Every bottom is different. I wanted OFF the bike with the stock seat before two hours was up. I replaced it with the Sargent. Returning on the last day of a 3400 mile trip to Colorado I rode twelve hours and covered 774 miles. While I was tired my rear didn't fidget until the last two hours. Up to that day the longest day was seven hours. I shifted some but was never in pain like with the stock seat. Your mileage may vary. I took a chance with the Sargent and got lucky cause you right, they are expensive options but after the first day on the trip I was glad I spent the money.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Butt Bench! (Africa Twin 1100 Seat Thread)
Greetings,
Long time rider, short-time poster. I have a seasonal job so my updates are usually several months apart.
For those who are trying to decide on that new, fancy seat - I thought I'd share some findings and offer some insight since the new benches are getting might expensive these days.
I've tried several aftermarket seats, as well as accessories so I'll put some subjective analysis below hopefully along with prices and links for the interested.
- SEATS SO FAR -
STOCK SEAT (NORMAL HEIGHT): Ass time ~3 hours. For me, given that I tend to focus my weight (6' 3" // short torso // 200 lbs) on my pelvic bones known as ischium bones so I benefit very little from the cupping or padding that's designed for those with junk in the trunk (I'm jealous of said junk, btw). That said, I found the stock seat padding to be overall adequate on initial sit. The shape, though appearing to be flat in the photos, tends to want to push the rider forward into the tank over time. I found that I have to occasionally do a "butt reset" every few minutes and consciously stand up and sit rearward again. There's little grip to the seat cover so don't expect to be held in place during panic stops or when showing off with the big bike wheelie for the kids on the school bus next to you. Take a look at the attached pictures (blue and black).
SARGENT REVOLUTION: Ass time ~4 hours. Cost $499 initially for me back in 2021. This purchase is a little frustrating. I've owned Sargent seats before and my all-time favorite all-day-ass seat has been the World Sport Performance seat for my old DRZ400. When you finish their online order, they give you instructions as to how to ship your OEM seat to them for the upgrade, so you're without a seat for several weeks (it was 2 months before I got it back) while they're putting it all together. When I got the seat back, I honestly could not tell ANY difference between their own foam and the stock seat foam. I did notice a sightly different shape as well as the quite slippery carbon cover it returns with. The shape was also prone to pushing your riding position towards the gas tank so that got annoying fairly quickly, especially with the cost. In the end, I asked if they could add more or perhaps different foam and this service was an extra $110.00 which I paid but I obviously had to ship the seat back yet again. I specifically gave detailed instructions about how it should be slightly sloped towards the rear of the bike and have a soft top layer. What I got back was decent... but not idea. It feels like they simply glued a little foam brick on the front of the seat on top of what was already there. By their own admission, they claim their seats need no break-in period whatsoever. Take a look at the attached pictures (black and gold).
SEAT CONCEPTS COMFORT: Ass time ~3 hours. Cost $264.99 plus tax. Yet again, this purchase is a little frustrating based on the description on their website "PLUSH AND ACTIVE". It didn't feel that plush nor that active to me. What's odd is I used to have a seat concepts bench on a Honda 450L and the feel was far different from this. That bench had a very squishy "gel" feeling along the top with a firmer foam sensation beneath and was quite good. The Africa Twin seat kit arrives as a solid piece of shaped foam with the cover and doesn't look too remarkable. The installation experience may vary - It wasn't too difficult to get the old staples out of the OEM seat pan with a flat head screwdriver and some needle-nose pliers. I used a heat gun to loosen up the new cover before and during installation along with an electric stapler so that cut down the total installation time to about 3 hours. The seat angle is better than both stock and the Sargent as it does a far better job of keeping the rider towards the wide, rear area of the seat, rather than crotch-stuffing you up into the tank. Initial impressions are good, as I like grippy seats, but the foam density doesn't feel any different from stock, merely the shape. I'm hoping that it will soften up or at least feel slightly different over time. Take a look at the attached pictures (All black, installed on bike).
- ACCESSORIES -
ALASKA LEATHER SHEEPSKIN: Additional Ass time ~1 hour? Cost between $120-$169.00. There's a great deal of hype surrounding these products. To experiment, I brought home both the long hair and short hair versions and took them both out on day-long trips both into the wilderness and long highway stretches. I’ve tried them both in the frozen reaches of Alaska and the sweltering, humid forests of Arkansas. I didn’t find them super useful, to be honest. At first, there’s an extra sensation of padding during the initial sit, but after an hour or two, you start sliding around, looking for a comfortable position. I think if I had to pick one I’d prefer the short haired version as the hair tends to allow more airflow under the rump than the long haired version, confusingly. The long hair goes limp and gets matted down while the short hair tends to continue to “push” upwards for a little longer, before suffering the same fate. Attached are long vs. short hair versions so you can see what I'm talking about.
AIRHAWK CUSHION: Additional Ass time ~2 hours? Cost between $100.00 and higher. There's also a great deal of hype surrounding these products as well so this thread will probably end up controversial. Keep in mind that everyone's butt is a little different (or a lot different) so I again remind the reader that this is merely my subjective and poorly-constructed analysis. If you look into the forums about these things, you'll find frequent suggestions about "airing down" the pads to extremely deflated levels in order to find the most comfortable solution. I found this practice to give very strange sensations when riding as the cushion of air tends to feel like it's sliding around and ruins my sense of stability and connected'ness with my bike. While the pressure was taken off my pelvic bones, it then moved to the hamstring area and the back of my rump area, oddly. In the end, I felt like I was sliding around all over the place instead of sitting in a comfortable chair, which is all any of us want, right?
COOL COVERS SEAT MESH: Coming soon! Recommended from fellow long-distance adventure riders.
Long time rider, short-time poster. I have a seasonal job so my updates are usually several months apart.
For those who are trying to decide on that new, fancy seat - I thought I'd share some findings and offer some insight since the new benches are getting might expensive these days.
I've tried several aftermarket seats, as well as accessories so I'll put some subjective analysis below hopefully along with prices and links for the interested.
- SEATS SO FAR -
STOCK SEAT (NORMAL HEIGHT): Ass time ~3 hours. For me, given that I tend to focus my weight (6' 3" // short torso // 200 lbs) on my pelvic bones known as ischium bones so I benefit very little from the cupping or padding that's designed for those with junk in the trunk (I'm jealous of said junk, btw). That said, I found the stock seat padding to be overall adequate on initial sit. The shape, though appearing to be flat in the photos, tends to want to push the rider forward into the tank over time. I found that I have to occasionally do a "butt reset" every few minutes and consciously stand up and sit rearward again. There's little grip to the seat cover so don't expect to be held in place during panic stops or when showing off with the big bike wheelie for the kids on the school bus next to you. Take a look at the attached pictures (blue and black).
SARGENT REVOLUTION: Ass time ~4 hours. Cost $499 initially for me back in 2021. This purchase is a little frustrating. I've owned Sargent seats before and my all-time favorite all-day-ass seat has been the World Sport Performance seat for my old DRZ400. When you finish their online order, they give you instructions as to how to ship your OEM seat to them for the upgrade, so you're without a seat for several weeks (it was 2 months before I got it back) while they're putting it all together. When I got the seat back, I honestly could not tell ANY difference between their own foam and the stock seat foam. I did notice a sightly different shape as well as the quite slippery carbon cover it returns with. The shape was also prone to pushing your riding position towards the gas tank so that got annoying fairly quickly, especially with the cost. In the end, I asked if they could add more or perhaps different foam and this service was an extra $110.00 which I paid but I obviously had to ship the seat back yet again. I specifically gave detailed instructions about how it should be slightly sloped towards the rear of the bike and have a soft top layer. What I got back was decent... but not idea. It feels like they simply glued a little foam brick on the front of the seat on top of what was already there. By their own admission, they claim their seats need no break-in period whatsoever. Take a look at the attached pictures (black and gold).
SEAT CONCEPTS COMFORT: Ass time ~3 hours. Cost $264.99 plus tax. Yet again, this purchase is a little frustrating based on the description on their website "PLUSH AND ACTIVE". It didn't feel that plush nor that active to me. What's odd is I used to have a seat concepts bench on a Honda 450L and the feel was far different from this. That bench had a very squishy "gel" feeling along the top with a firmer foam sensation beneath and was quite good. The Africa Twin seat kit arrives as a solid piece of shaped foam with the cover and doesn't look too remarkable. The installation experience may vary - It wasn't too difficult to get the old staples out of the OEM seat pan with a flat head screwdriver and some needle-nose pliers. I used a heat gun to loosen up the new cover before and during installation along with an electric stapler so that cut down the total installation time to about 3 hours. The seat angle is better than both stock and the Sargent as it does a far better job of keeping the rider towards the wide, rear area of the seat, rather than crotch-stuffing you up into the tank. Initial impressions are good, as I like grippy seats, but the foam density doesn't feel any different from stock, merely the shape. I'm hoping that it will soften up or at least feel slightly different over time. Take a look at the attached pictures (All black, installed on bike).
- ACCESSORIES -
ALASKA LEATHER SHEEPSKIN: Additional Ass time ~1 hour? Cost between $120-$169.00. There's a great deal of hype surrounding these products. To experiment, I brought home both the long hair and short hair versions and took them both out on day-long trips both into the wilderness and long highway stretches. I’ve tried them both in the frozen reaches of Alaska and the sweltering, humid forests of Arkansas. I didn’t find them super useful, to be honest. At first, there’s an extra sensation of padding during the initial sit, but after an hour or two, you start sliding around, looking for a comfortable position. I think if I had to pick one I’d prefer the short haired version as the hair tends to allow more airflow under the rump than the long haired version, confusingly. The long hair goes limp and gets matted down while the short hair tends to continue to “push” upwards for a little longer, before suffering the same fate. Attached are long vs. short hair versions so you can see what I'm talking about.
AIRHAWK CUSHION: Additional Ass time ~2 hours? Cost between $100.00 and higher. There's also a great deal of hype surrounding these products as well so this thread will probably end up controversial. Keep in mind that everyone's butt is a little different (or a lot different) so I again remind the reader that this is merely my subjective and poorly-constructed analysis. If you look into the forums about these things, you'll find frequent suggestions about "airing down" the pads to extremely deflated levels in order to find the most comfortable solution. I found this practice to give very strange sensations when riding as the cushion of air tends to feel like it's sliding around and ruins my sense of stability and connected'ness with my bike. While the pressure was taken off my pelvic bones, it then moved to the hamstring area and the back of my rump area, oddly. In the end, I felt like I was sliding around all over the place instead of sitting in a comfortable chair, which is all any of us want, right?
COOL COVERS SEAT MESH: Coming soon! Recommended from fellow long-distance adventure riders.
Attachments
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
I found the stock seat on my 2017 to be painful, both the low and std. versions. I replaced it with a Corbin "Low" seat, and was quite happy with it.
On my 2021 AS, I again found the stock seat to be torturous. I let a buddy talk me into a Russel Day Long saddle, and believe it is about as good as it gets, for me.
I did the Corbin in leather, with heat. It was firm, but I could choose where I sat on it, and pretty much stayed there. I did like that they constructed a new seat pan that is much more solid than the kind of janky seat pans that come with our bikes. The heat is nice, but I switched to heated gear when it get's cold, so passed on it, this time around with the RDL.
I did the RDL in "Sunbrella" fabric. I have had good experience with that stuff holding up in Phoenix weather on patio furniture, so gave it a shot on the seat.
I did a couple of 500 mile days in the RDL seat when I picked it up at their factory, while making a trip past it. I think it broke in a little more by the 2nd day, but it was comfortable, immediately. The sunbrella fabric is pretty grippy, so you have to be intentional, if you want to slide around on it.
The seat shape works well for me, especially standing off road. The "wings" at the back of the seat actually kind of lock in to your back of knee area, and provide a decent surface for additional steering input. I'm 5'6" and about 170 lbs, 29" inseam, so for what that is worth.
I don't really like how the driver seat hooks in to the mounts, regardless of who makes the cover. It never really feels solid, like the Corbin did. That is a minor gripe, but about the only one I can come up with, other than price and lead-time for the RDL. They are nice to work with, and are willing to do about any kind of customization that you can dream up.
Not a great picture of the Corbin, since I was loaded up with gear, but you get the idea.
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
Here is the RDL, in their parking lot at time of install.
![Hood Wheel Tire Automotive tire Motor vehicle]()
The RDL is on a sidecar rig. Since I did not have to worry about getting a foot down, I told them to go full tilt on the padding. Seems to work out ok. Sit about 2" higher than I did with the stock saddle in the high position. This would be an issue on a 2 wheel AT.
On my 2021 AS, I again found the stock seat to be torturous. I let a buddy talk me into a Russel Day Long saddle, and believe it is about as good as it gets, for me.
I did the Corbin in leather, with heat. It was firm, but I could choose where I sat on it, and pretty much stayed there. I did like that they constructed a new seat pan that is much more solid than the kind of janky seat pans that come with our bikes. The heat is nice, but I switched to heated gear when it get's cold, so passed on it, this time around with the RDL.
I did the RDL in "Sunbrella" fabric. I have had good experience with that stuff holding up in Phoenix weather on patio furniture, so gave it a shot on the seat.
I did a couple of 500 mile days in the RDL seat when I picked it up at their factory, while making a trip past it. I think it broke in a little more by the 2nd day, but it was comfortable, immediately. The sunbrella fabric is pretty grippy, so you have to be intentional, if you want to slide around on it.
The seat shape works well for me, especially standing off road. The "wings" at the back of the seat actually kind of lock in to your back of knee area, and provide a decent surface for additional steering input. I'm 5'6" and about 170 lbs, 29" inseam, so for what that is worth.
I don't really like how the driver seat hooks in to the mounts, regardless of who makes the cover. It never really feels solid, like the Corbin did. That is a minor gripe, but about the only one I can come up with, other than price and lead-time for the RDL. They are nice to work with, and are willing to do about any kind of customization that you can dream up.
Not a great picture of the Corbin, since I was loaded up with gear, but you get the idea.
Here is the RDL, in their parking lot at time of install.
The RDL is on a sidecar rig. Since I did not have to worry about getting a foot down, I told them to go full tilt on the padding. Seems to work out ok. Sit about 2" higher than I did with the stock saddle in the high position. This would be an issue on a 2 wheel AT.
I started with the standard seat in low position and found 2hrs was the max I could go without it getting uncomfortable.
Due to me being a short arse I bought a low seat but that was bad, after an hour max it was uncomfortable.
Then got a gel insert put into the low seat, all foam had to be removed for the gel so it wasn't ideal but did allow me to get the comfort level back to the standard seat equivalent, still not great.
Lastly I bought a Seat Concepts one piece and it was definitely more comfortable than any others but it did put pressure point on the underside of my legs which meant after 2 hrs I was feeling it. Good thing was I could move slightly and the seat would be pressing against a slightly different bit and I could continue for a bit until I had to shift again. This seems to have softened up now after maybe 500 miles (not sure ) as I am not feeling the pressure although being winter here I have not being doing much over the 2hrs in the saddle so I will know more as the weather starts to improve and I do longer runs. I do like the look and ease of the one piece however but the downside for some is it is only one position so if you need a higher seat then it may not suit.
Some pics the day I got it.
![Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive tire Automotive design]()
![Brown Wood Beige Tints and shades Hardwood]()
![Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Automotive lighting]()
It has now relaxed a bit and the seating area is not so taught and the edges have softened as can be seen in this pic and that was only after a day or so, it is even more relaxed now.
![Wheel Tire Fuel tank Vehicle Automotive lighting]()
Due to me being a short arse I bought a low seat but that was bad, after an hour max it was uncomfortable.
Then got a gel insert put into the low seat, all foam had to be removed for the gel so it wasn't ideal but did allow me to get the comfort level back to the standard seat equivalent, still not great.
Lastly I bought a Seat Concepts one piece and it was definitely more comfortable than any others but it did put pressure point on the underside of my legs which meant after 2 hrs I was feeling it. Good thing was I could move slightly and the seat would be pressing against a slightly different bit and I could continue for a bit until I had to shift again. This seems to have softened up now after maybe 500 miles (not sure ) as I am not feeling the pressure although being winter here I have not being doing much over the 2hrs in the saddle so I will know more as the weather starts to improve and I do longer runs. I do like the look and ease of the one piece however but the downside for some is it is only one position so if you need a higher seat then it may not suit.
Some pics the day I got it.
It has now relaxed a bit and the seating area is not so taught and the edges have softened as can be seen in this pic and that was only after a day or so, it is even more relaxed now.
Slowish, I can sell you mine
cup holder and side pockets included... just don't touch that "recline lever" when in the twisties 
I've tried a number of seats, and they all seem to have their merits (except the 2x6 Honda calls a seat). The one I found to work best for me is from Tappezzeria Italia.
I ride about 70% off road (standing), so my can is not in the pan as much as others might be, but I've found that I can go 6 hours or so without pain versus the 22 minutes with the stock seat.
I like it. Besides, it has some Italian design flair
![Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive lighting Automotive tire]()
I ride about 70% off road (standing), so my can is not in the pan as much as others might be, but I've found that I can go 6 hours or so without pain versus the 22 minutes with the stock seat.
I like it. Besides, it has some Italian design flair
That is a very nice looking seat, indeed. Still thinking I'm going to go with Saddlemen.I've tried a number of seats, and they all seem to have their merits (except the 2x6 Honda calls a seat). The one I found to work best for me is from Tappezzeria Italia.
I ride about 70% off road (standing), so my can is not in the pan as much as others might be, but I've found that I can go 6 hours or so without pain versus the 22 minutes with the stock seat.
I like it. Besides, it has some Italian design flair
View attachment 78444
UPDATE:
Seen here is something that came recommended from some long-haul adventure riders found down here in Kansas.
It's called a "Cool Cover" and after about 10 riding hours spent with the addition, I think I'll give it some tentative positive remarks.
Imagine a semi-rigid, honeycomb like consistency that allows your rear end to "float" above the seat to encourage more air flow between you and the bench. I can objectively say that after a solid three hours in one day (winter riding), I was much more comfortable.
The elephant in the room being that the cover is slightly more rigid and designed for summer 'swass' abatement...
The cost was 55 EUROS - so perhaps this could assist those who are at their wits end.
Overall, I really appreciate the confluence of suggestions here. Doing the cursory Google dive for Twin farkles seems to be a losing play these days.
Seen here is something that came recommended from some long-haul adventure riders found down here in Kansas.
It's called a "Cool Cover" and after about 10 riding hours spent with the addition, I think I'll give it some tentative positive remarks.
Imagine a semi-rigid, honeycomb like consistency that allows your rear end to "float" above the seat to encourage more air flow between you and the bench. I can objectively say that after a solid three hours in one day (winter riding), I was much more comfortable.
The elephant in the room being that the cover is slightly more rigid and designed for summer 'swass' abatement...
The cost was 55 EUROS - so perhaps this could assist those who are at their wits end.
Overall, I really appreciate the confluence of suggestions here. Doing the cursory Google dive for Twin farkles seems to be a losing play these days.
Attachments
so many different shapes, motorcycle seats should be custom made, or user customizable.
![Hair Nose Head Chin Hand]()
Bicycle industry is way more advanced in seat ergonomics, they even developed seats for "Male" and "Female" riders. 100's of different (and anatomical) seats and padded shorts are available. Motorcycle industry doesn't care much about the "Science" behind the ergonomics and anatomy.
Bicycle industry applies science in R&D of ergonomic handlebars and bar ends as well.
![Synthetic rubber Font Bicycle part Auto part Human leg]()
![Product Font Line Parallel Slope]()
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![Font Terrestrial plant Electric blue Magenta Circle]()
![Font Automotive lighting Audio equipment Eyewear Bag]()
![Vertebrate White Black Organism Mammal]()
Bicycle industry is way more advanced in seat ergonomics, they even developed seats for "Male" and "Female" riders. 100's of different (and anatomical) seats and padded shorts are available. Motorcycle industry doesn't care much about the "Science" behind the ergonomics and anatomy.
Bicycle industry applies science in R&D of ergonomic handlebars and bar ends as well.
Saddle Ergonomics Explained
The Pelvic Bone When sitting normally, the sit bones (red highlighted areas) support the body's weight and have the capability to withstand high pressure. This should also be the case when riding a bicycle. With an athletic riding position, the perineal area of men and the lower positioned pubic...
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1 - 20 of 22 Posts
