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Mustang Vintage Touring Seat with operator backrest
April 3, 2009
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| Editor Ratings * | |||
| Quality |
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10 | |
| Style |
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10 | |
| Comfort |
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10 | |
| Convenience |
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10 | |
| Price |
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8 | |
| Value |
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10 | |
| Overall | 9.7 | ||
| Spectacular | |||
| A product that receives a rating in this range scores high on all of its rating criteria. It succeeds at meeting all of its intended users' needs and has no meaningful drawbacks. | |||
| *Out of a possible 10 points | |||
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Introduction
It was clear to me that I needed a new seat for my 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. I couldn’t continue to ride for more than 30 minutes with the stock seat because of the discomfort it caused. The passenger’s seat was so small that anyone larger than a 10 year old was going to be uncomfortable within the first ten minutes. Yes, if I was going to enjoy this bike, that seat had to go.
There are many aftermarket seats I could have chosen, but after much research, I picked Mustang’s Vintage Touring Seat.
Mustang Seats was started in 1980 by Al Simmons, an engineer and motorcycle rider, who has been in the motorcycle industry for over 30 years. Under his leadership, Mustang has grown from a small operation making just a dozen seats a day to being one of the worldwide leaders in motorcycle seat production.
Al traveled to every state and listened to thousands of motorcycle riders needs. This, complemented by his years of riding experience, formed the basis of his unique understanding of rider’s needs and the essentials of seat design to address those needs.
Mustang seats are designed for all-day riding comfort for both the rider and the passenger, and Mustang seats are hand-made in the United States, another bonus if anything goes wrong with the seat or replacement parts are needed. A call can be placed within the U.S and parts shipped quickly.
Another reason I chose a Mustang Touring Vintage Seat was styling.
Mustang seats are designed with components that lend to the overall comfort of both the rider and the passenger. Seats are constructed to enhance the lines of each particular motorcycle. I wanted that vintage look, but I also wanted comfort for long rides. The Mustang touring seat is a little bigger and fills out the bike making it look nicer. The seat is also wider for the driver and especially for the passenger.
My seat includes a driver’s back rest which is comfortable and easy to use. I would recommend this to anyone taking a long trip or even someone who simply wants to be comfortable on their bike.
First Impression
When I first saw this seat I wondered if it was real leather. The seat looks like leather, but the exterior is made of the highest quality expanded vinyl available and is durable and resistant to the elements. It does not fade, resists all weather conditions better than other materials, and requires practically no maintenance.
I was also surprised when I picked up the seat. This seat has some weight to it which means quality. Quick examination of the seat construction indicates a lot of work that went into this seat. The vinyl is pop riveted to the bottom of the base plate and it has double stitching on the seams for extra strength.
Mustang is proud of making the highest quality and most comfortable seats available. Now I just hoped it was as comfortable as it was nice.
Features
Mustang believes that, with a well-designed seat, there is no reason to be uncomfortable. They design their baseplate, foam, and cover components to make the most comfortable seat possible; seats are built to show bike quality standards. All seats are hand assembled in their New England plant in the US.
Mustang seats may feature a single baseplate, a seat where both the driver’s and passenger’s seat are constructed on the same, single baseplate, or a two-piece baseplate, a seat where the driver’s and passenger’s seat are constructed on separate baseplates. Mustang baseplates are constructed of either marine-grade fiberglass or steel.
My Vulcan seat baseplate is made of 3/16” marine-grade fiberglass finished in a high gloss gel coat. All brackets are riveted in place and exposed brackets are bright chrome plated. Polyurethane rubber bumpers are strategically located and riveted to the baseplate to prevent it from touching the frame or fender and to minimize vibration. Bumpers are ozone protected and will not crack with age. Hidden brackets have a tough, black epoxy powder coat finish. The edges of all baseplates have a steel reinforced, impact absorbing vinyl edge trim to protect the seat cover.
The foam for each seat is custom-made by Mustang. The most important component of comfort is the seat foam; both the quality of the foam and its design. Mustang has over 25 years experience in compounding the right chemical mix to create the best controlled density polyurethane foam for comfort. The foam has a density of approximately four pounds per cubic foot, depending on the size and thickness of the seat, which allows for hours of ride time without having your rear end falling asleep.
Mustang seats are known for retaining their shape and support after years of use. Foam will compress enough to mold itself to your body shape each time you ride, so your first ride will be equal to your 1,000th ride. That means every time you sit on your Mustang seat it’s like sitting on a brand new comfortable seat.
All Mustang seat covers are designed, cut, and individually sewn of the highest quality vinyl available. They have the appearance of black leather, but the durability and resistance to the elements that exceed original equipment standards for motorcycle seats. All seams are sewn twice for strength. The bottom edge that holds the cover to the base plate is hemmed where the rivets hold the cover to the baseplate, not stapled like my stock seat.
This seat features an impressive backrest that is heavy duty. You don’t have to worry about bending it or breaking it when you are riding and stretching back against it. Backrests are designed and made with the same high standards and quality materials. The backrest folds completely flat for ease of getting on or off your motorcycle, and is easily adjusted to a variety of heights without the need for any tools.
Operation/Application
Most Mustang seats are designed to install just like your stock seat using the same mounting points and hardware as your original seat. While Mustang says installation takes about 15 minutes, putting this seat on was easy and took only 5 minutes. The Mustang seat comes with instructions and the bolts you need to install your seat. Installation is as easy as bolting the seat clip onto the new seat and placing it onto the bike. It couldn’t be easier.
Quality
Mustang can be proud of the seats they manufacture. I am more than impressed with the quality. It is clear by the construction of the seat, and the quality of the products they use, why they stand behind their products. All seats have a one-year warranty against defects in material and workmanship. Seats are permanently labeled with a serial number, warranty info, and a toll free telephone number. Mustang encourages questions and comments about their products, and that isn’t just lip service. Mustang provides multiple options for your convenience including phone, email, fax, snail mail, internet, and European country contacts.
Mustang focuses on the design and style when building a baseplate. It is important their seats align the spine and place the driver at the proper riding angle. Mustang is not afraid to invest the time and money to plan and design their motorcycle seats to meet those specifications. All Mustang baseplates are constructed of either 3/16” marine-grade fiberglass or formed 16 gauge steel.
Add to the baseplate the most important comfort component - Mustang’s special controlled-density foam. Foam molds are hand sculpted and contoured for support, posture, and comfort, in addition to pleasing lines to complement the motorcycle. Mustang has perfected their own formula for controlled-density foam; a must for a comfortable ride. There is no gel in their seats. Gel does not compress and instead changes its shape. Mustang prefers foam for its compression elements.
Finally, a cover of double-stitched, high quality expanded vinyl is hand-stitched by an expert seamstress at a sewing machine. Components are hand assembled, and the cover riveted to the baseplate to create a handsome seat designed for the overall comfort of both the driver and passenger.
Value
While pricey at $698.00 for the seat, backrest, and tank bib, this seat is worth every penny. I would recommend this seat to everyone. The seat construction is unbelievable and the amount of work that goes into one of these seats is amazing. If you buy a Mustang seat for your bike, you will not be disappointed.
Final thoughts
My new Mustang seat felt as if I was sitting on a pillow my entire ride. Never once did I have any problems. I have owned and ridden several motorcycles on long trips. After 100 miles I was always ready to get off and stretch; not this time. I could ride and ride. The only stops I made were for gas.
Because the Mustang seat is also wider and thicker for the passenger, I wondered if my passenger would be comfortable as well. We all know if the passenger isn’t happy you are going to be stopping a lot. My wife dreaded getting onto my bike with the stock seat; all that has changed with our Mustang seat. Now she loves our weekend rides. We are able to go for long rides in the mountains with our Mustang seat and both ride comfortably. The rating for comfort on this seat deserves more than a 10.
Click here for more on Mustang motorcycle seats.
Ryan Jenkins has been riding motorcycles for 11 years. Ryan currently rides a 2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom and provided the content for this product review.
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Product Review Comments
3/23/2009 11:13 AM
All rears are different. The Mustang does not work for me. Just bought one for my Victory, rode 45 miles Saturday (very sore rear) and 120 yesterday (had to stop twice to shake off the agony) and my tail bone is still sore today. Have had 60 bikes with Corbins, Sargents & custom seats. This was the worst seat my rear has come across. I called Mustang and the lady said if my rear was sore after these 2 rides, forget "breaking" it in to make a difference (which I've done with Corbins and Sargents). I'm 6'1" and 210 so I don't think I'm a freak for the saddle. The VIC's optional Touring Seat is very comfy for me, just doesn't have the style so I decided to try the Mustang. Too bad, I like the style and it is well made.
All rears are different. The Mustang does not work for me. Just bought one for my Victory, rode 45 miles Saturday (very sore rear) and 120 yesterday (had to stop twice to shake off the agony) and my tail bone is still sore today. Have had 60 bikes with Corbins, Sargents & custom seats. This was the worst seat my rear has come across. I called Mustang and the lady said if my rear was sore after these 2 rides, forget "breaking" it in to make a difference (which I've done with Corbins and Sargents). I'm 6'1" and 210 so I don't think I'm a freak for the saddle. The VIC's optional Touring Seat is very comfy for me, just doesn't have the style so I decided to try the Mustang. Too bad, I like the style and it is well made.
10/7/2008 4:40 PM
Great review. I've been thinking about a more comfortable saddle for my bike and I'll have to check these out... I think I saw them at Sturgis this year-
Great review. I've been thinking about a more comfortable saddle for my bike and I'll have to check these out... I think I saw them at Sturgis this year-
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