My aching tailbone! 1994 Suzuki Intruder v800 seat help!

Hi this is my first post! A little about me, after about 25 year pause, I recently acquired a 1994 Suzuki Intruder V800 (chopper style) with about 3K miles. I too looking for gas relief for my 100 mile per day round trip daily commute. Bike came with highway pegs, windshield and saddle bags, but factory seat. I love this bike, it is just perfect for commuting to work on the freeway/highway mix I have to do. My only complaint is the seat is just killing my tail bone specifically. I usually ride with my feet up on the pegs. I saw the article regarding the type of aftermarket seats, Corbin, Mustang, etc.. In the article they mention getting seat specific for ride style and yes Tail bone pain... but the article does not say which seat manufacture/type is best for that. Folks I really would appreciate your help here! Especially from you SuzyQ Intruder riders who have made the seat change. What do I get so I can keep on riding!!      thanks in advance.......Leonard  

Leonard,

I'm not sure there is any one correct answer to which manufacturer makes the right seat for your riding style.  From what I've experienced, however, almost any good-quality aftermarket seat will be an improvement over any stock seat, whether on an Intruder or otherwise.  I have a Heritage Softail, and the stock seat for it was shelved within two weeks of buying it.  I replaced it with the Mustang Super Touring seat, and I think it's well worth the money I spent.  I've also heard very good things about Corbin seats, but I haven't had enough seat time on one to make a recommendation for or against them.  This is probably a no-brainer, but given the length of your commute, I'd steer away from the "cool looking" seats (low profile, gunslinger, etc.) and be looking more toward a touring saddle. From what I've seen, the "cool ones" usually only good for one thing...looking at.  Any more than 20 minutes or so on one and you're looking for excuses to pull over get off of it.  It really comes down to budget (you'll typically get what you pay for) and personal preference (which, with motorcycle seats, is unfortunately difficult to test without buying unless you know someone with the seat you're interested in that will let you try it out long enough to get a feel for it).  Good luck, hope that helps.  

Bugturd (really?) makes some very good points.  Seats are as individual as the derrieres that go on them.  I'd add that you should call the various aftermarket seat makers and discuss your individual needs and your bike.

FWIW--by putting your feet out on the highway pegs, you're putting more weight onto your tailbone.  Not to mention putting your feet far from the rear brake and shift pedals.  Good luck!  

I have a Honda Shadow.  The stock seat also left a little to be desired.  Upgraded to a Mustang sear and love it.  My wife rides with me often and loves the width of the passenger sear.  

I had the same problem with my '01 Intruder 800.  I started out getting the Mustang Regal Duke which was good looking and very comfortable for me, but still not so great for the passenger.  I then got the Mustang Wide Regal and it was a lot better for my wife on the passenger seat.  I've got a Regal Duke that I can make you a good deal on if you are interested.   Steve  

Have you tried any of the gel pads out there?  

I think the mustang seat is the way to go I think the corbin is more for looks Barry  

I've never owned a Suzuki, but the Mustang seats are a huge improvement over the stock Yamaha seats.  I overheard another rider at a Rally talking about how uncomfortably hard the Corbin seats are, but can't give a first-hand comment.  I've had a gel pad in the past, but didn't think it helped much plus it raises the seat height by a couple of inches-a concern if you want to stay flat footed while stopped.  

I agree that Mustang Seats are the way to go if you plan on taking long rides.  The downside is that they are rather expensive, so depending on your wallet, it may be a tough decision. A low cost alternatve would be to get a beaded pad (www.beadrider.com) that will cost you about $40.  

Skipper
ride2rally.com  

Here's your token Corbin owner piping up! My buddy Watash swears by Mustang, and I by Corbin. I'm the Iron Butt member though (1029 miles in 22 hrs on my Saddlesore). The Corbin seems overly firm at first, but it's shaped right for all-day comfort, plus I've ridden a VS1400 Intruder equipped with the Gunfighter - nice! I've heard nothing but good about Mustang, but I'd never put anything that ugly on my bike - especially something as sleek as a VS800 Intruder!

And a word about gel saddles (goes for pads too) - be sure they're heat resistant (Suzuki's aren't, Sargent's are). I had the Suzuki accessory gel saddle on a 1200 Bandit, and while it was fairly comfy for all-day rides, you know that feeling when you first sit on a black saddle that's been in the sun? That goes away in maybe a three minutes? With a non-heat resistant gel, that feeling doesn't go away for maybe 30 miles! Standing on the pegs vs 3rd-degree burns hot! I literally got blisters, but the southern AZ sun may be more intense than yours - still, you've been warned.

Rider magazine's Jan 2008 issue has a good article on seats, presenting many more choices than just Mustang vs Corbin. Nowhere do they mention however that a side benefit of Corbin's denser-ergo-thinner foam and closer-fitting custom pan is that seat height is often reduced by an inch or more (feels more like three on my Magna's dualtour/g&l). I'd go so far as to say that if I couldn't decide which new bike to buy, if one had Corbins available and the other didn't, that would clinch it.  
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scorpio
sober riders mc
2002 vf750c magna

I want to talk to you about the mustang sear, whether you have it or not still.  If you could please call me at 361-543-5375 so that I can talk to you and hope that you could answer some of questions.

Thank You,

David Hogan  

I have a 94 intruder and will agree with you about your back pain. I am 6ft tall. I replaced the orginal seat with a Mustang wide touring seat. Shop the internet and you will find a good price.no matter what it is worth the investment into your health and love of riding!! the moose Elkins WV  

I am having the same problem with my factory seat. I have a 06 Yamaha Road Star and bought a mustang solo with a backrest and found that the backrest reciever put a lot of pressure on my lower back about 2 inches before it comes out of the seat to where it comes out of the seat. I can not ride without the backrest. I found out from the guy's at mustang that there seats are not made for people like me that are 5'10" and 280lbs. So now I am going the custom built route with a company in florida and come to find out they are about the same price as Mustang. And also be careful if you buy online and read the return policy. I will have to pay a 20% restocking fee plus frt. to ship it back and the problem is now where on the Mustang site or the site where I bought it does it say anything about weight restrictions or I would have not purchased it.  

Hi! I can relate to the seat issue.  Before I got my recent 2007 Boulevard C50, I had a1995 intruder 800.  I purchased an after market Corbin gunfighter seat.  It had a nice line for the design of the bike and was so much more comfortable than the original seat.  best of luch to you on your decisions.
Artbrut