Do you swing a leg over your cruiser, eager to ride, only to stop an hour down the road with aches and pains—and not just in the butt? According to Rudy Nafzger of Rudy's Upholstery in Lacombe, Alberta, the comfort complaints of many motorcyclists, such as pains in the back, shoulders, arms and yes, the butt, can be traced to the shape and fit of the machine's saddle. You can remedy this with a little help.
We asked Nafzger to share his tips on how a cruiser saddle should fit the rider. If you choose to have a saddle custom made, we hope these suggestions will help you explain what you require.
Nafzger has been producing custom motorcycle saddles for 27 years. He crafted his first saddle in his native Switzerland for his 1967 Moto Morini 125. Friends began asking for his handiwork, and Nafzger’s name soon became synonymous with high-quality, functional custom saddles in his native area.
He moved to Canada six years ago and still makes custom motorcycle saddles. He shared these tips while working on a saddle to fit a 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan.
Define The Problem First things first. What seems to be the problem? Nafzger asks his customers to arrive at his shop on their motorcycle. With the rider seated, feet on the floorboards, he can locate the saddle pressure points. You can too. While seated, find out exactly where your rear hits the saddle. Are your inner thighs pinched to the point that the circulation to your legs is cut off? Can you reach the handlebar easily while sitting comfortably? If you were positioned two inches closer to, or farther away from the bar, would you be more comfortable? Are your knees bent unreasonably or is the ground too far away? Is there a great deal of space between where you sit and the fuel tank, forcing you to slide forward when the brakes are applied? Make a note of these and other relevant observations. They will come in handy when you and your upholsterer discuss your specific requirements.
Softer May Not Be Better
Nafzger says one of the biggest mistakes people make is the assumption that softer foam is much better. Foam density and quality are an important part of the saddle equation. There are many grades of foam, and in explanation Nafzger says, "The cheaper the foam, the sooner the seat will collapse." A good quality, high-density foam for your saddle will be quite heavy and will still retain a rubbery feel when compressed.
When cheap, poor-quality foam collapses, you are literally sitting on the plastic or metal seat pan! Be sure your upholsterer uses quality high-density foam on the bottom of the saddle (be prepared to pay accordingly) and a thin layer of quality soft foam on the top. The high-density foam will keep your body in the correct riding position, and the soft foam will provide comfort.
Back Up
A cruiser saddle should be a minimum of 12.5 inches wide at the back. Nafzger points to an old metal tractor seat and explains the ideal saddle shape. "The back of the saddle should be fairly wide and it should be curved, like the shape of a pan, or that old tractor seat," Nafzger explains. "One important secret is to locate the lowest point of the saddle as far back as possible. You don't want the lowest point to be in the middle of the seat." Many saddles are shaped either like a "U" or a bubble, allowing the rider to slide back and forth on the seat. "It's important to comfortably stay in position. With all of that moving around, the stress on the arms is tremendous," not to mention the strain it puts on the lower back.
Remember to consider your passenger saddle. If your passenger slides forward when the brakes are applied, it can disrupt your concentration. It's potentially dangerous and uncomfortable for everyone.
As long as no major modifications have been made to the frame of your machine, and regardless what end result is desired for your finished saddle, the original seat pan can probably be used. “It’s easy to move a rider ahead or back a couple of inches, and to lower or raise them the same amount,” Nafzger reports. That can be done by cutting the original foam, or replacing the foam and giving it a new shape.
Choosing a Cover
Decide what kind of material will cover your new saddle. Leather is an eye-appealing option, but most seats are now covered in high-quality vinyl (which doesn't absorb water). Nafzger adds, "It's important, whether it's leather or vinyl, for the seat cover to fit over the foam snugly. This adds to the life of the saddle and goes a long way toward providing more comfort."
Before the cover goes on, decide if you want contrasting piping, conchos or studs added. And remember, most cruisers are equipped with two saddles, one for the rider and one for the passenger. If you have both done, the cost is potentially doubled, but appearance and comfort will be your reward.
Nafzger stresses that you should be prepared to talk with your upholsterer, to be sure he understands your requirements. For this reason, you may want to deal with a motorcycle saddlemaker such as Sargent. You may also find that aftermarket saddle builders, like Mustang or Travelcade/Saddlemen, have what you need on the shelf.
“Custom saddle building can be very time-consuming. And for a high-quality seat, you will likely have to pay [more] for it,” Nafzger concludes. "But—considering how much time you spend in it—if that old saddle has got you sore, the cost of a custom-built seat is a small price to pay for comfort."
