M50 Gel seat how much better than stock

[dj110965]

Are the gel seats that look like the stock seat that much more comfortable. I believe I can get them for about $180. Is it worth the difference?

[spainbiker]

Much much more.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by dj110965

Are the gel seats that look like the stock seat that much more comfortable. I believe I can get them for about $180. Is it worth the difference?

To some yes...to other's no.

I am squarely in the camp of "Don't waste your money."

Matter of fact, let me check, I believe I am the founder and CEO of that Corporation. I was the first, at least here on this forum, but probably not the rest of the world to purchase that slice 'o poop (my opinion of course). It extended my riding comfort a whole fifteen minutes. Plus, I can't just park it "anywhere" for any extended amount of time. The heat gets absorbed into the gel, and makes for a reeeeeeeeal interesting drive. I don't mean just leaving it for an hour or so...although that can be interesting too! But a nice cooking in the sun for a few hours.

First time I rode it after the gel seat was installed. I parked it out in front of my office. At five, I go out, suit up, and hop on. I notice the seat is a little hot, but what vinyl seat doesn't get hot from sitting in the sun? Right? I head up the road a little ways, 'bout a half mile, and the heat starts going away.

Half mile further. I start sinking into the seat and really sitting on the gel! It starts getting a little uncomfortable.

Two miles down the road...............Ow. I was standing up at a traffic light. Hoping for some relief. It had progressed from uncomfortable, to an out an out burning.

I enter on the highway. Two to three more miles into the journey. My weight sinks me further into the saddle, and I am starting to really wonder if I haven't been causing some permanent damage to the boyz! Best I can say is....I now can sympathize with a live lobster being dropped in boiling water!!! By the time I got halfway through the highway leg of the journey, I was seriously contemplating stopping alongside the road, and hopping around in the grass like a madman. Hell....at that point, a perfectly sane notion popped in my mind....that would be getting off the scoot alongside the highway, dropping my drawers, and scooching my butt around on the cool grass like a dog, or squattin' over a drainage ditch and dunkin' my butt in the fetid waters. Being driven crazy with the burn.....both ideas seemed at that moment in time, like perfectly logical, cogent thoughts that had no other ramifications other than relief for my discomfort.

So in review.....

Let's see..........Affordable price item...extends riding time from fifteen minutes to a half an hour.....AND the bonus feature is. It's cheaper than a Vasectomy if you don't have an insurance plan that covers that sort of thing. Hell....you could open your own practice....just charge people for rides on your bike!!

You'll get about 50% for the seat 50% against. See what people say, and then choose what YOU want.

[The Teach]

On other bikes I've noticed quite the difference; however, it's quite horrible on the M. Like Tim said, don't waste your money!!

[Apertureguy]

LOL!!!

I'm still picturing Tim hopping around on the side of the road smacking his butt....trying to put out the imaginary fire. Just like in the story of Ricky Bobby...except thankfully he was able to remain dressed.

When I first got my M...about all I did was complain about the seat. Anything over 30 miles and it hurt pretty bad. I'd find it hard to stand up after stopping & would have to do so very slowly, worrying if I was going to be able to get my leg up to get off the bike.

Now, some 4,000 miles later...it rarely ever causes me a problem. I still use the stock seat because I have found it's the "way" you sit on the seat.

If you're leaning far back on your tailbone, it will start to hurt after a while...if you sit with your center of gravity a bit more forward (off tailbone) there is no pain or numbing.

In 4 days there's a bike meet near me & the ButtBuffer folks will be there.

A couple of months ago, I knew I was going to get one...today, not so sure.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

I still use the stock seat because I have found it's the "way" you sit on the seat.

Very wise words grasshopper....the Tao of the M50 seat!!!

Which in fact is true. Funny how the comfort issue is spread across varying body types and weights. It affects just about any type of rider.

We have limited space on the M50. You have to use it wisely. Actually, the bike will move you to where she wants you. Unfortunately for me, that's with the boyz propped up on the tank, and a slouching forward lean. Not exactly, a picture of comfort, but hey...it works, it's helped extend that half hour ride time to an hour or more.

[Apertureguy]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Unfortunately for me, that's with the boyz propped up on the tank, and a slouching forward lean. Not exactly, a picture of comfort

...Not exactly a picture of comfort? No, it sure isn't!

First I have to picture you spanking yourself on the side of the road...now you go and bring your "boyz" into it too!

This is all too much for me to handle...I'm going to try working today instead.

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

...Not exactly a picture of comfort? No, it sure isn't!

First I have to picture you spanking yourself on the side of the road...now you go and bring your "boyz" into it too!

This is all too much for me to handle...I'm going to try working today instead.

Spanking?? Aww hell no...

Ever see a dog with an itchy butt drag it across your wood floor or your brand new carpeting? Usually, it's performed in front of guests that you want to make a good impression on.

[Erick Van\m/]

whenever some of my other friends (riders of V-Stars and Shadows) sit on my bike...they think the stock seat is incredible. Makes me not want to replace it.

[Petcop]

That stock seat is the main reason I only have 600 miles on my bike after almost a year of ownership! (well that and not having the time to ride nearly as much as I want). I couldn't go more than 30 miles without pain...previously noted in other posts. Corbin's out as a choice due to their poor customer service, Saddlemen's out because of their sadistic gel seat (should be against the law to sell in the South)...a custom seat is the way I'll go whenever I have the bucks, but for now the airhawk cushion is making all the difference for me...riding much more lately than I had been

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by Petcop

That stock seat is the main reason I only have 600 miles on my bike after almost a year of ownership! (well that and not having the time to ride nearly as much as I want). I couldn't go more than 30 miles without pain...previously noted in other posts. Corbin's out as a choice due to their poor customer service, Saddlemen's out because of their sadistic gel seat (should be against the law to sell in the South)...a custom seat is the way I'll go whenever I have the bucks, but for now the airhawk cushion is making all the difference for me...riding much more lately than I had been

You gonna try and meet the group out in Daytona?

[Apertureguy]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Spanking?? Aww hell no...

Ever see a dog with an itchy butt drag it across your wood floor or your brand new carpeting? Usually, it's performed in front of guests that you want to make a good impression on.

OK, OK...perhaps Spanking wasn't a good word choice.

And yes...it is amazing how that hard to reach itch hits the dog just as the guests arrive.

Then there's my favorite...when they sit in the middle of the living room, tongue lashing their private parts...As if we really needed to have that unobstructed view.

[The Teach]

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

And yes...it is amazing how that hard to reach itch hits the dog just as the guests arrive.

If only I was that flexable....

[dj110965]

Thanks for all of the advice. I have noticed from the first time that I rode the bike until now, I am adjusting more and more. Maybe I will save my money.

[intimid8er]

Damn...I had a post disappear....between the Doorman and the Teach.

[Apertureguy]

You've had that happen too?

Jeez, I thought it was me....sometimes I get a little weary during the afternoon & doze off...so I thought that was it. (Yeah, it's a great job!)

But I thought I lost at least 3 posts I had written...went back & they just weren't there.

[intimid8er]

Originally I was responding to this:

Originally Posted by Apertureguy

Then there's my favorite...when they sit in the middle of the living room, tongue lashing their private parts...As if we really needed to have that unobstructed view.

A.) They're bragging.

B.) They're showing the guests who's really in charge.



On a side note, I always find it amusing when you go to someone's house, and the dog decides during the cheese and crackers part of the evening, to run out in front of everybody and put a racing stripe down on the new white tile. Or thorough genital hygenics is absolutely necessary in front of everyone at that moment. The Hostess invevitably feigns shock and amazement, paired with a statement along these lines, "How embarassing! He/she NEVER has done that before!"


(Riiiighhht!! I own the title to the Tappanzee Bridge too!)

[spazmatron]

I bought the 2007 M50 limited a month ago put over 1000 miles on it and let me tell you that damn seat made me want to through the bike off the road. I love the motorcycle other then the seat it is the 3rd bike I have owned and by far hands down the best but the seat is horrible Im 6'2 170 lbs and after 30 miles it kills my tail bone there is a peice of metal connecting it and the rear passenger seat togethor. shifting to the middle of the seat doesnt work for me since Im tall. I have tried a special pad shoving towels in the space all kinds of things I cant believe they would sell a seat like that on the bike. Im waiting on my cobin seat to come in the mail until then Im parking it. Has anyone contacted Suzuki to see about getting money for the seat should be a defect.

[Rickb1415]

Everyone who sits on my bike swears its soooooo comfortable lol.

I havent really had any problems with the seat bothering me... then again
im only 5'9 and about 155lbs, and longest i usually ride without taking a break other then gas is around 2 hours. I am gonna get some mods done to the stock seat for looks once a buddy of mine takes a look at ideas he has. He does A LOT of work on bikes, and his father owns a a leather shop and does seats... should work out well with those 2 guys messin with it.

[digitalbroccoli]

you guys talk like there's a ton of gel inside the seat. there's a 6 inch by 6 inch section in the middle, that's it. I opened mine up and resculpted the foam underneath the gel piece, and moved the gel so that it sits further back now, underneath my tailbone. Its better, nbut not great. I've got a profiler from saddleman ordered, and having sat on that one, I like the position better than the OEM gel.

I've parked my gel outside for hours on end in the sun, and never experienced this "boiling buns" syndrome though. What are you guys wearing when you ride, silk shorts?