Thanks to RDL & Hartco for making a great 5pc Valkyrie Interstate seat set

[vanavyman]

   My wife has complained for several years about the design of the Valkyrie Interstate and Goldwing Passenger backrests that they lean back making it very difficult for her to sit up straight.  This has made it harder for her to go on longer rides on our Valkyrie Interstate.  For the Goldwing several companies make thinner backrests that also allow the passenger to sit straight up.  We have one of these that was made by Diamond Custom seats and we both love this seat.
  We've been looking for someone to make a customized seat and passenger backrest for our Valkyrie Interstate for a couple of years.  I've used a slip on Wedge, made by Mustang, over the Valkyrie Stock Passenger Backrest that has helped some.  After research, we were down to 2 companies to make the seat.  Russell Day Long and Diamond Custom / Hartco Seats (Both companies are owned/made by the same guy with the same materials).  We ended up picking Hartco Seats to make the seat since they were almost half the cost and we were so happy with the Diamond Custom on the Wing – Valkyrie Interstate 4pc set cost approximately $670 delivered.  They use their own molds, so sending in a stock seat is not required.  He built up the passenger seat 4 inches taller so my co-rider can see over my tall frame (she can't backseat drive unless she can see) and they made my seat extra wide and moved back 2".  These seats turned out great.  Black Leather with small diamonds.  But they no longer make a Customized Passenger Backrest.  He will provide a leather cover for the stock one.  We passed on that.
  We called RDL back and discussed getting just a Customized Passenger Backrest made.  They were willing to take my stock one and rebuild it to be straightened up so she is not leaning back and they added 4 inches in height to the top.  Making her passenger seat taller, put the top of the backrest lower on her back so the backrest needed to be made taller.  They were great to work with.  It came in yesterday and looks great matching the back leather and diamonds and fits my co-rider great.  It cost a little more than I wanted, but it was worth it.  $245 delivered.  So we ended up with approximately $900 in our 5 piece new seat set.  I've attached a few pictures.  We highly recommend both companies.  We will be at InZane if anyone wants to see the new seat.
Dan & Trish

[big poppa pump]

That looks great. Your wife can now take a nap while you ride!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I didn't know they are owned by the same guy. I also felt RDL was a pleasure to work with.  

[Serk]

My Hartco is the 2nd ugliest thing I did to my bike, and the LAST thing I'd give up... 100,000+ miles on mine and still love it.

[Valkorado]

Have a Hartco on the Bullet.  It's one mighty comfortable seat!

[vanavyman]

I did not know they were owned by the same guy until Trish told me.  She is the Vendor Coordinator for Virginia in our GWRRA district so she talks to a lot of vendors.  One day she called both and talked to the same guy.  It was kind of funny.  Great guy and he does great work.  Lots of guys love their RDL seats on the Valkyrie.  Besides being more money I was concerned I might not weigh enough to add the springs and too much without them to get the most out of the seat.  Little concerned it might be too hard.  I've been bouncing between 250-270lbs the last couple of years. Few years ago when I weighed 315 the RDL would of been an obvious choice.

Dan

[J.Mencalice]

Appears to be beautiful, handcrafted work.  The "author" needs to be commended and told of his quality craftsmanship.

[Mr Whiskey]

First time I talked to Mark he said "you're from Tennessee, aint cha?"
They started out in Sevierville, Tn.

Slick lookin' set up ya got there Bro

[vanagon40]

I really like my Diamond/Hartco as well. The company does not seem to get a lot of love with Valkyrie riders (maybe more with Goldwing riders?).



(Rear seat is NOT a Diamond/Hartco--custom made by an amateur.)