Thoughts on cafe seats

[Half-Caf]

I am looking into making a custom seat for my motorcycle and I wanted to hear from those of you who have cafe-style seats.

I love slick look of the cafe seat, but my concern is comfort over the long haul. I was wondering how these seats compare to the typical motorcycle seat that has much more padding (read foam) integrated into the design.

Much of my riding will be around town, but I also have trips to Michigan and Pa in mind (3 and 8 hour rides).
Also considering going out to the west coast next summer.

Here's a pic of my current seat:



Thoughts?

[Daddyman]

Use the seat you have and shorten it up.  Re-carve the foam to the shape ya want and have it upholstered.

[Daddyman]

Use the seat you have and shorten it up.  Re-carve the foam to the shape ya want and have it upholstered.

[Half-Caf]

I was thinking of making a glass over ply base and building it to spec.
I already have most of the materials I need.
That way I could sell this one and have a sweet project

[TOOLS1]

I would keep the original seat, and put it back on, for the long trips. That's what I do with the Toolmatic. I have a really comfortable, but ugly touring seat, for the long rides.
TOOLS

[Half-Caf]

TOOLS1 wrote

I have a really comfortable, but ugly touring seat, for the long rides.
TOOLS

Oh, you mean like this?

[cityslicker]

I am no expert, but as I am building my own seat and have the same concern I figured I would chime in. I am going to buy a memory foam pillow at walmart or wherever, and use an inch thick section for my padding, that way it will be thin for looks, but have more comfort. I really have no information that this will work, it's all just theory. But where logic fits, logic typically prevails.

[Half-Caf]

Ahh yes, I have a donor pillow I could hack up as well.

cityslicker wrote

I am going to buy a memory foam pillow at walmart or wherever, and use an inch thick section for my padding, that way it will be thin for looks, but have more comfort.

Just keep in mind that memory foam is pretty soft stuff. Wrapping the vinyl / leather around it will compress it some as well.

[shinyribs]

I guess you have seen my seat so no need for a pic.I have a total of 2" of foam.My first go around was ok,i rode 120+ twice on it and it was so-so on comfort.My seat is 11" wide.Ride was comfy,but some of the harder bumps and i could feel my butt bones hitting the aluminum pan of the seat underneath.I have since redone it with much better quality foam,but have yet to ride it because my jets aren't here yet.I plan to log some miles this Saturday.If you want,i have plenty of seat foam round 2 left over.  Screw the ergonomics and go for style points!!!

[shinyribs]

OH,i tried an old memory foam pillow for starters...nah.Sat on it and felt it bottom out within seconds.It'll keep your noggin nice and comfy in your bed at night,but won't hold up to full body weight.Seemed like a good idea.I picked up enough foam at a local seat cover shop(automotive) to do my seat 2 or 3 times for $20

[Lucky 1]

The comfort of your motorcycle is more about the riding position than the seat.
The seat is important but the riding position has to be right.

Any riding position like one that includes cafe handle bars that cause you to lean forward
Is going to make your neck hurt and your legs will be cramped.

On the other hand a chopper style bike where you have the foot pegs very far forward
and handlebars that make you reach for them is going to kill your back.

The best riding position for a long distance is mid position foot rests and sitting up with good back support on the back edge of the seat. Also you should not have to reach for the handlebars. If you sit on the bike feet on the pegs and just raise your forearms up the handlebars should be right there.

A wide seat gives a lot of comfort for long rides. Like 13-16 inches wide. A solo style.
There is a reason for those big ass couch type seats that came on some of those CB750's.

Also there is NO foam seat with any high tech foam that is as comfortable as a spring mounted seat.

I have built many seats. The most comfortable seats are like a tractor seat with spring mounts and good back support. Take a look at the Honda Gold wings. built for long distance for older riders.

[shinyribs]

That is all true,Donald.

As far as the leaned over cafe position.Just for me,my neck and legs do fine.My back does fine.But it kills my wrist.Im looking into superbike bars now

[Daddyman]

Ya Cafe position good to me to, especially on the highway.  The wind holds me up so I don't have to fight the wind or hold my self up, With out the windshield on my shadow it feels like the wind is going to push me off the back, very tiring.

[Half-Caf]

Thanks for all the input guys
Looks like I will be experimenting a little more with seat materials... As far as shape, I'm going for something with some shape (similar to Daddyman's) and also incorporating a bit of a higher back (Padding the front of the "cafe hump" on the rear.) Kind of like this:



I'm used to riding my cycles with a small backpack. Although on my 4 hour ride this past weekend, that got a bit taxing up by my shoulders and lower back. I do have another set of bars that have no rise and some rear sweep that may be useful for long trips.

Also, I just purchased a rugged waterproof bag that I will use on a cargo rack. This should eliminate the need for a backpack on road trips.

 

[Daddyman]

That's a great lookin seat!

[Half-Caf]

Yeah, I was thinking that it could be more rounded in the bottom as well, coming up a bit near the tank, too.

[shinyribs]

The ice cream shop in town has real comfy seats in their booths.If you like i can get a few pics of the seats in that cafe,if you like...just let me know

[1978Cafe750f]

This is what I am running now.  Gives it somewhat of the look but it does have padding and ride are comfortable.


If you're looking for something with fiberglass in the rear, this it what it looked like before.


As far as foam, pick up some high density from an upholstery shop ... or your local junk yard!

[shinyribs]

I really like it!The upper pic is my favorite,though i really dig the lower one as well.Your electrical side cover looks great.Where did you get your rear peg set-up,or did you make them?They could oh so easily be made into some killer rear sets

[1978Cafe750f]

Shinyribs,
Thanks for the comps. I am a fan of the set up now with the short seat and small bar even tho I never have a passenger. As for the rear they were like that when I got the bike. Never really looked around to notice if they were one-offs or not. I will look at them closer for ya. Now and then on the highway I reach back for them and get low but to be more comfortable I would have to either bring them forward or get lower bars like clubmans (which may be a winter project)

----- Reply message -----
From: "shinyribs [via Honda CB750&apos;S]" <[hidden email]>
To: "1978Cafe750f" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Thoughts on cafe seats
Date: Wed, Oct 26, 2011 11:56 pm

I really like it!The upper pic is my favorite,though i really dig the lower one as well.Your electrical side cover looks great.Where did you get your rear sets,or did you make them?

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