Report on Interstate Seat Mods

[Valkahuna]

As anyone that has sat on a Valkyrie for any time knows, the standard seat leaves something to be desired. The same can be said for my 2001 IS. While I have sat on worse seats, after a couple of hours my butt was asking me to please get off, and then, a hundred miles later my butt was screaming the same, along with some choice words. 

So I read every thread I could about seats, and the one thing that they all had in common was $$$$$. I did pick up a name though, Spencers Seat Mods. Here comes the disclaimer. I have nothing to do with, or gain from, nor am I benefitting from what can be perceived as an endorsement of this company. I am just reporting on my experience in dealing with this company.

Spencers seats (aGreatDayToRide.com) is about the most professional outfit I have ever dealt with. Their website has a lot of information on it, along with helpful tips on shipping, FAQ, etc. What impressed me the most was Spencer's claim to "turn seats around" in 24 hours. 

I bought a spare IS seat on the VRCC Classifieds, and shipped it as per instructions. I also filled out a mandatory order form, answered a bunch of questions about my riding preferrences, and included pictures of me sitting on my Valk. I ordered the LD (Long Distance) option for both rider and passenger. The LD option consists of some Hi Tech material (not foam, gel, or usual seat padding material), but rather a Hi Tech Urethane Honeycomb material that was developed in part for NASA (see lots of info on this at the website listed above, along with pictures of it). This would mean that my total cost for the modification would be $100.00, plus the shipping of the seat. I figure that I will recoup my investment of the spare seat I bought if I choose to sell it.

Well, my seat arrived at Spencers on a Friday afternoon, as confirmed in an email from them. Frank (his real name - read the info on his website) finished up my seat on Monday afternoon, and shipped it back that day. The instructions were to install it and ride it, promising that it would "Break In" within a few tankfulls, and then just keep improving.

Since the seat looks exactly the same as it did before (Frank keeps the original material just under the cover, and replaces the inside of the seat near the pan with various amounts and densities of the Supracor material) I was a bit skeptical until I threw a leg over the seat! I could tell the difference immediately, and a short ride confirmed that it was indeed better. Next came a hundred mile ride, followed by one of 250 miles, and then another 200.

Now after about 700 + miles, it is about the most comfortable seat that I have ever ridden on. And it still retains it's stock appearance, and is as weatherproof as the stock seat is. And it does seem to improve with every ride.

I realize that this is a boring post, since their are no pictures. But seriously, it looks just like my stock IS seat, so why bother with a picture of that.  You can go to the site given above, or email Spencer at: Spencersmotocare@aol.com  for more information.

I recommend it hardily. And the money can not be beat!

[Chattanooga Mark]

I sure do appreciate this post. I've heard and read good reports on the Spencer Seat mod over at the ST1300 site as well. I agree the oem Interstate seat leaves a lot to be desired after a short time in the saddle. I got a great deal on the Hondaline studded Interstate seat. It's the exact same seat with a leather flap sewn on that has a few studs. It sure looks great with the stuuded Hondaline tank belt though. Anyway, I ended up with a studded 4 piece Ultimate Big Boy set I found on craigslist.  My wife absolutely loves the new angle of the Ultimate passenger backrest. It was a night and day difference for her. The Big Boy is a bit cramped for me as I'd be better off with a King Big Boy.

What your post did was encourage me to send off the studded Hondaline seat to Spencers and see if his mod is the ticket for me as well.

Thank You Sir,

Mark
I hope to meet you at InZane 2011
 

[Valkahuna]

You are very welcome. Follow Spencers advice, and give him the info he wants and I think you will be pleased. Certainly a small investment. Good Luck!

I sure do appreciate this post. I've heard and read good reports on the Spencer Seat mod over at the ST1300 site as well. I agree the oem Interstate seat leaves a lot to be desired after a short time in the saddle. I got a great deal on the Hondaline studded Interstate seat. It's the exact same seat with a leather flap sewn on that has a few studs. It sure looks great with the stuuded Hondaline tank belt though. Anyway, I ended up with a studded 4 piece Ultimate Big Boy set I found on craigslist.  My wife absolutely loves the new angle of the Ultimate passenger backrest. It was a night and day difference for her. The Big Boy is a bit cramped for me as I'd be better off with a King Big Boy.

What your post did was encourage me to send off the studded Hondaline seat to Spencers and see if his mod is the ticket for me as well.

Thank You Sir,

Mark
I hope to meet you at InZane 2011
 

[Kaiser]

Thanks for this post, Pete.  I've been scraping together my pennies, trying to save up the $1K for an Ultimate.  This is definitely more doable and if it doesn't work, I'm only out a minimal amount of cash.

[Dubsvalk]

This is an awesome post and a hardy endorsement for someone who sounds very worthy!
Dubs

[BonS]

The correct URL is GreatDayToRide.com.

[Jess from VA]

I'm not ready for this yet, but in a couple more years, who knows..... (on their site)

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I recommend it hardily. And the money can not be beat!

I don't recommend it.

I wouldn't call a 200 mile day in the saddle a valid test for me. If that's a normal day then good for you and you got a winner. The $160.00 I spent on Spencers seat mods and 2 way of shipping was a total waste of good money that could have gone towards my Russell Day long for my ST1300.

The Spencer seat foam is nice and soft so leaves a good impression on short rides. I found it lets you sink in way to easy and on a long day (500 to 1100 miles) it was worse than the stock ST1300 seat. I could barely stand to sit the day after a 500 miler. I always like the "let in break in" disclaimer on any seat, what's too break in? It can only break down the foam in my opinion, It's new isn't it???

Your butt may vary but mine does not like supersoft spongy seats for LONG days.

His quality and service were indeed good.

Edited added: and the Spencer (or any other) mod negates the use of the seat for a Russell Day long mod so you'll have to buy another seat to send to Russell. (man this motorcycle stuff requires too much planning and gambling..)

Raymond

[Valkahuna]

Dave,

Maybe next time we meet up at a ride we can switch bikes. They are both IS, but I'm sure after a short while you'll get used to the extra speed of the Black and Chrome one. 

Seriously, the offer is open. Keep in mind that if you do, that mine was made for me, and I outweigh you by a little bit. But the offer is there. 

Thanks for this post, Pete.  I've been scraping together my pennies, trying to save up the $1K for an Ultimate.  This is definitely more doable and if it doesn't work, I'm only out a minimal amount of cash.

[Valkahuna]

Thanks for catching that. You are correct. 

The correct URL is GreatDayToRide.com.

[Valkahuna]

Raymond,

When did you get yours done? This new Supracor stuff is not foam. I don't find it soft at all. I would say compliant. I also do long days, just have not done that here in Florida yet. But here are some observations:
1) For every 700 mile day I do at least 100 days of 300 miles or less
2) The stock seat sucked after 100 miles, and was a killer after 200
3) I bought another stock IS seat before I did this mod in case I did not like it
4) I can still add a sheep skin and still have less than a fourth of what the Russel would cost
5) I had several email discussions with Spencers, telling him exactly what I was after. I got what I asked for.
6) I am happy that you like your Russel.

Regards, Pete

I recommend it hardily. And the money can not be beat!

I don't recommend it.

I wouldn't call a 200 mile day in the saddle a valid test for me. If that's a normal day then good for you and you got a winner. The $160.00 I spent on Spencers seat mods and 2 way of shipping was a total waste of good money that could have gone towards my Russell Day long for my ST1300.

The Spencer seat foam is nice and soft so leaves a good impression on short rides. I found it lets you sink in way to easy and on a long day (500 to 1100 miles) it was worse than the stock ST1300 seat. I could barely stand to sit the day after a 500 miler. I always like the "let in break in" disclaimer on any seat, what's too break in? It can only break down the foam in my opinion, It's new isn't it???

Your butt may vary but mine does not like supersoft spongy seats for LONG days.

His quality and service were indeed good.

Edited added: and the Spencer (or any other) mod negates the use of the seat for a Russell Day long mod so you'll have to buy another seat to send to Russell. (man this motorcycle stuff requires too much planning and gambling..)

Raymond

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Pete it does indeed have the new Supracore in the seat. Seats and what fits each others sitters can vary wildly. I'm glad you like your I just didn't want to see other starting throwing money at something that may not work a bit better.

I was fooled by all the great raves on the ST board about the Spencer seat and found out later that most that "love" that mod don't ride very many long rides.

The absolute best way to find a seat that works for you is to borrow before you buy. Easier said then done I know. Few companys offer a try and send back for a full refund other then the great folks at http://www.ultimateseats.ca/

Raymond

[Oss]

I did not have Rays experience but my Russeldaylong arrived the day before I was riding from NY to Eureka Springs Arkansas  by way of Markleville Indiana

1st day was 740 miles in hot humid weather 2nd day was 600 miles also hot.

Not quite far rider miles but enough I was concerned about would the seat be comfortable as a few years earlier I rode to Colorado and my a$$ hurt so bad I bought a cushion to sit on after the 1st day.

Not only was the Russell seat comfortable but when I arrived in Eureka Springs, I decided to take a ride with the group for another hour or so just because the road were so doggone terrific. Would consider that spencer seat for the beemer as I dont ride it more than  3-4 hours at a time

Hope your seat works for you, but remember a 200 mile ride is not a 12 hour ride.  Dont forget to stretch and walk on any long ride

[Valkahuna]

Hope your seat works for you, but remember a 200 mile ride is not a 12 hour ride.  Dont forget to stretch and walk on any long ride

I never said that 200 miles was far. Been riding for 47 years, and on a trip, 500-700 mile days are common, and I try to stay off the super slabs as much as possible, so the normal saddle time is usually 12 hours plus.  What I did say is that there are far more days of 200 miles than there are days of 700 miles, so that Russell is not an everyday advantage. So far the seat is as advertised. 

As Raymond says, the seat is a very personal and subjective item on the bike. If you don't believe that, read the forums. For every guy that swears by a Corbin, two swear against it, and likewise with all the other brands. Is a Russell better, probably. But for ten times the cost of the Spencer Mods, it damn well better be. 

My purpose was not to compare the seat to others, I simply wanted to report MY findings and opinions on it as a low cost alternative. Some of you guys spend megabucks on your Valks, and that's great if you can afford it. I did that with my Harley, and swore not to do it with this bike. With the economy as it is, I am sure that there are a lot of guys out there looking to do something good for their ride without having to put a second mortagage on the house.