i am pretty new to riding bikes and i was wondering if there is a more comfortable seat for a 2000 gs500e possably a gel seat. any info on this matter would be appreciated and if anyone could possably give me a link to a website or a dealership that sells aftermarket seats for this bike.
I'll have to check back in on this thread. Though, as of yet, I really can't complain too much after the sub 2 hour rides I've taken.
i usually ride it back and forth to work but i also ride with my dad and brother and we usually ride for 3 or 4 hours at a time
Talk to a local upholstery guy.You could cut down the seat foam and add a gel pad to replace the foam that was cut out.It will keep the stock look and vinyl cover.
the wiki has some info about seat upgrades http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Seats ... i too am looking to upgrade my seat but i think im just going to do it myself with the help of my roommate in order to save a few hundred $$
Quote from: mm75658 on June 26, 2008, 10:05:45 PM
the wiki has some info about seat upgrades http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Seats ... i too am looking to upgrade my seat but i think im just going to do it myself with the help of my roommate in order to save a few hundred $$
Most, if not all, of those seat upgrades on the Wiki have been discontinued.
ill probably do what ben2go said and just take it to an upostry shop (i know i cant spell)
thanks for all the help
Quote from: natewesselink on June 26, 2008, 06:42:59 PM
i am pretty new to riding bikes and i was wondering if there is a more comfortable seat for a 2000 gs500e possably a gel seat. any info on this matter would be appreciated and if anyone could possably give me a link to a website or a dealership that sells aftermarket seats for this bike.
Tell us how much it comes out to if you can. :)
Quote from: natewesselink on June 26, 2008, 06:42:59 PM
i am pretty new to riding bikes and i was wondering if there is a more comfortable seat for a 2000 gs500e.
Welcome to the most distinctive feature of the Granite Seat 500... :thumb: :icon_mrgreen:
Wait till you ride a supersport, or even an SV or VFR. The GS seat feels totally cushy in comparison.
You'll probably get used to it in time, so don't be too quick to rip into it. Frankly, I never notice it. Longest I was on the GS was 19 hours straight, stopping only for gas. 'course, I'm a lightweight too, which may have something to do with it... :dunno_white:
Try to keep moving, all the time. Vary the pressure points. :thumb:
well i have sat on a sv650 seat and that was a whole lot more comfortable than my gs seat. im still in the process of accumulating funds to get the seat redone and im still trying to find a good upholstery shop here in town but i will definately let you guys know when i get it done how mutch it was
Hi there,
I have a Corbin seat for my GS500 and I love it, but they are not cheap.
Have you checked out this place, Sargent Cycle? They redo seats and are experts at motorcycle saddles.
Check them out at:
http://www.sargentcycle.com/custserv.htm
They do gorgeous work for a lot less than a total seat replacement.
Good luck,
Todd
I have a corbin seat on my bike as well - happy that it came with it when I purchased the bike as I know they are $$$$$$$ :icon_mrgreen:
Most of the seat options seem pretty expensive. I guess I'll just have to get used to the hard seat on long trips.
Quote from: b_long_1 on July 07, 2008, 03:12:48 PM
Most of the seat options seem pretty expensive. I guess I'll just have to get used to the hard seat on long trips.
You can DIY a memory foam insert or gel pad fairly simply. I did my own with a gel pad.
Sharpie Pen, Spray on adhesive, electric carving knife, and small cheese grater were all I needed. Used the original seat cover.
again anothe corp that makes then ois BAGSTER and they do have a north american dealer (spoke to them ~ 450$ complete custom job) have to send them your seat and they ship it back.
but they sure have color options that corbin doesnt
considering it myself.
http://www.bagster.com/en/
Bike supported only under "make your own seat logo"
well i am a college student and im tryin to do this on the cheap do you guys know if there is a website that has a step by step process to recoushin your seat or have anyone of you guys done it that can tell me how and where to get the materieals
once agan any info is appreciated
Quote from: natewesselink on July 12, 2008, 01:06:03 AM
and where to get the materieals
It might be more than you can handle :icon_mrgreen: You have to go to a usually female-centric type of store. Any decent fabric store has foam and vinyl. Some boat stores (more male-centric) will as well. Then again, if you manage to walk into the fabric store, perhaps you can pick up seat supplies and a GF!
A lot of sins in foam will be covered by stretching the vinyl, but shaping foam is what those stupid electric carving knives excel at. $3 at a yard sale or second hand shop (no point in buying one new, IMHO).
...and learn to use google, you're in the 21st century now:
http://www.cynaraarts.com/Seat/recvrseat.html (http://www.cynaraarts.com/Seat/recvrseat.html)
http://rides.webshots.com/album/226893080oOEpHg (http://rides.webshots.com/album/226893080oOEpHg)
what about a small gel pad with straps to attach it? I think I saw one in a catalog from IronPony. I think it was only about $45.
Ooo, that bagster seat does look nice. I'll have to start saving up...
Quote from: natewesselink on July 12, 2008, 01:06:03 AM
well i am a college student and im tryin to do this on the cheap do you guys know if there is a website that has a step by step process to recoushin your seat or have anyone of you guys done it that can tell me how and where to get the materieals
once agan any info is appreciated
I purchased memory foam from bed bath and beyond. Fabric supply is a good suggestion as well.
Im about to mod my seat with this kit off ebay- $60 shipped. Ill take pics of the process. Wont get around to it till late august though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&viewitem=&item=180225831904&_trksid=p3907.m32
Looks very simple,
1. Take off seat cover
2. cut out foam square hole in your seat.
3. put in gel and memory foam, memory foam 1/2 inch wider all around( gel can be cut with razor knife or scissors)
4. cover whole seat with smoothing foam
5. put cover back on
oh yeah, use some contact cement (spray kind)
Quote from: lopee on July 28, 2008, 03:27:15 PM
Im about to mod my seat with this kit off ebay- $60 shipped. Ill take pics of the process. Wont get around to it till late august though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching&viewitem=&item=180225831904&_trksid=p3907.m32
Looks very simple,
1. Take off seat cover
2. cut out foam square hole in your seat.
3. put in gel and memory foam, memory foam 1/2 inch wider all around( gel can be cut with razor knife or scissors)
4. cover whole seat with smoothing foam
5. put cover back on
oh yeah, use some contact cement (spray kind)
I used to work for an auto upholster and i had my own shop for a few years.When you do the gel pad,if you have time,place it on the seat after you have removed the foam for it.Place the gel pad with the rounded edges down,if it has them.Then let the seat and pad set on a table for 48 hours.This should let the gel pad take shape and lay down better for glueing.If the pad is really flimsy ignore this.The best tool for cutting foam is an electric kitchen knife and can be had for a few bucks at Dollar Stores,Wal Mart,and most any discount home store.
Thanks for the advise ben2go. I know quite a bit about uphostry ad can sew like a taylor, so im thinking abou contouring the seat with the turkey carving knife an a sander. then doing the insert againgt the hard plastic, maybe lowering the stand-over height, im 5'6". Ill be doing this in the winter, Ive got a couple of trips planed on the bike, Myrtle Beach,SC rally Oct. !st thru the 5th. Ill take pics of the process when i start.