Hello,

I have an 08 Nightster and its fine to cruise around town for about 30-60 miles then it gets very uncomfortable. The previous owner swapped the stock nightster seat for a 883 factory seat... is there even any difference between the 2?

In any case I read that the stock nightster/sportster seat is not that great any ways.

My question is what are the critical components I need to upgrade to increase the comfort, especially if I wanted to take it for a 6 hour trip one way. Solo seat is fine, unless there is one that comes only with passenger that is also more comfortable for the rider.

1)Will the seat alone make a major difference? what brand and model number?
2) Rear/front shocks/suspension, if so what brand?
3) Will forward controls make a difference as well?

Thanks

 

Mustang Wide Vintage seat (comes in single or 2-up) and forward controls or some highway pegs to stretch your legs while on a long ride. Air shocks will also help out a lot. I just put some Road King air shocks on my sporty and its a night and day difference over the stock ones. I used to ride for about a half hour and my *** would be sore as hell, but after changing the seat, I can be on the road for hours with no pain. Adding the air shocks greatly added to my comfort.

 

I'm afraid the seat is the same as stock. As said, seat, shocks and maybe forwards if you like them. I got SG air shocks and forwards so far on mine.

 

Few notes,

I actually like the regular controls just fine and I think it works better for turns? However, Im willing to get the forward if it makes a big difference for comfort.

Also as far as shock, I would like to get the black ones so it goes with blacked out theme.

What would be the priority ranking of these upgrades in terms of comfort level?

Thanks

 

With forward controls, you lose the ability to raise your fat *** off the seat going over bumps and absorb some travel with your legs. If you do not care, then go with forwards. Good suspension and good riding position is the way to go to make a smooth ride.

John

 

The most important factors in being comfortable for longer rides are:

• The correct (for you, everyone is different) relationship between the seat, the handlebars and the footpegs.
  
• A seat that is comfortable.
  
• Footpegs that allow some flexibility in movement, this can be helped with heel rests.
  
• Improving the rear suspension.

I would find the seat first, if you ride only solo, then you might like a Solo Spring Seat, there are some options HERE. If those don't appeal to you, there are a lot of choices...Mustang, Sundowner, modifying the existing seat with comfort foam.

Then I would get some pegs that are comfortable...whether they are forward or mids. Check some of these out HERE. Heel rests really add a lot if you have forwards. If you have mids, then some highway pegs help a lot.

Now you are ready to get the relationship between the pegs, seat and handlebars to fit You.

This is the way that has always worked for me to get the most comfortable handlebar position-

Sit on your bike
Have someone hold it up straight for you
Put your feet on the pegs
Close your eyes
Put your hands out to where it is most comfortable to hold them
Open your eyes...where ever your hands are, that is where you want the handlebar grips to be.

Now you know if you need to adjust your handlebars or get new ones.

Lastly, get some better rear shocks for even a more comfortable ride. I like the take off touring air shocks, they really improve the ride and are easy to get for around $100. Lots of guys have used even more expensive rear shocks, I have never seen the need.

Here's a vid of me on a longer trip on my Sporty with a bunch of baggers. I have mine set up right for my 55 year old bones...I was more comfortable on my Sporty than most of the guys were on their baggers.

 

I installed the Mustang seat mentioned earlier, with no other mods, on my 883L, and I can ride for hours with no discomfort.

The forward pegs can help on long rides. (I installed a pair on my Nightster.)

 

DK thank you for detailed break down and everyone else who contributed.

Sounds like the seat is definitely the right staring point in improving comfort.

So far I hear mustang vintage wide seat, what would be the other contenders and what are their pros and cons.

Thanks

 

IN lieu of the forwards you could just do highway pegs, they do make a set that mounts where the forward control would mount for about $170. or you could just do the crash bar and highway pegs that way,,, your choice, but the mids were completely worthless to me so I have forwards with a crash bar & highway pegs.

to go all out with comfort do these in this order..

1.big cushion seat
2. forwards/ highway pegs
3. back rest
4. taller bars to reduce reach
5. windshield

 

I would find the seat first, if you ride only solo, then you might like a Solo Spring Seat, there are some options HERE. If those don't appeal to you, there are a lot of choices...Mustang, Sundowner, modifying the existing seat with comfort foam.

Here is a link on how you can make your stock seat comfortable-

https://www.facebook.com/notes/dk-cu...88014931217578

Step-by-Step instructions with pics.

A solo spring seat is hard to beat in comfort. You can also make it one of a kind by having a local leather shop do some tooling. The seat comes with a good cushion, and on top of that you can have a couple extra inches of suspension with the barrel springs. (see link above).