[Razz2234]

There was an archived post that I had read about seats (not another seat thread!!) but I can't find the answer I was looking for. There's a company, not Corbin not Bill Mayer and not Russell, that will take your original stock seat and cut the foam according to your weight and height and basically customize it for a very reasonable cost.
Can anyone direct me to the company that does that please?
I am vertically challenged and the seat on my K1200LT is a bit too high and a bit too wide. The company can cut the foam down so that I can get up to 3" lower.
HELP!!
Thanks
Bill
Also...I'm new to the forum and I'm sure I'll get a lot of useful information out of you all. I just traded my 94 R100RT for this bike for touring.

 

[Dragonwing]

You might be thinking of Rich's Custom Seats out of Washington state. They can be reached at 866.328.9774 and seen at:

www.richscustomseats.com

Happy riding, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[Razz2234]

If I remember correctly...it was "(something) Maniacs)....does that ring a bell with anyone?

 

[RonKMiller]

. The company can cut the foam down so that I can get up to 3" lower.

You've got 2 inches to work with if you have a 99-04, and 2.5 inches to work with if you have an 05-09. You can lower either about 1/2" by grinding off the stops on the pan and removing the height adjuster bar.

A better alternative - but by no means inexpensive - are these: http://www.daytona.de/index.php?page=801

...or simply have a custom cobbler add height to your existing riding boots for about $100.00 with a grippy Vibram sole like Mayatur.

Lowering an LT is possible, but very expensive, will cause serious cornering issues plus the sidestand and centerstand will also need to be modified.

 

[turfherder]

I think you're thinking of:

http://www.meancitycycles.com/

Have a Great Day

Alan Hinman
2000LT
2002LT

 

[eremite06]

Try a pair of Skechers "Work," Shape-ups. They have a nice grip sole and elevate your height. They work for me and I'm "challenged" vertically.

 

[Razz2234]

MEAN CITY CYCLES...................That's the one!!! Thanks :dance:

 

[Jim_McG]

I'm looking at options too due to 30" inseam. First I got Logger boots from Red Wing Shoes that have thick soles & heels. They are a big help but I'm thinking they'll be too hot in the summer.

Option 2 is to lower the OEM seat by removing the adjustment bar & trimming the plastic panels.

Option 3 is Astech in Indiana - I forget which town but near Kokomo. They will measure your fit to the bike, peel back the vinyl, cut out some foam & replace it with gel. It costs about $175 with heated seat. They will do it while you wait with an appt.

I am still on the fence about the latter options. Let us know what you do!

Jim

 

[Razz2234]

Jim...I have talked to a few people that say take the height bar off the seat, remove the pads, and it will lower the seat. I have a 30" inseam on a good day...28-29" normally. I have some boot with thick soles that help. This "Mean City Cycles" will remove or contour the foam in the seat to your specs...and they have different options. you can get away cheap @$70 incl shipping...
I haven't heard anything bad about them............. That's probably the way I'll go. Here in Michigan the riding season won't happen for a couple months, so I have time to think about it.

 

[dthogey]

Jim...I have talked to a few people that say take the height bar off the seat, remove the pads, and it will lower the seat. I have a 30" inseam on a good day...28-29" normally. I have some boot with thick soles that help. This "Mean City Cycles" will remove or contour the foam in the seat to your specs...and they have different options. you can get away cheap @$70 incl shipping...
I haven't heard anything bad about them............. That's probably the way I'll go. Here in Michigan the riding season won't happen for a couple months, so I have time to think about it.

Keep us posted. I'm down in Kalkaska and would like to see it. I've got a30" inseam and put a Corbin on my LT it is much wider than the stock seat. Now I'm on my tip toes when stopped.

 

[Jim_McG]

Re: Lowering the OEM Seat

Keep us posted. I'm down in Kalkaska and would like to see it. I've got a30" inseam and put a Corbin on my LT it is much wider than the stock seat. Now I'm on my tip toes when stopped.

Being on tip toes for me is quite unnerving - it gives little margin to right the bike once into a slight lean and I've pulled a calf muscle in that situation - not to mention pulling a hamstring unsuccessfully trying to prevent dropping the bike at a stop on day 3 of ownership in October 2012. That event had me questioning if the LT is too much bike for me but I got past that. That was before I got my Elton John boots that improved my stance as well as realization never to stop with the handlebars turned!

I decided to give it some time before jumping in to modify or replace the seat right off the bat, but have pretty much decided to take the next step to modify the existing seat. Lowering the OEM seat might be next, but I don't really like the idea of cutting off the posts securing the side panels and trimming the plastic panels since that is irreversible. Also, I am concerned that losing the lateral support against the seat shifting may be an issue. Can anyone who's done that weigh in on your impressions?

Thanks, Jim

 

[billsmith]

Jim...I have talked to a few people that say take the height bar off the seat, remove the pads, and it will lower the seat. I have a 30" inseam on a good day...28-29" normally. . . .

Not making fun.
I have no issues with height So I am not commenting on that. But I was slightly amused by your statement 30" on a good day. If that's the case why not have a good day all the time then there will be no need for alterations to the seat.
ride safe :bmw:

 

[RonKMiller]

Interestingly enough, we tend to be about 3/4" taller in the morning than the end of the day. I don't think our inseams change though.

 

[biknut]

If anybody decides to do away with that seat height adjustment bar I sure would like to have one- willing to pay a reasonable amount for the bar plus shipping- pm me!

 

[Razz2234]

Not making fun.
I have no issues with height So I am not commenting on that. But I was slightly amused by your statement 30" on a good day. If that's the case why not have a good day all the time then there will be no need for alterations to the seat.
ride safe :bmw:

Bill...after having 4 spinal surgeries and a knee joint replacement...the only good days are when I'm riding!! If I can make myself a little more stable in the seat it would make it even better.

 

[billsmith]

Bill...after having 4 spinal surgeries and a knee joint replacement...the only good days are when I'm riding!! If I can make myself a little more stable in the seat it would make it even better.

Had I known it was that serious . . .
I would have skipped on my comment. I did not grasp the severity of your statement. Hope you accept my apology. Hope you accomplish that mod to improve your comfort.
ride safe :bmw:

 

[BecketMa]

With the stock seat, after about 45 minutes I'd start squirming.

I'm thinking that if you spend $175 to have foam taken out of the seat you might wind up with a seat you start squiring on in less than an hour?

bob

 

[BecketMa]

oh. are you using mc crash boots or something with thinner soles?

 

[Jim_McG]

oh. are you using mc crash boots or something with thinner soles?

What does that mean? My boots are 8" logger boots, heavy heeled and are comfortable riding. Unless I do something with the seat, they are the only way I can stand flat footed.

For now that's OK, but I'm exploring other options and am certainly open to positive suggestions. Every approach has its drawbacks. I don't plan to spend $600-800 on an aftermarket seat without trying it. The Astech seat mod I'm considering is where they custom check your fit to the seat and then narrow / lower / dish as appropriate replacing the some of the OEM foam with reshaped gel. They seem to have a lot of references that attest to how more comfortable the seat is on long rides. I would love to hear from someone with an LT who has one.

 

[eremite06]

Try a pair of Skechers "Work," Shape-ups. They have a nice grip sole and elevate your height. They work for me and I'm "challenged" vertically.

I also have the Corbin "Low" seat.