Ultimate Seats

[Hedgehog]

Has anyone got any experience of these? I'm considering one. ???

I'm a bit concerned about the lack of waterproofness and also the change in ride height (one model lower, others higher, whereas I'm happy with the seat where it is).

Can a waterproof membrane be added?


Thanks

HH

[Garland]

They sell a waterproof cover you can use. I have had three different Ultimate seats and have not had any problems with water intrusion yet without covers and I have ridden in all types of rain.

[bm51]

I picked up a four pcs set of big boy seats for my 98 valk. They do sit you a bit higher then the corbon I had before but I think move you back a bit. I like the feel and look. From what I can gather you either love them or hate them. I have had them for about one year and just the other day found out I did not have the back clip in gauged properly.   Had a lot of wiggle and was thinking about getting something different until someone on this forum pointed out my problem. Feels fine now. Its a lot on money but Des use to offer a return policy and maybe can find someone in your area that would let you sit on a set before you take the plunge
If you get the vinyl seat as oppose to leather they will stand up better to the weather. I also think des sells rain covers for them.
For what it is worth I like them.  

[Quicksilver]

I've had mine a year now, purchased after, a 10 day ride last year where I found the last couple of days I couldn't ride more than an hour before having to stop, using a 2000 seat. This year I did a similar trip, 8 hours a day in the saddle and had no issues at all, really enjoyed the ride, still needed breaks but could wait for the 2 hours between fill-ups. I would highly reccomend the Uiltmate seat. I'm just 5' 11" and the Bigboy allow me to put my feet flat. Any higher though and I'd have a problem, you do sink into it some though after riding for a bit. If anything I find the seating position is more forward than the stock 2000, perhaps it's the additional support at the back of the seat. I use it with a Utopia backrest.

[Hedgehog]

All helpful stuff, and thanks for that.


I know about the rain covers, but over here the weather changes so fast it wouldn't be a practical solution; blazing sunshine in the morning and rain at any time throughout the day, any season of the year) (and they do look very ugly).

On the other hand if the seats are OK for a brief shower then that's OK... sounds like they are (Vinyl version)....?

I do like the look, very much.
 

HH

[Hef]

I've had the Ultimate Big Boy and Passenger seat for about 4 years now and love them. The rain covers are a pain but I wouldn't be in the rain without them as I have heard stories that once the Ultimate gets wet they take forever to dry out and never the same afterward. It's a very comfortable ride.

[Jess from VA]

My ulltimates have been wet many times, including washes, and have never sucked up any water.

They have not sat out in any all-day rains though.

[BIG--T]

Yes the covers can be a pain but on a trip I always take them with me. I use mink oil or saddle soap on mine that protects them from rain and rays. 

[KW]

You know I've never understood the 'can't get-em  wet' thing. My Ultimate is 8 or 9 years old. I honestly can't remember the year I picked it up. It was 2002; I think. Des just had a little tent awning at Daytona the year I got mine. I've NEVER had a single issue with the seat being soaked through or a problem from 'rain' in any way, shape or form. I don't ride in the rain a whole lot, but have been caught - like all of you - in a major rain storm a few dozen times. I also wash my bike more than most and have never worried about getting the seat wet. It just isn't an issue. Having said that; over the last few years this 'issue' seems to come up every once in a while. Maybe the material or stitching has changed? I don't know, but I'm guessing this is more of a "what I heard" thing because mine really has been perfect - as far as rain/water goes. Although after 8+ years I have one small  scuff mark on the passenger backrest WHERE MY BRIDE KEEPS HITTING IT WITH HER BOOT WHEN SHE GETS ON THE BIKE!!!!!!!! (what do you do? LOL)

[Jack]

I am on my second set.  Wore the first out in 8 yrs.  Never had a problem with water although the colored thread does fade over time.

[popsix]

No experience with them yet but I've got a Big Boy set ordered - should be here tomorrow, and I'll give you my initial impressions afterward. Unless I'm mistaken leather is no longer available... vinyl only. I was also considering a Mustang but one of the big factors was that the Ultimate passenger seat is advertised as a full 16" wide for the Valkyrie Standard/Tourer. "Herself" got all excited about that for some reason  , so that pretty much sealed the deal. 

[RainMaker]

There really is no correct answer as to which seat is best.  It's up to your own backside to make the call.

I've had an ultimate big boy for 8 years and it looks like new.  Completed an iron butt with it in July, 23 hours riding and my butt lived to tell about it.  I couldn't make it more than 200 miles with the standard seat.  It just was so uncomfortable.

I don't think they make leather seats anymore, but the vinyl is top notch and that's the way I went even though I had the option.

Never had a problem with water on the seats but I do cover them when the bike is out overnight.  Never know when it might rain on you.  Takes maybe a minute to put them on, less to take them off.  Keep 'em in the saddle bag when not in use. My valk is garaged.

I'd recommend you find someone with the Ultimate seats and "try them on".  I also believe that whatever seat is recommended for you, get the next size up.  If your height indicates a lowboy, get a big boy.  If big boy, get the king boy.  But still best to sit on one first.

There are also Mustang Seats (too firm for me), Corbin Seats (too thin for me) and Russel Day-Long seats (too expensive for me).  Supposedly, the Russell Day-Long is the best because it's custom built for your butt and riding style.  But I've never been on one and even if I did, it wouldn't have been designed for me.

[Chrisj CMA]

I have the lowrider from Ultimate.  Had it 7 years now and its great.  I do take the covers with me (keep on the bike) so if she has to set in a heavy rain, Ill put them on.  I have rode planty in rain wiothout the covers and as has been said NO ISSUES.  Seats are great

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

My son and I put in a couple 900 mile days on our valks with ultimate seats last year and rode a total of 5000 miles in 9 days. We never had to stop because we were uncomfortable, just because we were tired.

I had my rain cover or sheepskin on most of the time. He used a sheepskin or bare seat and the valks sat out uncovered every night with the sheepskins removed of course.

[medic263]

I have an Ultimate Big Boy.  I really recommend trying it out on your bike before you buy it.  I sat on one at a display for a while, he even put it on an interstate for me to make sure I can reach the ground.  I have a tourer and discovered the tilt of the seat is a little different than the one on display.  At first it did not bother me but now wish I sat more upright than tilted.  My husband is not comfortable on the seat as it "crowds..." 
As for the rain, I have not had an issue.  I keep my rain cover in the saddle bag and put it on if I put on my rain suit. 

[thumper]

Good product and good people.  They back up what they sell.

[highcountry]

I have had all three sizes from the lowrider to now, the king.  I found the lowrider to be too low and crowds the boys.  The big boy was more comfortable but the front tilts up and "crowds".  The king is a couple of inches longer and flatter, and for me, is the most comfortable of the three.  The king offers more options to move around while riding.  I have had backrests on all three seats.  My Valk has driver floorboards and with the higher seat, I have no problem with reaching the ground and I only have a 30" inseam.  I have an Ultimate passenger seat/backrest also, and wife and daughter love them.  Highly recommended.

[Hedgehog]

That's all good advice 

Many Thanks.

Now got to save up...

[PinHead2112]

I have one on the Valk I purchased,  I love the seat when I had a 'warrenty issue' the customer service was 10 out of 10.   Pretty rare these days and it was on a '2nd hand seat' (I wasnt the original purchaser).
CraigM

[popsix]

Package came today just as predicted. Initial reactions (as promised) to the Bigboy setup:  thick, wide and expertly assembled. Everything fit perfectly - no trying to to make something fit that initially wouldn't. Foam appears to be of a medium/firm density like I prefer, not super firm like a Corbin or Mustang (both of which I've owned on other bikes) nor too soft like the OEM. Sitting position seems the same except a touch higher than my '97 OEM saddle, but I was hoping for that. The reach to the ground is fine for me (6'1"/220lbs). The passenger seat is spacious. It's rained on and off here all day, but we're supposed to have better weather later this week. I'm anxious for a trial run.

[R J]

I bought my seat off of Des back when he was still pulling his trailer behind a pickup.   Very early in his starting of the business.

He made me a Leather set, I managed to royally screw up the drivers seat, don't bother asking, and Des replaced it with a Vinyl.   We didn't change out the passenger, so it is currently a Vinyl driver, leather passenger, leather passenger backrest..

There has to be over 200K miles on the seat, NO COVER, and no water problems.

I sprayed all the stiching with Camp Dry, I think it is called.   I have a can in the saddle bag and currently it is in it's temporary home, buried in the back of the garage.    On long trips I always use a sheepskin I made from a hospital sheet.   I just throw it over and let it flap if it so desires.

Here is MGM set up for lng trips, only NO trailer anymore.

[Hedgehog]

Thanks RJ, I was thinking along the lines of waterproofing the stitching in a similar way to what you did.


Now I just need to win the lottery (after all I need the saddlebags, lots of chrome, the seats, blah, blah..)


Can't wait till she's back from the dealer (still waiting for a new brake caliper).

Only been out on it once since I got it, but boy, have I got PLANS...!