Hi all,

I purchased my first V-Rod (a ’08 Anniversary) a few months ago and found that my legs were stretched quite a bit. I stand about 65” tall and have a 28” inseam.

I scoured the forums looking for information about how to make the V-Rod more comfortable for me, the short rider. Thanks to all that responded to my questions.

The options I looked at were the reduced reach controls, the Reach Rider seat, and the Sundowner seat. The Sundowner seat doesn’t normally fit in the category of being an item for a short rider, but it does move the rider forward approximately 1”, whereas the Reach Rider seat moves the rider forward about 1 ½”.

I immediately discounted the reduced reach controls. They are pricey and I was looking for something to increase comfort and the overall look of the V-Rod. My estimate is for someone that is 63” or shorter, the reduced reach controls may be the only option.

The advantage of the Reach Rider seat is it moves the rider an additional ½ forward over the Sundowner seat, and it has a narrow thigh area so that the rider can more easily reach the ground. For me, I could touch flat foot on the ground with the stock seat and still felt I was not overly stretching my legs (with my riding boots, and the heel isn’t like the boots Gene Simmons wears). The disadvantage of the Reach Rider seat is that it looks very plain. For me, it looks worse than the stock seat. It might be because of the thin look because of the narrow thigh area.

The Sundowner seat does raise the rider a bit from the ground, so this is a disadvantage for the short rider. The main advantage for the Sundowner is it is a good looking seat. It is, in my opinion, a better looking seat than stock. This is probably because of its thick look, and contour.

I went with the Sundowner, and it worked out great. I can still touch the ground flat footed (with my riding boots on), and it moved me forward to very comfortable position. If I was moved forward any more my left knee would be bumping into the horn cover. My knees are slightly bent and my feet feel natural now when braking and shifting. It does feel a bit cushier and the way it contours around my lower back is nice.

I do notice when I am aggressively cornering, I tense up a bit and my things tighten up around the airbox cover whereas before, they were tightening up more around the seat. This was a little uncomfortable, but now that I am cognizant of it, I just relax on the cornering and I am good.

Hope this helps someone decide which seat is best for them.

Ken

That is a great write up, I was seriously considering the Sundowner.....and this has made up my mind.

I'm 6' with 30" inseam. My first mod was putting the Sundowner on. I really didn't notice the move forward as much as the improved comfort on my rear end after 100+ miles of riding. I'm convinced that the Sundowner should be a stock requirement on all 'Rods.

Thanks for the info as I too am looking for an improvement in the "reach the controls" department.... been thinking about the "reach" seat and having a custom logo put on it, but now you have me thinking about the "sundowner" seat...
Good write up..

The sundowner seat is soooo much more comfortable. With the stock seat I could barely make it 100 miles, and was sore for a day. Now that I have the sundowner I can ride easily 300 miles and everything else is sore but my butt.

I'm 6' with 30" inseam. My first mod was putting the Sundowner on. I really didn't notice the move forward as much as the improved comfort on my rear end after 100+ miles of riding. I'm convinced that the Sundowner should be a stock requirement on all 'Rods.

+1

I am 6'2" tall. The Sundowner came on my bike, and its great, even though it does move me forward. I spent a day on a rental with a stock seat, and it truly sucked.
I also added the reduced reach bars, as they are far more comfortable on a long ride. I have reversed the reduced pegs, added mini-boards and hiway pegs to give me leg room. I moved the horn in as my knee was alongside it.
I recently ordered a Corbin dual tour, and I'll report the difference.

I too am 6' 2", and I bought the Sundowner for the comfort of the seat. It has provided comfort for several miles of riding and I wouldn't have it any other way. I put the engine guards on my bike just so that I could put highway pegs on the guards. That is the only way I can really feel comfortable during long rides. Cruising the highway with my feet even with my butt must appear strange to many, but it sure is comfortable. I get a lot of strange looks as I go roaring by the cagers.

I too am 6' 2", and I bought the Sundowner for the comfort of the seat. It has provided comfort for several miles of riding and I wouldn't have it any other way. I put the engine guards on my bike just so that I could put highway pegs on the guards. That is the only way I can really feel comfortable during long rides. Cruising the highway with my feet even with my butt must appear strange to many, but it sure is comfortable. I get a lot of strange looks as I go roaring by the cagers.

Pics of the highway bar with pegs?

There are lots of pics around here. The type depends on your leg length and where you want your feet. I have mine set so that my heels rest on my boards with the toes on the pegs. Or with the feet all the way on the bars. I've set them low enough that they don't scrape on turns, but just clear.

That is a great write up, I was seriously considering the Sundowner.....and this has made up my mind.

I have since gotten the Sundowner & can also attest to it's greatness....best mod yet (for comfort anyway).

I scoured this sight for months before I bought my bike and when I went to pick it up I went with the Sundowner seat under my arm ;>) I then proceeded to put 2500 miles on her on my ride home in a week :):) I like to RIDE and have put in many 500 mile days and even a few 600 plus days. Guffey Colorado to Kansas city and Guffey to Salt Lake city. Couldn't have done it without that seat !!
Hey Dannii, how did you relocate the horn ? V-Rodney :lamer:

Somewhere there is a thread. And someone on E-Bay was trying to sell the washer for $20. Its a pretty simple rearrangement of parts, as I remember. Its been a while.

Nice write up! I'm 5'9" (69" tall) and was looking to change my riding position due to lower back pain after riding for about an hour with the stock seat. I purchased the Reach seat and after about 20 minutes of riding my lower back hurt even worse. I returned it in exchange for the Sundowner seat after reading the feedback. Haven't received it yet but when I do I'll post my thoughts.

Just bought the Sundowner. Next month I'm doing a Florida to Kansas and back round trip. Anyone feel a need for a backrest for the Sundowner?

Just bought the Sundowner. Next month I'm doing a Florida to Kansas and back round trip. Anyone feel a need for a backrest for the Sundowner?

Nope, she's a true road sofa, no backrest required. I can ride for hours on it.

VRP

I'm convinced that the Sundowner should be a stock requirement on all 'Rods.


i for one and thankful it doesnt..

but you guys enjoy your laz-y-boy seats!

I ordered a Corbin to get the backrest. I found I was packing stuff to get a backrest, not because I needed it. Seat arrived yesterday. Now if I can just get on a plane from Chicago to home....

Going on a trip in August to Milwaukee and back down through the Smokies. Bought a sundowner seat mainly for the trip and love it ! Wish I had bought one a long time ago.

i for one and thankful it doesnt..

but you guys enjoy your laz-y-boy seats!


Some folks have more 'natural' padding than others.












:hidesbeh:

Well I ended up biting the bullet and picking up the sundowner and passenger pillion...they're definitely more confy on the ass (but like others have mentioned, butt ugly!)

I'm already looking at the CFR ;)

I can say the sundowner is the real deal! I went to Sturgis last year and this year. It's 750 miles round trip. Last year it was brutal, this year I got the sundowner and we did the trip in 2 days due to lack of vaction and I could have gone 1700 miles! It really turned my bike from a 50 mile a day bike to a 500!

I just bought a new sundowner for half price and I am looking forward to installing it. Great reviews...

Big, big difference! I cannot believe I waited so long to get the Sundowner...I highly recommend it.

I have the reach seat, im 5'10. WIll The sundowner be about the same and feel better?

I can see this is going to be an expensive hobby. Picking up a used 2003 VROD in a couple days, bought a jacket, 2 helmets, 2 pairs of gloves, and after reading this thread, I think I may have to get the Sundowner seat. Sounds like it's worth it though. Any reccomendations on where to pick one up? I found one for 215 at www.surdyke.com good price?

Well, I'll agree the Sundowner seat is far better than stock but for my size, 6-5, 350lbs it still doesn't give me the comfort I need to stay in the saddle more than a couple of hours. I like the size and position but it needs some gel packs or something.

Air hawk seat pad. Trust me on this. I've tried everything else.

Yes please let us know!

I just road tripped mine for the weekend and used the stock seat with my wifee .(not happy). Our asses would hurt before we ran out of gas tank after tank! A new seat is a must! Looking at the sundowner as well!
Also need a good passenger pillion and backrest!! Does anyone have a great recomendation on back rest? All replies appreciated!

After going through all other options, I settled for plan "G" (having exhausted plans "A" through "F").

The Sundowner is fine except I wanted a backrest so I got a Corbin Dual Tour.

Cyclevision Luggage rack with Road King removable rack.
Premium Leather TourPak, mounted 4" back from stock using aluminum angle.
Sportster Sundowner front cut down and reworked to fit the pillon position.
Kuryakyn mini boards with two sets of forward mounts.

Wife says its totally comfy.

I figure it all cost about $2500 (not counting the Corbin).

http://daniii.smugmug.com/photos/626258746_Vwoxn-M.jpg

http://daniii.smugmug.com/photos/623887891_9kHjJ-S.jpg

I now have the sundowner. I dont know why i waited!

sundowner should just come stock on the bike. I think 80% like it and use it.

sundowner should just come stock on the bike. I think 80% like it and use it.


I think you're mistaken. I have no issues with anyone wanting one, but I think they're shiteous looking. And I may have ran screaming from the dealership without realizing the bike didn't have to have that seat on it if I had seen it that way the first time.

The stock seat is fine for me. But gel pads would be welcome because I have a boney ass.

I think you're mistaken. I have no issues with anyone wanting one, but I think they're shiteous looking. And I may have ran screaming from the dealership without realizing the bike didn't have to have that seat on it if I had seen it that way the first time.

The stock seat is fine for me. But gel pads would be welcome because I have a boney ass.
Gel pads get hot. Get an airhawk for long rides. You'll thank me later.

I'll thank you now. The Airhawk really adds to the comfort of the bike.

Dan has spent a lot of time and money on the V-ROD, you can not go wrong following his recommendations.

I'll thank you now. The Airhawk really adds to the comfort of the bike.

Dan has spent a lot of time and money on the V-ROD, you can not go wrong following his recommendations.

My 3 year old Airhawk had a "blowout" while I was using it as a cushion on a wooden bench while people watching in Sturgis last year. The guy in the Airhawk booth replaced it on the spot, no charge. (So I bought a second one for my passenger seat. Turns out it works great on the 1125CR).

Most of the guys who posted to the Vert Challenged post are over 6 foot lmao try being 5' 3" and holding a Street Rod up.

I'm 5'9", 30" inseam and short simian-like arms. I have no reach issues with my D. I ride the forward pegs 90% of the time and love the feel.

The stock seat feels great all day for my 160lbs and i actually like the look. I would like to replace the pillion for a "dummy pillion" similar to the Destroyer.

I bought one used off E-Bay, sundowner, went home with my brand new DX, took the stock seat off and put the Downer on and it made a huge diferents in how i felt on the bike, I am only 5'7" or 67" and i am really confortable on the bike. I would recomend it to anyone. I was leaning a little forward on the bike at the dealer, one of the parts guys showed me while i was there and I told him i had a seat that would cure that waiting. I still can stand up off the seat a couple inches if i need to and flat footed at lights on both sides. I would say to get one if you got a reach problem.

sundowner should just come stock on the bike. I think 80% like it and use it.

:them:

Well heres my view. I bought an 05 B rod last year with 10k on it. After several 200 mile day trips with my buddies I decided if I couldn't get comfortable I was going to sell my rod!! After a hundred miles I was sore, after 200 I needed to get off and couldn't bear the thought of gettin on it again for a few days. Well I stumped up for a brand new sundowner with a matchin pillion and had it shipped to the UK. In September I toured France and Spain putting 2000 miles on it in ten days...No pain, ultimate comfort and made me feel more part of the bike, not just sitting on it but in it if that makes any sense. I was able to corner faster and harder with more confidence. Well last week I traded the Rod....Too uncomfortable? Nope I wanted a bigger fuel tank and a newer bike, only one bike for me...08 AW rod! Am totally loving it! BUT I miss my sundowner, I did take the sundowner and pillion off my 05 B but it will comes as no surprise to most you, and I should have checked, it doesn't fit the AW so its going on ebay to fund a sundowner for my AW. I am 5ft 9 and have no reach issues, the sundowner does move you forward but the more padding around my butt and the support it gives the lower back and upper butt is a small price to pay...Hope this helps...

Knees in the breeze...Steve

ps....I need to get another sundowner before too long, aint no way im touring france, switzerland, italy, corsica, sardinia and monaco on my zx12r in august...

ok i keep hearing how people hate the look of a seat but like its comfort so 1 which is more important. looks or enjoying the ride???
my thought is if its comfy the just have it reskinned
in your personal taste......... afterall well spend fist fulls
of cash on our bikes on everythign else so why not a new
skin that makes you smile when you look at it.
thats my plan for the winter with my seat

Most of the guys who posted to the Vert Challenged post are over 6 foot lmao try being 5' 3" and holding a Street Rod up.

lol i hear you i thought the guys int he 6ft range would have no issue reaching the forward controls if anything i would have thought they would be feel cramped moving closer.
who would have thought it. not I
lol

i'm buying Gene Simmons boots to ride in:P