New Seat ?

Thinking of changing my sprung seat to a LaPera (sp?) saddle. Sometimes my sprung seat sways a bit side to side which gives me the willies. Also, the LaPera would allow me to sit a few inches father back with more back support, and a few inches lower. It would really improve the looks of the bike.

It can come with a gel insert. Anyone have any experience with gel?

About 2 years ago I had my seat recovered and a gel pad installed. I wrote a thread on it in product reviews. The gel works great for me
Vendor Feedback. Mean City Cycles.

I had seriously considered air shocks, Ken, but they make the seat set up way too high - much higher than it sets now.

I also had my seat reworked by Mean City like Fatboy, but didn't use gel just the memory foam. Go to their website and read up on the options. Less money than a new seat and just as good jmop

I have a Lepera Bare Bones on my Sportster, the fit and finish is very good, but the seat is a bit harsh, usually I have to stop for a bum stretch after 70-80 miles. By the end of the days ride I'm down to about 45-60 mins between stops. Looks cool, but I've ordered in a different seat for more comfort.

And you probably have a swing arm frame.

Even with a good back an unsprung seat on a rigid would be hard on ya,just a low tire isn't much cushion... How long are the barrel springs you have on now??Gotta be at least 3"...Some of the seat shocks in the link Ken posted are only 4(single shock) and 4 1/2"(doubles)

I have a buddy that put valve springs off a front end loader on his WLC,but he was just a little over 400lbs...it kept him from crushing the seat into the fender,so even if you could find a couple of heavier springs than the regular barrel springs would help with the sideways swing....

I have 3" springs. I weigh only 140 so the springs are sufficient - I've never bottomed them out LOL. Tattoo has a LePera seat on his rigid like the one I want to try and he says it's a ass beater & backbone breaker. He rode it down to Daytona one year and said he would never, ever do it again.

His advice to me: Keep the sprung seat.

140!!!!! I haven't seen 140 since I was a toddler!

That's good advice...

You musta been a FAT boy!

I drank beer all through high school and it never affected my weight. My brain, well, that's another story . . . .

Well, after studying all the pros & cons, I think I'll stay with the seat I have. Another hardtail biker I know has tried both and is now back to riding a sprung seat. I can live with the side sway - it isn't that bad and most of the time not really noticable unless I really slam into a curve.

I used to drink cases of beer and never gained a pound. Then somewhere around the time I hit 40 they must have change the recipe. Suddenly I look at a beer and gain 5 pounds.

Dang. I reordered my priorities to hopefully avoid that: Bikes, Babes, and then Beer LOL.