Best seats - are Russell Day Long seats REALLY that good?

[PJveetwin]

Since I last posted on this was back in 2022. Last December, I was going to do a ride in to Mt Shasta for my RTL seat. At the last minute, a freak storm blew in , so the wife and I decided to pull the seats and drive up. It's like 500 miles from where I live. I was able to drop it off the afternoon before my appointed day, and they had it done early afternoon. I choose all in leather including the backrest. Very happy how it turned out. I will say, A Russell will be higher than a stock seat, no way around it. In my case, I added a floor board riser from Sling Mods

 

[Peter Aawen]

I must agree. The first day on my 2014 with stock seat, I rode 300 miles, round trip. I was in pain when I got home. That night I ordered the Ultimate seat from Canada. I have ridden it 45,000 miles and on long trips. And have never ever had butt soreness. And have made many 1500 mile trips. Yes, I recommend Ultimate. Get the one with the gas door.

ricford, please read and respond to the PM's I sent URGENTLY! :thumbup:

 

[crossbowme]

I have one. It's excellent.

 

[BernJel]

It helps if you supply them your honest weight. They are always a little stiff in the beginning, then gradually Break-In. Good photos are a must. I have had two. Both have been comfortable for consecutive 600-700 mile days. One 100 cc ride.

 

[Peteoz]

Since I last posted on this was back in 2022. Last December, I was going to do a ride in to Mt Shasta for my RTL seat. At the last minute, a freak storm blew in , so the wife and I decided to pull the seats and drive up. It's like 500 miles from where I live. I was able to drop it off the afternoon before my appointed day, and they had it done early afternoon. I choose all in leather including the backrest. Very happy how it turned out. I will say, A Russell will be higher than a stock seat, no way around it. In my case, I added a floor board riser from Sling Mods

Yet another example of how we are all different, meaning that “one-size-fits-all” seats, DON’T, PJ

My RDL lifted me also, which gave me a little more legroom using the stock boards, thus increasing leg comfort significantly. :thumbup:

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

It helps if you supply them your honest weight. They are always a little stiff in the beginning, then gradually Break-In. Good photos are a must. I have had two. Both have been comfortable for consecutive 600-700 mile days. One 100 cc ride.

Why would ANYONE provide a custom seat building company with make believe data, BernJel? It just doesn’t make sense. Surely no one could be in that much denial about their real weight?

... and as an aside, I have not found any of my Daylong seats a little stiff to start. On my Victory Vision, the Daylong seat arrived the day before I was heading off on a 4,000km journey. I installed it, loaded up, and headed off. There was no break in period whatsoever on that first 1000km day. :dontknow:

Pete

 

[troop]

I received all my material samples from Russell Day Long, and now I'm really confused. I was pretty much set on black vinyl sides/graphite leather inserts, as I think that scheme would look good on my mystery blue RT S2S. Then I looked at/felt the sunbrella in the slate colorway. Have to admit, that material intrigues me. Here are pix of slate/smoke sunbrella and graphite leather on the seat next to the OEM black vinyl. From Left > right are smoke/slate sunbrella/graphite leather. Thoughts

 

[Calimusjohn]

I'm lucky.
I've ridden multiple 500-mile days on my 2022 S2S with a stock seat and don't suffer from "Monkey Butt" or any other problems.
Maybe it's because I've been riding stock seats on motorcycles since I bought my first 1934 Harley in 1950. Yes, I was eleven years old.
In the following 74 years, I've tried sheepskins, gel pads, beads, and foam pads offered by other riders. None impressed me enough to buy one.
Like anything, do what is best for you.
I'm submitting this to remind others that not everyone needs a custom seat, handlebar risers, or the million-and-one accessories that are available.
Simple is often best.

 

[troop]

I'm lucky.
I've ridden multiple 500-mile days on my 2022 S2S with a stock seat and don't suffer from "Monkey Butt" or any other problems.
Maybe it's because I've been riding stock seats on motorcycles since I bought my first 1934 Harley in 1950. Yes, I was eleven years old.
In the following 74 years, I've tried sheepskins, gel pads, beads, and foam pads offered by other riders. None impressed me enough to buy one.
Like anything, do what is best for you.https://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/maps/map.prov.png?states=ON.MB.SK.AB.BC.YT
I'm submitting this to remind others that not everyone needs a custom seat, handlebar risers, or the million-and-one accessories that are available.
Simple is often best.

That's a great position to be in. So far, on my S2S, my longest single day rides are 570 and 790 miles. Day riding is no problem. Long day rides get to be a bit uncomfortable. Can you share what your weight is? I'm 230#, and most OEM seat foams are too soft.

 

[Peteoz]

I received all my material samples from Russell Day Long, and now I'm really confused. I was pretty much set on black vinyl sides/graphite leather inserts, as I think that scheme would look good on my mystery blue RT S2S. Then I looked at/felt the sunbrella in the slate colorway. Have to admit, that material intrigues me. Here are pix of slate/smoke sunbrella and graphite leather on the seat next to the OEM black vinyl. From Left > right are smoke/slate sunbrella/graphite leather. Thoughts

Unfortunately, only YOU can decide which colour suits you, Troop. The only thing I can add is the the black Sunbrella on mine has not faded in the slightest after 3 years.

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

.....
I'm submitting this to remind others that not everyone needs a custom seat, handlebar risers, or the million-and-one accessories that are available.
Simple is often best.

Sure, not everyone needs an aftermarket seat, Calismus. Some riders are just lucky or have an iron butt. But that is a rather odd comment on a thread where riders are looking for a replacement seat because their stock seat is so uncomfortable for them. :dontknow:

Pete

 

[troop]

Unfortunately, only YOU can decide which colour suits you, Troop. The only thing I can add is the the black Sunbrella on mine has not faded in the slightest after 3 years.

Pete

Yeah .. I hear ya Pete. Jay, from Russell, says he has 50k miles on his sunbrella seat and it still looks like new. I have two months before I send it in. Plenty of time to ponder

 

[Leaping1]

On various bikes, I’ve had a Corbin, a Mustang, and an Ultimate seat. I’m currently driving a 2020 RT with the Comfort seat and my butt just aches after 2-3 hours (My wife says I haven’t had a butt since i turned 50!)

The only brand I have never heard ANTYHING bad about is the Russell Day Long and I’m considering investing in one. I have used them several times.

For those of you who’ve had one - is it really that good?

At least talk to Mean City Cycles in Maiden NC. Check their web page. Could save you some serious money and have a quality seat.
Leon

 

[jcthorne]

On various bikes, I’ve had a Corbin, a Mustang, and an Ultimate seat. I’m currently driving a 2020 RT with the Comfort seat and my butt just aches after 2-3 hours (My wife says I haven’t had a butt since i turned 50!)

The only brand I have never heard ANTYHING bad about is the Russell Day Long and I’m considering investing in one.

For those of you who’ve had one - is it really that good?

After having many of the seats you mention and others over the years and finally spending the time and funds to get a RDL built for me,

YES

The RDL is amazing as each one is built for the individual butt. Every butt is different. Having done this, I will never bother with other seats again as I really can ride all day in an RDL saddle. They are also very well built, it's not just foam and a cover, but a real suspension inside.

Thanks all for the input. Tomorrow I will call Laam and RDL and make a decision. I also noticed RDL has a genuine leather option. Sounds appealing and the claim is that with proper care it will last as well as vinyl. Any parting thoughts?

I have the real leather cover on mine. It's now approaching 10 years and 100k miles and while the edges have a bit of patina, it's worn very well and will likely make the transition to my next F3.

 

[troop]

At least talk to Mean City Cycles in Maiden NC. Check their web page. Could save you some serious money and have a quality seat.
Leon

Mean City did a seat of mine on a past Kawasaki. They don't do Spyders (I inquired). Seth Laam also offers leather inserts for his seats, but he doesn't recommend them. I had Laam do my past F3S seat, and it was nice. Just going to try a RDL for my RT S2S.

 

[Peteoz]

Yeah .. I hear ya Pete. Jay, from Russell, says he has 50k miles on his sunbrella seat and it still looks like new. I have two months before I send it in. Plenty of time to ponder

Sometimes I wish they only had one option and color for their seats, troop. It would make the decision sooooooo much easier. The plus of course is that any of their colours and combinations work so whatever you select will perform :thumbup:

Good luck.

Pete