to change and don't think I have every thought of changing it since I got it.  

She has about 89,000 miles on her and probably 60,000 + on the seat.  I did not document the mileage when it was first installed.  

[Jess from VA]

Realize the Ultimate (and other maker) seat recommendations are just guesstimates.

Ultimate tells me I should use lowboy, I like and ride bigboy way better than lowboy..

It looks like KLB has the OE pillion on with his king boy.  It would be good to verify that. I believe the driver's backrest for a kingboy (if you want one) mounts in THEIR pillion.

[Serk]

They ain't the prettiest, and if you have an Interstate I had to shave the seat pan some to make it fit, but once I got it right I LOVE my HartCo Customs, I've got one on both of my Valkyries...

He doesn't have any stock, you call him up, tell him how tall you are, how fat you are, how long your legs are, how big your butt is and how exactly you want your seat, and he makes it individually for YOU.

https://hartcoseats.com/touring-sport-saddle/honda/

[klb]

Realize the Ultimate (and other maker) seat recommendations are just guesstimates.

Ultimate tells me I should use lowboy, I like and ride bigboy way better than lowboy..

It looks like KLB has the OE pillion on with his king boy.  It would be good to verify that. I believe the driver's backrest for a kingboy (if you want one) mounts in THEIR pillion.

  I swap it between the 2 bikes. It mostly stays on the 99 the riders backrest mounts where the passenger seat bolts down. The stock 01 seat is close on comfort but the extra room on the ultimate is nice.

[SgnDen]

Thanks for the thoughts.  I have the Ultimate Low Boy with backrest and pillion.  I sent Ultimate folks a message asking if I can use the same pillion and the same backrest from the Low Boy if I got a King. Either way, this Low Boy thing MUST go. That and the odd little Cobra floorboards (they must be passenger boards.  Given the lever throw for that rear brake, I am going to pegs for sure.

[Jess from VA]

The driver Cobra boards for Valk were adapted (shorter) passenger boards; because of the center control foot position and the valve covers.  I won't ride without them, but I have small feet and a heel toe shifter.  Also, with pegs, I had a tendency to hook my heels and point my toes down, and I hit some hard things that hurt.

The backrest for lowboy and bigboy (a slab mount into a seat slot) will not work with kingboy.

A short term (and cheaper) solution for your lowboy would be an Airhawk seat cushion. 

A lot of guys went to the Kuryakyn dually pegs (without ends, with Valk driver position adapters) to save over OE peg replacement cost.  The OEs have bottom feelers, the Kuryakyn's don't.

[Rams]

Personally, I'd hang on to what you have and attend as many Valkyrie events as possible and ask (always ask) to try out other seats you see.  You may find you've already got what you need or, find something that sits and rides better for your needs.    Most of us are very willing to accommodate.  I ride an Ultimate Low Boy and it's wonderful for me but, no butt is the same.   I've also seen folks use sheep's hides and those wooden roller seat things.   Not for me but, those riders don't have my ass.  

Rams

[SgnDen]

Thanks for these points. Jess, I've got some Kury ISO pegs sitting here waiting for some adapters I ordered hoping they fit the mounts. I've got size 13 boots and in my brief time riding this bike (I've had it only a week and yesterday rode ~3 hrs), the floorboards just feel off to me as my heel hangs-off and I am on the balls of my feet because the dang Low Boy has me too low so knees are bent too much.  Really look forward to seeing how the ISO pegs work. I won't do peg-lowering mounts as, especially with pegs and my boot size, I'd be a touch too aware of my toe potentially dragging if I ever get this thing over that far (unlikely).

Coming off a 2016 Road Glide Ultra with a reach seat and Factory49 bars that fit me perfectly and a Road King and Street Glide before every tom-dick-and-harry apparently had to have those things (it was too much), floorboards were great. Just not on this bike.  Of course, could be because my time this year had been on my 2020 BMW 1250 GS ADV and the very upright and TALL bike is a handling dream on and off road of course.

If it weren't about to be Winter weather here in the Northeast, I'd try to fond some gatherings and definitely go check-out others' setups.  Oh, Ram, the day I sit (or touch) anyone's bike without them right there would be, well, yeah...never.  I've got some good stories on the topic though! HaHa

Sadly, my house/garage/shop is in CO and I have this bike in CT in the apartment parking garage while I am working here for a couple of years.  So it's a drag I can't spend time with my tools and the bike. Sorta limits me but I'll make due for easy stuff.

[Rams]

Thanks for these points. Jess, I've got some Kury ISO pegs sitting here waiting for some adapters I ordered hoping they fit the mounts. I've got size 13 boots and in my brief time riding this bike (I've had it only a week and yesterday rode ~3 hrs), the floorboards just feel off to me as my heel hangs-off and I am on the balls of my feet because the dang Low Boy has me too low so knees are bent too much.  Really look forward to seeing how the ISO pegs work. I won't do peg-lowering mounts as, especially with pegs and my boot size, I'd be a touch too aware of my toe potentially dragging if I ever get this thing over that far (unlikely).

Coming off a 2016 Road Glide Ultra with a reach seat and Factory49 bars that fit me perfectly and a Road King and Street Glide before every tom-dick-and-harry apparently had to have those things (it was too much), floorboards were great. Just not on this bike.  Of course, could be because my time this year had been on my 2020 BMW 1250 GS ADV and the very upright and TALL bike is a handling dream on and off road of course.

If it weren't about to be Winter weather here in the Northeast, I'd try to fond some gatherings and definitely go check-out others' setups.  Oh, Ram, the day I sit (or touch) anyone's bike without them right there would be, well, yeah...never.  I've got some good stories on the topic though! HaHa

Sadly, my house/garage/shop is in CO and I have this bike in CT in the apartment parking garage while I am working here for a couple of years.  So it's a drag I can't spend time with my tools and the bike. Sorta limits me but I'll make due for easy stuff.

Reference those floor boards.   I'm not a fan of floor boards but, that's just me, some folks wouldn't ride without them.   But, I wanted to bring your attention to Mick O Pegs.   I've had two sets of these spring loaded pegs and absolutely love them.   I have knee issues and need to be able to straighten them out while I ride.   While I also have "highway pegs", they rarely get used..   Check out Mick O Pegs:  www.ridingiswonderful.com

Rams

[SgnDen]

Thanks, Rams! Appreciate it. I'll go check em out now.

[Foozle]

They ain't the prettiest, and if you have an Interstate I had to shave the seat pan some to make it fit, but once I got it right I LOVE my HartCo Customs, I've got one on both of my Valkyries...

He doesn't have any stock, you call him up, tell him how tall you are, how fat you are, how long your legs are, how big your butt is and how exactly you want your seat, and he makes it individually for YOU.

https://hartcoseats.com/touring-sport-saddle/honda/

I would second this.  I have two Valks - one with the Ultimate King Big Boy and the other with a HartCo.  The former is OK for day rides, but it's the latter I go to for the long hauls.

Serk is spot on:  HartCo seats are not fashion statements - and when I first got mine, it set me up so high and felt so hard that I almost sent it back.  After deciding to give it a try, I'm glad I didn't; I've put in a few 12-hour days without any fatigue or butt burn.  (My one beef - which may be a necessary part of the design - is the height that it elevates you.  I'm 6'3" with a 34 inch inseam and can no longer flat foot my Standard.  Frankly, this has taken some getting used to).

Terry

P.S.  Using a Dremel, I had to make the same minor seat pan modifications as Serk to get it to properly latch.  HartCo molds their own seat pans - so there is evidently some variability in fitment.

[SgnDen]

Thanks, Foozle. I checked-out the HartCo site. I get that they want to speak to potential buyers to get the specs right but not posting a price range (range) makes it a pain to compare if price is a disqualifier up-front. Do you know the price range if you're willing to share?

I've taken seats on past bikes to custom seat builders and that was great.  That's the way to go, in-person custom construction from an existing seat but too much time for me given my schedule.  

[Serk]

Thanks, Foozie. I checked-out the HartCo site. I get that they want to speak to potential buyers to get the specs right but not posting a price range (range) makes it a pain to compare if price is a disqualifier up-front. Do you know the price range if you're willing to share?

I checked my notes, and when I got my current seat for my Interstate, for a rider seat, passenger seat, and the detachable backrest it came to $629 + shipping, but that was back in 2018... Had about a 30 day lead time.

I asked for a tacky covering material so I don't slide around as well, and I really like it. I CAN move, but in general where I plant my butt is where it stays...

I might have overdone this last one, but as it's wearing in I really like it, I had him go extreme on the height - I'm 5'19" (6'7") and could barely flat foot it initially, but as I've put miles on it it's compacted a bit and is just about perfect now.



Edit to add - As was mentioned, if you go this route I can almost guarantee you will hate it at first. Give it at least a thousand miles to break in and for your butt to get used to it. I HATED my first one initially. Just remember, what feels comfortable in the showroom isn't necessarily what's gonna be good for all day on the road, and vice versa.

[SgnDen]

Thanks, Serk. Helpful stuff.

[Oss]

Got my Russell Day Long seat in 2006 after suffering a trip to colorado and back

If you want to be able to ride 10-12 hrs a day for weeks on end and have no issues this is the #1 seat

Not cheapest but you are buying (like hartco) something for just YOU

Also +1 on the mick o pegs   awesome like sitting on a bar stool it take the pressure off the lower back and knees and hips   They are my go to pegs unless on highway pegs

I would not ride from ct to billings without them and I intend to go out to Seattle after, then back home across 2 into glacier again (They have GRIZZLEBERRY PIE in St Mary's)   Like some will ride for Q and I have gone for Q at GOTF again and again, I ride for pie

[SgnDen]

Riding for pie?!  Now we're talkin...

I've seen the Russel All-Day seats in action. Yes, I'd go that way if I was into iron Butt or saw some reason to sit the ride for 10+ hrs uninterrupted other than fuel and piss. 

I'm not in that big a hurry though have to admit long stretches across Eastern CO or pretty much anywhere in North TX other than big cities calls for nearly WOT movin' it to get past the duldrums.

[vanavyman]

  We have Hartco / Diamond Custom (Same guy) on both of our Valkyries and like them a lot.  I've always thought of them as the 2nd best Custom Seat maker behind Russell Day Long but are approximately 40% less.  Even had a Hartco on my 2009 GL1800 Goldwing.  Bought it Custom made and with heat.  Mark is a great guy to work with.  He was very patient with Trish helping her get her seat just right.  He is out of Florida and is at most of the larger Goldwing rallies.  Currently have a Ultimate King on my new to me 2015 Goldwing.  Like it a lot and will probably keep it.

  One other point on Ultimate seats for the Valkyrie.  We had King Ultimate set on my 2nd Valkyrie Interstate.  Trish Hated the rear seat.  She even asked the owner of Ultimate Seats at a Goldwing rally why he put that lip around the back of the passenger seat.  Told him a lot of woman passengers rears are not small enough to fit inside that lip and had to sit on top of it and that is not really comfortable.  Told him he should have a woman help him design his seats.  

[Foozle]

Thanks, Foozie. I checked-out the HartCo site. I get that they want to speak to potential buyers to get the specs right but not posting a price range (range) makes it a pain to compare if price is a disqualifier up-front. Do you know the price range if you're willing to share?

I've taken seats on past bikes to custom seat builders and that was great.  That's the way to go, in-person custom construction from an existing seat but too much time for me given my schedule. 

I ordered just the driver's seat w/studs and recall it being in the $450-$475 range delivered.  This was some years back, so YMMV.  I paired it with a Utopia backrest - and I've found this combination to work quite well for me.

Terry

[vanavyman]

One of the other interesting things about Hartco, Mark uses his own seat pans and will make the seats the way you want.  Trish wanted our Interstate bike we ride 2 up to have her passenger seat much taller.  I'm very tall from the waist up and she could not see.  He added 4" in the height of the passenger seat and made it a lot wider to help provide support for the back of her thighs.  By doing that it moved the Interstate Passenger backrest where it hit her in the middle of her back.  Mark no longer does custom passenger backrests.  He provides covers to fit your backrest.  The only place that make a Custom Valkyrie Interstate Passenger backrest was Russell.  We asked them to straighten it up so she did not lean back and add as much padding on the top as possible.  They matched the material of the Hartco seat and added 4-5' to the top.  She was very happy with the results.  We did send them a stock Interstate Passenger Backrest to work with.  Cost approx $260 about 4-5 years ago.

[Jess from VA]

Regardless of your seat, understand the Valk riding position is more scrunched up (legs) than most other cruisers with pegs or boards at the forward frame position.  It affects all riders (even my 5'9") to some degree. 

You would probably benefit from a lowered foot peg mount more than anything else.  I think Mark T a VRCC sponsor makes them (or did).  They are mildly adjustable for forward and down (1 inch or so).  They will drag sooner in hard(est) turns.

I think you would be well served to add those to your bike, and then choose a seat.

[SgnDen]

Thanks, Jess. I'll look into adjustable peg lowering mounts.

[Sweet Cheeks]

Long shot I know, but if you should decide to sell the Ultimate driver backrest separately, please let me know.

Thanks!

[..]

Hartco is the best saddle I've had on a Valkyrie.  750 mile days were comfortable.

[SgnDen]

Long shot I know, but if you should decide to sell the Ultimate driver backrest separately, please let me know.

I'll be selling the Lowboy seat when I get the King Ultimate seat I just ordered.  I plan to adapt the Lowboy backrest then selling the seat.  They told me that I just need to modify the backing mount (?) and I'd be able to DIY the job.  We shall see since I am not in my shop so I'll see what's involved. If it isn't an easy fix, I'll sell the seat and backrest and maybe the pillion if it doesn't fit behind the King.

[bootlegger]

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