Just picked up a 15 RG Special.
I'm a bit on the short side at a 29" inseam. The stock seat seemed to work for me, but not by much. If it was just me, I would keep the stock seat until at least the weather gets good enough to do a nice long ride (400-500 miles) and see how I feel at the end of the day.
But I know looking at the profile on the passenger seat, that just isn't going to fly once the wife gets on. Looking for suggestions that would be wider and more comfortable for her as she isn't a petite little thing, without raising me up.
As a comparison, I test road the 15 CVO RG, which has a big cushy seat that I was on serious tiptoes. Very embarrassing at the end of the test ride I rolled up, put the kickstand down, and had them park it, because I wasn't about to drop the 40k bike while backing it up next to other 40k bikes.
Also, I'm thinking about ordering a HD backrest for my current seat, since I know my back will bother me without it, but concerned that depending on what i go with long term, that backrest may not work with a new seat.
I saw the 'reach' seats in the catalog, but wasn't' sure I really needed to go that low. The other seat that I thought might work is the Sundowner?
Any thoughts from anyone who is inseam challenged, and still needs a decent seat for the wife?
Danny Gray seats are pretty awesome and offer a few solutions to what you're looking for. Their Airhawk seats are pretty amazing, that's what I plan on getting. Here are two that I am considering...
Danny Gray does offer some great seats.
I had their weekend two up seat and it was great for both mu wife and I. I might be going that same route once again on my 2015 RGS.
Swomack
I went to the Sundowner for a long trip out of consideration for my wife. A friend also did that went on the trip with his wife. Halfway through he bought a Hammock and paid for the dealer to send his Sundowner home. I waited till I was home and returned it to the dealer and got a hammock, which I like for 2 up longer trips. The Hammock can be hard on your man parts. It felt like I'd been kicked after about 500 miles. YMMV. We both ride 15 SGS's and are much happier with the Hammock.
I just got the new Cvo seat with gel inserts, sits nice and low, looks great, very comfortable for both me and wife. I'm vertically challenged too, 32in inseam.
The biggest problem I found with the HD reduced reach seats is that they move you forward instead of down. I tried both the regular reduced reach & the super reduced reach & they both crammed me forward like I was riding dirt bike style (nuts on the tank). I had my stock seat reworked by a local guy who took it as low as he could, & put gel in it. It is really uncomfortable after about 100 miles. There isn't much padding to begin with. I ended up buying a stock seat from a 2015 Ultra Classic Low & it moved me down instead of forward . Super comfortable & they run about $250. Plenty of room & padding for a passenger as well.
Find a take-off EG touring seat (for your passenger's comfort), send it to MCC seats to have the riders" portion lowered and re-foamed using their memory foam.
Has anyone done this?^^^ My wife is not liking the factory seat and Im 5'6" 135 lbs and so is she. Im ok with the stock seat but she isn't. I want us to both be happy. Im hearing the Hammock is best but I really don't know. They offered me a demo seat for next weekend.
Just steal a Seat off the big bike. I got a 2016 Electra glide for 200 plus shipping. Very happy. Wife said the same thing. Seat back here is tiny!! So I will probably send it off to have the front cut and lowered but we only use it for long drives right now
Ok just rode 100 miles and my wife was begging to get off of the stock seat. She said it would have been ok if she actually got to sit on the pad. Said she kept sliding back to the fender. Imagine that?!?!
Le Pera. Nuf said. Do it and you will never regret spending the money. Call them and give them your measurments and needs. They will recomend the model that will fit your ass and your wifes too. They make the finest seats available. Built on solid steel seat pans. Look like they were born on the bike and ride like a dream. Don't go wasting your money on HD factory crap chit from China. Go USA made and you will not regret it. I promise.
Thanks. I picked one up off eBay for a reasonable price and put it on last weekend.
I'm a big guy so not sure the Rally Runner is a viable long term solution for me, but the Mrs. loves it. It definitely moves you back some compared to the stock seat. I'd say approximately 2" based on my handlebar and highway peg adjustments to compensate.
A great looking seat though. The leather will take some getting used to. Can't slide around and re-position like you can on the OEM vinyl
Measured the widths on the Rally Runner and compared to OEM RG seat. The Rally Runner is 13" wide at the riders butt, the stock seat is 15" wide at the riders butt.
Passenger pad is where the Rally Runner shines. It's not really wide at 10", but the pad is a lot more horizontal than the OEM seat. That has been the big difference for the Mrs. She doesn't feel like she is always sliding backwards.
Tried the Hammock this weekend. Rode a little over a 100 miles. Would have kept riding if the weather would have cooperated. The wife absolutely loved it. I like the Le Pera Maverick and Rt 66 but really would like to try one before buying. Probably going to get the Hammock.
Among Harley seats, for the rider the Hammock is the best. For the passenger, the Ultra has the cushiest passenger seat.
However, lucky you, if your wife loves the passenger portion of the Hammock, you're good to go!
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