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[benswing]

Hey, I'm planning on taking some long rides this summer and would like to replace my seat.  There was a seat listed on the Zero site, but it is gone now. 

What seats can I replace mine with for greater comfort for longer rides?

[benswing]

Also, can I just buy a stock seat from any manufacturer?  If so, what do I need to look for to ensure it will install easily?

[WindRider]

Hi Ben,

Check out http://www.corbin.com

My local dealer has a 2012 DS with a custom Corbin Saddle on it so this must be possible from them.

Also, please post up your adventures here with some pictures:  I am curious about long distance EV travel and would like to see how it is done.

[Richard230]

My dealer offered to re-contour and recover the stock seat to make it lower and more comfortable for $100.  Instead I bought the low Corbin seat that they had on display.  It was a slight improvement, but not worth the money.  I still hurt after an hour's of riding.  My current solution was to buy an Air Hawk 2 seat pad and stick it on the Corbin.  It made a big improvement and now (with the correct amount of air in the seat pad) I can ride as long as the battery will hold out without discomfort.   

If you don't mind the extra height of the Air Hawk's smallest passenger pad, you could give that a try.  However, having someone alter the stock seat by dishing it under your butt and putting in softer padding, might be the better way to go - if it gets done right.

[benswing]

Thanks for the tips so far, and keep 'em coming! 

The seat height is good for me and I could live with it being a little higher if necessary.  I was hoping there are stock mounts for seats so I could find some alternatives, but it sounds like it will require individual tailoring.

Will definitely post photos.  The plan is to get up as many mountains on the East coast as possible (Mt. Washington, Skyline drive in the Shenandoahs, Blue Ridge Parkway, and The Dragon in Deals Gap, NC).  My trips won't be nearly as epic as Terry's, but should make for some fun adventures!   

[amahoser]

There are plenty of options available to add a bit of comfort to your seat.

Add on seat pads are an inexpensive non permanent way to to it. There are tons of options to try...
Air Hawk is very popular. Air Hawk pads are an inflatable seat pad that you can contour and adjust the firmess and feel of the pad by the amount of air in the chambers. Many people love them. I tried one at a motorcycle show and though it felt great. Only drawback I saw was its a bit squishy and your  butt can move around in the saddle quite a bit. If you are on a long distance freeway ride, this should be a non issue. but if you plan on doing a bunch of canyon rides, it might be a bit disconcerting.
There are numerous add on seat pads out there that are more traditional, using regular materials instead of air. Some use a combination of various foams and gels to provide comfort. Do a google search for this. Main drawback: they always add height to your seat. So if the seat height is already too tall for you, this way may not be ideal.

Custom seat:
Since our bikes arent very popular, companies like Russel Day Long Saddles and Saddlemen do not have seats available for our bikes. But, you can still get a custom seat made. Many companies use your existing seat pan to create a seat. My personal favorite (and I will be getting one for my Zero) is Baldwin Saddles at http://www.motorbikesaddles.com/ Their seats are made with a combonation of memory foam and gel and are incredibly comfortable. I got a quote of $400 to redo my Zero seat which will be (at my request) an inch higher than stock, in a "sport" style with vinyl Ostrich seat surface and regular vinyl sides. The stiching will be in a nickle color. the "sport" style will keep the width of the seat close to stock wheras their GT style is wider for more comfort. Attached is a picture of my Kawaski Concours seat from Baldwin. It is a GT seat in Ostrich. (pic is from their wedsite which is my actual seat since I purchased their Demo seat).
Another seat option is Bill Mayer saddles. They can custom build you a seat for your ass and your riding style. If you live near them (Ventura CA) you can go down there and have them fit the seat for you. They try a seat shape, you go on a test ride and come back with notes. I have an MZ Baghira which is a supermoto type bike and I wanted a specific riding position for it so I went with Bill Mayer.They are great seats...  I just prefer the comfort of Baldwin over them.
There are other seat makers around but those two I have personal experience with.

Jose Soriano

[benswing]

Thanks, amahoser.  That was very useful.  I'll be making some calls soon.

[WindRider]

That sounds like a great trip.    Looking forward to reading about it. 

What are your plans for quick charging?   Covering that much ground you will have to put some electrons back in the black box regularly.   

[benswing]

I've been talking with Harlan about a Level 2 charger (J1772) that should allow me to plug charging station with 240V.  Hopefully at Chargepoint stations I could connect to both the 120V and 240V at the same time (like Terry Hershner on his epic jouney). 

However, it looks like portions of the trip will have to be done in a rental truck so I can bring the bike to some of the more obscure locations.

[manlytom]

However, it looks like portions of the trip will have to be done in a rental truck so I can bring the bike to some of the more obscure locations.

maybe you organise a support vehicle like Paul Carter did going around Australia - on BioDiesel ...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9751817-is-that-thing-diesel

now the new book: "is-that-electric"

[Richard230]

I was reading my BMW Owners News magazine last night and came across an ad for the New Eagle Air Seat sold by Allyn Air Seat Co.  I don't know anything about this seat pad, but the price is cheap enough and it might be worth a try for anyone who wants an air seat and doesn't want to spend the money for a much more expensive (but likely higher quality) Air Hawk pad.  http://www.allynair.com/Eagle-seat.html

Needless to say that a custom-built or recovered seat is still the best option, but the price is high, you typically have to be without your seat for a few weeks while the seat is recovered and you are dependent upon the skill of the seat builder, especially if you are not able to ride to their shop for a custom fit. So giving something like the Eagle Air seat might be worth a try if all you need is a little more padding.

[WindRider]

I've been talking with Harlan about a Level 2 charger (J1772) that should allow me to plug charging station with 240V.  Hopefully at Chargepoint stations I could connect to both the 120V and 240V at the same time (like Terry Hershner on his epic jouney). 

However, it looks like portions of the trip will have to be done in a rental truck so I can bring the bike to some of the more obscure locations.

Oh, that is one way to do it.   I always hate putting a perfectly good motorcycle in a van or pickup but I got a hitch rack carrier for my Zero to get it to some good riding on gas from the truck as well.

[benswing]

Richard230 - Thanks for the link.  I'd actually like to get a seat that is more like the 2013 model Zeros, but that air cushion may do the trick.

Windrider - I'm hoping this 240V+120V setup works well and will certainly be reporting back on this forum about my adventures later this summer.  I finish teacher meetings in mid-June, then hope to be riding up mountains ASAP!