I have one on my 2002 900SS as well. It's certainly an improvement over the stock seat and maybe drops it a touch. It is firm but still gives just the right amount. I used to get sore at my inner thighs and bottom after riding on the stock seat, but this is much more comfortable. It does provide some grip, but the real plus is the hooks that come out from the sides of the seat. What a convenient feature that is when it comes time to use that bungee to tie up whatever you need. Check out this pic when I went to get a bunch of take out to bring home. It was funny to me, so I had to take a pic. It's a terrible phone pic, but you get the idea. Nothing spilled over.