Reshaping the seat 2: Difference between revisions

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From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]

I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. ~~I envisioned making~~ the ~~seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth~~.

I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. First, remove the cover.

[[image:DSC05338.jpg|150px]]

I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.

I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth. I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.

[[image:DSC05342.jpg|150px]]

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I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.

I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.

I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if I had a passenger.

I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat~~. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future~~. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.

I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.

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 From the desk of [https://www.ninja250.org/rmi03 rmi03]
-I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth.
+I'm not sure what changed, but after 25,000 miles on my bike (many of those with a [http://www.beadrider.com/ BeadRider pad]) my butt sure started to hurt. The tank-ward slope of the Ninja's seat became unbearable, making me sit too close to the tank. I would slide onto my "soft tissue" area too much, and it also put too much pressure on my legs. So, I figured it was time to reshape the seat. First, remove the cover.
 [[image:DSC05338.jpg|150px]]
-I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.
+I envisioned making the seat shape close to the banana seat of an older [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Japanese_motorcycle UJM]: flat and smooth. I wanted to flatten the seat so that I would (a) not slide forward and (b) be able to sit a little more rearward on the seat (so my legs were not bent at such an acute angle). I used my pregnant wife, a level, and a blue sharpie to identify the area to remove.
 [[image:DSC05342.jpg|150px]]
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 I rode on the BeadRider for about 30 miles. Eh, not as comfortable as just sitting on the newly-shaved seat by itself. I took it off mid-ride.
-I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if had a passenger.
+I did not feel any of the small imperfections in my "carving," though a grinder would be nice for this project. It still amazes me how the cockpit feels less cramped when you are not constantly sliding forward. Although my butt now resides closer to the pillion seat, I don't know if this mod would have any noticeable effect on passenger comfort. I would probably just slide a TINY bit forward if I had a passenger.
-I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. I am going to use the seat as is for now, and see if I need to go that route in the future. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.
+I did cut quite a bit of foam, but there still seems to be be plenty underneath my butt. My backup plan was to add foam to the seat once I got the flat shape I needed, if necessary. If you decide to do this, it would require a new piece of vinyl to cover the seat. It is AMAZING how flattening the seat adds to the comfort on the bike for someone my height. No, there isn't as much leg room as a V-Strom, but now my legs aren't constantly fighting the forward slide.