the high seat gives me a wedgie. I actually use the standard plank since it's a little more comfortable!

 

Yeah i requested a high end non twig and berries crunching seat. Heres to hoping! This is probably my only complaint with the bike, well that and the windscreen is short but sport bike son!

 

I'm used to sitting on my big sack, so the seat seems pretty comfy to me!

:grin:

But, all kidding aside, I've ridden much worse. I'm sure that pretty soon there will be more options. In the meantime, there are quite a few places that do custom seats on a stock seat pan.

 

If anyone has purchased the Kawasaki comfort seat, please let us know. It would be great to find out if it has much better padding and increases comfort for longer rides.

 

Is this the one that raises the seat height by an inch too?
I'm really interested in hearing about this option as it may make the bike more comfortable. There was a big review in the Australian Motorcycle News last edition of the N400 and the reviewer said Kawasaki provided both seat options for him and he choose to use the taller option. Reckoned it didn't push you into the tank as much as the standard seat either.

 

Anyone have any leads on a good aftermarket brand that might make one? I'm on the plank bandwagon so far - really my only complaint about the bike!

 

I'm sure some aftermarket seat options will be out soon. The one from Kawasaki seems way overpriced since it's like the same kind of foam(rocks?) and just a bit taller.

 

I came across this review on YouTube of the ergo seat. Good review and should be helpful.

 

17+ minutes on a seat...? Is there a Cliff's Notes version?

 

Stock seat - little padding
Ergo seat - lots more padding

 

Yes it’s long but it’s a good detail review. Based on the review I may end up buying it if the dealer I bought my bike will give me 20-30% discount on accessories. Otherwise I will hold out for cheaper aftermarket options.

 

I got the OEM tall seat and I definitely prefer it. It's not really anything other than thicker than original/short seat. I mean, shape-wise it's the same. I feel it squish going over bumps where I didn't get that feeling before. I'm also 6'1" and it put me in a better riding position overall. Legs less bent when riding, splayed when stopped. OTOH I have to lean/tuck more to avoid the same amount of wind so I might get the tall windscreen at some point, but I have lower hanging fruit: getting my jacket taken in or getting a new one so I'm not a sail.


I can't really compare either seat to anything else though since it's my first bike. All I can say is that I don't get too uncomfortable with either and I have a skinny ass.

 

Anyone every thought of adding those gel pads? I've seen people cut into seats to add them though I have no idea how much more comfortable they are.

 

I actually tried adding a gel pad during my big ride preparation. I didn't like the one I tried to use, I removed it and wound up using 2 x 1" pieces of mildly hard foam for a test seat. It made the trip ok, it was much better than stock seat. I have obtained a 2" piece of soft foam to give that a try. I just need to take the time to cut and shape it. (this weeks project, which until I find the exact formula, I am just going to temporarily use the lycra blend material and temporarily secure it underneath, instead of stapling it.)

I will include a pic of the test seat with 2" of mildly hard foam. Lycra blend material was used to cover over it in the test run, which underneath the lycra fabric and 2" of foam is the stock seat and cover, (with no altering of the original seat at this time, again, just all temporary until I find the correct formula for me).

 

Anyone see an aftermarket seat for our bikes yet?
I've emailed Corbin twice in the last month but never got a response.

 

Good news (hopefully) - I just got an email response from Greg Hurley in the fabrication department at Corbin, and he said:

"We have just finished tooling up a front and rear seat for the Ninja 400 and it's in our molding department now. We should have something online to check out in the next week or so."

I asked him what the general pricing will be, and I'll let you know if I hear back.

Goodbye, soul-crushing moto-wedgie!

 

I really don't have much of a problem with the factory seat, but would certainly be tempted by a Corbin assuming they make it aggressive and not more of a touring seat. The one I had on my track SV650 was amazing. SO easy to slide around quickly changing BP... Honestly not sure what model it even was as the bike had full track fairings and the seat was on already when I bought it.

 

I once owned a Corbin seat. It was so comfy, you'll appreciate it if you do any kind of touring. This is a top mod. They are pricey, but you can choose material and color.

It's expected the seat height will be taller due to the increased padding. Unless they have new tech that retains the same height.

Can't wait for this..

 

I would hope for the same height, otherwise we're even more leaned forward. There's plenty of cushion depth in the default seat height; it just needs to be less dense. I'm finding the hard seat more of an issue than the thin, buzzy grips. I can manage the grips well enough, but ouch, that seat after about an hour and a half...!

 

russell seat

the russell seat is the best it is my third one it give a goldwing like confort it relief weight on the sit bone

 

I bought the taller seat mostly for the extra ride height. It looks really good, better than stock and sits me up higher for a better vantage point in traffic where I ride daily. It is unfortunately for me, noticeably uncomfortable. I didn't remember the stock seat being uncomfortable?

Something about the thicker seat is literally numbing to me. I have to keep moving around and usually end up as close to the tank as I can get and a little hunched back to get some support over my tail bone to keep from getting that numbing sensation. From the back to the front, it is too much sloped downward, toward the tank for me. I'm 5'7 1/2'' and a buck forty soaking wet.

Soon as Saddlemen has a seat I'm buying it or a Corbin if it comes with the extra 1'' in height. Let's see which one gets their seat to market first. I'll be buying it asap and selling the Kawi.

 

Corbin finally has seats for our bikes!

Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 800-538-7035

 

Last week I changed the original seat for the ErgoFit, a real evolution with a great gain of comfort and a better driving position.
The only complaint I can make is that the extra height reduce the ground support when you stopped

 

So, no more crushed balls against the tank, I hope. That's my big peeve. ?

 

You are right, we slip much less on the front when braking

 

OHH WOW! This entire thread is comical! I'm literally crying laughing reading all of the posts! LOLLL dangg I didn't know the seat was so uncomfortable to most. It's quite comfy for me tbh lol.

I didn't know that "uncomfy seat" was a thing lol!

 

OHH WOW! This entire thread is comical! I'm literally crying laughing reading all of the posts! LOLLL dangg I didn't know the seat was so uncomfortable to most. It's quite comfy for me tbh lol.

I didn't know that "uncomfy seat" was a thing lol!

You betcha, when your travelling long distance or touring or woteva it can really make or break your day, not to mention your butt hee hee

 

That Corbin seat looks really good

 

Well with just over 400 miles I'm happy to report my stock seat is beginning to get somewhat comfortable.

Still the Kawi Ergo Fit seat does look like it would help on my long rides.

 

I have no problem with my stock seat. I did notice that if I slide my butt back just a little I can feel the cushioning a bit better...

 

I don't know how you guys do it...

Had a couple late night service calls Friday night, Temp was in the low 50s and while not to bad on the side streets running slow... on the freeway the stock seat felt like a rock - transmitting every pothole, bump, road irregularity & bike vibration to my butt up threw my helmet rattling my eyeballs.

We have a ton of freeway construction going on here, so you can kinda expect a rough ride in those areas... but even on the smooth sections I felt every road imperfection. During the day when the suns out I ride threw the same areas, its a little bumpy but no real complaints.

So to all you guys & gals out riding the 400 with the stock seat and its cold out... I don't know how you guys do it - takes the fun out of riding. In the cold my butt cant indent the seat so each time I come to a stop I slide up to the tank and have to scooch back at every light. My other bikes were hard for the first few miles then loosen up some.

Anyone bought a Corbin seat for their 400 yet..? Is it reasonable in colder weather..? lol maybe I'm just getting old and loosing butt cushion, Love riding around doing service calls on the bike but during late night calls that seats staying parked for now.

 

Had a couple late night service calls Friday night, Temp was in the low 50s and while not to bad on the side streets running slow... on the freeway the stock seat felt like a rock - transmitting every pothole, bump, road irregularity & bike vibration to my butt up threw my helmet rattling my eyeballs.

We have a ton of freeway construction going on here, so you can kinda expect a rough ride in those areas... but even on the smooth sections I felt every road imperfection. During the day when the suns out I ride threw the same areas, its a little bumpy but no real complaints.

So to all you guys & gals out riding the 400 with the stock seat and its cold out... I don't know how you guys do it - takes the fun out of riding. In the cold my butt cant indent the seat so each time I come to a stop I slide up to the tank and have to scooch back at every light. My other bikes were hard for the first few miles then loosen up some.

Anyone bought a Corbin seat for their 400 yet..? Is it reasonable in colder weather..? lol maybe I'm just getting old and loosing butt cushion, Love riding around doing service calls on the bike but during late night calls that seats staying parked for now.

This is a two part mod to fix this issue. It's simply a saddle and suspension upgrade.

I've only logged about 100 km with the Corbin. Mainly straight roads, no twisties. It has the plushness of a LAY-Z-Boy yet firm and supportive. Went with leather seating and vinyl side panels because I love the softness of leather. I can still flat foot just like the stocker. Rode in freezing temps and found no discomfort. The fatigue and discomfort felt at the inner thighs and buttocks are caused by the pressure points of the stocker. With the contours of the Corbin this has all been eliminated. It's so good, I kinda feel bad for all the owners with the factory planks. Still, I want to test the twisties before I give my final review.

And it'll be quite a while till I get a rear shock.