Customizing your stock seat - Ducati.ms

twozzie · May 3rd, 2011, 2:08 pm

So there are lots of threads about what seat to use on the Hyper, the pros and cons of each. The stock seat was uncomfortable and the DP Comfort seat not much better (IMO), Yes I could payout for a stock custom seat like sargent but before shelling out $400 or so of my hard earned cash I wanted to try changing the stock seat, if I screw it up I can get another off fleabay for a few bucks. So here is what I did:

1) found a link to how to customize your seat

Modify Seat

2) Removed the seat from the bike and removed the cover, put the seat back on the bike sans cover, sat on the seat and had the wife mark out where my butt came. (ignore the grey tape, I used it whilst riding the bike to test the seat shape later)

3) Then using a electric kitchen knife (new from Walmart for 3 bucks !!) I started shaping the seat to get more of a "bowl" effect front to back and side to side. This is very messy. I then fine tuned the shape using a dremel with a sanding bit (wear a mask and goggles for this, it gets everywhere).Constantly sitting on the bike, marking and adjusting. Do this off the bike as the foam gets everywhere.

You can see how much foam I removed in the above pictures.

4) I then rode the bike for a while to fine tune where I should be taking foam out of. (there is plenty of foam on the stock seats so no worries about taking too much off)

5) When the seat was as a I wanted, I marked where the 2 seating bones would be (these are the ones that cause the irritation - the link above explains more on these) cut out the foam using a very sharp modellers knife (few bucks), all the way to the seat pan.

6) I sat on the bike again to make sure they holes were in the right place (man this was so comfortable as there was no foam pushing against the sitting bones). I then filled the holes using an open foam I had (bought at a local craft store for a few bucks)

7) Tried the seat again and then took the whole thing to my local upholstery place. He glued the "green" foam in place then using his professional eye and tools fine tuned the foam and the seat, then he covered the entire seat with 1/4 "foam to remove any imperfections and recovered the seat using the original vinyl. ($80 got the job done)

twozzie · May 3rd, 2011, 2:12 pm

merovingian · May 5th, 2011, 6:39 am

I've had a spare OEM seat sitting in the box for a year now. You've just inspired me to do something with it.

Cheers

ktrides2 · May 5th, 2011, 1:47 pm

I just modified mine too. I shaved from the bottom though, to maintain the look of the seat and I inserted a rectangle of gel in sitting zone for extra comfort without all the thickness.

AXE · May 7th, 2011, 11:06 am

Nice job. I think that will work well and actually appears to be in line with the Comfort Seat and Racing seat. I have the comfort seat and it works well for me. I sort of wish I would have shaved my stocker like I did on my FZ1. The only thing I don't like on the Comfort Seat is the gel insert heats up in the sun and it transfers to your arse from that point forward.

Out!

sumondabitches · May 12th, 2012, 2:48 am

Nice... what about a more grippy cover? anyone tried this?

HT Moto Seat Cover - 09-11 Ducati Hypermotard

beelzebob · May 12th, 2012, 7:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumondabitches

Nice... what about a more grippy cover? anyone tried this?

HT Moto Seat Cover - 09-11 Ducati Hypermotard

How on earth would that fit over a stock seat ,with out cutting the foam, I'm curious as well .Looks good in the photo(that happens all of the time though).
I like to be able to slide my butt around for setting up hot turns , I have been searching for a seat for my needs since I got this bike and found nothing I like.
I wish someone would tell us about there Corbin

you know who you are.
BTW one hell of a nice job sharing how you modded your stock seat(I take apart a lot of things but the seat never crossed my narrow mind) thanks .
ride-on
Bob

ktrides2 · May 12th, 2012, 6:23 pm

Why would you want a grippier seat? Don't you move off the seat in turn?

booger weldz · May 12th, 2012, 9:06 pm

Pure genious!!! Great work, Im gonna try this on my sons butt numbing ktm seat!

I have a perfect stock Hyper seat, w 800 miles on it, for this if anyone has $100 plus shipping

Sorry, i had to slip that in

booger weldz · May 12th, 2012, 9:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktrides2

Why would you want a grippier seat? Don't you move off the seat in turn?

Yes, but ive got alpinestars and dainese pants and they both are too slippery to not need some sort of improved seat material. Its fine in jeans or my g string, but the leather is too slippery!