What's the difference between the new and old seats

[Dale_K]

I have a 98 standard and I'm uncomfortable on the seat.  It looks cosmetically perfect if maybe a little soft like the foam could just be old.

Somewhere I remember reading that new replacement Honda seats are not too expensive and there are two different part numbers based on the year of the bike.  It sounded like the newer style seat is thought to be more comfortable. 

What is the difference and are they interchangeable?  Should I try the newer seat on my 98?

[hubcapsc]

The newer seats aren't just a blob of foam, they have a shape... they're
cheap new, they interchange. I know for sure how awful an original seat
is, the newer seats look (and surely are) much better.

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’ve not used the older style seats, but I’m sure they are worse than the newer style. But even the new style would have me hurting after a couple 400 mile days. It made the prospect of a 2k trip not very appealing. Best money I ever spent on a bike was a Russell. 

[Bighead]

And probably the worst looking choice you made on it too......just sayin.

[Bone]

Here is the difference in looks on my 98 Tourer. The ride is very different.
Price in 2013 was $93.75 from Direct Line

[Jims99]

Had a mustang seat on previous bike, ultimate on this Valk. Love them both.

[The emperor has no clothes]

And probably the worst looking choice you made on it too......just sayin.

Thanks  
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (I be a holdin) 

[Dale_K]

The side-by-side picture is very helpful.  Going to order a new style.

Thanks.

[MarkT]

In my experience all seats are better than the 98 OEM.  My butt cried for relief on that miserable seat in a half hour at most.  Awful.  I have had, and list here in order of comfort, worst to best, these:  
OEM '98
OEM '00
Corbin Gunfighter
Ultimate Big Boy
Mustang
Rood Saddle Mod
Russell Daylong

All of these seats required break-in before they arrived at their comfort level.  Except the OEMs.  They were hopeless.  Break-in time varies - might be months.  If you are evaluating and want to do so at minimal cost, it would be best if you could swap seats with friends and do at least a 5 hour ride on each one.  In a perfect world.  At least it's easy to do that - no mods needed to change seats they all click into place the same.

Butts & seats are very personal.  My list is what my butt says.  Your mileage will probably vary.  Except on the Russell being the best.  Have not heard anyone report bad on it if it was made for them.

As far as looks - the Ultimate may be best.  Then the Corbin.  Mustang, Rood and Russell maybe tied.  Of course this is opinion and to me, what I like matters most to me - don't much care what others think.  And I don't much care what it looks like if it makes my butt happy.  Nothing like an Iron Butt ride sans butt pain.  And I've done a lot of 1150 mile rides in one day - though only one certified. Between Franktown CO & Racine WI. Painful on all seats except the Russell.

I still have on my 4 Valks, a Corbin (George), Mustang (Marty), Ultimate (Deerslayer), and Russell (Jade).

The only good thing about the '98 OEM is it can be the base for the Russell (or the Rood).  They build your seat on the seat pan you send them.

http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Rood_Saddle_Mod/rood_saddle_mod.html

https://day-long.com/

Russell:




Just to be complete, here's shots of my other seats:

Rood:




Mustang:




Ultimate:




Corbin:

[Fla. Jim]

I bought a new model seat for my 97 and did the "Pan Cut" which was quite popular a few years back. It solved the new seats pressure point on the boys! All in all the new model seat was a world of improvement.

[hueco]

The newer seat will sit you higher and more  forward. It is more firm. I think it looks better.

[Dale_K]

Finally got a chance to ride the bike with the new style seat.  It's a lot firmer (almost hard actually) and I sit noticeably higher.  It's worth the $97.  Kind of feels like I'm riding a cop bike.  Sitting up straighter and with a better posture. 

[Valk-Obsessed]

Just curious, where one finds the $97 "new" seat? 
Thanks!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just curious, where one finds the $97 "new" seat? 
Thanks!

try this :

https://partstream.arinet.com/Mobile/x_OMnbTYWJtVesN0wBcIaGJMGLT13zvmqh3gxNtEQiqwzu9Q7B4sIG7OxZ5J_Z70jHyDOVuoJB_gO8pSijgISsqVq4pE3mABA38nRUv_q2Nn5pp0q_DeEgRzl5FQsarn7MX4eHyz5zE_N7ftlQxvm4HL2SK3lltnnGDmUwixZmY1.html#/Mobile/YlO5NfdfogJNVJJOntrg3C7jvjtwdXPlgqsWwewPongdzjbTvFoNsADG9-AihKCFzxPcHWFQm-kkbkcX_yD8kFD2pQYmP39Q7i6PLkwS0EA1.html

[Dale_K]

I got mine from Partzilla.

[Valk-Obsessed]

Thanks for the tips...Looks like there are no "cheap seats" for the I/S.  Food for thought though if I decide to go Super Valk style.

[Valkyrja]

Thanks for the tips...Looks like there are no "cheap seats" for the I/S.  Food for thought though if I decide to go Super Valk style.

I removed the trunk on my 'new' Valk last month. I ordered from partzilla, but it looked like all of the parts sites have visibility into the same Honda parts system. They told me that there was only one of this model in the Honda system, and that this seat was in Japan. It was delayed a few days due to having to be shipped from Japan, but I did get it, and it was cheap, surprisingly cheap. Below is from the actual order.
77200-MZ0-A80 - SEAT ASSY., MAIN
Shipped: Tuesday, January 16, 2018
   1   1   $87.89

I do not know if I got the last one and they are no longer available? I would have to figure they would eventually run out, as I cant believe Honda is still stamping parts for 20 year old bikes, but who knows. If this is the case, I would quickly try to find one at a parts dealer who has one in stock on the shelf, as once a part becomes obsolete, prices tend to soar. I also bought the taillight complete assembly which showed only a few left as well.

 I would also add that to get this seat onto the valk, you need to slightly bend up the very front of the seat and push down right behind there as you do it to get it to snap and lock into the retainer.

[Valk-Obsessed]

Good to know, Thanks!