Aftermarket Seat Review

[Mntnmike]

Finally received the seat I ordered on eBay from the Philippines. Arrived via FedEx yesterday, no tariff charges. Seller said they pre-paid the tariff.

I wanted a seat that went back and over the grip bar. This looked like it would be a nice butt cradle.

It’s a very nice butt cradle.

Installation was a breeze. Perfect fit and no problems with the spacers. Closed and locked perfectly the first time, reopening no problem.

(In my set-up I used a 2x5 to put the crate back a bit, and then attached the rear seat cushion as a back rest. I just ordered a small lumbar cushion /backrest to go over the wood block and attach to the crate for better comfort.)

Sitting in it you can feel a huge difference. It’s a bit narrower in the front which you can feel in your hips. (I’m 5’10”, 180lbs) And it really does cradle your butt. Huge improvement over stock.

I took it out for a 30-mile road test and a 5 mile-off-road test.

Positives:

Build quality looks really good. I’ll put some ShoeGoo on the stitches just to ensure they don’t start to come loose.

I always was slightly hunched forward when riding and my lower back would hurt. As soon as I started riding with the new seat, I immediately noticed I had good posture and my back was straight!

Really made riding much easier for me. More relaxing. Still a bit stiff new but very comfortable on the road. I usually have to stand-up and “stretch” while riding but didn’t need to at all.

Then I went off road on a Forest Service trail …

Negatives:

This seat is stiff. I wasn’t hurting at all after the road ride but just 10 minutes on trail and my back was sore and tailbone was hitting the curled up portion of the seat. This was fine and comfortable for sitting, but not bouncing.

By the time I hit snow-line and turned around, I was looking forward to getting to pavement again. Not bad, but stiff and hurting. Granted, the trail was rocky, rutted, muddy and rough. But the stock seat felt much better.

Aside from that, no other negatives!

Overall, I’m really happy with it and I’ll get some padding added to it to help with the stiffness. At only $160, I feel it’s a really good deal for a significant seat upgrade.

Here is the eBay link for the seat:

CUSHION PASSENGER SEAT SOFT SADDLE CASUAL DRIVER FOR HONDA CT125 TRAIL 2020-2026 | eBay

FOR : HONDA CT 125 TRAIL 125 HUNTER CUB / ONLY FIT FOR CAR MODEL ON PHOTO ADVERTISE. MATERIAL : PU.

www.ebay.com

 

[BergyPatty37]

Thanks for the review! The front section of the seat looks larger in the picture you took compared to the stock images they have on the link.
Curious if it breaks in after a bit once you ride it some more.
Glad to hear you enjoy it overall though! Still might get one pending how the seat I got is, I do really like that is covers the bar.

 

[Kuro Neko]

Really interesting to see the curved profile, and though I am perfectly happy with my Dr. Gel I am intrigued by the shape!
The Dr. Gel is much more OEM in profile, but so much softer and I've not had the trail bouncing issue you describe either (as I did severely with the OEM seat).

This is my first off road machine - so I am no expert - but after over 20 years on a Joker and Maxam for commuting the Dr. Gel completely removes both long distance fatigue and trail whacks on my otherwise skinny and susceptible arse, as it is many times softer than the OEM seat.



It too required no adjustments, bolting straight on, and was only 14,000 yen delivered too... details here, and in machine translated English:

This custom seat features shock-absorbing gel for the CT125/Hunter Cub. It solves the CT125's biggest problem.
It features a 10cm thick sponge, roughly the same thickness as the stock seat, but with added shock-absorbing gel (a gel sheet embedded on top of the sponge), reducing buttock pain during extended rides. It features soft, resilient Dr. Gel.
The seat leather features a sharkskin-like pattern for increased grip (similar to Ducati's latest leather). It also fits the 2023 JA65 model.
It's waterproof, too. Like the factory seat, a waterproof vinyl sheet is placed between the seat leather and sponge, preventing water from seeping through.
Try this revolutionary seat designed for comfort on long-distance rides.

 

[LiLredbike]

Amazon.com: Motorcycle Front Driver Comfort Seat Fit for Honda CT125 Trail125 Hunter Cub 125 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Leather Rider Saddle Solo Cushion Pillion Pad, Black : Automotive ​

Buy Motorcycle Front Driver Comfort Seat Fit for Honda CT125 Trail125 Hunter Cub 125 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Leather Rider Saddle Solo Cushion Pillion Pad, Black: Complete Seats - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com
I have just replaced the factory seat (which I cannot stand.... or more correctly, sit!) with the above seat. It cost $80 and shipped from within the US with a total cost including shipping of $95 and some change. No tariff. I have not ridden yet due to cold, wet Pacific Northwest weather and feeling a bit under the weather myself. My observations are: The seat is a bit lighter than factory. The overall quality and build seem good. The mounting was simple and easy. The seat seems a bit shorter by perhaps a half inch than factory and a bit wider in the back. Wider is what I had hoped for as I am a bit wider there also! There seems to be a bit less thickness of padding than factory but also a bit more giving (not as rock hard as the factory one). I sat the factory seat for a few minutes right before I removed and replaced it, then sat the new seat for a few minutes also. The new seat seems more comfortable for short term sitting. All this is academic until I get out and ride a while. Weather seems to be improving tomorrow and for a few days so I should have a follow up report shortly.

I erroneously posted this on the factory seat thread so I moved it here


I have two speeds: "Dead Slow" and "All Stop"
"You can't believe even half what you read on the internet" Benjamin Franklin
Sent from my Rotary Phone

 

[LiLredbike]

Amazon.com: Motorcycle Front Driver Comfort Seat Fit for Honda CT125 Trail125 Hunter Cub 125 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Leather Rider Saddle Solo Cushion Pillion Pad, Black : Automotive ​

Buy Motorcycle Front Driver Comfort Seat Fit for Honda CT125 Trail125 Hunter Cub 125 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025, Leather Rider Saddle Solo Cushion Pillion Pad, Black: Complete Seats - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com
I have just replaced the factory seat (which I cannot stand.... or more correctly, sit!) with the above seat. It cost $80 and shipped from within the US with a total cost including shipping of $95 and some change. No tariff. I have not ridden yet due to cold, wet Pacific Northwest weather and feeling a bit under the weather myself. My observations are: The seat is a bit lighter than factory. The overall quality and build seem good. The mounting was simple and easy. The seat seems a bit shorter by perhaps a half inch than factory and a bit wider in the back. Wider is what I had hoped for as I am a bit wider there also! There seems to be a bit less thickness of padding than factory but also a bit more giving (not as rock hard as the factory one). I sat the factory seat for a few minutes right before I removed and replaced it, then sat the new seat for a few minutes also. The new seat seems more comfortable for short term sitting. All this is academic until I get out and ride a while. Weather seems to be improving tomorrow and for a few days so I should have a follow up report shortly.

I erroneously posted this on the factory seat thread so I moved it here


I have two speeds: "Dead Slow" and "All Stop"
"You can't believe even half what you read on the internet" Benjamin Franklin
Sent from my Rotary Phone

So I was able to get out riding today for about two hours with the new seat (NS). This was around town, stop and go, traffic lights and a fair number of longer runs. My observations are that there are a couple of small improvements over the factory seat (FS) but mostly the same complaints. The NS is just a bit lower helping the handle bars to be at a more comfortable height. The front of the NS seems to be more comfortable when I am stopped at a light with both feet down. Less pressure against my thighs I guess. So much for the pros. The con is that everything else seems much the same as the FS. Rock hard on the butt and even though the NS is a bit wider, in practice it feels like it is no difference in width at all. Maybe just a smidge worse. Can't really say that for me the NS is markedly better or worse. Maybe just a wash. Don't know my next move. Send the NS back and try another make? Keep the NS and try a sheepskin or other strap on cushion? Pretty bummed out right now. These are just my observations, your mileage may vary!

 

[BergyPatty37]

@LiLredbike Sucks to hear. Gas Works ISO video is what sold me on it, made it seem like it was well worth the price. Maybe a little bit more riding will break it in?

 

[Kuro Neko]

@LiLredbike Sucks to hear. Gas Works ISO video is what sold me on it, made it seem like it was well worth the price. Maybe a little bit more riding will break it in?

Yeah indeed, as there's nothing worse than the anticipation and disappointment of a new purchase.
I spent ages reading here, and Japanese blogs before I settled on my Dr. Gel...

 

[BergyPatty37]

I will say that most all seats typically are 'stiff' whether that be car seats or bike seats. So it might take a few hundred miles to loosen up for both lilredbike and mntnmike.

 

[LiLredbike]

I will say that most all seats typically are 'stiff' whether that be car seats or bike seats. So it might take a few hundred miles to loosen up for both lilredbike and mntnmike.

Yeah indeed, as there's nothing worse than the anticipation and disappointment of a new purchase.
I spent ages reading here, and Japanese blogs before I settled on my Dr. Gel...

@BergyPatty37 , that video did it for me also. It may be that I just need a replacement butt instead of a replacement seat. I haven't been riding for a while, that may factor in. My Wif suggested that I put the factory seat back on tomorrow and go for a quick ride and maybe a quick switch back to the new one and ride. May help me decide my next move or help to "break in" the seat and my butt. That Gel seat looks interesting but I just can't get over the hump of unknown tariffs and shipping. Will keep all posted if I have a flash of insight!

 

[LiLredbike]

Rode for several hours today on the factory seat and also the new seat. The verdict is in and I am keeping the factory seat and sending back the new one. Final answer! I do not like the FS. But I don't like the NS more. The FS hard as it is, ultimately has more give to it than the NS where it counts. Interesting experiment. Will still be looking for a better seat.

 

[Cpd419]

Finally received the seat I ordered on eBay from the Philippines. Arrived via FedEx yesterday, no tariff charges. Seller said they pre-paid the tariff.

I wanted a seat that went back and over the grip bar. This looked like it would be a nice butt cradle.

It’s a very nice butt cradle.

Installation was a breeze. Perfect fit and no problems with the spacers. Closed and locked perfectly the first time, reopening no problem.

(In my set-up I used a 2x5 to put the crate back a bit, and then attached the rear seat cushion as a back rest. I just ordered a small lumbar cushion /backrest to go over the wood block and attach to the crate for better comfort.)

Sitting in it you can feel a huge difference. It’s a bit narrower in the front which you can feel in your hips. (I’m 5’10”, 180lbs) And it really does cradle your butt. Huge improvement over stock.

I took it out for a 30-mile road test and a 5 mile-off-road test.

Positives:

Build quality looks really good. I’ll put some ShoeGoo on the stitches just to ensure they don’t start to come loose.

I always was slightly hunched forward when riding and my lower back would hurt. As soon as I started riding with the new seat, I immediately noticed I had good posture and my back was straight!

Really made riding much easier for me. More relaxing. Still a bit stiff new but very comfortable on the road. I usually have to stand-up and “stretch” while riding but didn’t need to at all.

Then I went off road on a Forest Service trail …

Negatives:

This seat is stiff. I wasn’t hurting at all after the road ride but just 10 minutes on trail and my back was sore and tailbone was hitting the curled up portion of the seat. This was fine and comfortable for sitting, but not bouncing.

By the time I hit snow-line and turned around, I was looking forward to getting to pavement again. Not bad, but stiff and hurting. Granted, the trail was rocky, rutted, muddy and rough. But the stock seat felt much better.

Aside from that, no other negatives!

Overall, I’m really happy with it and I’ll get some padding added to it to help with the stiffness. At only $160, I feel it’s a really good deal for a significant seat upgrade.

Here is the eBay link for the seat:

CUSHION PASSENGER SEAT SOFT SADDLE CASUAL DRIVER FOR HONDA CT125 TRAIL 2020-2026 | eBay

FOR : HONDA CT 125 TRAIL 125 HUNTER CUB / ONLY FIT FOR CAR MODEL ON PHOTO ADVERTISE. MATERIAL : PU.

www.ebay.com

I have about the same seat except mine looks flatter and wider across the front. It may just be the camera angle though.

 

[Rusty Nuts]

Corbin seat made a big difference for me, after the factory seat. For some reason I don’t understand, the factory seat made my tailbone ache enough after about 30 minutes that I wanted to stop riding. The Corbin seat is much stiffer foam, with hardly any give, but it is a big improvement — for me — on pavement. I haven’t taken it to my Blue Ridge trails yet, we’ll see how that goes. I think motorcycle seats are a lot like bicycle seats, every individual is different. I went through about a dozen bicycle seats before finding The One, and from then on, when I sold a bike, I kept the seat! You just gotta try em and see.

 

[Cpd419]

I’ve never had a Japanese bike with a really comfortable seat from factory. My gt-9 is probably the best and I still modified it just a little. Maybe one of my 70’s bikes were ok but none of them stand out as memorable.

 

[LiLredbike]

My problem is that Japanese folks must have skinny butts. I don't. I need a seat that 3 Japanese could sit abreast on. The Japanese equivalent of a motorcycle bench seat! If I could find an old Harley seat, the one that looks like a way overgrown bicycle seat, I would try and modify it to fit on the 125!

 

[Mntnmike]

I will say that most all seats typically are 'stiff' whether that be car seats or bike seats. So it might take a few hundred miles to loosen up for both lilredbike and mntnmike.

I’ll be right back, I gotta go do a hundred mile ride.

 

[Mntnmike]

I have about the same seat except mine looks flatter and wider across the front. It may just be the camera angle though.

Yeah, it’s the camera angle as the front of the seat doesn’t go up that high. It’s weird how that looks! I didn’t notice that when I took the photo.

 

[Sarge7898]

My nephew installed a Harley police seat on his 125 for our coast to coast ride. He loved it. I wish I had a better picture of it.