Custom seats - So much pain, so much money...

[jpiterow]

I would like to share with you my experience with a custom Valkyrie seat manufacturer. It is just year long nightmare. If you are interested - read on....
I was researching different custom seat builders for quite some time. Buying and trying seats from eBay to find out it that will be the one. After some time a it come to my mind that probably most expensive builder with longest guarantee will be able to help me. I was so much mistaken it is not even funny. The vendor I picked (will not mention yet - need yours opinion first), is not building seat pans, or has big choice of material selection, heck they use stock pan and stock foam. Dwindle with it a little and sell you a resurfaced seat for over $1000! I was thinking so much money must go to afterwords seat adjustment - good that is what I need. So I started ordering process and paying the money. It is such recommended company - I cannot go wrong! If you want to read all the emails between me and the company click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LcbqrXjrCwg2xiNq4R8lPyHl5zyw5o-GJ-qbVFf2ecQ/edit?usp=sharing. Let me know if you need pictures I will send them via PDF. Those are just copy paste emails. I have removed names and all info which could be discriminating the company or a person in it.
Bottom line I finish with this: "...this what he [builder] did i is nothing what I asked. And that guarantee of yours is just a paper. I have send drawings, descriptions, pictures. Nothing help. Seat come back the same way it was sent. I will then ask my Valkyrie forum guys to judge if I did anything wrong for you. Maybe they will see that more objective. I hope for your own sake you will cc owner of the company on our conversation. From my point of view he will not be happy form the way things turned."
Guys let me know was I wrong? What I shall do? It is hard to let go $1000 plus for recovered seat... It is not even good seat leather. Shall I let go? It will be probably good story for potential customers of this company, but I need your opinion first. Are those guys ripping bikers off or it is all me being unreasonable?

[Bighead]

Well who was it?

[R J]

I could care less who it was, but is there anything in WRITING?

If not, you are a screwed goose.

You should have gone with an Ultimate.      I have one with over 200K on it and it is holding up just fine.

[pancho]

Sometimes we just need to move on,, you may be beating a dead horse trying to get satisfaction from them, and that doesn't do anything except get you tired.

[BonS]

It's has to be Russell.

[Momz]

I've had my [/S seat reshaped and re-upholstered by Sargent Seats and they were more than happy to make the seat to fit my needs.

Sargent has made several seats for me and I can attest to their professionalism, quality, and customer service. Yet I realize that every rider has unique physical attributes and frailties and the upholsterer must be made aware of these issues.

I had Corbin seats on my 98 and changed to a Saddlemen.

I have tried several Ultimate seats and initially they were comfortable, however I couldn't move after about a half hour of saddle time. This may be contrary to many of the Ultimate owners.

Russell Day Long Seats are also a popular choice, but having no experience with them, I cannot comment on them.

Having three Valkyries, I have experimented with "seat to peg configurations" and seat height issues. Moving your pegs downward may solve your hip issues (see Mark T's Peg Relocators). Also comparing seats from another M/C brands (Victory) may not apply to your bike. But what works for me, may not work for you.

[indybobm]

First of all, I am not taking sides on this. It does seem that both sides made an effort to resolve the problem but it did not work out. Having a custom seat made to meet particular needs using photos and emails could be a very difficult thing to accomplish.
Is there any way you could go to the seat maker and be measured and fitted there? I think you would have a better chance of success.
Maybe you can take your current uncomfortable seat to someone locally that can redo it to fit your needs. The right upholstery shop could do this.

[Bagger John - #3785]

About the only saddle I haven't tried on my Valkyries is a Day-Long. On my Tourer at the moment is the King Boy ensemble from my first Interstate, and on my current I/S is a Corbin touring saddle/backrest combo. If I was taking a very long trip on the I/S I might swap the Corbin out for something different but for general use it's hard to beat. Super-long rides on my Tourer see me favoring either the King Boy or my Mustang combo. For day tripping, I like the Big Boy ensemble on either the I/S or the Tourer.

There's also a Gunfighter and a Saddlemen Solo kicking around for Bike Night duty and I may get around to doing something with the stock Honda seats one of these days.

The only gripe I have about my Ultimates is the choice of foam: These tend to break down over the course of a day. I'll eventually have a slightly firmer core added to them, but otherwise the shape and rider placement is very good.

Given that all backsides are different, YMMV. I enjoy having choices available.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

It sounds like both sides tried to get to a resolution. There is only so much sculpting that can be done to the foam and sounds like the seat pan prevented them from getting what you wanted. Trying not to take sides here but you feel you were paying much for them to work with you and they seem to have attempted that. At what point do you feel they should stop if what is being asked is not possible for them and they are taking a loss at continued attempts to please. Both sides were continuing to invest shipping and they continued to invest labor etc. Seems they did all they could to me but we don't have all the pics and conversation is broken and emails seem to be out of order for me to follow. I bet they are just as disappointed as you are.........

[98valk]

stock seat with http://www.buttbuffer.com/products/  installed under stock cover with a lambskin seat cover. has worked for me

[jpiterow]

Thank you all!
So here are some photos: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3AJCTc47b4QT1p3U25QSzNuelk/view?usp=sharing
This time I figured out how to add pictures
Bottom line is: Money are gone, work was, well sort-of done, I have to buy another seat.
The biggest pain is that awesome guarantee which turn out to be just a false claim to get customers trust. That is kind of biggest sting. They will not go over the line to help customer in need. Strict business folks nothing personal.
PS: I LOVE this bike it the best bike I ever did ride. And has awesome style which no other can replicate (sorry bros - Valkyrie 2014 owners). I have strange satisfaction just looking at it, but if I will have to suffer on it what kind of sense it all makes?

Bighead - I will send you the email, OK?

RJ - I have that in writing, I do not think it will help. 8 months are really gone. And rest of that, I am afraid it will make things even worse. Like putting a nail inside the seat  really I am that paranoid...

pancho - .... you are right, I am tired...

BonS - I will send you the email, OK?

Momz - You are frequent customer Sargent Seats. Are you sure that the work they do is not kind of related to that fact? I will try them, but I need to let them know that this may be tough job. Once I get some cash. Pegs? hmmm... I need to do more research.

indybobm - Well, you are maybe right, but that is a company, and I am a small joe with empty pockets and dream of having perfect bike. My loss is disproportional to theirs. Beside that if someone has a company taking internet order it must have some plan on the cases like my. But noted. It may be a valid point. Have to think more on this.

Bagger John - #3785 - Having a multiple seats it is some idea. On our bike is so easy to switch the seats. It is easier then to change shoes. I may try that at some point. Not now - kids in college.

KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood) - Hmmm... Dave, you are probably the biggest reason why I worked hard to get the pictures. Please take a look. Let me know what you think. I will agree with you if seat will come different, but it is kind of hard to believe that anything was done except wait for guarantee to expire... ouch... I am getting off, sorry.

CA - Thanks. Interesting solution. Not to be negative but firmness or softness of the seat will not help if the position on the bike makes hurts inside my body. But once I get over that, I may need this. Big thanks CA

So looks like you guys think I shall give up on them?

[gordonv]

First of all, I am not taking sides on this. It does seem that both sides made an effort to resolve the problem but it did not work out. Having a custom seat made to meet particular needs using photos and emails could be a very difficult thing to accomplish.
Is there any way you could go to the seat maker and be measured and fitted there? I think you would have a better chance of success.
Maybe you can take your current uncomfortable seat to someone locally that can redo it to fit your needs. The right upholstery shop could do this.

I don't know where you are, know where the company is you where dealing with. But I don't see how you can get a custom seat if all you've done is send measurements/pictures (I didn't read the emails).

I would say couldn't you take the bike/seat to them to be fitted properly? I know there is a local guy in the PNW in Seattle (Rickey's?) who have you come by with the bike and seat on it, and over the day makes it for you.

[jpiterow]

First of all, I am not taking sides on this. It does seem that both sides made an effort to resolve the problem but it did not work out. Having a custom seat made to meet particular needs using photos and emails could be a very difficult thing to accomplish.
Is there any way you could go to the seat maker and be measured and fitted there? I think you would have a better chance of success.
Maybe you can take your current uncomfortable seat to someone locally that can redo it to fit your needs. The right upholstery shop could do this.

I don't know where you are, know where the company is you where dealing with. But I don't see how you can get a custom seat if all you've done is send measurements/pictures (I didn't read the emails).

I would say couldn't you take the bike/seat to them to be fitted properly? I know there is a local guy in the PNW in Seattle (Rickey's?) who have you come by with the bike and seat on it, and over the day makes it for you.

gordonv - thanks, you may be correct. Did anybody have ordered a seat using the internet and is happy with how it come? I am in New Jersey. When I was once at the Americade (Lake George NY) I saw Corbin there. I did order from him seat for my old VN750 - looks awesome, but let me tell you - I need buns of steel to ride it. Just awesome workmanship and quality. I also try once Corbin for Valkyrie from the eBay, but my bottom told me - "you are not riding that for long trips, period". That was confirmation of my previous experience. Also they told me that they are not able to make it fit much. But point taken, I will search other manufacturers there. Lets see what they will tel me - good point. Thanks! I always can put this one on eBay and hope it will fit somebody. I admit better than stock, but that is a slight improvement for the money spend.

[Momz]

Yes, I ordered my I/S seat through the internet, but I was specific as to what I wanted and I was asked about my weight, inseam and as to what I did not like about my seat. I included pictures of me sitting on the stock seat and areas of pressure on my backside.
Sargent was very specific as to what they could and could not do.


Mark T's Horseapple Ranch (VRCC vendor) has the peg relocators. The peg relocators lower the pegs one inch and you have the option of putting your pegs further forward. I have hip and knee issues and this helps to relieve the pressure on those joints. Two of my three Valkyries have peg relocators while my 98 has FX6 angled floorboards. (FX6 is also a VRCC vendor that custom makes accessories to suit)

[carnett2]

I ordered a seat from a place called DIAMOND CUSTOM SEATS, just got done with a trip from Ohio to Deals Gap in Tennesee.  Couple thousand miles later and one happy, happy butt!  I had a factory seat-horrible, and a Mustang-not bad but slid forward at every stop.  This new seat is A-MAZ-ING!!!

[MarkT]

Another option - you can modify a stock seat, partly by yourself and partly help from a local upholstery shop.  Advantage, YOU make it fit yourself, it stays local, and saves you money.  I hooked up with a doctor years ago and he explained why seats fit or cause butt-burn.  His theories seemed sound to me so I did what he recommended to modify my horrible stock seat.  Removed the cover, sculpted the foam as he described, got a polymer pad from online, and had a automotive upholstery shop recover it.  It was a WONDERFUL seat for me.  But later, the wife wanted a good back seat too, and I was marketing director for the VOA club, so I was positioned to get a 4-piece Mustang set for half price - so I sold my custom seat which paid for the new Mustang.  Too bad.  I've never had a seat since, as nice as my "Rood Saddle Mod".  I wrote it up on my tech tips pages, here:  http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Rood_Saddle_Mod/rood_saddle_mod.html

BTW, in regard to a properly shaped seat being more important than it being soft - I have a metal farm tractor seat on my garden tractor.  You know what they look like.  I can sit on that seat ALL DAY. 


Here's a pic of that seat.  BTW, IIRC, my cost was maybe $130 on it.

[Farther]

Looks like you have some relief for the prostate and perhaps the boys.