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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Well, this really sucks.....
I love my new Vision. One of the big reasons I bought it was so that my wife would be more willing to ride more often than when we had the Kingpin and other smaller bikes. We did a quick test ride a long time ago and she didn't have any complaints then.
Today was the first day we were able to get out for an actual ride since bringing the bike home. After about 30 minutes, she wanted to go back home.
She really disliked it. Surprisingly, she said that the homemade seatpan and seat I made for the Kingpin was far more comfortable.
Her specifice issues are:
The seat forces her into a slouched position, forcing her hips towards the front of the bike. She feels like she is always slipping forward. This caused her to bump her you know what into the passenger backrest support a couple of times. Even after pulling the backrest out, she was still very uncomfortable. She was not having a good time. Of course, if she's not having a good time, then I'm not either!
She's about 5'4" and 115lbs but to her, the back seat feels extremely cramped and restrictive. She said that the Ultras we've rented in the past are far more comfortable for her.
I put blocks of wood on the floor boards to see if that would help, but they really didn't do anything except have her slouching with her knees a little higher.
So......I'm really disappointed, and am looking for options. I saw on this board that there are at least a couple others out there with similar issues, I'm wondering if any of you have come up with any solutions that worked.
Oh, by the way......I appreciate humor as much as the next guy but she's put up with my BS for over 27 years and she's a keeper. I love the Vision, but I'd rather have her on the back with me even if it's on an Ultra or Wing, if thats what it needs to be. I just like the Vision so much more. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | I was just in San Antonio and met up with RadioTeacher, great guy, you need to meet him if you haven't already.
As far as the seat goes, it's called customizing. Take some time and find a local motorcycle seat guy that will cut and pad and restitch the seat for her. Once that is done she'll be a happy, happy gal, and you will keep the Vision. I think it would cost a whole lot less to fix the seat then to get another motorcycle. By the way, I recommend leather, it wears better and is more comfortable than the vinyl, just a little more upkeep to make it last, but worth it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 102
Cedar, Michigan | Get an AirHawk Roho, my wife said the same exact things. Put the AirHawk on and Viola', no issues.
Edited by Mattchristiani 2011-07-31 10:48 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Cap'n Nemo - 2011-07-31 10:34 PM
I was just in San Antonio and met up with RadioTeacher, great guy, you need to meet him if you haven't already.
As far as the seat goes, it's called customizing. Take some time and find a local motorcycle seat guy that will cut and pad and restitch the seat for her. Once that is done she'll be a happy, happy gal, and you will keep the Vision. I think it would cost a whole lot less to fix the seat then to get another motorcycle. By the way, I recommend leather, it wears better and is more comfortable than the vinyl, just a little more upkeep to make it last, but worth it.
Yep, I've seen many of his posts and we've exchanged a couple of PMs. Planning on getting in a ride with him in the near future and I'm looking forward to it.
I agree, I'd much rather restructure the seat, than get a new bike. I'm just not sure exactly what needs to be changed. I think it's probably the big lip at the back that is causing the problems, and if that's it, it would probably be a fairly simple fix for a competent upholstery shop. I'm just trying to get a feel for what others with the same or similar problem have already done, and with what level of success. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 74
shakopee , Mn | My wife had same complaint, had local upolstery shop slice the raised welt on the back of the seat level with rest . Been 25,000 happy miles since then. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Mattchristiani - 2011-07-31 10:48 PM
Get an AirHawk Roho, my wife said the same exact things. Put the AirHawk on and Viola', no issues.
Thanks for the suggestion Matt. It may be something I'll try.
I hadn't considered a pad, and would rather avoid having to strap things on just to get her to ride. I'm probably going to do some sort of permanent modification of some sort. I made a passenger seat from scratch for the Kingpin and it turned out pretty darned good if I may say so myself! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 13
| Find a good upholstery guy, I said good, not average, that knows his stuff. He should be able to redo the seat. A guy I ride with had his H-D seat redone as he has short legs. Took two tries at it but he is very happy with the results. The upholstery guy was a lot cheaper than buying a custom seat from H-D. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | vicguy - 2011-07-31 11:09 PM
My wife had same complaint, had local upolstery shop slice the raised welt on the back of the seat level with rest . Been 25,000 happy miles since then.
Hey Lee, thanks for the input.
That's sort of what I'm thinking the problem is. That raised portion seems to force the passenger forward and away from the backrest and puts her in a pretty awkward, uncomfortable position.
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | digger1 - 2011-07-31 11:19 PM
Find a good upholstery guy, I said good, not average, that knows his stuff. He should be able to redo the seat. A guy I ride with had his H-D seat redone as he has short legs. Took two tries at it but he is very happy with the results. The upholstery guy was a lot cheaper than buying a custom seat from H-D.
Thanks Digger, and that's the trick.......finding a good one that can do more than just stitch a new cover! It would be nice if I could find a good local guy that has experience in custom fitting bike seats.
Anyone have any recomendations for the San Antonio area? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | My wife has the same issue and it is the lip on the back on the seat...it needs to go.
Looking forward to riding with you. Man it sure was HOT this weekend. I worked in the backyard and thought that I would need an IV to stay hydrated. The shaded thermometer on the porch read 102.
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2011-07-31 11:35 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | radioteacher - 2011-07-31 11:32 PM
My wife has the same issue and it is the lip on the back on the seat...it needs to go.
Looking forward to riding with you. Man it sure was HOT this weekend. I worked in the backyard and thought that I would need an IV to stay hydrated. The shaded thermometer on the porch read 102.
Ride Safe
Awww, it wasn't THAT hot this weekend. I had to use the stove to fry my eggs!
Any idea who might be able to modify the seat locally? I really need to do something......or else!
As soon as I can get it fixed, we'll need to head on out to the Three Sisters.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 669
Peachtree City, GA | The issues as others have stated is the lip on the back of the seat. I found that the Victory leather seat (the one with one backrest) is completely flat on the seat portion and it solution our problem of the seat causing a slouched position. It is not cheap but it worked for us.
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Do you have the extensions to raise the passenger floorboard height? |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | Webhair - 2011-08-01 4:01 AM
The issues as others have stated is the lip on the back of the seat. I found that the Victory leather seat (the one with one backrest) is completely flat on the seat portion and it solution our problem of the seat causing a slouched position. It is not cheap but it worked for us.
Interesting. I was looking at one of those on ebay last night. The description said it would only fit the 2011 models without ABS? I thought all the 2011s had ABS, and I don't know what the difference would be anyway. Hmmm.
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | K2V2 - 2011-08-01 6:01 AM
Do you have the extensions to raise the passenger floorboard height?
No, but I will probably get them. I put blocks of wood on the floorboards temporarily, just to see if it helped. It didn't solve the problem, but once I shave the lip off of the back of the seat, she may find it more comfortable if the boards are a little higher.
Thanks. |
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Tourer
Posts: 494
Akron Ohio area | The Ness and 8 Ball Visions in 2011 didn't have ABS. (I think) |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Come on! Do you mean to tell me that in a city and larger metro area the size of San Antone you can't find a really good, competent custom seat or hot rod interior guy?
It seems that lots of your wife's issues do revolve around the rear bolster part of the cushion tilting her forward (it's sort of like the old trick for interviews where the chair you sit on has all four legs the same length so you cannot get comfortable). If the rear part of the seat cushion were 'scooped out' a bit so she sat down and back I think her opinion would change. Ask her to try sitting on the seat with a small, thin cushion under her thighs to see if she feels more 'planted' (even a folded towel would work) When I've had custom, shaped to my fanny seats built, I make sure that I'm sitting 'back and down' so the seat cradles me. I also make sure I get the biggest, thickest gel pad installed so my butt doesn't take a nap after a couple of hours. For really hot days you might also try a removable sheepskin seat cover to improve cooling air flow over solid vinyl or leather. Also play around with the back cushion angles and support as lower back discomfort is an issue after just a very short time, and if the boss ain't happy, you won't be happy either! |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| I'm taking you have the tour pack on. So maybe a back rest might allow her to lean back more. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Nope, mines a street custom so I've got the backrest, you might look @ seeing if the trunk culd be relocated a few inches to the rear on extenders. Had a gal friend sit with me on a tour when I was looking @ bikes and she wasn't overly impressed with the as she put it 'upholstered hole' and the lack of 'wiggle' room and she stood about 5'4" and weighed about 125 lbs. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 152
Litchfield Park, AZ | Russell Day long saddle...(just google it)...This guy has done several Vision seats and from what I have seen he understands how to fix your seat better than anyone I've ever seen. You actually let him know what your concerns are, then take pictures of you and your wife in typical riding positions, and then he builds the seat. I have never heard of anyone getting one of his seats and not liking it due to comfort or quality.
Either that or try someone local, but this guy would be the one and only place I would start if I was in your shoes.
Edited by phoenix9 2011-08-01 7:38 PM
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | SYNSTR - 2011-08-01 11:43 AM
Come on! Do you mean to tell me that in a city and larger metro area the size of San Antone you can't find a really good, competent custom seat or hot rod interior guy?
It seems that lots of your wife's issues do revolve around the rear bolster part of the cushion tilting her forward (it's sort of like the old trick for interviews where the chair you sit on has all four legs the same length so you cannot get comfortable). If the rear part of the seat cushion were 'scooped out' a bit so she sat down and back I think her opinion would change. Ask her to try sitting on the seat with a small, thin cushion under her thighs to see if she feels more 'planted' (even a folded towel would work) When I've had custom, shaped to my fanny seats built, I make sure that I'm sitting 'back and down' so the seat cradles me. I also make sure I get the biggest, thickest gel pad installed so my butt doesn't take a nap after a couple of hours. For really hot days you might also try a removable sheepskin seat cover to improve cooling air flow over solid vinyl or leather. Also play around with the back cushion angles and support as lower back discomfort is an issue after just a very short time, and if the boss ain't happy, you won't be happy either!
Oh, I'm sure there are some good upholstery people here in San Antonio, I've just never needed one. I just got the thing a little over a week ago and rode it back from Denver so I really haven't had any opportunity to look either.
Just before I got into Taos, I passed a place advertising sheepskin and other leather products. I pulled a U turn and picked up a nice sheepskin cover. Not really keen on the appearance, but it sure does work well for keeping my bottom cool.
Thanks for all the other usefull suggestions! I'll try them out before hitting an upholstery shop so that we have a better idea of what needs to be done. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | john frey - 2011-08-01 5:43 PM
I'm taking you have the tour pack on. So maybe a back rest might allow her to lean back more.
Yep, the tour pack is on, and it needs to stay on. She's already leaning back too much as it is anyway. |
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Tourer
Posts: 337
san antonio, tx | SYNSTR - 2011-08-01 6:16 PM
Nope, mines a street custom so I've got the backrest, you might look @ seeing if the trunk culd be relocated a few inches to the rear on extenders. Had a gal friend sit with me on a tour when I was looking @ bikes and she wasn't overly impressed with the as she put it 'upholstered hole' and the lack of 'wiggle' room and she stood about 5'4" and weighed about 125 lbs.
I'm actually thinking about doing the opposite.....Reconstructing the seat with me being pushed forward about an inch or so. I would probably have to make a new driver backrest with a 90 degree or so forward bend just as it comes out of the slot on the seat. That would reposition the backrest and adjusting mechanism forward a bit and hopefully out of her way.
Those, combined with shaving the lip off of the back of the seat and adding the floorboard relocators will hopefully do the trick. Probably have them tuck a bit of either memory foam or gel in there for her while they're at it. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Chris, I would suggest you contact Alligator Bob (yeah, the one that makes the custom seats for OCC) at his shop, Advanced Custom Design, tell him the problems your wife is having and then send him your seat. He is not cheap but definitely well worth the money! Oh, by the way, his shop just happens to be be 5 minutes from my house and I've been there many times in my Chicagoland Ride for Kids Task Force member capacities. He can reshape the passenger seat, install gel to help deal with heat and vibration issues and otherwise make your wife (and you too) a happy woman. Here is is website: http://www.alligatorbob.com/ |
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Help me keep my Vision!
