After installing a new seat cover (with some modifications), I took the Connie out for a ride. The change in geometry is a compromise, but I think it’s one I prefer. In raising the seat height I’m causing more forward lean, but I’m also easing knee flex.
The gel cushion and extra padding on the new seat cover raises the seat a couple of inches. I notice the forward lean a bit more, but the bike already has bar risers, so I’m not laying on the tank or anything. The 6° knee angle relaxing is dynamite though. I’d gladly take a bit more lean to ease the knee cramping.
The extra height above the windshield is negligible as I’m already looking over it by quite a bit. With the extra height the bike feels like it fits me better. A shorter rider would find a taller, wider seat difficult to manage, but I still have no trouble getting feet flat on the ground and riding is a much more comfortable proposition.
The seat itself is also much firmer. Instead of squishy foam I’m sitting on thicker vinyl backed by higher density form over the gel pad. The Corbin seat I was thinking about looks very low profile, so it would probably have bent my knees even more. I think I’ve made a cheaper option actually work better for me.
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| A ride to the Forks of the Credit on a sunny, cool Sunday tested the new setup. |
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| Your typical weekend in the parking lot at Higher Ground in Belfountain – everything from a 1947 sidecar outfit to Ducati Monsters to the latest Yamaha R1, and everything in between |
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| Panniers make handy coffee holders (I used them for a bakery pick-up in Erin) |
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| Back home, the new seat’s looking the business |