Forward sloping saddles - just for looks?

Superzoom · 06-25-2010, 03:28 AM

I have a question about saddles... It seems that many bikes have saddles that slant forwards slightly, especially on sport bikes, but you do see forward sloping saddles on almost all bikes these days (except perhaps cruisers).

Do saddles slope for function, or do they slope because it looks good? I kind of suspect the slope is just more esthetically pleasing because it looks "sportier". Or would you go sliding back in the saddle if it wasn't canted forwards?

I have a Yamaha FZ6R and the saddle slopes forwards. I kind of wish it was just broad and flat, but I don't know enough about saddles to know what would be most comfortable and practical.

plugeye · 06-25-2010, 04:39 AM

yes, its just to sell them
not many stock seats really work for longer than a very short ride

Roadscum · 06-25-2010, 04:53 AM

Perhaps work of a women designer/engineer, for our pain and their pleasure!

PMC · 06-25-2010, 05:00 AM

It must be a looks thing because unless you're into having your junk smashed into the tank it isn't a great design.

Some are worse than others... I have an 1198 that was just horrible after about an hour but isn't bad with a Sargent seat. No more crushed package

H96669 · 06-25-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PMC

It must be a looks thing because unless you're into having your junk smashed into the tank it isn't a great design.

Some are worse than others... I have an 1198 that was just horrible after about an hour but isn't bad with a Sargent seat. No more crushed package

Just for looks that's for sure......I have a K1200RS on which I had to modify the seat to stop crushing "My" package, better now but still lacking. Now if that other guy could stop outbidding me on a Corbin seat on Ebay....but he may be younger than me and think his package is worth more than mine.

JohninVT · 06-25-2010, 10:48 AM

Ducati is the worst when it comes to this. The new Monster line, Streetfighter and 1098 all crush your sack against the tank. Whoever designs their seats should be beaten.

Defconfunk · 06-25-2010, 11:22 AM

According to the Press Releases, the lower (and much narrower) fronts of the seats is to make people standing feel more comfortable. By dropping the front of the seat a half inch, and narrowing it by a few inches a shorter person can stand flat footed on a the bike at stops.

So, the public reason is new or short rider confidence.

Truthfully, I expect it is mix of that and style.

Bongolia · 06-26-2010, 04:25 AM

You're not riding fast enough.

page62 · 06-26-2010, 05:24 AM

On my 919, I peeled back the seat cover, broke out my orbital sander, put on a fresh sheet of coarse sandpaper...and started sanding down the foam. Voila! A nice flat seat.

The hardest part was getting the staples to go all the way into the plastic when recovering it...

Dranrab Luap · 06-26-2010, 11:23 AM

Forward sloping seats are perhaps my biggest per peeve with motorcycle design. It's just plain damn dumb.

Superzoom · 06-26-2010, 12:25 PM

Page62, can you describe the sanding technique in more detail? I have heard of it, but would like to know any tips you might have. Do you glue the seat cover back on, or are the staples good enough? How many tries did it take you to get the shape right?

I'm guessing I should sand the foam perfectly flat or just slightly dished. Do you have any pictures of your seat or the process?

chris3155 · 06-26-2010, 04:02 PM

try this
http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/modify_3.htm

Chris

Bongolia · 06-27-2010, 12:39 AM

The best ergonomics of any bike I've ridden.

06-25-2010, 03:28 AM	#1
Superzoom ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto Oddometer: 388	Forward sloping saddles - just for looks? I have a question about saddles... It seems that many bikes have saddles that slant forwards slightly, especially on sport bikes, but you do see forward sloping saddles on almost all bikes these days (except perhaps cruisers). Do saddles slope for function, or do they slope because it looks good? I kind of suspect the slope is just more esthetically pleasing because it looks "sportier". Or would you go sliding back in the saddle if it wasn't canted forwards? I have a Yamaha FZ6R and the saddle slopes forwards. I kind of wish it was just broad and flat, but I don't know enough about saddles to know what would be most comfortable and practical.

06-25-2010, 04:53 AM	#3
Roadscum Studly Adventurer Joined: May 2007 Location: SW Florida Oddometer: 879	Perhaps work of a women designer/engineer, for our pain and their pleasure! __________________ "One of the things that make motorcycling so great is because it never fails to give you a feeling of freedom and adventure." - Steve McQueen

06-25-2010, 05:00 AM	#4
PMC Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Twin Cities MN Oddometer: 673	It must be a looks thing because unless you're into having your junk smashed into the tank it isn't a great design. Some are worse than others... I have an 1198 that was just horrible after about an hour but isn't bad with a Sargent seat. No more crushed package __________________ _______________________________ 06 KTM 950 Black 11 HD Ultra Limited Sunglo Cherry Red & Merlot

06-25-2010, 11:22 AM	#7
Defconfunk I need to get out more Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Ontario Oddometer: 174	According to the Press Releases, the lower (and much narrower) fronts of the seats is to make people standing feel more comfortable. By dropping the front of the seat a half inch, and narrowing it by a few inches a shorter person can stand flat footed on a the bike at stops. So, the public reason is new or short rider confidence. Truthfully, I expect it is mix of that and style. __________________ 2005 Suzuki SV-650N "Belle" 2003 Kawasaki ZZR-250 "Socks" [sold] Bruised and Battered, but Smiling and Victorious. - Me Pictures

06-26-2010, 04:25 AM	#8
Bongolia stop acting Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Hong Kong Oddometer: 15,194	You're not riding fast enough. __________________ A pariah on the farm

06-25-2010, 04:39 AM	#2
plugeye mc caregiver Joined: May 2007 Location: Garland, Texas Oddometer: 2,586	yes, its just to sell them not many stock seats really work for longer than a very short ride

06-25-2010, 10:48 AM	#6
JohninVT Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: Vermont Oddometer: 351	Ducati is the worst when it comes to this. The new Monster line, Streetfighter and 1098 all crush your sack against the tank. Whoever designs their seats should be beaten.

06-26-2010, 05:24 AM	#9
page62 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Oddometer: 156	On my 919, I peeled back the seat cover, broke out my orbital sander, put on a fresh sheet of coarse sandpaper...and started sanding down the foam. Voila! A nice flat seat. The hardest part was getting the staples to go all the way into the plastic when recovering it... __________________ '10 KLX250SF (Baby supermoto!) '07 Aprilia Shiver 750 (Naked!)

06-26-2010, 11:23 AM	#10
Dranrab Luap E-Tarded Joined: Jun 2004 Location: Louisissippi Coast Oddometer: 25,694	Forward sloping seats are perhaps my biggest per peeve with motorcycle design. It's just plain damn dumb.

06-26-2010, 12:25 PM	#11
Superzoom ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto Oddometer: 388	Page62, can you describe the sanding technique in more detail? I have heard of it, but would like to know any tips you might have. Do you glue the seat cover back on, or are the staples good enough? How many tries did it take you to get the shape right? I'm guessing I should sand the foam perfectly flat or just slightly dished. Do you have any pictures of your seat or the process?

06-26-2010, 04:02 PM	#12
chris3155 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Ireland Oddometer: 246	try this http://www.diymotorcycleseat.com/modify_3.htm Chris

06-27-2010, 12:39 AM	#13
Bongolia stop acting Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Hong Kong Oddometer: 15,194	The best ergonomics of any bike I've ridden. __________________ A pariah on the farm Bongolia screwed with this post 06-27-2010 at 05:27 AM

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