need info on changing seats.

[Bay]

I was at a dealer and looked up the kaw gel seat. it looks good in the mag but most seat seem to be repalced with the mustang or corbin. Is there a problem with Kawi gel for the 900? I have found that a ride over an hour can be an issue. Anyone out there have the kawi gel, and what do you think?
Keep in mind the kawi seat is about $250 and the mustang is 500+.

[bird]

I sent my stock seat to Sargent cycle in Fla. For under 200.00 (icl shiping to/from) they put new foam and new cover on. If you like the shape of the stocker may be something to think about.
good luck

[accord_guy]

I was at a dealer and looked up the kaw gel seat. it looks good in the mag but most seat seem to be repalced with the mustang or corbin. Is there a problem with Kawi gel for the 900? I have found that a ride over an hour can be an issue. Anyone out there have the kawi gel, and what do you think?
Keep in mind the kawi seat is about $250 and the mustang is 500+.

There's a reason for the price difference. Why replace a Kawi seat with another Kawi seat? They blew it the first time IMHO. They've made some of the worst tailbone grinders in history.

[rocknskot]

there are multiple threads about the gel seat here in this forum. most people who have switched to the gel have mentioned the 100-200 mile painful break-in period, followed by the immense pleasure of a soft and painlessly supple rear end after the miles tick by. i don't know of anyone who, after the breaking-in, has gone back to the stock seat.

i have no personal experience with that gel seat, but i do ride a mustang solo saddle instead of the stock seat. i've tried the stock seats, and they are possibly supplied to Kaw by the lowest bidder. take a look at my pics below, and see if you like the look.

[johnathon amos]

I was at a dealer and looked up the kaw gel seat. it looks good in the mag but most seat seem to be repalced with the mustang or corbin. Is there a problem with Kawi gel for the 900? I have found that a ride over an hour can be an issue. Anyone out there have the kawi gel, and what do you think?
Keep in mind the kawi seat is about $250 and the mustang is 500+.

I replaced the stock seat with a kawi gel on my 900 and there is a difference in comfort.It may be just me but I honestly don't find a BIG difference. The raised back on the riders saddle feels nice on the lower back and the passenger saddle is wider. But I am seriously looking to upgrade to a seat that will WOW my butt. I'd hate to lay down $500. for a Mustang to find no real difference.I guess there will be various thoughts on this topic.I guess it's all in the butt of the beholder.

[RichLockyer]

There's a reason for the price difference. Why replace a Kawi seat with another Kawi seat? They blew it the first time IMHO. They've made some of the worst tailbone grinders in history.

The Kawi gel seat is not a Kawi seat. It is a Saddleman seat repackaged for Kawi, and it is a very good seat if you can get over the width of the pillion.

It won't directly fit the Custom without modification, but other Saddleman seats are available for the Custom.

Same goes for most Kawi aftermarket parts... National Cycle makes their hardbags (not the Nomad bags, but the bags sold for the 1500/1600).

[pappie]

I sent my stock seat to Sargent cycle in Fla. For under 200.00 (icl shiping to/from) they put new foam and new cover on. If you like the shape of the stocker may be something to think about.
good luck

I had mine done by Cole Turner in Shelbyville, Tn for $125. I have no regrets. His number is 931-389-0615. You will have to pay shipping both ways. Pappie

[Van's V2k]

The Kawi gel seat is not a Kawi seat. It is a Saddleman seat repackaged for Kawi, and it is a very good seat if you can get over the width of the pillion.

It won't directly fit the Custom without modification, but other Saddleman seats are available for the Custom.

Same goes for most Kawi aftermarket parts... National Cycle makes their hardbags (not the Nomad bags, but the bags sold for the 1500/1600).

where do they sell the National Cycle hardbags on thier site? Just wondering.

[socalmarcus]

take a look at my pics below, and see if you like the look.

Nope, don't like it at all - Plaid skirts makes me look fat.

j/k

[RichLockyer]

where do they sell the National Cycle hardbags on thier site? Just wondering.

I don't know if the link will work or not.
They no longer list them for the 1600, this link is for the 1500.
http://www.kawasaki.com/KawasakiNew/...CategoryID=160

If the link doesn't work, go to accessories>cruisers>1500 Classic>luggage

[Timmy1leg]

I took my stock seat to a local upholsterer who replaced the foam and reshaped it before fitting a gelpack,just returned from an 11 hour ride,stopping for gas only and my *** was as fresh as an *** thats been sat on for 11 hours but the seat was wicked and only £120 with a snakeskin cover!

[Hacker]

I was at a dealer and looked up the kaw gel seat. it looks good in the mag but most seat seem to be repalced with the mustang or corbin. Is there a problem with Kawi gel for the 900? I have found that a ride over an hour can be an issue. Anyone out there have the kawi gel, and what do you think?
Keep in mind the kawi seat is about $250 and the mustang is 500+.

I kept that in mind when I bought my Kawi gel seat about 5000 miles ago. I have absolutely no complaints with it whatsoever. However, to qualify that, my rides are usually limited to a couple of hours at a time at most. For that, the gel seat has been fine. Now if I were to take extended tours, I might end up with a Mustang. All I know is I could hardly last a half hour on the stock seat.

[Richard Kerr]

Don't have any first hand knowlage on the gel, but if you are having tailbone pain look into a seat with a straighter back, the Mustang wide tourer really helped me and I got it through Westend Motorsports in PA for $375 {no tax - free shipping}

[Badrocks]

i don't know of anyone who, after the breaking-in, has gone back to the stock seat.

Well now you know someone. OOPS my bad you said stock seat.

I switched from the gel seat to the Mustang wide touring seat and the difference was significant. While the gel was a big improvement over the stock seat it still didn't do it for me. With the Mustang I can do a couple hundred miles without a problem. Unfortunately I'm convinced that every butt is different and the only way to find out what works is to get the seat and put a few hundred miles on it.

[accord_guy]

The main difference is not what the seat is made of, but the slant upward in the form that grinds on the tailbone. Mustang gets around this by making more of a right angle. This makes a void where the tailbone rides, plus also makes a backrest.

[jeffs99vulcan]

Well now you know someone. OOPS my bad you said stock seat.

I switched from the gel seat to the Mustang wide touring seat and the difference was significant. While the gel was a big improvement over the stock seat it still didn't do it for me. With the Mustang I can do a couple hundred miles without a problem. Unfortunately I'm convinced that every butt is different and the only way to find out what works is to get the seat and put a few hundred miles on it.

+1 on the above... and I was lucky enough to find a used Mustang for $250... wide touring, two piece, with the driver backrest. It is THE ultimate. I love it. LOTS. But again, like above, every butt is different...

[GregsVulcan]

I will be getting my Russell "Day Long" Seat back around Dec. 2nd. Corbin also makes a great seat.

[TimB]

Well now you know someone. OOPS my bad you said stock seat.

I switched from the gel seat to the Mustang wide touring seat and the difference was significant. While the gel was a big improvement over the stock seat it still didn't do it for me. With the Mustang I can do a couple hundred miles without a problem. Unfortunately I'm convinced that every butt is different and the only way to find out what works is to get the seat and put a few hundred miles on it.

++1 on the above. I upgraded to the gel seat about 7k miles back and the gel seat never made much difference to me. However, when I upgraded to the Mustang Touring seat w/ backrest, the difference has been significant. While the seat is definitely more comfortable, I notice the backrest has made the biggest difference.

[daveg]

I got the gel seat when it was first offered and love it. Could not ride over a hour with out hurting with the old, now can go as far as the gas tank. One trip this summer over 600 miles one way a few breaks but no complants. I do however put a white towel over it when it sits in the sun