Seat height question - F3L 2017

[bushrat]

Anyone out there ryding a 2017 F3L with a stock seat? Question: with your Spyder on level ground, if you were to place a spirit level across your driver seat, what would the measurement be from ground up to underside of level? In other words, what is your seat height off the ground?
Second question: what is the distance from rear most edge of gas cap ring to driver seat back (top rear edge)?
Why am I asking? Trying to work out geometry of stock seating position. I'm experimenting with a new custom seat, comparing it to previous stock seat (pan from which has now been used as base for new custom), and an Ultimate (which I have been using); lost the paper on which I had made notes, so trying to come close. Any input based on another similar stock F3L would help. Knowing previous geometry could help in getting the new custom seat right, or at least understanding results of the changes being made.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Peteoz]

Bushrat, sorry, I can’t help with heights, even though I have a 16F3-L, as I have replaced my stock seat with a Daylong that has lifted me a bit. ......here’s a gotcha that may catch you out. Be aware of what else you might impact if your new seat ends up higher than stock. I had to get a new, taller screen (wind hitting me right between the eyes) and a new set of taller bars (started to get wrist aches).

Pete

 

[RICZ]

I have a 2017 F3L, but it's late and will send you the measurements tomorrow. Do you prefer English or metric dimensions?
Re custom saddles, I avoid off-the-shelf aftermarket saddles as I would be buying an unknown entity. I prefer going to a saddle customizer with my bike. The one I go to first checks for posture and will move the seat back forward or rearward as need to get me sitting correctly. The same with seat height. I end up with a saddle tailored to fit just me. And I always have him put heat in it.
See ya tomorrow and Merry Christmas.

 

[bushrat]

RICZ, thanks for the input. Measurements in inches is fine. I'm currently having a custom seat made up for me. Man does very nice work: "A Stitch on Time", St. Petersburg, FL. Main problem for me has been sciatic pain while ryding, aches in my right knee and soreness in pelvic area. We think we have a solution. It will likely raise me up a couple of inches so as to remove the pressure of underlying extrusions in the side edges of pan by flattening out the "dish" in the seat. We'll see.

Peteoz, my Thanks to you, as well. I'm quite aware of all the variables, especially the way in which changes to seat geometry also play havoc with one's windshield suitability. I have been experimenting with various shields and combinations for past two years; finally found something I like/can tolerate. Now, having done that, I'm about to swap seats again. I realize this may defeat the shield testing I did with current seat, but am hoping there is enough flexibility to make it all come together.

Appreciate the helpful input guys. It's a struggle to get it all just right (though also a challenge and fun learning). I love ryding my Spyder so much that I simply want it to be as comfortable as possible, and so that I can ryde a longer day as enjoyably as possible. That means taking care of my butt and my head as best I can, even if I need to spend a few extra $$.

Cheers.

 

[Peteoz]

Fingers crossed for you, Bushrat. From my perspective, seat comfort is the most important thing of all in ensuring you enjoy the ride long term, which is why my first purchase on any new bike is a custom seat:thumbup:. I could live without the ECU tune, the car tyres, the belt tensioner, (although every one of them adds to the pleasure of the ride), but without that comfortable seat, it is unenjoyable:thumbup:

Pete

 

[RICZ]

I finally got a break from our Christmas activities to measure for you. Here they are.....
+ Seat to floor = 28" even I placed the level at the junction of the seat and the bolster.
+ Gas cap to back of seat (front edge of passenger seat) = 26-1/4"
I hope this helps.

 

[AY4B]

I do know the Ultimate raises you up an inch and is very noticeable. This is why I went to a mustang seat. Lower center of gravity and wider.

 

[bushrat]

Fingers crossed for you, Bushrat. From my perspective, seat comfort is the most important thing of all ... Pete

Amen, Brother. Appreciate the encouragement. See my note to RICZ, below, for progress report.

 

[bushrat]

I finally got a break from our Christmas activities to measure for you. Here they are.....
+ Seat to floor = 28" even I placed the level at the junction of the seat and the bolster.
+ Gas cap to back of seat (front edge of passenger seat) = 26-1/4"
I hope this helps.

Thanks very much RICZ; helps me a lot. Looks like my new seat is going to be 29" above the floor, and distance from back of gas cap to rear of seat about 25-3/4" to 26". So, I seem to be right on with distance from bars, and just slightly higher up, which was expected. I got in a 2-hour test ride today, and was able to go straight through without any noticeable sciatic pain down through my hips or back of my legs, and no need to stop or get off. No soreness or stiffness when I did. All of which is an improvement. Appears that we're on the right track to resolving my issues; may have to make some slight adjustments, but that decision can wait until I do some more test rides and give the new seat some proper break in time. My seat maker is pretty good about making adjustments, and is giving me at least 3 months to tweak.

Really appreciate the measurements. Hope you had a great Christmas. Thanks for taking time for me.

 

[RICZ]

Glad to help. Also glad you have a saddle that works that well for you. You went about it the right way IMHO.
Our Christmas was very good and blissfully quiet. Just the two of us and a beef roast. We do the family gift orgy on Christmas eve, so families can have Christmas to themselves.
Here's hoping yours was as good.

 

[Peteoz]

Will the PSI of the rear air bag make much of a difference to measured seat height? (I run my bag at 0psi now that I have the Wilbers shock).... not that it makes a difference since your seat is working, Bushrat.....just curious

Pete

 

[Peteoz]

Interesting.....my seat height at the bolster is 30”, but that is with the butt ugly Daylong thigh support wings that add 1/2” at the edges and zero psi in the bag.

Pete

 

[RICZ]

The F3L has an auto fill air rear suspension with no operator control. I assume that when its been parked for some days, the rear has settled.

 

[bushrat]

Will the PSI of the rear air bag make much of a difference to measured seat height? (I run my bag at 0psi now that I have the Wilbers shock).... not that it makes a difference since your seat is working, Bushrat.....just curious

Pete

Not sure I have an answer for that Pete. There's no way (no valve) for me to adjust on the F3L. My system does that by itself, so my seat is where it is, regardless. I measured the new seat at 29", but it is built up probably 2-1/2" above stock, at least. I know my Ultimate was close to 1" above stock (as AY4B has also noted above), and I do seem to be slightly higher than that now on this new custom. I'm at relatively the same distance back vis-a-vis the bars, and looking perhaps slightly more above my shield. I still have a bunch of ride testing to do, and have to wait until I get my lady out several times to see how she likes her new seat. So many questions, so many variables. So many roads, and so little time. Great fun learning though!! Very much a personal preference thing where Nirvana is discovered through trial and error. Very few shortcuts, and never, never a matter of "one-size-fits-all". Thanks for the helpful input, everyone. Much appreciated!!

FWIW, here are a couple of pics comparing the one-piece "Ultimate" I have been using (and mostly enjoying, aside from sciatic issues) on left, and the new 2-piece "Sweet Seat" custom, on right, built on stock pans. I liked the color scheme of the Ultimate, and had the new custom made from similar material and style. I kept the passenger back rest cover from the Ultimate, along with the driver back rest. The cover of the new rider seat may have to come off for additional 'sculpting', but that will depend on test rides and more 'break-in'.

 

[Peteoz]

The F3L has an auto fill air rear suspension with no operator control. I assume that when its been parked for some days, the rear has settled.

Ah, yes.....of course..... mine is a 16, RICZ, when you could still manually set your bag pressure.:thumbup:

Pete

 

[RICZ]

Ah, yes.....of course..... mine is a 16, RICZ, when you could still manually set your bag pressure.:thumbup: Pete

Darn it all! I'm just a newby and can't keep up with a changes.

 

[Peteoz]

Darn it all! I'm just a newby and can't keep up with a changes.

Yeah......but Bushrat was talking about a 2017.... and I KNEW it had an auto bag.....but I forgot .....I blame old age, RICZ :thumbup:

Pete

 

[RICZ]

Yeah......but Bushrat was talking about a 2017.... and I KNEW it had an auto bag.....but I forgot .....I blame old age, RICZ :thumbup: Pete

Now I'm even more confused.:gaah: :helpsmilie: But I'm learning. That's why I'm here.
I'm cool with you Peter. That's the first mistake you made? Right?

 

[bushrat]

RICZ, as well as appreciating your input posts, I always enjoy your avatar, and seeing what you grew up riding. So, in return, here's what I started out on, rather illegally at age 13, and also totally in breach of my parents' orders that I not buy it (kept it hidden for several months in a neighbour friend's garage until I got busted by cops one day) - A Corgi, 50 cc fold-up motorbike made for British paratroopers in WWII (rabbit-ear handlebars folded down and seat support dropped down so bike could fit into small tube). Indian had a similar bike they called a Papoose. Photo is not my exact bike, but as close as I could find to what I had. This is, I believe, a 1949 version; I got mine, used, in 1954, so would be very close. Gas tank held 1.25 Imp. gal.; for 25 cents, I could ride a whole month. Top speed about 33 mph. If I hadn't bought the Corgi, my other possibility was a Whizzer.

 

[Peteoz]

Now I'm even more confused.:gaah: :helpsmilie: But I'm learning. That's why I'm here.
I'm cool with you Peter. That's the first mistake you made? Right?

Hahaha. I have confused you, Ric? Now there’s a first.....I blame old age.... just to clarify, the 2016 F3-L had a manual, fully adjustable air bag that you could fill to between 0psi and around 90psi. The 2017 and later had the same automated bag as the RT, where it set the psi depending on weight.......so my question re psi affecting seat height was irrelevant for Bushrat’s Spyder. I hope that is understandable :thumbup:

.......and I have NEVER made a mistake, that I can remember :roflblack::roflblack:

Pete