[silverstreakcbe]

Hello All, Its been a while since catching up with the forum due to office routine and trips. Just wanted to update on the seat modification that i had contemplated in my previous travelogue, link below (in case someone missed)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...de-review.html (Royal Enfield Meteor Ride | Coimbatore to Pune | Long ride review)

As per suggestions from fellow BHPian friend, i tried various options from changing my riding gear to sitting position during ride and religious stops. But, nothing worked out for the butt ache. Still could not bear with the Hard touring seats. I did couple of rides to Bangalore with all the suggestions above, but could not feel any better. So, i decided to modify the seat with more additional cushioning.

There were lot of videos on youtube suggesting various vendors and predominantly in Chennai. Since i commute to Bangalore often, i wanted some options in Bangalore. The costs that were mentioned on these videos were somewhere between 5K to 7.5K. I was not much keen on prices, but wanted to solve this issue for more peaceful riding.

Last week, been to Bangalore for working from Office (Hybrid). Spent some time in looking for best seat modification works. Narrowed down to Rao Seat Covers in Shivaji Nagar. Went through most of the review, but all were most of Classic 350. I found only one review for Meteor along with a Photo. Most of them were Positive. I decided to give it a go and modify the Seats there.

Some photos before the Mod:





After removing the seats:





Seats getting worked upon by the team:








The whole process goes like this:

1. Upon bike arrival, the earliest free mod-expert ( i will prefer to call them this way) will attend to your bike. Will enquire and get to know what is your preference.

2. Once you are ok with his suggestions, in another 10 mins your seats will be dismantled and taken in. The Owner (On the machine) will provide you with the options (Cushioning, fabric options and finishing). He also gives you the fabric sample to be put on top of the seat. Once all is finalized, he gives you the final quote.

3. In my case, existing touring set covers were done away with. I wanted both Rider and Pillion to be modified. The suggestion given for me was to add 1 inch cushion on top with new seat cover fabric for rider seat. And for the Pillion, in addition to the 1 inch cusion on top, the sides were also beefed up to give more seating area for pillion rider.

4. They are so professionals in their work that they carry out with clock precision. While one person is working on the rider seat, another works on pillion and then again, while one person is taking the measurement and cutting the fabric, another prepared with the cushion adhesive works. The owner does the stitching part. The sync between the team is fantastic. My seats were modified within 1 hour.

5. Going by their reputation, they are specialists in RE bikes. They do have a lots of seating options (New and Modifications). In that one hour, i could count around 4 RE bikes getting done simultaneously apart from other bikes and scooters.

Coming to the post modification experience. The immediate ride to my home from Shivajinagar was like sitting on air. I could not feel that there were any hard thing below my butt. Next day, I rode back from Bangalore to Coimbatore. The seats were very comfy as expected. The outside of thighs had good support and could not feel any fatigue.

During all my rides to Bangalore and back, i took minimum 4 stops out of which 2 were definitely due to butt ache. Post modification, i took 2 stops in the entire ride and i could continue with my work after coming back. I am hoping that this modification gives me more peace of mind on butt worries and can continue long rides.

Coming to after modification:





Shop location: 12°59'06.7"N 77°35'59.9"E

Cheers!

Raaghav K S

[Ikran]

I have just booked a Meteor and opted for touring seat. This seat upgrade does seem good. How much did it cost you?

[silverstreakcbe]

Originally Posted by Ikran

I have just booked a Meteor and opted for touring seat. This seat upgrade does seem good. How much did it cost you?

For the fabric I opted and the other additional modifications to pillion seat, etc., It costed me 2K which is a very good deal comparing the prices that were mentioned on the Youtube videos.

[sunilsreenivasg]

Attachment 2313871

This look really good. I liked the lower back support for pillion rider. My wifey still insists to get that for a comfortable ride.

[amay1283]

Really helpful. Planning to take my 2014 TB350 there soon. I am going to be commuting long distance frequently now and the tailbone pain I get riding this is something I want to get rid off as soon as possible.

[silverstreakcbe]

Originally Posted by sunilsreenivasg

Attachment 2313871

This look really good. I liked the lower back support for pillion rider. My wifey still insists to get that for a comfortable ride.

The stock backrest eats out at least an inch of already short pillion seat. Please note that i had used an after market accessory (Extender rod + SS bolts) to increase the backrest gap by 4 inch. Now, after the seat modification, i have an inch gap between pillion and the backrest, which should be fine as it is nicely cushioned for comfort.

[Captain Slow]

I found this person to be overrated and expensive, his attitude also has put off a lot of people. Several bikes we know have gone there and got the seats modified. The seats look very very good but when you ride for 2-3 hours your behind will beg for a break.

[AnAntinspired]

I find it funny that companies who spend months, if not years of R&D in developing seats to suit the motorcycle geometry and riding purpose can get wrong what a streetside set-up manages to correct in an hour!
It seems a bit like the gel seats that people buy to put on the seemingly narrow and uncomfortable cycle stock seats - a disastrous move by people refusing to understand their cubicle seated weak backsides need to get stronger and not the seats better. Just as horse riding needs bum muscle training and not extra padding on saddles, so do motorcycle stock seats, is my opinion.

[Sebring]

He wasn't so greedy always but, of late, the fame has got to him. He agreed for Rs. 2500 for my seat but fought and took Rs. 3500 finally (once job was done). Spoiled our relationship. Better to avoid him. Thing is, if you say you're from TBHP or go there wearing good clothes and fancy helmet, you're done for. They will loot, so be careful. Mechanics from surrounding areas seem to getting good stuff cheap. This happened right in front of me.

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I found this person to be overrated and expensive, his attitude also has put off a lot of people. Several bikes we know have gone there and got the seats modified. The seats look very very good but when you ride for 2-3 hours your behind will beg for a break.

[tharian]

I was there the day after (28/5) you went.

I had to get my old Bullet seat fitted with a new seat cover. It was the first time I visited this location. I used to get my seat cover and cushion done from him when he was near Harsha hotel during the 2000’s. He was pricey back then too, but I used get the work done through him since his work was good.

This time when I visited I was surprised when I saw something like a small scale factory with around 8-10 employees all working on new or altering old seats. I asked him about altering the Interceptor seat and was shocked when he said 7k for a new one and 3.5k for altering the stock seat. The touring seat which I bought from RE was 4k.

I ended up buying a new seat for my Bullet which costed 1.4k and didn’t get anything for my old seat which had rust on the plate. The RE original seat for the Bullet costs 1.8k.

This was for a 2002 Bullet and I went on my Interceptor and one of his subordinates asked who’s bike was it, I am sure to rip me off if I was there for altering the seat for that.

[vsbabu]

I got inspired by this for my 7 year old Classic 350 with stock seat. Seat cover had started fraying (thanks to Bangalore rain) and it was getting a bit hard for comfort. My bike was in Coimbatore and took it to OJO Seat Covers, Sathy Road. https://goo.gl/maps/6pQRtq6fnY6WSAjF6 - Google reviews are pretty much on the spot. It takes some 3-4 hours with only the owner for stitching and one assistant for fitment. I placed the order for diamond pattern with a cloth lining on the inside cover for both the seats and a simple cover without cushion for backrest. Went back next day evening and got it fitted in about 45 minutes. He also added additional sponge near tail bone as I requested. Total charge was 1500/-. Tested it out for few short drives - feels very good (compared to old seat!). Doesn't feel overly soft - have a drive back to Bangalore coming up in 3 weeks, so will know how it holds up for 6 hour ride. Photo attached. I wanted a plain look - he does fancy designs with color inserts also - you can check it out on the Google maps photos.



He was recommended by the friendly neighbourhood Enfield service center - HSR Services (https://goo.gl/maps/y8jfs9mXCbQWYNdk6). Similar story there too - my bike was rattling all over the place and engine rough plus some switches not working etc. Haven't run much or serviced in last 2 years. Gave to HSR and told him to fix it up taking time. He took 1 day and the bike now feels better than new. I went there based on Google reviews and am very happy with his work and work ethics. He sources parts from an Enfield shop (you pay by UPI); and his charges are separate - only cash. He charged 1000 for service and spares and consumables (I also wanted to add spare cables for long trips) came to about 5000. For next service, I don't mind riding the bike from Bangalore to Coimbatore for giving it here. If you know Tamil, this Youtube review posted by someone is also similar to my experience.

https://youtu.be/Hdbc_STOPnM

[RaviGowda]

I visted them a month ago to modify the seats of my new Xpulse and hats off to them for the brilliant job done. Each of them are very professional and know their job really well and tailor the seats as per the requirements. As you all know Xpulse seats are not touring friendly and my wife started complaining about it from the very first ride and even I couldn’t ride for more than 40-50kms in one stretch. William from Rao seats attended me and did the job exactly as per my requirements. Seats have become much more comfortable now and I could do Bangalore to Mysore in one stretch without any pain in the back. Thanks to this forum for the recommendation.

[shailinder]

Hi,

Roughly, how much would they charge for 390 ADV seat modification?

I am looking for better Pillion comfort (gel-based) and nominal rider comfort (I do not want height increment). Just FYI, I am using Zedling Suspension to cover up some stiff suspension concerns.