Questions About Ultimate Seats

[kentompkins]

I'm considering an Ultimate seat.

I've read all the comments here about their quality, comfort and the gas tank cover so I am not concerned about these things.

I'm trying to choose the right model and am not sure -- from the online site -- which seat I should purchase. For example, I've looked also at the BRP comfort seat and in the 2013 catalog (p. 43) it mentions that that seat moves the rider back two inches for more comfortable long rides. The Tallboy Ultimate moves the rider back one and a half inches. Ok, I understand the moving back part but -- and here is my question -- doesn't that comfort depend on where the handlebars are? In other words, moving the rider back wouldn't necessarily be comfortable if she had to reach further to grasp the handlebars.

I can see that there wouldn't be any problem if the new adjustable handlebars were installed as well. Then if the movement backward seemed to uncomfortable, the handlebars could be moved back to compensate.

Am I over-reading/over-thinking all of this? If I install an Ultimate Tallboy and I'm moved back one and a half inches will I still be able to easily grasp the handlebars?

Btw, the OEM seat is fine but I have back problems (who doesn't) and usually need a back rest for really long trips -- another reason I'm considering the Ultimate.

I've read how much those who own an Ultimate like it so I don't need to be convinced that they are well made, comfortable and make long days in the saddle easy. What I don't know is which I should choose and if I chose the Tallboy whether I will still bend a bit forward to reach the handlebars.

ken tompkins

 

[vrodrjs]

I would call them and talk to them. I think if the OEM seat is comfortable for you, maybe all you need is a back rest. The worst part about seats, not being able to try one before you buy it.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Back pain custom seating

I will share with you what a old Chiropractor told me about 35/45 years ago. It still holds true today. Take a ride on your toy and if you sit properly and you develop lower back aches or pain. First thing you want to do is either lower or raise your handle bars about an 1/8" then go for another ride. If recurs or is worse you went one of two ways wrong. Either not far enough or to far. So go back and drop it another 1/8" and go for another ride. If that don't work then take it the opposite direction remember the distance back to the starting point is two adjustments from where you are now at.

I would then and only then consider trying a custom seat manufacturer and only a manufacturer That will remove, install and let you test ride one for the time period that it took to develop the back ache or pain that started this quest.

i used to set mine in a afternoon riding session or on a trip but the Can Am setup for 2011/12 does not make it easy.

 

[DrewNJ]

Hey Ken,
I thought you had a Corbin??
My buddy Joe down in Delaware just got an ultimate seat. The tall one. He loves it but I found it wouldn't work for me. TO ME I felt CLOSER to the bars/tank and it bunched my legs up MORE than the stock riding position. But I am a bit longer legged.
If you can hold off til some nicer weather I'm sure we can all catch up and you could give the Ultimate seat a ride.
Personally, I have a stock ST seat and a Comfort seat to try. I'm keeping the one I like best and then selling the other.
So just keep in mind that you will have a few seats local to try....
Doug


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NancysToy]

When Nancy put the Comfort Seat on her GS, she had to reach too far, so we had to install handlebar risers. She was OK before the Comfort Seat, despite her short stature. My suggestion is to sit on the stock seat, and rest your wrists on the hand grips. That's about a 2" difference. Obviously you can't ride that way, but sitting there a while may give you the feel for it. Be careful to sit back in the seat when you test..."choking up" may mislead you. Sometimes an inch or two is OK, but another 1/2" becomes too much. You are wise to question the idea, and test it if you can.

 

[captblack]

I did not notice if you listed what model you have. My experience with my 2011 RT – S led me to the ultimate tallboy with the backrest. I had been using the BRP comfort seat with the backrest which was fairly comfortable but the backrest could not be removed and the passenger seat area was very small. The design of the ultimate seat is a little different so even though it says it is back an inch and a half it doesn't seem like it ( or at least not as much as the 2 inch difference with the comfort seat). I didn't really notice any issue with reaching the handlebars.

One thing I did find was that when you have the backrest it changes your posture and until I got used to the seat I had areas that were sore that hadn't been sore before. Once I got used to it however I find it very comfortable and worth the investment. As others have said seats are a very personal thing and if you have the opportunity to sit on some of them that would be great.

Good luck, and hope you find the perfect set up just for you.

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I agree you should call the company. They'll ask your height and weight and build the seat for you. If you're coming to Spyderfest, I suggest waiting and using the opportunity to sit o. A lot of different seats before you decide.

Thats whatim going to do to decide on highway pegs or floorboards.

 

[LLSailor]

I took a demo ride last spring and based on that short ride decided that the stock seat had me too straight up, too close to the front, just didn't feel comfortable. I ordered the comfort seat when I ordered my Spyder. It did work for my legs, but I'm bending over too much to reach the handlebars, so the lower back is not working. I then got the Utopia backrest and it has helped a great deal, but for me it's forward of the back of the comfort seat. I've got the feeling that I'll be working some seat and backrest combos for a while...

 

[Barbwire]

Ultimate gives you great lower back support. Call the company and they will help you or you may be able to meet them at a rally, they travel all over the country and demo their seats.

 

[dick574]

I'm considering an Ultimate seat.

I've read all the comments here about their quality, comfort and the gas tank cover so I am not concerned about these things.

I'm trying to choose the right model and am not sure -- from the online site -- which seat I should purchase. For example, I've looked also at the BRP comfort seat and in the 2013 catalog (p. 43) it mentions that that seat moves the rider back two inches for more comfortable long rides. The Tallboy Ultimate moves the rider back one and a half inches. Ok, I understand the moving back part but -- and here is my question -- doesn't that comfort depend on where the handlebars are? In other words, moving the rider back wouldn't necessarily be comfortable if she had to reach further to grasp the handlebars.

I can see that there wouldn't be any problem if the new adjustable handlebars were installed as well. Then if the movement backward seemed to uncomfortable, the handlebars could be moved back to compensate.

Am I over-reading/over-thinking all of this? If I install an Ultimate Tallboy and I'm moved back one and a half inches will I still be able to easily grasp the handlebars?

Btw, the OEM seat is fine but I have back problems (who doesn't) and usually need a back rest for really long trips -- another reason I'm considering the Ultimate.

I've read how much those who own an Ultimate like it so I don't need to be convinced that they are well made, comfortable and make long days in the saddle easy. What I don't know is which I should choose and if I chose the Tallboy whether I will still bend a bit forward to reach the handlebars.

ken tompkins

Ken, I've got the tall boy & I'll be at SF in April. If you wait until then you can try mine.