Seat alternatives

• Corbin
• Giuliari
• Götz
• Mayer
• free saddlery

Picture appears by courtesy of Brian Lamberts.

A leather-coated Corbin on Dirk Spiessens' bike

Check out the Corbin homepage.
In Europe contact:
Corbin
M & P

Also Giuliari of Italy manufactures a saddle for the TA, being about 5 cm lower than the stock one. I'll try to get additional info.

German aftermarket provider Götz offers various stuff for a new do-it-yourself seat.

1. A universal seat repair kit, containing of a middle hard basic foam and a softer cover up, for cutting your own seat kernel (order# 453, DEM 49.90)
2. A ready-to-use stepless kernel, replacing the stock one with step. This kernel is harder than the stock one. Believe me, a harder seat is better for your back on long distance trips (order# 47512, DEM 79.90).
3. A ready-to-use kernel with step, but harder than stock one, replacing the stock one (order# 273129, DEM 79.90).
4. Ready to use covers in different colours
   red: order# 25591
   blue: order# 25593
   black: order# 25595, DEM 39.90 each.
5. Universal covers in numerous colours and designs, for do-it-yourself cut.
6. A complete replacement seat in black, similar to stock (order# 72811, DEM 239.50)

Concerning Mayer seats, Dave Steven wrote:

Here are two pix of a Rick Mayer seat I had done for my '89 US TransAlp, Rick reworks the stock pan to your body spec's. (weight, inseam, hips etc) He requests pix of you on the bike as well to locate the "sweet spot".
Cost is $325US but I supplied my own Naugahyde (blue) and he deducted $25US.
I've put over 1000 miles on it and it beats a Corbin for comfort and support.

 
Pictures appears by courtesy of Dave Steven

Contact:
MayerCycle

I decided to order a new seat from a freelance saddler, in my case Peewee of Hannover. This man is a genius, and he's a biker. He built a new kernel out of a pretty hard foam (RD100 classified), and sewed a new cover from brown vinyl, looking like genuine antique leather. He charged me DEM 160.-.
The seat looks really high-class, and it feels like that. It's harder than the stock kernel, stepless, a little bit higher and a little bit wider. It gives a very comfortable feeling, and after getting a sour ass after 1 hour of riding, at least during the last 1.5 years, I now can ride for hours. Have to get used now to new seating position ...

Click the pics for a fullsize version

Tips for designing your custom saddle

• If possible, bring your bike to saddlery, so that the guy may have a look at the line, saddle's fitment and so far.
• Be sure, the foam you choosed is not too soft. If it feels too hard during the first 30 minutes, it's most probably ok. It will become softer by the time, and you can be sure, not to sit on the pan after one hour of riding.
• If possible (i.e. if your legs are long enough), make the saddler cut the new kernel a little bit wider. This will encrease comfort.
• Don't choice genuine leather for cover, it isn't waterproof.

For getting a saddler's address, have a look at your local yellow pages, or, maybe the better idea, ask your local Honda dealer for a saddler. Mostly the dealers will know an address.

Or contact:
Peewee