Seat comfort

[gtautoabilene]

Hello. I just bought my first Trail 125 and it’s a 24’ model .. I really like it except for the super hard seat and it’s a bit short to boot .. I don’t like I can’t touch the ground either but not a huge issue. I saw a video of a guy installed a longer seat and he loved it but uts even taller than the stick seat.. and of course you lose nearly all the rack of course.. I’d rather have a comfy seat than a cargo rack. I’m 75 and comfort is important.. any suggestions? Thanks

 

[m in sc]

a narrower seat will give more room to flat foot it. I mean, what's your inseam? i have no issues at 30". i run a diablo seat, it slower but def not soft. the shape is what makes it comfy. your best bet might be to get the stock seat re-padded and re-wrapped locally w something lower and softer. .02

 

[dmonkey]

Is your tailbone hitting the grab handle on the rear carrier? If not, I wouldn't see a need to go to a long seat unless you specifically want seat length for yourself or a passenger and are willing to trade rack space for it.

K-Speed (Diablo/Diabolus) have quite a few different seat styles including a low seat: https://k-speed.com/en-us/collections/seats/CT125
I have no experience with that low seat, but my experience with other seats marketed as "low" seats has often been that they aren't very comfortable - you're often nearly sitting on the seat pan with the cushion compressed. Not saying that's the case here, just a caution around low seats.

I run a no-name eBay seat that's slightly shorter and more sculpted than stock that I've found to be comfortable for long rides, especially with something on the rack to lean against as a back rest: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/polyurethane-leather-pleated-seat-in-black.577/

Corbin make a saddle for the CT125 that a lot of people love the comfort of: https://www.corbin.com/honda/htrss.shtml

BeezDeals and Webike distribute some seats for the CT125:
https://beezdeals.com/?s=ct125+seat&post_type=product
https://japan.webike.net/ps/#!&p.m=14328&p.c=6501&p.sk=1

 

[Michael Teague]

Thailand, K-speed, CT88 seat/saddle
Looks, much better, less butt fatigue.
It makes you sit in one spot forward and rear, which pushed me forward, from the stock seat.
I noticed, that, it brought to bear more weight on the rear break pedal. I wear work boots.
But, it did not activate the light or breaks, until more pressure was applied.
I also noticed, that my throttle arm, had less pain, perhaps to the more forward position.
My right arm pain most likely, is caused by an old rodeo bone brake.
The seat is very firm, and a bit lower.
I do ride with bicycle padded under pants, which I highly, recommend for comfort, and high man tuck, if you know what I mean.
K-Speed, delivery, was fast after it left Bangkok.
Probably, not recommended for people 5 foot 9 inches and taller, as this is for the Asian market.

 

[Kuro Neko]

After 20km, my tail bone could no longer tolerate the OEM seat.
I purchased a 2000円 gel pad to add to the Honda seat.



This was OK, but underneath the tubular gel bits, I could still feel the hard OEM seat.
As well as looking a bit naff, it also walked a bit when I was getting on or off the Cub.
Riding was largely OK though, as it stayed in place, and provided significant softness over the Honda lump of stone.



A seller on Yafuoku advertised a softer foam (+2cm) and an additional gel pad seat.
For only 14,000円 delivered, it was worth the try.






As well as being a bit thicker, it is also a shark-skin style for that grippy feel on your pants.



After a 10km ride today, I am VERY pleased with the way this alternative rides - when you first sit on it, it feels hardish, but the solid gel element quickly deforms to your shape, and combined with the softer / more foam of the Dr. Gel version, makes for an excellent ride.

What was an uncomfortable experience, or a compromise before, is now not an issue and I am very happy...

 

[Second Chance]

I have no problem with the stock seat. Perhaps it's years of Brooks saddles on bicycles, K bikes and R100GS's. Looking back the only motored seat that I have had issues with is the one on my Vespa GTS, tippy toes with a 29.5" inseam. I called Corbin, explained the situation and a new seat arrived a couple of weeks later with my choice of materials. Problem solved, narrowed a bit and a tad lower with their super grippy "Asphalt Vinyl" to help stabilize things without a tank to grip and really helpful grabbing your leg when hanging off. I met Mike Corbin about 40 years ago when picking up a saddle for my buddy's R80GS, he's a class act. Count your shekels, perfection isn't cheap.

For those who aren't leg length challenged and want a bit more comfort I highly recommend an Aerostich sheepskin. I purchased one for Summer heat and Winter chills. With a grippy bottom liner and eight point retention it's far more advanced than the two elastic straps with velcro on the primitive contraptions I have had in the past. I recommend purchasing some 1/8" elastic cording and some spring loaded cord locks from Amazon rather the using the included hardware. Diagonals from the inner and outer loops work well.

 

[Kuro Neko]

I have no problem with the stock seat.

... I've no - ahem - what they call 'hippu' in Japan - the thing you sit on.
Compared to my Honda Joker and Yamaha Maxam daily commuting for over 20 years, the Hunter Cub just did not suit...

Love that sheepskin regardless, and can vouch summer and winter benefits, as I used to have some in my car.

 

[ggann3]

I have no problem with the stock seat. Perhaps it's years of Brooks saddles on bicycles, K bikes and R100GS's. Looking back the only motored seat that I have had issues with is the one on my Vespa GTS, tippy toes with a 29.5" inseam. I called Corbin, explained the situation and a new seat arrived a couple of weeks later with my choice of materials. Problem solved, narrowed a bit and a tad lower with their super grippy "Asphalt Vinyl" to help stabilize things without a tank to grip and really helpful grabbing your leg when hanging off. I met Mike Corbin about 40 years ago when picking up a saddle for my buddy's R80GS, he's a class act. Count your shekels, perfection isn't cheap.

For those who aren't leg length challenged and want a bit more comfort I highly recommend an Aerostich sheepskin. I purchased one for Summer heat and Winter chills. With a grippy bottom liner and eight point retention it's far more advanced than the two elastic straps with velcro on the primitive contraptions I have had in the past. I recommend purchasing some 1/8" elastic cording and some spring loaded cord locks from Amazon rather the using the included hardware. Diagonals from the inner and outer loops work well.

View attachment 12303View attachment 12302

Did you purchase the 15 x 15 small tapered pad?

 

[dampdog]

It's been a while. Has anyone found another seat option?

I did my first afternoon long ride on the OEM seat and I need to change something, be it a cover or the entire seat. I want to keep the rack's grab bar free, so I'm putting a handlebar pad on it. As much as I don't want to spend the money, I may buy a Corbin seat and just be done with it. From what I've read, it's the most comfortable, and I plan to keep the Trail for a long time.

If there's another option that approaches the comfort of a Corbin but doesn't cost as much, I'd appreciate the guidance. Seat Concepts has a Grom seat, but still nothing for the Trail.

 

[dmonkey]

I'd caution that seats aren't one-size-is-comfy-for-all, but I stuck with a no-name one over the Corbin (linked in my prior post in this thread) and I've been very happy with that one. If I hadn't found that one, there are some from G-Craft or Kitaco I would have tried as they're big name brands in mini moto parts and tend to make good stuff.

 

[dampdog]

Thanks. I'll take a look at G-Craft and Kitaco.

I agree that seat fitment is personal. It must be nice to live in the prime CT125 market and be able to easily try several. I'm still surprised there isn't a widely stocked mini specialist like Webike or Beezdeals in America. Revzilla could fill the gap with a few more containers a year and gain a lot of sales.

 

[dampdog]

I ended up with a Corbin seat and a cheap handlebar pad for the rack handle. I've had a three hour ride on the seat and for me, it's a major improvement over stock. Match the color of the material and the "Corbin" embroidery if you're put off by the branding.

The pad isn't perfect, but I added some cable ties under the cover to cinch it into position, with the cover material going over it reasonably well. Kemimoto used to sell a pad designed for the rack handle. It appears to be discontinued. There's always the pipe insulation or pool noodle options.

 

[LiLredbike]

I have already purchased and returned a seat that was worse than the factory one. I have been riding the little bike a lot more as of recent. I find that either I am getting used to the seat or my butt is getting numb to it. Granted, I have not gone on any marathon trips but I can ride for an hour and a half or so with a couple of stops and live through it. I will keep the factory seat for a while before trying anything else.

 

[dampdog]

That's doubleplusungood.
Is there a Tacoma club or event where you can ask to sit on some options?