Seats....OEM, Mustang, Ultimate & Day Long

[Steve K (IA)]

I have been on a 16 year quest to find a good seat for my Interstate.  I can't ride much more than 50-60 miles before having to stop for a few minutes.  I have low back problems and my hamstring muscles tighten up causing me to take breaks. 

First got the Mustang because I needed a backrest.  (Didn't want to cut into the OEM for a Utopia.)
Wasn't happy with the Mustang.  The seams on the seat cut into the back of my legs and, under sudden braking, I would slide up on the tank.

Got an Ultimate Big Boy with backrest.  Current set-up.  The backrest is a joke.  Mine is the earliest version, square post and adjust-ability is Very limited besides the backrest pad itself is small.   

Been tossing around the idea of getting a Utopia backrest for my OEM.     Not sure that will be the answer.

When I picked up my Std in 2004, Ultimate came out with the King.  Bought one while at IZ in 2004.  The bike came with a Utopia so that is the backrest on that bike. 

When ever switching bikes, I thought the Std was a bit more comfy.  Last night I put the King and Utopia on my I/S and took a 50 mile ride.  Strange, it didn't seem to be any better than the Big Boy. Not enough to justify over $600.  for a King and backrest.

Next option would be a Day Long.  Their web site is very hard to understand, but as far as I can tell, if I send my OEM seat and they just do the driver area and not the passenger seat the cost looks comparable to a King w/ backrest.
The site is so hard to understand, I guess a call is in order.

Those of you with a Day Long, what other seats did you try?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've had OEM, Ultimate Lowrider, RDL. In my opinion the Russel is 10 times better than the OEM. And 5 times better than the Ultimate. But everybody is different, some really like the Ultimate. I would call them, they are very helpful in explaining everything. 

[wiggydotcom]

I went from the stock Interstate seat to the Ultimate Big Boy, which I sent back within a week and about 400 miles on it.
Then I went to the Russell and my search was over. Best seat by far.

You also started at the wrong end. Had you done the Russell first, your search would be over now.
The pricing can be confusing but I think they'd help you figure it out if you called them. I bought a used Interstate seat to send them and kept my original. Also, Russell has the best warranty/return policy of those mentioned.

[MP]

I've had OEM, Ultimate Lowrider, RDL. In my opinion the Russel is 10 times better than the OEM. And 5 times better than the Ultimate. But everybody is different, some really like the Ultimate. I would call them, they are very helpful in explaining everything. 

Same here.  Went from OEM, to a bike with the LowRider, to a Russell.  NEVER going back. the others would darn near cripple me.  I can do 800 mile days on the Russell.

[Steve K (IA)]

I think I will be calling Russell tomorrow.  The sooner I get this started, the sooner I get a seat.  Would be nice to have for our ride to Copper Harbor, MI.  That would cover the break in period.   

[PAVALKER]

Never had a Russel Day Long, but I can see where they might be comfy.  Not the most attractive seat on the Valkyrie or other bikes, but assume comfort rules over appearance (I think there should be a balance). 

I had a Mustang on a Valk when I got it....it didn't provide any discomfort on long rides, but I kept sliding forward in stop and go riding.  That was a PITA.  Had an Ultimate on it afterwards, and liked it. However, either my butt changed (it did get larger when I quit smoking I won't deny) or the Ultimate wore down and the twins were sitting on the tank and my butt was in pain at times. Got rid of the Ultimate and now have a new OEM 2000 Standard seat on my Interstate and love it.  Comfy and roomy....but I'm set up for solo and do have the pass seat if/when needed.  I also have a  Utopia backrest for that Solo set up but have yet to really use it.