Recommend sleek and neat 2-up seat for Sportsters

[yohji]

Hi everyone!

 

I've booked a Sportster Iron 883 and it's due to arrive in a couple of months. The thing is, it comes with a solo seat. I plan to pillion once in a while, so I'll be buying a 2-up seat. But most of the seats I see on the HD catalog spoils the sleek lines and minimalistic feel of the bike.

 

So far what has caught my eye from the HD catalog is the Sidekick and Badlander but can't really decide which one looks nicer. I'm leaning towards the Sidekick seat because the Badlander looks alittle too flat.

 

Does anyone know of any other nice looking and sleek 2-up seat for Sporters?? I've looked through Corbin's website but can't find anything that matches.

 

Another question is, I noticed a gap between the seat and the petrol tank. I'm not sure whether it is due to "graphical error" or it really will appear like this on the actual bike. Anyone has experience buying HD seats and fitting onto Sportster?

 

Pictures for reference (courtesy of Harley Davidson):

 

http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/7646/iron883solo.jpg

solo-seat

 

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5503/iron883sidekick.jpg

Sidekick seat

 

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4062/iron883backlander.jpg

Badlander seat

 

Thanks!

[wolfang]

I think the 2nd seat is nicer. (sleek)

 

The 1st seat have a tilt n the pillion might slip off the seat.

[Throttle]

Yohji, the sleekest seat is actually the solo seat.

 

I swop my dual seat for the solo becos i dont intend to pillion anyone.

 

The sidekick is the worst looking to me. not slick at all

The badlander is probably your best bet for 2 up.

 

or maybe you can customise a bolt-on.

 

Go HD and browse through their catalog or check out Ebay.

Many cool seats there.

 

p.s. and have I mentioned the solo is the nicest?

[Throttle]

the other nicest seat is the 883R original 2 up

(unfortunately I'm not selling)

 

as shown:-

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/3212/sportster883r.jpg

[plasticblackspecs]

I kinda like the side kick. Looks nice even without a pillion so don't have to bother about changing seats all the time. Plus it has a nice deep cut which fits the ass nicely

[maxxmadness]

try Le pera..clicky below

 

lepera

 

their seat is high quality stuff, am using the bare bone on my nightster

[thenation]

The badlander looks way better than the sidekick.

[garyhwk]

I'm kinda more inclined towards the sidekick because it makes for a better side-profile. It makes the bike look lower from the side view. But it seems to look more uncomfortable for the pillion because it slopes backwards whereas the badlander is flat.

 

Agree with Throttle, the solo is still the best looking...hehe.

[Terrible One]

Can keep the stock solo seat. HD sells removable pillion pad. PM bmxer83 if u wanna know the part number

[yohji]

I think the 2nd seat is nicer. (sleek)

 

The 1st seat have a tilt n the pillion might slip off the seat.

 

Hi wolfang,

 

Yah the Sidekick looks that way but I don't know if it really makes the pillion slip off once the weight is on the seat? Hehehe!!

 

 

 

Yohji, the sleekest seat is actually the solo seat.

 

I swop my dual seat for the solo becos i dont intend to pillion anyone.

 

The sidekick is the worst looking to me. not slick at all

The badlander is probably your best bet for 2 up.

 

or maybe you can customise a bolt-on.

 

Go HD and browse through their catalog or check out Ebay.

Many cool seats there.

 

p.s. and have I mentioned the solo is the nicest?

 

Hi Throttle,

 

The solo seat is confirmed the sleekest and coolest but I might pillion occasionally, so I'm considering getting a 2-up seat. I'm going to remove the seat whenever I don't pillion.

 

At first I also think that the Sidekick looks ugly like hell because I was only concentrating on the seat itself. But after that I tried to look at the bike as a whole and find that the Sidekick is actually not bad looking. It flows with the lines of the fuel tank and looks quite nice from the side and it sort of looks similar to the solo seat, except for a hump at the back. I guess I have to look at the real thing fit on the bike to decide.

 

Now I'm still undecided. I've found other options like the Phantom-Pad which is sleek and can be removed easily. But it uses suction cups. The Iron has a matte surface and I don't think suction cups work. It also has a bolt-on option but don't know how secure is that.

 

BTW where can I customise a bolt-on in Singapore? What is the price range like (if you know)? Thanks.

 

http://phantom-pad.com/retailstore/images/301-LP.jpg

Low-profile Phantom-Pad with only 1" thickness. So far the thinnest pad I've seen! Sounds like some sanitary pad thing we are talkin about here ..

 

http://phantom-pad.com/retailstore/images/B301L.jpg

Phantom-Pad with bolt-on option (1 and 3/4 inches thick).

 

 

 

I kinda like the side kick. Looks nice even without a pillion so don't have to bother about changing seats all the time. Plus it has a nice deep cut which fits the ass nicely

 

Hi plasticblackspecs,

 

Yah that's what I thought too (though my ass is not huge )

 

 

 

try Le pera..clicky below

 

lepera

 

their seat is high quality stuff, am using the bare bone on my nightster

 

Thanks maxxmadness!

 

The seats look nice. Especially King Cobra, Silhouette, and Daytona Sport. But they look kinda too shiny for the Iron hehe. I wonder how they will look in real life though. They only show pictures of the seats alone. Should have shown the whole bike.

 

 

 

The badlander looks way better than the sidekick.

 

Hi thenation,

 

I guess maybe because it looks flat and not obtrusive to you? Badlander was my first choice in the beginning

 

 

 

I'm kinda more inclined towards the sidekick because it makes for a better side-profile. It makes the bike look lower from the side view. But it seems to look more uncomfortable for the pillion because it slopes backwards whereas the badlander is flat.

 

Agree with Throttle, the solo is still the best looking...hehe.

 

Hi garyhwk,

 

Same thinking here about the side view. Also don't know whether the pillion will slide off the seat. But that's the whole idea (if the pillion is a lady. She'll have to hold on to me to prevent falling off. Think I'll apply leather polish to make it more slippery.)

 

 

 

Can keep the stock solo seat. HD sells removable pillion pad. PM bmxer83 if u wanna know the part number

 

Hi Terrible One,

 

I've went through the catalog but I find the pillion pads very thick and ugly. I guess the Phantom-pad would be the choice if I'm going to use a pillion pad. Thanks for the heads-up though!

 

 

 

Anymore feedbacks or suggestions from other riders are very welcomed!! Especically those who actually uses the seats on their Sportsters, and pictures will be great!

 

Thanks everyone!

[maxxmadness]

@yohji

 

seat is comfy enough for me...

[yohji]

@yohji

 

seat is comfy enough for me...

 

Which seat do you have bro? Are you riding a Sportster too? If yes, hope to see a picture of it with the seat

[maxxmadness]

hmmm.. my earlier post i already stated that i am riding a nightster and using the bare bone

 

try Le pera..clicky below

 

lepera

 

their seat is high quality stuff, am using the bare bone on my nightster

 

some reference pic from the net

 

http://xlforum.net/photopost/watermark.php?file=35392

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x47/kirkland3rd/seat2.jpg

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x47/kirkland3rd/seat1.jpg

Edited July 26, 2009 by maxxmadness

[yohji]

hmmm.. i already stated that i am riding a nightster and using the bare bones solo

 

oh yah!! Sorry bro!! I was too exicted. Straight away clicked on the link and didn't pay attention to the other sentence How much did you pay for it and how much is shipping and how long did it take to arrive?

 

But still a picture of your bike would be nice! Thanks for the pictures!!!! COOL!!!

[maxxmadness]

take about 3 weeks to manufacture and 1 week air freight..total around $450..

 

pix of my bike

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/maxxmadness/Photo020ed.gif

[yohji]

take about 3 weeks to manufacture and 1 week air freight..total around $450..

 

pix of my bike

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/maxxmadness/Photo020ed.gif

 

I see. Not cheap also. But if the quality is good, can last for many years. Why did you decide to get a new seat? The OEM solo seat is not comfortable enough? Thanks for the information. Nice and neat bike. Nothing extra. Picture abit small though Where is that place? Looks like a good place to ride and take pictures. I'm always looking for such places in Singapore.

[BlackDawn]

IMHO, all those sleek seats won't be friendly to the pillion's @$$.

I'm using the fat ugly touring seat, but at least my wife felt better about it.

I was using something similar to the badlander previously.

[maxxmadness]

the OEM is bulky and doesnt flow with the lines of the bike, I think this seat is more comfy than the OEM. Quality wise is definitely better than the OEM

 

The road is at Seletar Airbase towards East Camp, just after the golf course

 

my bike has since gone mini-ape and awaiting for a pair of 3 degree mid glide triple tree to come soon...

[yohji]

IMHO, all those sleek seats won't be friendly to the pillion's @$$.

I'm using the fat ugly touring seat, but at least my wife felt better about it.

I was using something similar to the badlander previously.

 

That is always the case. Have to choose between looks and practicality. I guess pillion comfort is not a huge problem for me because I'll only carry a passenger occasionally. How was the Badlander? Too thin? Too hard? I weigh less than 60kg, so maybe it would be ok for me?

 

 

 

the OEM is bulky and doesnt flow with the lines of the bike, I think this seat is more comfy than the OEM. Quality wise is definitely better than the OEM

 

The road is at Seletar Airbase towards East Camp, just after the golf course

 

my bike has since gone mini-ape and awaiting for a pair of 3 degree mid glide triple tree to come soon...

 

I see. Seletar Airbase. Restricted area? Mini ape is quite cool and makes the rider look bad ass when on the bike. What's a mid glide triple tree? Is it a fork?

[tingchiyen]

take about 3 weeks to manufacture and 1 week air freight..total around $450..

 

pix of my bike

 

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/maxxmadness/Photo020ed.gif

That's a familiar-looking bike... =)

 

TS, i've got a mustang vintage solo on mine, but i didn't get it for looks as much as for comfort. one ride to and from mersing on the stock solo more or less decided me. the mustang comes with an option for a pillion pad as well, though it is more bulky than what i think you're looking out for. comfort and looks seldom go together, though.

[maxxmadness]

That is always the case. Have to choose between looks and practicality. I guess pillion comfort is not a huge problem for me because I'll only carry a passenger occasionally. How was the Badlander? Too thin? Too hard? I weigh less than 60kg, so maybe it would be ok for me?

 

 

 

 

 

I see. Seletar Airbase. Restricted area? Mini ape is quite cool and makes the rider look bad ass when on the bike. What's a mid glide triple tree? Is it a fork?

 

triple tree are well..pics tell a thousand words...

 

http://www.customcycleengineering.com/images/TT%202749-1%2049mm%20Triple%20Tree%20Only%20Web.jpg

 

with this you can play with the degree of rake, OEM triple tree are mostly 0 degree rake.

Mid glide and wide glide gives you the option of having bigger front wheel

[maxxmadness]

That's a familiar-looking bike... =)

 

.

 

lol...you seen my bike often enough...i guess the next time will be when HD moved to a new showroom and am sure they will hold an open house to celebrate...

[BlackDawn]

That is always the case. Have to choose between looks and practicality. I guess pillion comfort is not a huge problem for me because I'll only carry a passenger occasionally. How was the Badlander? Too thin? Too hard? I weigh less than 60kg, so maybe it would be ok for me?

The badlander was too thin even for ME. The pillion portion had to be worse. I weigh in the mid 60kgs, not that I think it matters very much.

But then, mine is a rigid mount Sporty, the vibes tend to be more pronounced than the rubber mounted ones.

[yohji]

That's a familiar-looking bike... =)

 

TS, i've got a mustang vintage solo on mine, but i didn't get it for looks as much as for comfort. one ride to and from mersing on the stock solo more or less decided me. the mustang comes with an option for a pillion pad as well, though it is more bulky than what i think you're looking out for. comfort and looks seldom go together, though.

 

Hi tingchiyen,

 

Thanks for your views My bottom is not very big. Hopefully the OEM will do fine I'm just looking for a pillion seat/pad for the occasional pillion. Yah I've looked at the Mustang pillion pad. Really thick like roti but confirm sibeh song ... hehe.

 

 

 

triple tree are well..pics tell a thousand words...

 

http://www.customcycleengineering.com/images/TT%202749-1%2049mm%20Triple%20Tree%20Only%20Web.jpg

 

with this you can play with the degree of rake, OEM triple tree are mostly 0 degree rake.

Mid glide and wide glide gives you the option of having bigger front wheel

 

Wow cheem. Guess I'm still far away from meddling with all these. Thanks for sharing

 

 

 

The badlander was too thin even for ME. The pillion portion had to be worse. I weigh in the mid 60kgs, not that I think it matters very much.

But then, mine is a rigid mount Sporty, the vibes tend to be more pronounced than the rubber mounted ones.

 

Hi BlackDawn,

 

Guess the Badlander is really too thin for you. Can you actually feel the bottom of the seat (means the seat "bottomed-out")? I guess if I can get used to the Street Triple's seat, the Badlander should be fine for me. I've rode my Triumph all the way to KL.

 

Do you still have the Badlander with you? If yes, do you mind if I take a look at it?

[BlackDawn]

Hi BlackDawn,

 

Guess the Badlander is really too thin for you. Can you actually feel the bottom of the seat (means the seat "bottomed-out")? I guess if I can get used to the Street Triple's seat, the Badlander should be fine for me. I've rode my Triumph all the way to KL.

 

Do you still have the Badlander with you? If yes, do you mind if I take a look at it?

Sorry bro, its sold liao. Its been a while since I changed to the touring seat, so I can't remember how it felt like except that I would need to rub my sore buns after a long ride