custom seat

bigredduke · 19-03-2006, 03:22 PM

Some time ago, I bought a second seat off ebay for my Monster. As you know, the standard seat is not terribly comfortable for passengers, so I decided to get the second one remodelled & recovered. So now when my wife or daughter have finished arguing over who's going out with me, I can simply swap the seats rather than pratting about with the seat cowl which I always find less than convenient.

As you can see, the rear of the seat doesn't slope down at the back, so it's much more comfortable but it does remind me slightly of a dolphin's snout! I also had a bit of a hump put in the middle to stop passengers sliding forward under braking - not a problem with my wife, but I don't like a bloke to get that close!

The guy who did the job was Tony Archer in Huddersfield, he's a top bloke and the quality of workmanship is excellent. He suggested the red piping and I think it ties in very well with the bike.
What do you think?

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ustomseat1.jpg

sidrat · 19-03-2006, 03:54 PM

It looks great, be nice to see the standard seat next to it, as it looks longer?, maybe thats just an illusion, well done

bigredduke · 19-03-2006, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidrat

It looks great, be nice to see the standard seat next to it, as it looks longer?, maybe thats just an illusion, well done

Yes, I think it is a smidge longer.

Paranoid Dave · 19-03-2006, 04:52 PM

hmmm, well it is isn't it, I mean it just, well sort of does, yes it's hmmm

bigredduke · 23-03-2006, 07:07 PM

Just managed to post a better picture!

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ustomseat1.jpg

manwithredbike · 23-03-2006, 09:41 PM

looks good. got any pics of it showing the whole bike too ????

24-03-2006, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigredduke

As you can see, the rear of the seat doesn't slope down at the back, so it's much more comfortable but it does remind me slightly of a dolphin's snout! I also had a bit of a hump put in the middle to stop passengers sliding forward under braking - not a problem with my wife, but I don't like a bloke to get that close!

Yes - definite bottlenose look to it - I think probably because of the 'hump'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigredduke

The guy who did the job was Tony Archer in Huddersfield, he's a top bloke and the quality of workmanship is excellent. He suggested the red piping and I think it ties in very well with the bike.
What do you think?

I does look like an extremely professional job.

Obviously it's an entirely new covering - extra traction for grip? Any special foam? And, if I may be so vulgar... how much?

Finally, and more to the point, what is the feedback from your pillion(s)

Miles

bigredduke · 24-03-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilesB

Yes - definite bottlenose look to it - I think probably because of the 'hump'.

I does look like an extremely professional job.

Obviously it's an entirely new covering - extra traction for grip? Any special foam? And, if I may be so vulgar... how much?

Finally, and more to the point, what is the feedback from your pillion(s)

Miles

The covering is 'BMW type' - it has tiny raised dots rather than indentations as per the standard Monster fabric. It's nice and grippy but I suppose not good for sliding the bum around to get the old knees down! (me and my knees are far too old for that malarkey and anyway, it's not something you would do with a passenger on board!)

I don't know if the foam is particularly special but it is much firmer than the standard and I find it more comfortable on longer rides.

Both my wife and daughter have sat on the back and say it feels much better, but neither of them have been out on it yet - I will let you know.

As for the vulgar question of price, Tony charged Â£50 which I thought was very good value. It does depend on what you have done & the fabric choice but it should be between Â£50 - Â£70.

You could argue that it doesn't look quite as streamlined as the original because it doesn't drop down at the back, but that is precisely why they are not good for pillion passengers!

24-03-2006, 11:36 AM

It looks great for pillions and the price is OK too.

bigredduke · 25-03-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithredbike

looks good. got any pics of it showing the whole bike too ????

Here's a picture of the whole ensemble. My wife went out with me on the bike today and said it was a big improvement! I particularly noticed that she didn't keep sliding forwards into me under braking as she tends to do with the original seat.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...eatallbike.jpg

manwithredbike · 26-03-2006, 12:41 AM

very nice job

19-03-2006, 03:54 PM	#2
sidrat ex S4rs owner Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lincolnshire Bike: S4r Posts: 179	It looks great, be nice to see the standard seat next to it, as it looks longer?, maybe thats just an illusion, well done __________________ Back on a Monster again!

19-03-2006, 04:52 PM	#4
Paranoid Dave Is it meant to do that? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Innit Bike: Other Ducati Posts: 2,198	hmmm, well it is isn't it, I mean it just, well sort of does, yes it's hmmm __________________ Goodbye Audrey Hello Eric

23-03-2006, 07:07 PM	#5
bigredduke Nothing to see here Join Date: May 2005 Location: brough Bike: M1100evo Posts: 1,546	Just managed to post a better picture! http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ustomseat1.jpg Last edited by bigredduke; 23-03-2006 at 07:07 PM.. Reason: forgot link!!!!

23-03-2006, 09:41 PM	#6
manwithredbike aka Phil Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: derry Bike: M900 Posts: 376	looks good. got any pics of it showing the whole bike too ????

24-03-2006, 11:36 AM	#9
paul620sie Guest Posts: n/a	It looks great for pillions and the price is OK too.

26-03-2006, 12:41 AM	#11
manwithredbike aka Phil Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: derry Bike: M900 Posts: 376	very nice job