Suzuki M50 Seat Questions
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Re: Suzuki M50 Uncomfortable Seat
I'm not sure it's just the seat. The cruiser riding position is generally tough on your tailbone. A better seat might help the situation, but I don't know if it will solve it.
Suzuki will probably offer different seats since they're trying to follow the H-D sales model, so start there. Corbin, Sargent and a bunch of other aftermarket seat makers are out there, but their stock models are usually for more popular bikes. Some of them will actually build you a seat to spec. You could also look into having the stock seat rebuilt on the stock pan. Google it.
Welcome to motorcycling. It's freakin' fun.
I'm not sure it's just the seat. The cruiser riding position is generally tough on your tailbone. A better seat might help the situation, but I don't know if it will solve it.
Suzuki will probably offer different seats since they're trying to follow the H-D sales model, so start there. Corbin, Sargent and a bunch of other aftermarket seat makers are out there, but their stock models are usually for more popular bikes. Some of them will actually build you a seat to spec. You could also look into having the stock seat rebuilt on the stock pan. Google it.
Welcome to motorcycling. It's freakin' fun.
Re: Suzuki M50 Uncomfortable Seat
It sounds like the problem was as much the rear shock as the seat.
You might want to check Progressive Suspension to see if they make a better-quality replacement shock.
As far as seats go, Mustang seats are very popular with cruiser owners.
It sounds like the problem was as much the rear shock as the seat.
You might want to check Progressive Suspension to see if they make a better-quality replacement shock.
As far as seats go, Mustang seats are very popular with cruiser owners.
Suzuki M50 Seat
Here's what I said:
"[Y]our ass starts to hurt after 20 minutes, since all your weight is resting on your tailbone." I want to make clear that I did NOT bash the Suzuki seat!
The seat is quite nice. It's neither too soft nor too hard. The problem is that the basic cruiser seating position is designed to look comfortable rather than be comfortable.
The cruiser position puts your body's weight on your lower spine and limits the rider's movement so he can't shift his weight to his feet, wrists or thighs like a standard motorcycle, so your ass and tailbone just go numb after a certain amount of time. You might like it, you might not. If you don't like that and you want to ride for protracted periods, a cruiser-from any brand- is probably not for you.
Here's what I said:
"[Y]our ass starts to hurt after 20 minutes, since all your weight is resting on your tailbone." I want to make clear that I did NOT bash the Suzuki seat!
The seat is quite nice. It's neither too soft nor too hard. The problem is that the basic cruiser seating position is designed to look comfortable rather than be comfortable.
The cruiser position puts your body's weight on your lower spine and limits the rider's movement so he can't shift his weight to his feet, wrists or thighs like a standard motorcycle, so your ass and tailbone just go numb after a certain amount of time. You might like it, you might not. If you don't like that and you want to ride for protracted periods, a cruiser-from any brand- is probably not for you.
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Re: Suzuki M50 Uncomfortable Seat
Strap something onto the pillion that you can use as a backrest. This takes much of the weight off of the tailbone.
You are pretty much screwed by the insistence on the stupid forward controls which in turn force you into a posture that is reminiscent of someone trying to hump a camel.
You still have regular footpegs on several of the Dyna Glides and the Sportsters.
Strap something onto the pillion that you can use as a backrest. This takes much of the weight off of the tailbone.
You are pretty much screwed by the insistence on the stupid forward controls which in turn force you into a posture that is reminiscent of someone trying to hump a camel.
You still have regular footpegs on several of the Dyna Glides and the Sportsters.
I have, in the past, bought a Corbin seat for an 1100 Virago which would set your butt on fire after about thirty minutes for the very reason mentioned above. That is, all of your weight was on your tail bone. I also bought one for a 1400 Intruder for the same reason. They were a Godsend. I now have a Corbin double Touring Bucket on my Wide Glide and it makes all the difference in the world. The stock seat was ok for riding around town, or two hundred mile days. But for traveling I have seen nothing that beats a Corbin Seat. I do not normally hawk a product in this manner, but this has been an outstanding solution to the problem of MC comfort for me.
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I second tigercub's comments. I can't ride a cruiser for more than 30 minutes without getting a backache. I like it until then, but it gets irritating shortly. A sport touring bike like a VFR is far more comfortable for distance. Check out the Suzuki SV 650. It has a standard riding position, as do several other bikes in the price range, like the FZ6. Or you can go to the Katana 600, which I find to be comfy, if a little down on power. Then again, it can wipe the floor with any of the cruisers under 1100cc. For control, your feet need to be under you, not sticking out in front of you. See Burnsie's review on the R1150R from a while back. As he says, the feet forward seating position is "Stooopid."
Francis
Francis
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152 Posts
Re: Crotch Rocket Boys Don't Know #$%@ About Cruisers
Actually, I was racking up the miles when I traded in my last bike. I did a few 1900 mile days. How many of you cruiser posers have done that?
Long distance riding is easy. Just ride for 250 miles, fill up the gas tank, and repeat until you get where you're going.
Granted, since buying the new crotch rocket in November I've only managed to put 6500 miles on it, so I guess I'm just a poser...
Actually, I was racking up the miles when I traded in my last bike. I did a few 1900 mile days. How many of you cruiser posers have done that?
Long distance riding is easy. Just ride for 250 miles, fill up the gas tank, and repeat until you get where you're going.
Granted, since buying the new crotch rocket in November I've only managed to put 6500 miles on it, so I guess I'm just a poser...
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17,458 Posts
Re: Crotch Rocket Boys Don't Know #$%@ About Cruisers
I always find the poser comments coming from the sportbikers to be very amusing. Sure, there are a many who put on lots of miles. However when my wife and I go on our tours in the intermountain west we see 80% Harleys on the road. The rest are a mix of Goldwings, Concours, BMWs and various standards. Seldom do we see sportbikes actually being ridden. We've been on some trips where the only sportbikes we've seen have been parked in front of cafes. On Sunday morning. Note that our rides go through mountain roads as well as interstates.
So, if I were to make a broad generalization based on experience I'd have to say that the sportbikers are the worst posers. But, such a generalization wouldn't be true. Generalizations seldom are.
I always find the poser comments coming from the sportbikers to be very amusing. Sure, there are a many who put on lots of miles. However when my wife and I go on our tours in the intermountain west we see 80% Harleys on the road. The rest are a mix of Goldwings, Concours, BMWs and various standards. Seldom do we see sportbikes actually being ridden. We've been on some trips where the only sportbikes we've seen have been parked in front of cafes. On Sunday morning. Note that our rides go through mountain roads as well as interstates.
So, if I were to make a broad generalization based on experience I'd have to say that the sportbikers are the worst posers. But, such a generalization wouldn't be true. Generalizations seldom are.
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1,754 Posts
Re: Crotch Rocket Boys Don't Know #$%@ About Cruisers
Whoa, there. I own a pretty comfortable sportbike (Daytona 955i) and a very comfortable standard (ZRX 1100). You know I'm a big proponent of the standard riding position for most people, so you'll get no argument there. But you must admit that many people buy cruisers, especially ones with forward controls, because they LOOK comfortable. There are tons of misconceptions about how comfortable cruisers are because they resemble lounge chairs. I know a number of people who've never been on a sportbike or sport-tourer and immediately assume they must all be completely uncomfortable. An older guy looks at a VFR or the like and thinks "crotchrocket" and "painful" and moves over to the cruiser isle.
My friend just had to have a V-Rod, but two years of the parachute effect, aside from the beating his tailbone takes, is making him rethink his decision. I'm recommending something like a new Sprint or a VFR. Granted, Gold Wings and various touring bikes probably supremely comfortable, but also approach the dynamics of a car.
I rode a Heritage Soft Tail Classic for one day last year. It had a big, cushy, seat. My a$$ was numb after 15 minutes because I couldnt move around the bike thanks to the silly forward controls. It really wasnt all that comfortable.
But yes, there are tons of sportbike posers out there, too.
Whoa, there. I own a pretty comfortable sportbike (Daytona 955i) and a very comfortable standard (ZRX 1100). You know I'm a big proponent of the standard riding position for most people, so you'll get no argument there. But you must admit that many people buy cruisers, especially ones with forward controls, because they LOOK comfortable. There are tons of misconceptions about how comfortable cruisers are because they resemble lounge chairs. I know a number of people who've never been on a sportbike or sport-tourer and immediately assume they must all be completely uncomfortable. An older guy looks at a VFR or the like and thinks "crotchrocket" and "painful" and moves over to the cruiser isle.
My friend just had to have a V-Rod, but two years of the parachute effect, aside from the beating his tailbone takes, is making him rethink his decision. I'm recommending something like a new Sprint or a VFR. Granted, Gold Wings and various touring bikes probably supremely comfortable, but also approach the dynamics of a car.
I rode a Heritage Soft Tail Classic for one day last year. It had a big, cushy, seat. My a$$ was numb after 15 minutes because I couldnt move around the bike thanks to the silly forward controls. It really wasnt all that comfortable.
But yes, there are tons of sportbike posers out there, too.
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17,458 Posts
Re: Crotch Rocket Boys Don't Know #$%@ About Cruisers
Hey, I love the fact that there are lots of sportbike and cruiser posers. That way there are lots of 3-4 year old motorcycles that I can get real cheap with v. low miles.
Long live the posers! There aren't enough of them as far as I'm concerned.
BTW, how do you like that Daytona?
Hey, I love the fact that there are lots of sportbike and cruiser posers. That way there are lots of 3-4 year old motorcycles that I can get real cheap with v. low miles.
Long live the posers! There aren't enough of them as far as I'm concerned.
BTW, how do you like that Daytona?
Go to www.volusiariders.com and you can find everything you want to know about M50 from people who actually OWN one.
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1,754 Posts
Re: Crotch Rocket Boys Don't Know #$%@ About Cruisers
I know, right? It's telling when you hear people call bikes with about 10k miles "high mileage."
So far so good with the Daytona. It makes a great commuter for a sportbike, and it's got way more than enough motor for any sane person. I was thinking about doing a two part review and posting it on MO, since we always hear what a nice bike it is but no one else here seems to own one. I've got to get it in for its first oil change this week, as I've already exceeded the 600 mile mark. Pt. 1 could be impressions of the first 600 miles. Pt. 2 could be an update. Whaddya think?
I know, right? It's telling when you hear people call bikes with about 10k miles "high mileage."
So far so good with the Daytona. It makes a great commuter for a sportbike, and it's got way more than enough motor for any sane person. I was thinking about doing a two part review and posting it on MO, since we always hear what a nice bike it is but no one else here seems to own one. I've got to get it in for its first oil change this week, as I've already exceeded the 600 mile mark. Pt. 1 could be impressions of the first 600 miles. Pt. 2 could be an update. Whaddya think?
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