Top Saddlery Buyers Remorse

[jody.adams]

Well I have finally received my custom "long", "raised" with gel option super deluxe, highly recommended, uber expensive Top Saddlery seat and I could not be more disappointed.

I ordered the custom options expecting that the seat would be more level and roomier than my existing seat allowing me to slide around a bit and not feel like I'm being dumped into the tank. Not even close. It is well built and super plush, But as far as feeling fundamentally better than the stocker it doesn't do it for me.

Let me start by showing you folks the difference in angle of the seats.

 

[jody.adams]

Now the difference on the flattest part of the seat. The stock seat has far more flat area and even with the TS long option, I am still farther forward on the bike with the new seat. I gained about an inch of cushion with the raised option but it doesn't change the ride height at all. You just sink further in.

 

[manas12]

Well I have finally received my custom "long", "raised" with gel option super deluxe, highly recommended, uber expensive Top Saddlery seat and I could not be more disappointed.

I ordered the custom options expecting that the seat would be more level and roomier than my existing seat allowing me to slide around a bit and not feel like I'm being dumped into the tank. Not even close. It is well built and super plush, But as far as feeling fundamentally better than the stocker it doesn't do it for me.

Let me start by showing you folks the difference in angle of the seats.

That's a bummer! Especially after almost everyone who has ever bought this seat has instantly fallen in love with it. I guess you should have tried one before buying it because it is quite an expensive mod. On the plus side, if you don't like it that much, I'm sure you'll find plenty of takers for it on the forum.

-Manas.

 

[jody.adams]

Lastly a shot showing how little flat area there is. You basically sit in one spot on this seat and that is it. Hope you are comfortable once there because the further you try to slide back, the more angle the seat gives and dumps you into the tank.

If you sit in the one spot that feels flat, your berries become part of the seat structure and it's not that pleasant.

Folks they make a great seat, but expectations fell short for me. I figured I'd rather shoot my resale in the foot than accidentally encourage someone else to dump major jing on a seat that doesn't meet their need.

In fact, ANYONE in my area that wants to give this seat a ride, on their own bike, is welcome to take it for a spin. Try before you buy. Especially when you cant return it. If you fall in love with it...we'll work out a price.

 

[dean owens]

I figured I'd rather shoot my resale in the foot than accidentally encourage someone else to dump major jing on a seat that doesn't meet their need.

gotta say that i respect you for this. it would be very easy for you to just turn around and sell it without saying what you really think of the seat and probably get the whole price you paid back.

now onto you not liking it - i'm really sorry about that. i have one and i love it. i didn't get any of the short/tall type options. i love mine so much that i'm trying to think of every way i can keep it. my wife recently found out that she won't have a job after august. the cost of this seat would come in real handy right now. but i'm trying to figure out everything else i can sell so i don't have to think about the fact that i'm sitting on $450.00 every time i get on my bike.

 

[geetarhero]

Thanks for being honest on here man!
Its too bad its not working for you. It seems to have the right idea of what im looking for; to get pushed into a bit more of a crouch with less train on the bike (for high wind superslab trips) but the lack of any flat part really surprises me!
toss her up for sale, im sure there will be hands left right and center

 

[oldfast007]

I am damn tempted to offer a straight swap with you for my corbin w/backrest, not that you'd go for it, but when I tried FZ1inNH (Eric's) seat I LOVED it...Thanks for the straight up OP though, hopefully you'll find a suitable resolution.

 

[FZ1inNH]

Damn Jody! I thought it would be the answer for you. What I think is the long option would have worked great, it is likely the raised option that got you this seat without a flat area. But even I would have expected the whole rider area to be raised, not the back of it and nothing more.

Would it be worth it to unstaple the cover and shave the underside of the foam until it is flatter, then pull the cover tight and re-staple? Better than giving up an expensive seat.

If you don't want to bother, then Eric's Corbin offer might be your ticket. His seat sits you way back there and you can slide around if you want.

 

[jody.adams]

Damn Jody! I thought it would be the answer for you. What I think is the long option would have worked great, it is likely the raised option that got you this seat without a flat area. But even I would have expected the whole rider area to be raised, not the back of it and nothing more.

Would it be worth it to unstaple the cover and shave the underside of the foam until it is flatter, then pull the cover tight and re-staple? Better than giving up an expensive seat.

If you don't want to bother, then Eric's Corbin offer might be your ticket. His seat sits you way back there and you can slide around if you want.

Everyone loves em so it was a logical conclusion. It is softer than the original saddle and I am not getting sore even after an hour on the bike. I just dont like that tipped forward feeling. Perhaps if I drop the bars back to the original spot (remove the barbacks), it will feel like a different saddle. If I can get to your place on Saturday, I'll see what Eric's Corbin feels like.

Just call me the friggin princess and the pea! LOL

 

[reiobard]

Just call me the friggin princess and the pea! LOL

You asked for it....See you Saturday!

 

[dean owens]

Everyone loves em so it was a logical conclusion. It is softer than the original saddle and I am not getting sore even after an hour on the bike. I just dont like that tipped forward feeling. Perhaps if I drop the bars back to the original spot (remove the barbacks), it will feel like a different saddle. If I can get to your place on Saturday, I'll see what Eric's Corbin feels like.

Just call me the friggin princess and the pea! LOL

i love mine, but i'm not sure i'd love it if it had that angle. seems to be a very odd way to make a seat. makes me wonder what a short/low seat would be. funny thing is i've had thoughts of selling mine and then later (once our finances are sorted out) getting a short/low seat. i think i'll just stick with what i have.

 

[arv077]

I'm glad someone is being honest about Top Saddlery after pretty much everyone raving about it. I share some of the Jody's opinions - I've had mine for about a month or so; it's definitely better than the Stock, and also looks great! But it's not as flat in some places as I expected.

I am damn tempted to offer a straight swap with you for my corbin w/backrest, not that you'd go for it, but when I tried FZ1inNH (Eric's) seat I LOVED it...Thanks for the straight up OP though, hopefully you'll find a suitable resolution.

I wouldn't mind trying a Corbin,:thumbup: and see if I wanted to swap that. It's probably cheaper than the $360 I plopped down for this black on black top saddlery beauty.

 

[darkrider]

Gotta love the Ipod Touch Apps!!!

 

[04fizzer]

I wouldn't mind trying a Corbin,:thumbup: and see if I wanted to swap that. It's probably cheaper than the $360 I plopped down for this black on black top saddlery beauty.

Not really. Corbin's going to run you close to $500 if you get the backrest.

 

[dean owens]

Gotta love the Ipod Touch Apps!!!

huh? :don'tknow:

 

[Norm]

Gotta love the Ipod Touch Apps!!!

I was thinking the same thing. In fact I was thinking "Oh good, I don't have to keep thinking about getting a TS saddle since they're not perfect. But I might switch from Verizon to ATT to get that iphone..."

 

[jody.adams]

You asked for it....See you Saturday!

yes I can already see a bag of Green Giant frozen peas waiting for me when I arrive.

 

[reiobard]

yes I can already see a bag of Green Giant frozen peas waiting for me when I arrive.

Well now it has to be asparagus or something if you guess it ahead of time

 

[04fizzer]

Well now it has to be asparagus or something if you guess it ahead of time

It's better than a flaming bag of dog poo.