New Seat before/after DK Lift Kit and Shocks? Thoughts?

[Wynn_r]

Been a lurker for a long time. Just purchased a stock '14 Tri with 664 miles. Came from two wheels (03 Ultra and 09 RK Classic). 6 foot and 230 lbs, ride two (135 lbs) up 1/2 the time. Will be pulling an Aspen Classic tent trailer.

Enough about me. Spent a lot of time researching for ride comfort solutions in this forum. Looks like a new seat and new shocks are in order. Stock stuff is pretty bad in my opinion.

I think I have settled on the Road Zeppelin seat and the DK Customs Comfort lift kit and coil over shocks. I can't buy both at the same time as they are pretty proud of their products so I am looking for advice from the smart folks on this forum.

Which would you buy first if you were in my shoes and why. All thoughts are welcomed. The current plan is to go on a one week road trip early August so time is of the essence. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jack Klarich]

I would get the seat first, You can still ride and enjoy the trike while waiting on the shocks and lift kit

A good seat makes ALL the difference IMO

I swapped out my stock Freewheeler seat for a Roadking seat, it made me happy plus my wife has a better seat area now

Check BoardTracker Harley for a better price if you stick with a Harley seat

No tax and FREE shipping on orders over 99.00

https://www.boardtrackerhd.com/check-out-our--parts-catalog

 

[rhino 2]

Like Jack said....Seat first....So if that didn't help enough then you can go for the shock/lift package...

 

[Fearless]

Like Jack said seat first and possibly backrest, will make a huge difference but in the end I'm sure the shocks will be installed as well as front fork work. good luck on your choices. Travel safe Fred (I'm still using factory shocks on our 09' not the best but livable

 

[hardwickbv]

Just got back about 2 weeks ago from doing a 2800 mile trip in 10 days riding during 7 1/2 of them.

We were on a 2017 TG that already has the comfort lift kit but not the shocks.

Although the shocks would help the overall ride and improve the handling and you can't go wrong with any of DK's products, I would get the seat first.

After you have been in the seat for 400+ miles in a day which we did a couple times you will really appreciate more padding in the seat more than the cushioning of the bumps from the shocks.

My $0.02

Bob

 

[Wynn_r]

Thanks all for the opinions, ideas and links for savings! I knew I would get some great perspectives.

 

[jc1300]

Like Jack said seat first and possibly backrest, will make a huge difference but in the end I'm sure the shocks will be installed as well as front fork work. good luck on your choices. Travel safe Fred (I'm still using factory shocks on our 09' not the best but livable

I have the DK Lift Kit installed....now I have to tell ya the nose of the seat is angled up slightly more than before.....it makes the seat less comfortable. Just me?

Thanks - jc

 

[Gorilla]

Rod I have my 13 setup the way that you mentioned in your post. I am VERY happy with it. I would wait and purchase what you need as you can rather then compromise.

 

[Teufelhunde]

I'll take the other side of this issue. I say do the shocks and lift first. Ride it that way for a while and you may find that you don't need to spend big bucks on a new seat....

YMMV

Lon

 

[Fearless]

I have the DK Lift Kit installed....now I have to tell ya the nose of the seat is angled up slightly more than before.....it makes the seat less comfortable. Just me?

Thanks - jc

Well I noticed a difference after Tank lift there as well,:xzqxz: but my Doctor suggested I lose the donuts my A1C started to climb so I knocked off 34 lbs. cut out the sweets started counting proteins and carbs.:good: resolved seat issue for me. just sayin....:Shrug: travel safe Fred

 

[BillR]

I have the DK Lift Kit installed....now I have to tell ya the nose of the seat is angled up slightly more than before.....it makes the seat less comfortable. Just me?

Thanks - jc

JC, are you talking about the tank lift or the suspension lift? My comfort lift for the suspension raised the rear of the seat more then the front.

I'll take the other side of this issue. I say do the shocks and lift first. Ride it that way for a while and you may find that you don't need to spend big bucks on a new seat....

Lon

I can't comment on the shocks, but I ordered a comfort lift after I scraped my pipes for a foot along my driveway when I unloaded the trike off the trailer the day I brought it home. I was pleasantly surprised at how it lightened the steering. Much easier to steer. Might be a consideration about the lift.

I also have a Road Zeppelin seat that I got used from here on the forum. Much more reasonable price.

A side note: I you plan on getting a custom height windshield, wait until you put the lift kit on. I ordered an LRS shield the day after I ordered the lift kit. The website had me calculate 9" as the right height. I installed the DK lift before the shield came in and found the shield to be 1" too short when I installed it. Had to order a 10".:facepalm:

 

[Wynn_r]

Thanks all for the replies and comments/perspectives so far.

One of the reasons I haven't pulled the trigger on the Road Zeppelin (RZ) seat is that I am a bit concerned about ride position. Compared to my Ultra and Road King ride position, I feel like the stock seat on the Tri (besides being terribly uncomfortable) sits me more forward than I am accustomed to. The research that I have read here in the forums say that the RZ will probably set me an inch-ish higher and maybe even more forward than stock. Can any of you with RZ experience comment on that? I haven't been there yet but the local dealer does have a seat program. I intend to check and see what they have that may fit my Tri. FYI, I have changed my stock seats to Mustangs on my other bikes in the past. While the Mustangs have been good to me, with age I think I do suffer more from pressure points these days on longer rides.

Bill, as far as windshield goes, great point. It only makes sense to settle on final ride position before going with a new windshield. Thanks for the pointer/reminder.

Lon, I appreciate your "other side" perspective. The trouble is, I know this seat has to go. Currently during my 10 mile commute to the JOB (retiring soon), my tail is already barking at me by the time I get to work or home. I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the comfort ride lift and shocks, while they will provide a much better ride overall, won't be enough to overcome the seat discomfort. Hmmm. Sounds like I've answered my original question doesn't it? Thanks for the help!

Apologies for the length of my posts.

 

[graygoat]

Based on your comment about your 10 mile commute, I agree with the seat first. With pain issues after only 10 miles, it is a no brainer. I would also drop your rear tire pressure down to 22 - 23# (dealers tend to set them around 26#). Some folks here talk of dropping it to 20#. So play with that a bit and also your air shock pressure, adjust that in 2 or 3# increments until you find your sweetspot. That said, I went to the DK 14" comfort lift & shocks and they are spendy but great improvement.

And welcome aboard!!

 

[Gorilla]

Sorry no feedback on the RZ ride height and forward of backward movement. I've had mine for 8 years and do not remember what the difference was. Im 5'9 and 200 lbs.

 

[Shooterdan]

New seat

I just finished a 6907 mile ride to Alaska with a road zeppelin seat and wouldn't trade it for anything. You can adjust the air pressure and change pressure points to make a full day riding enjoyable not painful. It does lift you about one inch but I didn't notice any forward change. The bumps are still there but the air takes the jar out of them. Go for it, you won't regret it.

 

[rhino 2]

Thanks all for the replies and comments/perspectives so far.

Lon, I appreciate your "other side" perspective. The trouble is, I know this seat has to go. Currently during my 10 mile commute to the JOB (retiring soon), my tail is already barking at me by the time I get to work or home. I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the comfort ride lift and shocks, while they will provide a much better ride overall, won't be enough to overcome the seat discomfort. Hmmm. Sounds like I've answered my original question doesn't it? Thanks for the help!

Apologies for the length of my posts.

Two Words............Occam's Razor............

 

[DK Custom Products]

An alternative to the RZ seat may be an air hawk. I believe they have a 30 day "trial" period. It will also help you know if it is the lack of padding in the seat that is causing a sore tail, or possibly something else.

I used to modify ever seat I had to fit my butt, and to keep it from getting sore on longer rides. Since I discovered the air hawk I have not felt the need to modify a single seat. 14 hour days do not bother me now, previously with stock seats it could be quite painful after a couple of hours.

Don't think it will push you back at all though...maybe a tad.

Kevin

 

[TonkaDriver]

Which Cushion

An alternative to the RZ seat may be an air hawk. I believe they have a 30 day "trial" period. It will also help you know if it is the lack of padding in the seat that is causing a sore tail, or possibly something else.

I used to modify ever seat I had to fit my butt, and to keep it from getting sore on longer rides. Since I discovered the air hawk I have not felt the need to modify a single seat. 14 hour days do not bother me now, previously with stock seats it could be quite painful after a couple of hours.

Don't think it will push you back at all though...maybe a tad.

Kevin

Kevin, Which AirHawk fits the Harley seat? Also does it give you a more secure feeling when cornering?

 

[payzac]

AIR HAWK

Kevin, Which AirHawk fits the Harley seat? Also does it give you a more secure feeling when cornering?

I bought one to use on trip to Deadwood.It did help for about 200 miles then my butt would get sore .It was secure in the foot hills I am not sure that it could just be me I will talk with doctor do some test.

Will be going to Texas in Oct so will need to do something

The one I use is Airhawk Cruiser R large

Hope this helps bought mine thru Walmart

 

[LadyonaMission]

I bought one to use on trip to Deadwood.It did help for about 200 miles then my butt would get sore .It was secure in the foot hills I am not sure that it could just be me I will talk with doctor do some test.

Will be going to Texas in Oct so will need to do something

The one I use is Airhawk Cruiser R large

Hope this helps bought mine thru Walmart

Did Bill talk you into coming to Texas in October while you were hanging out in Deadwood?

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, Which AirHawk fits the Harley seat? Also does it give you a more secure feeling when cornering?

I got it so long ago, I have no idea what the part # is. I just went and measured mine, it is 15.5" side to side at the widest point and 14.5" front to back.

It does not make me feel more or less secure in the corners...it does sit me up a bit higher...every now and then when I ride without it, I feel like a "low-rider" since I've gotten used to riding with it.

I do seem to remember, when I first started using it, it felt less secure. Probably because of being a bit higher and because it allows a little movement between the seat and my butt. That was over 100k miles ago, does not feel the least bit insecure, not have any limiting impact on my riding.

TG's are pretty rock solid-Here's a fun little video-:laugh:



Kevin

 

[sportthedog]

I would do shocks first. Many believe that a new seat is the silver bullet that will provide the most relief. I put Ohlin shocks on first and got huge improvement from that change. That improvement allowed me to rethink seat and what I wanted to do there.

 

[Fearless]

When I change shocks and I will... it will be state of the art Pro Action shocks developed for Triglide's by Triglide owner's for Triglide owners and friends. it's that simple for me and "old Shiney" :good:ride safe Fred

 

[Wynn_r]

Update: First, thanks for all of the input. Based upon the input and research from this forum, I pulled the trigger on a Road Zeppelin seat. Got it from Intermountain Harley in Utah. Quick response delivery and better price than I could find elsewhere for a new seat (>$100 savings). Install was pretty easy including the extra wire harness needed, and within the first 10 mile commute I noticed a big difference in comfort. And that was with all of the bladders deflated. I plan to experiment with air cushion adjustments over the next few weeks and see what works best for me.

OK, now I will start saving my pennies for the shock upgrade. The side streets in the South Seattle area are terrible and beat me to death on this 3 wheel machine. Never noticed the issue on the 2 wheeler. I guess it was just second nature to miss all/most of the bumps.

Thanks again for the input from the board. You guys/gals rock! Much appreciated!

Rod

 

[Jack Klarich]

Another satisfied customer:clapping: