vulcan 900 - gel or mustang seat

[Edmonton 900LT]

I just got my new 900lt and I’m just so happy with the bike. It is really great and more than I was expecting.

I do however plan on replacing the seat. Following the threads on this site, it appears the new gel seat is getting great reviews but I am leaning towards the mustang with the back rest. Any chance that anyone has tried both?

Although the mustang is more money, I have no problem spending the $$ if it is more comfortable.

I am 5’10” and 160lbs. Will the mustang push me too close to the gas tank?

Any comments from experience riders would be most appricated.

Thanks

[david8200]

I have the mustang on my 900lt and I love it. I did not get the backrest. The way the seat is made I did not feel that I needed it. It gives so much more support than the OME.
Have not tried the gel so can't answer your question about a comparision. I am 5'10" and 190. The seat did raise me about 1" and forward just slightly.

[Spazz]

I as well cannot answer about the gel or the Mustang. But I can answer about the Corbin. I bought mine second hand and I just love the thing to death. It has my seat height at 26 inches. I have the back rest and it does not push my 5' 7'' 190lb. body forward at all. In fact for me to enjoy the backrest, I had to buy the Phat II risers to bring the bars back. This was the only way I could enjoy the backrest. I have ridden my 900 for comparable distances with but the stock seat and the Corbin. Hands down the Corbin wins. I did have the opportunity to sit on a 900 with the mustang seat. With the passenger seat on as well it almost made its own backrest. It did however raise my bottom up higher than the Corbin. It felt more like the stock seat than an aftermarket (sorry Mustang guy's and gal's just my two pennies).

[Alf]

I have the Mustang wide touring seat and love it. It will move you up and slightly foreward but not drastically....

[alaincd]

I am 6' and I tried the Mustang Seat and it did not work for me. I got the new Kawasaki gel seat yesterday fm a dealer in Maine. Got back today and I took my Vn900 for a short ride and so far I have hope for new Kawasaki gel seat. I will ride it for longer ride this week and I will give my impression on this post.

[Turtle47]

I have the new Kawa gel seat, and it is great. It does not push you forward at all, and it offers a lot of back support. Passenger pillion is great according to my wife. Wider and more padding. With the stock seat we had to take a break after about 30 minutes riding time. Now we have gone an hour and a half before needing a break. Never sat on a Mustang, but had a corbin on my 750 vulcan, and it was like sitting on a brick.

[budro40]

I got the Mustang with backrest and love it.Sorry I cant comment on the Gel seat it seems to be a good deal.If you have any sort of back problems get a seat with a backrest it does help.

[Kawabichons]

I opted for the Mustang w/backrest for my 900LT and I absolutely love it with regards to comfort, qaulity and support! The support is heaven sent compared to the stock seat.

I did research the Gel and dealer, fellow riders and mustangs explain of the GEL vs. Mustang pushed me to the Mustang touring w/backrest.

Good Luck!

[TJ900B]

Originally Posted by david8200

I have the mustang on my 900lt and I love it. I did not get the backrest. The way the seat is made I did not feel that I needed it. It gives so much more support than the OME.
Have not tried the gel so can't answer your question about a comparision. I am 5'10" and 190. The seat did raise me about 1" and forward just slightly.

Hey David,

Is this the seat you bought?



Of course any of you others guys input would also be greatly appreaciated!

The reason why I ask is its the one I have on order and have been holding off on a Phatt II riser until I get the seat. If it indeed raises my riding position forward just a tad and up just a little, that would be ideal for the stock handlebars for my build.

Thanks for the input guys!

Tj

[Edmonton 900LT]

Well after reading all the replies and all the great reviews of the mustang, I bought the seat and just installed it. I’ve only road around the block so jury is still out.

My first impressions are, I really don’t know if I like it. The seat does have a back rest and is more comfortable and I know I will be more comfortable for longer periods. My problem is that I’m not sure if I like riding so high and I don’t think I like to be so far forward. Perhaps this will take some time to get use to but it sure feels different. So my first impression is, yes it is more comfortable but I really do not like the height or the forward position. Again I’ve only road with the seat for a few minutes so I do need to give it a chance.

Anyone else have these initial thoughts?

[stevebtx12]

I felt the same way when I first put my Mustang on, but now I wouldn't trade it for anything. I think the different position does take a little getting used to.

[budro40]

Give it a little more saddle time before you judge it,i felt the same way but love it now.That backrest is going to be wonderful on long rides.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by budro40

Give it a little more saddle time before you judge it,i felt the same way but love it now.That backrest is going to be wonderful on long rides.

At first I thought I had made a mistake buying the Mustang. Took me a few rides to really appreciate it now you couldn't tear it away..To me compared to the stock seat it is like sitting in a recliner...

[dasher]

I went with the Mustang seat w/ backrest and std Phatt risers and it’s been great so far (2 weeks)

[tooeagle]

Originally Posted by alaincd

I am 6' and I tried the Mustang Seat and it did not work for me. I got the new Kawasaki gel seat yesterday fm a dealer in Maine. Got back today and I took my Vn900 for a short ride and so far I have hope for new Kawasaki gel seat. I will ride it for longer ride this week and I will give my impression on this post.

almost two years later - what do you think now? I have a 2007 vulcan 900 classic and my butt hurts after about 30 minutes on the road. After an all day trip, my lower back hurts somuch I can hardly walk.
I've gotta do something. Assuming you still like the seat, where did you get the seat and is this a Kawasaki part?

[keith_stepp]

I have a Mustang Seat with driver's backrest and I highly recommend it if you are experiencing back and shoulder pain. Amazing improvement for me and easily doubled my range in the saddle, maybe tripled.

[jakevn900]

I have the Kawasaki Gel seat. Good seat and nive passenger seat too. Anything beats the stocker.

[socalmarcus]

Originally Posted by tooeagle

almost two years later - what do you think now?

The OP's last post was on Holloween '07 so I don't think you'll get his answer. I've only recently been on both but:

It's fairly universal - the stock seat blows chunks. I never experienced back or shoulder ache, just serious butt-ache.

I bought the gel seat and went on a day ride of ~ 250 miles (April SoCal ride). Although I was still squirming a bit on the freeway (but it was a hot day), it was a big improvement. The shape is just better than the stock. The pillion was also a definite improvement - my wife liked the width but it was still uncomfortable to her after an hour, too firm.

I bought the Mustang (#76127 - no backrest, same bike as yours) and did ~ 200 miles this weekend (May SoCal ride). It is definately an imporvement over the gel seat - more padding. It's going to take me some time to adjust to the up-and-forward this seat causes and I don't think I want risers moving the bars even closer, even though I'm only 5'7" 150#.

The Mustang costs something like twice the price of the gel, which to me is a factor.

I still think I'm going to keep the Mustang. It seems the best prices are on ebay.

[t conroy]

My mustang pushed me taller but I have to lean back further.i had to get the phat II's jut to use the backrest!

[tooeagle]

I'm sure I don't want to go higher and closer - so I probably will go with the Kawasaki gel seat. Although I've been reading some about the airhawk cushion. Sounds interesting - except it would seem to me by sitting about 1/2" on air, it would give a sensation of 'floating' on the seat. PLus I like the idea of taking it with me onto another bike, if or when I decide to make a change.

Can anybody comment to that?