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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).
That actually looks pretty good. Years ago I did a long ride across Asia on a Yammie XT350. I glued a square of 1" thick dense packaging foam on the seat with contact glue (there was no going back!) and it worked well, lasted the distance but soaked up any rain badly. Lots of wet bottom rides. :laugh:

You can just make it out in this old photo that has been reproduced from an actual photo that you hold in your hand - remember those??

 
That actually looks pretty good. Years ago I did a long ride across Asia on a Yammie XT350. I glued a square of 1" thick dense packaging foam on the seat with contact glue (there was no going back!) and it worked well, lasted the distance but soaked up any rain badly. Lots of wet bottom rides. :laugh:

You can just make it out in this old photo that has been reproduced from an actual photo that you hold in your hand - remember those??

View attachment 1395
Your an awesome rider, that is the minimalist to a very high level.
Yes I remember the hand held photos, I scanned about 70 of them from my parents to download on a kodak picture frame i purchased for them. I even had one of my Dad's BSA lightning 650, that when I run it through the scanner software it even brought out the spokes in the wheels (from a polaroid, remember those? ) I have that electronic photo somewhere....
 
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...!
 
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.
 
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 :giggle:
 
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!

A Female rider may have an unfair advantage when it comes to the definition of a "uncomfy seat".. I will leave it there... :grin::devil::grin:
 
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.
 
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