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[Richard230]

I don't understand the problem with Zero's seat...

I've never met a seat my butt doesn't fall asleep sitting on for an hour.  Who wants to sit for an hour?

-Crissa

I have installed after-market seats on both of my BMW's and can sit on them for up to 10 hours while I am touring on those bikes. The stock seats on my Yamaha and Royal Enfield are good for about 6 hours before the pain really sets in.  My Triumph Bonneville also had a good stock seat that I never complained about.

[JaimeC]

Another example of a motorcycle manufacturer offering a "comfort" seat for sale after the bike is purchased.  BMW has been doing this for years and most of their customers ask: "why can't they just install the 'comfort' seat on the stock motorcycle?" The answer probably has something to do with $$$.

My 1999 BMW K1200LTC came stock with the comfort saddle.  The two lower tier models did not.  More than a few people complained that the extra cushioning of the comfort saddle meant they couldn't flatfoot the bike at stops, so in subsequent years they charged extra for it no matter which trim level you ordered.

On a touring bike, people wanted a seat that was more comfortable for the 1% of the time they were at a stop, and not the 99% of the time they were actually riding.  I've NEVER understood this.  Anyway, perhaps the other manufacturers saw what happened with BMW and followed suit?  Your guess is as good as mine.  "Comfort Seats" typically would have more foam and sitting in the showroom it makes potential buyers feel "less secure."  And that's probably the REAL reason.  Those of us who actually know how to ride don't give a crap what it feels like on the showroom floor, we take demo rides to see what they feel like on the ROAD.

BTW, the Zero stock saddle doesn't bother me in the least.  By the time it's starting to get uncomfortable, it's usually time to find a charging station and plug in.  That's the way it seems to work for me anyway.

[JaimeC]

I don't understand the problem with Zero's seat...

I've never met a seat my butt doesn't fall asleep sitting on for an hour.  Who wants to sit for an hour?

-Crissa

On my K1200LT I routinely sit for two or more hours at a stretch.  But you can do that on an ICE bike with a 300 mile range on a tank of fuel.

[Richard230]

Another motorcycle company that is in to hard seats and offers extra-cost "comfort" seats is KTM.

[JaimeC]

Another motorcycle company that is in to hard seats and offers extra-cost "comfort" seats is KTM.

Okay, I'm going WAY off topic here but... some years ago my friend bought a 990 Adventure.  He said he paid an additional fee to get the optional "gel seat."  He said something must've gotten lost in translation, or the Austrian word for concrete is "gel." 

[Crissa]

On a touring bike, people wanted a seat that was more comfortable for the 1% of the time they were at a stop, and not the 99% of the time they were actually riding.

100% of the time I'm riding I want to be able to stop safely, easily, and comfortably.

On my K1200LT I routinely sit for two or more hours at a stretch.  But you can do that on an ICE bike with a 300 mile range on a tank of fuel.

So you like sitting for more than an hour.  Great.  Yuck.  I do 12-hour drives but I still don't like sitting still that long.  Lemme stretch my legs!  Get a drink.  Go pee.  Scratch my nose.  Wash my hands.  Moisturize.

-Crissa

[JaimeC]

100% of the time I'm riding I want to be able to stop safely, easily, and comfortably.

And I do that... right foot firmly on the rear brake pedal, left foot firmly on the ground, bike in first gear with the clutch held in.  Also works great for those times you've stopped on a hill and need to get rolling again.  MUCH MUCH easier to manage when all you have to do with your right hand is roll the throttle, not futz with the front brake at the same time.  Also gives you the opportunity for a quick getaway if the driver behind you doesn't realize you've stopped because they're too busy scanning their phone.

Of course with MOST electric bikes you don't have to worry about the clutch/first gear part.  But you'll still find it easier to roll away from being stopped on a hill if all your right hand has to do is roll on the throttle.  I guess a left hand rear brake lever would make that a moot point but for the majority of bikes, right foot on the brake pedal is the ticket.

Practice makes perfect. 

[Crissa]

But if people feel like they can't safely grab the ground with their seat posture, well... That seems more important.

-Crissa