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-   -   Most Uncomfortable & Most Comfortable seats - Indian motorcycles (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/114527-most-uncomfortable-most-comfortable-seats-indian-motorcycles.html)

I am starting this new thread regarding Most Uncomfortable Seats on Indian motorcycles fixed by the manufacturers.The fabric used is very slippery in my bike.
Some of the bike seats are shaped and fixed at a very steep angle sending the riders right upto the petrol tank edge when they are riding the bike on rough roads.
About pillion rider too, slides down from rear actual portion of the seat meant for them and lands right behind the rider's back.
To make my point clear I am uploading photos of my very own Yamaha FZ.
In this bike you cannot do long distance rides just because of this seat.

The majority of the bikes are made to a budget. So things like seat material , cushioning and ideal shape are not really high on the priority lists of the manufacturers. Having said that , i have ridden a few of these new bikes and found the seats compare able if not better to the old school rx and kb 100's. Also 2 up riding is always a hassel no matter what you ride. I dont really expect a corbin or a tobin on these bikes anyways.

Having owned one for nearly 3-4 months and doing about 4500kms on it, the seats were the least of my worries in the FZ16. They were quite alright and I have done 250km one way trips on the bike without any complaints w.r.t the seats. Agree with bigron that they are at par with the industry standard.

I feel this has a lot to do with the design of the overall motorcycle. Not just material and cushioning is the reason, the design of the seat is such that it has to blend with the bike's theme which may not always lead to a comfortable position for the riders . However, in some bikes, like the Thunderbird, the the design suits the bike and at the same time is comfortable.
During the 80's, when there were just the 4 Japs and few Indian bikes, the seat was of just one design, like a 5 star bar .
Having said this, long rides on any motorcycle , will be uncomfortable from my experience.

Talking of 80s bikes, I find the seat on the HH CD100 (not made in the 80s though) to be horrible. Too squishy and sad stock upholstery. It was bad for both pillion and rider.

Of the few other bikes I have ridden, IMHO the pulsar has very narrow seats, very uncomfortable and whenever you brake hard you slide towards the tank, can't imagine any long rides on that.

I've never ridden a Pulsar, but I've been a pillion on a friend's P220. And the seat is horrible. Every time he'd brake even ever so slightly, I'd find myself getting a little too cozy with him.

I don't like the idea of that, because I'm as straight as an American highway. :D

Suzuki heat's seat will have to be one of the contenders. It has a strange bump in the middle of the seat. And for a big guy like me, that is where my tailbone rests. Best way to screw up your back would be to ride it on a bumpy road!!!

In that case the R15 V2 is way worse.two guys on a R15 V2 looks ermmm...bit queer

The Honda Dio has a pretty bad pillion posture, because of the oddly placed footrests. Not good for the lower back.

Uncomfortable riding position :
- Most pulsar series bikes (tank design,low turning handle bars,hard seats)
- Apache RTR (for long rides its compact geometry is uncomfortable)


Pillion seats :
- FZ series (you virtually sit on its grab rails !!)
- GS 150 (too high pillion seat. Not comfortable)
- New R15 :D
- Hunk/CBZ (hard ride and puny seats)

Agree with R15 & FZ seats, they look too small for comfort. However I don't agree with GS150's seats. Back seat was one of the deciding criteria for buying bike for me, and I have done numerous trips with wife as pillion (some of them posted on the forum). She as well as others have enjoyed the high stance, it helps the pillion to get a good view and not just the back of the head of the rider!

However in city especially with elder persons as pillion it is bit problematic.

lol: I've seen the new R15, the v2.0.

And incidentally, I've seen two guys on it. And while I can't comment on how uncomfortable (or comfortable, depending on your, ahem, preference :D), I can safely say that the pillion rider on a R15 v2.0 will be a threat to low flying objects. Especially, if he is a 6-footer like me! *winks*

Ofcourse comfort level can be a personal thing and the height of the pillion seat is a big problem with GS. We have one GS in our family and elderly people and especially the ladies who sit onesided find it uncomfortable.
Padding and ride quality is definitely alright though.