After Market Seats

[jcardea]

I am looking for opinions on after market seats for my 2012 Wing. Try as I might I am not able to ride very long distances in stock seat. I have tried several pads, latest being AirHawk on an 3000 mile trip to Maine and back last week. I just can't seem to get past about 2 hours without a break to get off bike and walk around a few minutes. My butt and thighs get sort of num and feel like they need to do something else. I also have the ERGO III spring type highway pegs. Still not 100% what I am looking for. My friend has an Ultimate seat King size and he and wife can go literally all day and not get off bike. But I am reluctant to go by their experience because he is severely overweight for his height (325 plus at less than 6 foot). His knees and hips are very bad, so much so that he can't hardly walk and he has lot of difficulty even getting on his bike. He is even in pain while seating in his recliner and dinner table. So while he is on his bike he says he is in no pain so he just goes and goes. He rides a full tank and then fuels up while on bike and goes another full tank. Thats 450 to 500 miles and not getting off machine. I don't want that but a couple 100 miles would be née for me without getting in pain and num.
Will a new seat do it? If so what would be best choice? I am 5 foot 8, 200 pounds with 30 inch inseam and short arms, (I already have set backs on handle bars)

Please help
John Cardea

[Cruiseman]

John, I had the same problem on my 2007, not so much on my 2012. Anyway, I went with a WingSoft upgrade to my stock seat. They basically take your stock seat and replace the foam with more and denser foam. They can also remove a portion of the rider backrest to move you back 2" for tall riders (that is what I had done). You can check them out at www.bikesolutionsllc.com.

Also, they were great to work with.

[Grandpa1]

The stock seat on my 2012 Goldwing CSC Viper Trike almost crippled me when I rode it 500 miles home the day I bought it. It just didn't work for me at all.
I ended up with a Tom Simmons custom seat and now I don't even think about pain or discomfort when riding. I am 5 ft.11 inches tall and weigh 255.
It's not cheap but it sure solved my pain.
I should say too that my wife is much more comfortable because Tom lowered the passenger seat so her feet could reach the passenger floorboards.
We're happy with our choice.
Good luck!

[strotter]

I went with a Bill Meyer custom seat. Absolutely worth it!!!

[Pizza Man]

I put the Ultimate Mid Rider and also the passenger backrest on my new 06 Trike,a month after I bought it.
We can ride 500-600 mile days in comfort.

[530ktm]

John, I had the same problem on my 2007, not so much on my 2012. Anyway, I went with a WingSoft upgrade to my stock seat. They basically take your stock seat and replace the foam with more and denser foam. They can also remove a portion of the rider backrest to move you back 2" for tall riders (that is what I had done). You can check them out at www.bikesolutionsllc.com.

Also, they were great to work with.

What do they do if you have the Utopia backrest? They can not move the back section back anymore I would not think. I am very comfortable with the backrest and the assortment of butt pads that I can switch around at different times, like the Airhawk, sheepskin and beeds.

[Obard]

I went with Russell, as I've had their seats on my other bikes. Currently, I'm pleased with my saddle time and mileage ability. I had to send it back twice for adjustments. I would not recommend the rectangular vinyl pattern as my issues were with the stitch lines and pressure points in those locations. I've had the velour before and would go that route again if I could. I bought on the group buy on another forum, and they treated very well.

[jcardea]

Thanks to all,I think I have many choices to make but a new seat is what I need

[Hiwaman]

I have had good service and comfort from Diamond/Hartco Seats. They are the same company with a small difference in the foam for each seat. They will build a seat to fit your measurments and weight and offer very good customer service.

[kniterider]

I had a comapany work on my seat (2012 wing) at last wingdng.. Just barely made it home on that seat afterwards.. I could not figure out what had happened, my stock seat was uncomfortable on longer trips but I could go 500 miles usually.. on way home from wingding i had to stop every 200 miles and walk it off. I bought a airrider hawk R so i could ride down to Daytona bike week..While there I found the "SEAT MODIFICATION row" vendors. After watching them all for most of the morning I decided to give ASTECHSEATS a try. They do all the work while you are allowed to watch.. as soon as he pulled the covering off my seat he stopped and asked what I had done to my seat. I informed him that it had been modified at wingding. he peeled the covering all the way back and showed me what had been stuffed into my seating area. A six inch square area of foam had been cut out of center and a plain solid block of what looked like couch cushion stuffed in there ,LOOSE. He then carved out more so he could have a fresh start and then inserted a base layer of geldirectly to the pan,then started building up by applying numerous layers of differnt densities of memory foam. When he thought he was done he placed the seat back on my bike and had me set on it and took fresh mesurements for the final grind of the foam. I was able to ride that bike back from daytona to Md non stop 984 miles.. even with " repair work" involved the upgrade only cost 255.00

[530ktm]

You are lucky you can get to these events that have all of these vendors to check out. Seems nothing goes on out in my neck of the woods, at least when it comes to Goldwings.

[kniterider]

I like the astech work so much on my wing I am thinking about detouring on way home from my little pizza ride to see them in Ohio . see if they can spruce up passenger seat of the CTX for momma

[alabamawing]

I tried the Wingsoft and it was not for me. I now have an all leather Russell Day Long. 60,000 miles of happy butt.

[Haste Maker]

For me the large Wingsoft with the air hawk2 cushion & mic-o-pegs...I am 6'1" 195lbs 32' inseam...with this setup I did the "Iron Butt Ride" 2 years ago at age 67, without any seat problems

[Yellowbird]

I love my Ultimate Mid-Rider best up grade i made i can ride so much further now no need to stopping to stretch. My stock seat gave so many problems in my lower back and left hip. On my first ride with my Mid-rider it was like nigth and day pain free. Plus they offer a great warranty if you don't like the seat they take it back hope this helps.

[jcardea]

Thank you, i believe Ultimate is in my future

[Fire trike]

Also went with the Ultimate Mid-Rider at WD in Madison. Was concerned after because it seemed too hard. After 1000 miles it fits my butt perfect. Also changed to the comfort wedge for wife. Hers is still a little stiff but she has only ridden 200 miles. My only comment is the seat is more slippery. That should wear in as well. I still get hot spots but just have to move slightly and good for another 100 miles. Longest day so far about 300. Headed to Nashville, Charlotte and Myrtle Beach next week. Will have more to say after we return.

[roundabout]

I went with a leather Russell seat, No regrets

[Missouri Charley]

I tried several seats a few years back while in Sturgis and went with the Ultimate seat. Dez is a great guy to work with and gives you 2 weeks to try his seat, if you don't like it send it back no questions asked.

[Old Legend]

I'm looking at a different seat for my 2013 wing as we'll. I had the Ultimate seat on my VTX1800 and loved it, so I'm looking at them god the wing.

[CJS]

Used the stock seat for about 30K miles. Not very good.
Had WingSoft redo the seat. Wasn't really any more comfortable for the next 30K miles. Wife did not like it.
Purchased Ultimate Mid-rider. We are both very happy and have enjoyed it for last 50k miles.
We both use "waffle" rubber pad and seat beads. Very comfortable, very cool, very dry. We're happy.