If you’re a glutton for reading you can read this entire post or just skip to the brass tacks in the last 2 paragraphs.
I have been reading so much on saddles it’s not funny. A few things I’d like to share from my findings:
1. Damn near EVERY POSTER loves the Russell Day Long (original patent by Bill Mayer Sr.- deceased).
2. Damn near EVERY one of these posters is over 6’ 2" and well over 250lbs.
3. That leaves an inconclusive consensus of the ride improvement from a Russell for guys that DO NOT NEED MORE SEAT or ass room than the stock seat offers.
4. Russell admits on their site and on the phone that it is unrealistic to expect better ground reach with their saddle as they actually raise the seat from stock and they keep the same width- catering extremely well to big boys.
5. Ultimate claims they can get you better ground reach, but there are enough negative posts about their saddles to cause reservation.
6. Saddlemen is the same situation as Ultimate with a little more negative posts.
7. Corbin is loaded with negative posts about their comfort level and anyone charging that much for a saddle really needs more accolades for me to get a cozy feeling to spend it.
8. Wingsoft has very positive reviews, but again, from those big ass guys needing more seat and leg room.
9. Diamond/Hartco has enough negative posts like Ultimate, but may be the best runner up for my needs.
10. Bill Mayer, now owned and operated by Bill Mayer Jr, (Rocky) has very little information about his seats and a crappy web site. People keep confusing him with his Dad and brother (below). There’s way too little info on his seats to know.
11. Rick Mayer seats are suspect as there have been a few really bad posts and pics indicating he makes crap and yells and insults customers who complain.
So, one would deduce from all this that the best bet for quality is the Russell Day Long, but will it fit anyone other than big boys? Pricing it out on their site it would cost just over $1500. That’s more than a nice leather home sofa: Definitely priced more from its demand than the cost to make it. They don’t even tool a new pan for that- WOW! I really hope they read this.
:arrow: So, being 5’9”, 34” waist, 30” inseam, 185lbs athletic build with a little ass, what saddle will make it comfortable to my crotch, by not crunching my boyz and pinching my outside hips, every time I put my feet down at a light? I need to avoid moving back in the seat as the bars are already too far forward for my reach (REG risers are on the list of “to add”). I’d really like to see the freaky built dude Honda made this bike for. He’d have the arm reach of someone 6’ 4”. His inseam would be 34”, but with only 10” of it above the knee so his knees don't hit. His ass would be a 38” waist but he’d only weigh 185lbs. Geez, what am I complaining about. I’ve got that one and surgery to my $21,000 motorcycle will cure the rest. :a13:
Sure I’m being comical, but honestly, besides having to personally visit every one of these guys, how does a NON-BIG guy get the right seat and not pay to regret it? Educated opinions welcomed.
I have been reading so much on saddles it’s not funny. A few things I’d like to share from my findings:
1. Damn near EVERY POSTER loves the Russell Day Long (original patent by Bill Mayer Sr.- deceased).
2. Damn near EVERY one of these posters is over 6’ 2" and well over 250lbs.
3. That leaves an inconclusive consensus of the ride improvement from a Russell for guys that DO NOT NEED MORE SEAT or ass room than the stock seat offers.
4. Russell admits on their site and on the phone that it is unrealistic to expect better ground reach with their saddle as they actually raise the seat from stock and they keep the same width- catering extremely well to big boys.
5. Ultimate claims they can get you better ground reach, but there are enough negative posts about their saddles to cause reservation.
6. Saddlemen is the same situation as Ultimate with a little more negative posts.
7. Corbin is loaded with negative posts about their comfort level and anyone charging that much for a saddle really needs more accolades for me to get a cozy feeling to spend it.
8. Wingsoft has very positive reviews, but again, from those big ass guys needing more seat and leg room.
9. Diamond/Hartco has enough negative posts like Ultimate, but may be the best runner up for my needs.
10. Bill Mayer, now owned and operated by Bill Mayer Jr, (Rocky) has very little information about his seats and a crappy web site. People keep confusing him with his Dad and brother (below). There’s way too little info on his seats to know.
11. Rick Mayer seats are suspect as there have been a few really bad posts and pics indicating he makes crap and yells and insults customers who complain.
So, one would deduce from all this that the best bet for quality is the Russell Day Long, but will it fit anyone other than big boys? Pricing it out on their site it would cost just over $1500. That’s more than a nice leather home sofa: Definitely priced more from its demand than the cost to make it. They don’t even tool a new pan for that- WOW! I really hope they read this.
:arrow: So, being 5’9”, 34” waist, 30” inseam, 185lbs athletic build with a little ass, what saddle will make it comfortable to my crotch, by not crunching my boyz and pinching my outside hips, every time I put my feet down at a light? I need to avoid moving back in the seat as the bars are already too far forward for my reach (REG risers are on the list of “to add”). I’d really like to see the freaky built dude Honda made this bike for. He’d have the arm reach of someone 6’ 4”. His inseam would be 34”, but with only 10” of it above the knee so his knees don't hit. His ass would be a 38” waist but he’d only weigh 185lbs. Geez, what am I complaining about. I’ve got that one and surgery to my $21,000 motorcycle will cure the rest. :a13:
Sure I’m being comical, but honestly, besides having to personally visit every one of these guys, how does a NON-BIG guy get the right seat and not pay to regret it? Educated opinions welcomed.