Making these seats more bearable......

[Chris0381]

Right now I am working on making this Super 8 seat more bearable to ride.

I am working on modifying a horse saddle pad someone gave me to attach to the seat.

http://www.amazon.com/Toklat-Original-Superquilt-General-Purpose/dp/B0096MGN54

But something that crossed my mind is the possibility of adding a car headreset as a backrest.
I have some spare headrests I took from my Kia Forte that were too tall and reduced visibility;
so I swapped them with the rears and put the fronts in the basement.

What if I cut the rods on the headrest, threaded them, and poked them thru the seat and
bolted them with a strip of aluminium or wood to increase stiffness.

Other options would be a bag of dogfood or charcoal brickettes.

I have not tried a scooter that has one of those small back rest humps on the seat so I wouldn't know.

Would such a plan make longer rides easier on the back??

[2wheelfun]

That is the weakest feature on any scooter in my opinion. Whoever designs those seats is clueless about the average Joe in N. America. For me there was 3 options, new custom seat at around $400, Gel pad or a comfy seat cover like sheepskin. Ended up choosing a gel pad because of the price point and even that just made it bearable but was an improvement. Good luck..................

[GLV55]

Intriguing idea. It seems like it would provide some lumbar support for long rides, but does eliminate the area needed for riding two up in the future. But if that's not a concern for you, give it a try. Be sure to post photos and give us feedback!

[Chris0381]

I just finished the cover part and hope to try it out soon. Ill put a little foam under that.

The backrest will need some planning.

I would say that scooter get no love when it comes to seats, but searching for ideas brings me to a lot of unhappy motorcycle riders also.

I'll get some pics of the cover soon it seems to feel OK and not as slippery or as abrasive as the original seat. On the super 8, Kymco didn't adhere the foam to the seat or the cover so there is slippage inside and out.

[Scooter Dan]

I installed an Alaskan Sheepskin cover on my p200 and it's still not much better. Will try a beaded cover next and give a report. Fortunately, this is not my long distance touring scooter (SW) which has an aftermarket Saddleman seat and is way comfortable.

[Chris0381]

Well first off: After yesterday's ride, it appears with the handle bars so low and my short arms, I tend to have a forward lean. And thus can't make use of a back rest as I have really no backwards lean. Anyway to get the handle bars higher ?

On the bright side, I kinda liked the polyester fleece saddle pad I found (I put a little thin foam also under it). It has a padded quilt. It seemed to make the ride more bearable and fun and not wanting to go back home for a longer stretch. I can also move back on the hump for a spell without getting humped by the hump.

I say its a good step up from the stock seat.

I would like to get a 18" x 18" piece of sheepskin to put over it but at $40-$50, I'll wait to see what I come across.

I think the seat vinyl and texture plays a good part and if one goes to a consignment shop and gets a large leather jacket and replaces the original vinyl, then add foam to flatten the seat (remove hump) the seat will be so much better.

Dan, I bet if you got some padded quilting to attach to that sheepskin, add foam under quilt to flatten hump, it may work better for you. The issue I see is thats it may be hard to get a seamstress needle thru the sheepskin.

[MJR]

Well first off: After yesterday's ride, it appears with the handle bars so low and my short arms, I tend to have a forward lean. And thus can't make use of a back rest as I have really no backwards lean. Anyway to get the handle bars higher ?

Called handle bar risers, there are a few places selling them, just need to figure out which ones you need.

[Chris0381]

Called handle bar risers, there are a few places selling them, just need to figure out which ones you need.

Thanks MJR.

I will look into them and see if I can find quality ones. I installed a riser on my trail bike 10 speed and if I remember its important to buy a part as such from a reputable seller. We did and may still have issues with sellers selling poor quality composite parts that were injuring a lot of bikers. A handle bar riser is definitely apart you want quality and strength on.

[AMAC1680]

As I've said I use a ROHO Airhawk seat pad. I use ROHO on everything from the scoot the the wheelchair.

Here's a cool product I've thought of putting on the DT300. I've seen them and they are nice.
http://www.utpr.com/downtown300.html

AMAC

[wkreps]

I'm not sure if I'd like a backrest on my Super8. When on long rides, I slide my rear end to the passenger position and do a forward lean "crotch rocket" style ride. I'm sure it looks funny as my feet are forward also but it allows me to stretch a little and ride longer. I have one of those "humps" on my Xciting 500Ri and don't really find it of any use. Haven't tried to take it off though and ride without it so I don't really know if it is helping other than the fact that the Xciting is much better on my rump. A multitude of things could be helping that though. I once had a gel pad for a 10 speed bike I had . . . WOW what a difference. Without ever trying one on a scooter I would recommend looking into one of those.

[MJR]

On the super 8, Kymco didn't adhere the foam to the seat or the cover so there is slippage inside and out.

Kinda seems that way on the MyRoad 700i as well though I haven't pulled the cover off nor have I on any of my Burgman 650's.

[Chris0381]

Here is the steering diagram for the Super 8

Not too sure if you can get handlebar risers for this bike. That handle bar is all one piece. There is room though to stretch the cables an inch or two.

[MJR]

I saw some flanged ones earlier but can't seem to find them now. From the photo it looks like you could cut and tube just below the bars.

[Chris0381]

I saw some flanged ones earlier but can't seem to find them now. From the photo it looks like you could cut and tube just below the bars.

Thats a tough one. I dont know if there is enough stock to to a cut and splice. I not sure I want to disconnect all the wiring to do a cut but I would consider it if it can be done safely.

I have been looking around. And mainly since Im not a big scooter mechanic, I am possibly overlooking something. In the mix during my searches, I get kids scooters and medical scooters that make things more tedious.


Maybe I should call a dealer and see if its even possible for the Super 8.

Here is a pic of the handlebars (not my photos) and its all welded together. I assume that bolt holds all in place and the collar fits over a circular bearing like in a bicycle stem.

After looking at schematics, it seems the raise would have to be near the steering stem that attaches to the front shocks.

[Scooter Dan]

Found my old beaded seat cover and rode the 40 miles to town and was very comfortable. Interested to see how it helps with the hot seat on the way home today when hotter.

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