Has anyone lowered a 2020+ RT seat?

[troop]

Like the title says, I am wondering if anyone has had decent success lowering a 2020+ RT seat? I saw an older thread, but thought I'd start a current one. I have a 2022 RT S2S, and bought a heated take off to have a Russell Day Long conversion. It is a wonderful seat, and super comfy, but it does sit about an inch higher than my OEM S2S seat. Sitting higher up makes twisty riding not as enjoyable. I know I won't ever achieve the seating position of my past F3S, but I'm thinking I'd want something a bit lower for everyday riding. How thick is the foam on a stock RT seat, for those who have actually seen the seat with the cover off? I'm pondering buying another take off seat and having it lowered, maybe just using a denser memory foam. I'll likely try putting the OEM seat back on first, as it is about and inch lower already, and the softer foam likely compresses even more than the RDL foam. Thoughts? Thx

 

[troop]

Well ... I just refreshed my memory by putting the stock S2S seat back on. Between the lower seat height and softer foam, I found myself at least 2" lower. Gonna give the OEM a go again. My only real issue with it was comfort for long trips. We shall see...

 

[Mikey]

Well ... I just refreshed my memory by putting the stock S2S seat back on. Between the lower seat height and softer foam, I found myself at least 2" lower. Gonna give the OEM a go again. My only real issue with it was comfort for long trips. We shall see...

Good luck!!! The hard part of asking other people about your comfort on your bike is you're the only one that knows how your butt feels! I struggled with this issue with my 2012 and have the same issue with my 2025! I get about 150 miles out and it's time to put the air hawk on or the sheep skin, or both, I would just love to be able to afford to have one made but I would love to be able to put one on for a 200 mile ride and see what happens! In other words, if it didn't work, I would be out a lot of money and still have a problem, and that's not what I want! I wish there was a shop that would let me test drive a seat! You may be on the right track by finding a different seat to mod, lower it down, and then send it off to whoever and have them work their magic! There is some free space under there I believe! Good Luck!!

 

[Knizar]

Good luck!!! The hard part of asking other people about your comfort on your bike is you're the only one that knows how your butt feels! I struggled with this issue with my 2012 and have the same issue with my 2025! I get about 150 miles out and it's time to put the air hawk on or the sheep skin, or both, I would just love to be able to afford to have one made but I would love to be able to put one on for a 200 mile ride and see what happens! In other words, if it didn't work, I would be out a lot of money and still have a problem, and that's not what I want! I wish there was a shop that would let me test drive a seat! You may be on the right track by finding a different seat to mod, lower it down, and then send it off to whoever and have them work their magic! There is some free space under there I believe! Good Luck!!

I believe that Ultimate Seats gives a trial run period, but, you have to pay return shipping and the 2020+ RTL
seats are a (1) piece with a fuel door vs the (2) piece OEM seat.

 

[troop]

I believe that Ultimate Seats gives a trial run period, but, you have to pay return shipping and the 2020+ RTL
seats are a (1) piece with a fuel door vs the (2) piece OEM seat.

I had an Ultimate seat on my byke for 10 minutes before I removed/returned for poor fitment. They actually sit you about 1" taller than OEM.

 

[greer]

I've never used them, but have heard good things:

Laam Custom Seats

Handcrafted, high-quality motorcycle seats tailored to your preferences. Backed by a lifetime warranty, elevate your riding experience with Laam Custom Seats.

www.laamseats.com

Might be worth a call. Wonder if there's a local upholster with any experience?

Sarah

 

[troop]

I've never used them, but have heard good things:

Laam Custom Seats

Handcrafted, high-quality motorcycle seats tailored to your preferences. Backed by a lifetime warranty, elevate your riding experience with Laam Custom Seats.

www.laamseats.com

Might be worth a call. Wonder if there's a local upholster with any experience?

Sarah

I had Seth redo my OEM seat on my past F3S. It was a good seat (not as good as my current RDL), but also about an inch higher. RDL makes a sport version, but it is approx. the same height as the OEM seat. I went back to my OEM seat to give it a try for everyday riding. I'd like to see a stock RT seat with its cover removed to see the foam construction.

-

 

[blacklightning]

I have come to the conclusion that whatever the seat and on whichever bike, I still can only get 100 miles out of it and remain comfortable. I have an AirHawk and a gel pad that I use when necessary.

 

[troop]

I have come to the conclusion that whatever the seat and on whichever bike, I still can only get 100 miles out of it and remain comfortable. I have an AirHawk and a gel pad that I use when necessary.

I can honestly say that my Russell Day Long is very comfortable over hundreds of miles/days. I do use an Alaskan Leather sheepskin on hot days. That said, comfort comes at a cost (literally and figuratively), as it raises the seat height a solid inch over the OEM sest height. That translates into even more height, as it doesn't sink like the OEM seat. I've had the RDL on the byke for a few thousand miles, so I put my OEM seat back on yesterday for local riding. No more trips planned this year, so we shall see?

 

[Quickdraw]

I'm looking into buying an RDL seat. I was also looking at a Laam seat. I'm reading that both seats will raise you up an inch or so. I do like how the stock seat sits lower, but I can't use that seat. After an hour of riding, I have discomfort. Two weekends ago, I took a 2 to 3-hour ride on both Saturday and Sunday and paid for it until Thursday.

I'm sure RDL can make a seat that sits pretty much the same height as the stock seat that is not the sport seat, so if I go that route, I'll ask them about it.

 

[troop]

I'm looking into buying an RDL seat. I was also looking at a Laam seat. I'm reading that both seats will raise you up an inch or so. I do like how the stock seat sits lower, but I can't use that seat. After an hour of riding, I have discomfort. Two weekends ago, I took a 2 to 3-hour ride on both Saturday and Sunday and paid for it until Thursday.

I'm sure RDL can make a seat that sits pretty much the same height as the stock seat that is not the sport seat, so if I go that route, I'll ask them about it.

Hey Quickdraw,

I had a Laam seat on my F3S and liked it quite a bit. He was the first one I contacted when I decided to upgrade my RT seat. He had very little photos of RT/RTL conversions, and when I asked him about it, his reply was that he hasn't done many of them because RT/RTL owners seem happy with the stock seat. Well, OK. I then asked him about a leather seating surface, and he tried extremely hard to sway me from it, but he said if I want it that way, he'd do it. Ok. I then asked him if I could get some vinyl/leather samples. I told him what I was looking at, and he literally replied "I'll have to ask my wife if she has any stamps or envelopes to do that"!! I gave him all my info (which he had from my F3S seat) and I never heard from him again. I have read around on forums that his CS has declined somewhat since his move to WV. Prior to that, he was always quite helpful.

Now, Jay at RDL was always on the ball. I received samples promptly, and he answered every question I asked. I also knew that the seat being built for me would be a bit taller and quite firmer. Being close to 245# geared, I also went with the heavy duty suspension. I can say that 500 mile days aren't an issue with the RDL. I opted for vinyl for ease of cleaning and maintenance. I did ponder leather, and Jay didn't try to sway me from it. He did say that a draw against leather was shoe/boot scuffs. He said vinyl/sunbrella hides those better. Personally, I just wasn't a fan of sunbrella. When warm/in the sun, my dark gray vinyl is pliable and not slippery. When cooler, you can slide around just a bit when in the twisties. Not an issue 95% of the time. Hope this might help a bit.

-

 

[Quickdraw]

That helps tremendously, @troop, thank you. I was leaning towards RDL because of some things I've read about Laam and their temperamental customer service; from what I've read. I was leaning towards the Sunbrella because with the seat being a bit higher, I don't want to add more height by having to add my sheepskin cover. I know PeteOz has the Sunbrella and says he likes it.

Good info and thanks for the pics. They help a lot. Can't wait to get this seat, and if it's as good as everyone is saying, I'll probably invest in one for the wife's bike as well. Her bottom gets a little tired after a 2-hour ride as well.