Finding the perfect seat for long-distance rides is crucial for comfort and support. One common dilemma riders often face is choosing between the popular Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats. In this article, we will compare these two well-regarded aftermarket motorcycle seats to help you determine which one suits your needs best.
Both the Saddlemen Road Sofa and the Mustang Super Touring seats have unique selling points that cater to riders’ preferences. The Saddlemen Road Sofa, for instance, boasts a combination of silicone gel and multiple-density polyurethane foam for enhanced cushioning and vibration absorption. The Mustang Super Touring, on the other hand, offers a heated option with a driver backrest for those who prefer added warmth and support on longer rides.
When it comes down to factors such as comfort, seating positions, and price, riders might have varying opinions. To give you a comprehensive understanding of these two seats and their attributes, we will delve into their features and collect rider feedback to provide you with an informed decision on which seat to choose for your long-distance motorcycle touring adventures.
Saddlemen Road Sofa Overview
Key Features
When it comes to the Saddlemen Road Sofa, there are several key features that set it apart from other motorcycle seats:
- Gel-Core Technology: This unique manufacturing process is designed to dampen, divert, and deflect energy, resulting in a smooth and therapeutic ride.
- Extended Reach Design: Created specifically for riders who spend long hours on the road, the Road Sofa provides optimal support and comfort for 500+ mile rides.
- Rider Backrest: This added support helps to alleviate any strain on the rider’s back, enhancing overall comfort during long rides.
Comfort
The Saddlemen Road Sofa is renowned for its comfort, often described as one of the most comfortable motorcycle seats on the market. A significant contributor to this comfort is the Gel-Core Technology, which helps to reduce vibrations and impacts felt during the ride.
Additionally, the design of the seat lends itself to an extended reach, which is geared towards those who plan on tackling long rides of 500+ miles per day. The driver backrest provides extra support and relief for the rider, ensuring an even more comfortable and enjoyable ride for extended periods.
Installation
Installing the Saddlemen Road Sofa seat on your motorcycle is a relatively straightforward process, which can typically be completed by following the provided instructions. The seat is designed to be compatible with various Harley-Davidson touring models, making it a practical upgrade option for those seeking a more comfortable and supportive seat for their motorcycle.
Mustang Super Touring Overview
The Mustang Super Touring seat is a popular choice among riders looking to improve their touring experience. In this section, we’ll cover the key features, comfort, and installation aspects of the Mustang Super Touring seat.
Key Features
We have identified several noteworthy features in the Mustang Super Touring seat:
- Wide seat: Designed with a wide and comfortable seat, it provides ample support for long rides.
- Marine-grade vinyl covering: The seat is covered in durable, weather-resistant marine-grade vinyl, ensuring that it lasts longer and stays looking great.
- Contoured shape: The contoured shape of this seat naturally supports the rider’s lower back and distributes weight evenly, lessening fatigue and discomfort on extended trips.
Comfort
Regarding comfort, the Mustang Super Touring seat excels in multiple areas, making it an appealing option for touring riders:
- First, the wide seat design ensures that riders have more support during long rides. This feature alone makes the Mustang Super Touring seat worth considering.
- Second, the contoured shape of the seat dramatically improves lower back support. Riders who struggle with lower back pain on long tours will appreciate this added comfort.
Installation
Installing the Mustang Super Touring seat is a straightforward process. We have found the following steps to be useful:
- Remove the existing seat by unscrewing the bolts or fasteners that hold it in place.
- Place the new Mustang Super Touring seat in position on the motorcycle, making sure it is correctly aligned.
- Secure the seat using the provided hardware and tools, following the seat manufacturer’s guidelines.
With a user-friendly installation process, the Mustang Super Touring seat is a strong contender for those looking to enhance their touring experience.
Comparing Comfort
Seat Cushioning
When comparing the Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats, we notice some differences in their cushioning materials. The Saddlemen utilizes a special silicone gel as well as a multiple-density polyurethane foam to provide cushioning and vibration absorption. On the other hand, Mustang seats have thicker and more plush foam padding, making them quite comfortable as well.
Both seats offer different approaches to comfort, with Saddlemen focusing on a firmer, more supportive ride and Mustang leaning towards a softer, cushioned experience. The choice between the two would primarily depend on the rider’s preference for either a firm or a soft seat surface.
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support is essential for longer rides, ensuring that the lower back receives the right support and pressure distribution. From our research, it seems that riders have found both the Saddlemen Road Sofa and the Mustang Super Touring seats to provide ample lumbar support.
While both brands focus on providing back support, Saddlemen seats generally come with an adjustable and removable backrest, offering more customization options, as mentioned in search result 1. Mustang seats also provide good lumbar support but may have fewer adjustability options depending on the specific model.
Passenger Comfort
As for passenger comfort, we found that the Saddlemen Explorer, which is part of the Road Sofa series, has a wider and more spacious pillion seat, according to search result 1. This feature can enhance the passenger’s riding experience, especially during longer trips. Mustang seats may also offer comfortable passenger seating, but the general design might be more focused on providing support and comfort for the main rider.
It’s important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the rider and the passenger when deciding between Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats. Both brands have their own strengths and features that cater to different comfort preferences, making them popular choices for upgrading from stock motorcycle seats.
Comparing Design and Aesthetic
Styles and Customization Options
When it comes to styles and customization options, both Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats offer unique designs to suit riders’ preferences. The Saddlemen Road Sofa is designed to provide superior comfort, with SaddleGel™ in the front and rear, reducing tailbone pressure and increasing circulation for both the driver and passenger. The lumbar support is relatively tall and is accompanied by a wide driver saddle support to ensure a comfortable ride.
On the other hand, the Mustang Super Touring seat is available in various stitching styles, such as Deluxe with American Beauty Red and Deluxe with Gunmetal Grey. Additionally, this seat can be customized with a backrest, adding an extra layer of comfort and support.
Materials and Craftsmanship
The Saddlemen Road Sofa is designed and made in the U.S.A., using quality materials and craftsmanship that ensure comfort and durability. One of its standout features is its SaddleGel™ technology, which is included in both the front and rear sections of the seat. This gel helps to reduce tailbone pressure and improve the overall comfort for both the driver and passenger during their ride.
The Mustang Super Touring seat also boasts top-notch craftsmanship and materials. The seat’s design features a firm, yet comfortable foam cushion, ensuring long-lasting support. Like the Saddlemen Road Sofa, the Mustang seat is built with attention to detail and a focus on delivering a high-quality experience for riders.
Comparing Price and Value
When considering the Saddlemen Road Sofa and the Mustang Super Touring seats, price and value are important factors to weigh. Both seats cater to long-distance riders, but they differ in a few key aspects that could affect your choice.
The Saddlemen Road Sofa offers a range of features designed for comfort, such as Gelcore™ technology, split-cushion lumbar support, and a variety of styling options, including the extended reach option. Prices for the Saddlemen Road Sofa can vary, but you can expect to pay around $578 to $739.
The Mustang Super Touring seat also boasts various features aimed at the rider’s comfort, such as a one-piece design, a plush seating surface, and back support. Prices for the Mustang Super Touring seat can also vary, but they typically fall into a slightly lower price range as compared to the Saddlemen Road Sofa, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Aside from the price, it is essential to consider the overall value that each seat brings to your riding experience. Both seats are designed with long-distance touring in mind, but their distinct features cater to different preferences:
- Comfort: Saddlemen’s Gelcore™ technology and split-cushion lumbar support may provide an extra level of comfort for some riders, while others might enjoy the feel of the Mustang seat’s one-piece design and back support.
- Style: The Saddlemen Road Sofa offers various style options, such as carbon fiber and lattice-stitch, allowing you to customize your seat’s appearance. On the other hand, the Mustang Super Touring seat offers a more classic and streamlined look.
- Versatility: While both seats accommodate most Harley-Davidson touring models, the Saddlemen Road Sofa offers more variations in terms of fitting different riders’ needs, with options like the extended reach format.
In summary, both the Saddlemen Road Sofa and the Mustang Super Touring seat offer unique advantages in terms of price, comfort, style, and versatility. It ultimately comes down to personal preferences and priorities to determine which seat offers the best value for you as a rider.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
We found that both the Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats have pros and cons based on the customer reviews and feedback we gathered. Riders have different preferences depending on their needs, and what works great for one person might not suit another as much.
Many riders reported that the Saddlemen Road Sofa provides a comfortable and supportive seat for long rides. According to one owner, their Saddlemen Road Sofa Extended Reach seat took around 1,000 km to break in, but after that, the gel was molded perfectly to their body shape. They also liked the backrest and mentioned they would purchase the seat again.
Comparatively, Mustang Super Touring seat owners also spoke highly of their seat’s comfort and support. Someone mentioned that the seat is both thinner and firmer than Saddlemen’s offering, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a more structured feel. Satisfied customers mentioned that the seat was worth the investment in terms of comfort and durability.
When it comes to fitting different riders and bike models, both brands seem to be quite versatile. Another rider looking to upgrade their seat for weekend trips with their wife found both Mustang Wide Touring and Saddlemen Explorer seats to be viable options.
Ultimately, the choice between Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats will depend on your personal preference, body shape, and specific needs for your motorcycle. A good approach would be to try out different seats at tech sessions or meet-and-greet events, as mentioned by an owner who we spoke to about the Mustang Ultimate or Saddlemen Road sofa discussion.
Final Verdict On Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring Seats
We have compared the Saddlemen Road Sofa vs Mustang Super Touring seats in various aspects, and they both have their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the information we gathered, the Saddlemen Road Sofa offers a wider, contoured seat that provides comfort for extended rides.
On the other hand, the Mustang Super Touring seat is praised for its thinner and firmer design, which may vary in comfort depending on individual preferences. The choice between these two seats ultimately comes down to personal taste and specific riding needs.
In terms of additional features, some riders may appreciate the removable and adjustable backrest offered by Saddlemen Road Sofa’s Deluxe Touring Seat. However, we must note that the Mustang Super Touring seat is also highly recommended due to its quality and the brand’s reputation in the motorcycle community.
When considering these seats, we highly recommend that riders try both options in person, if possible. Attending meetups or tech sessions where other riders have the seats could be a great opportunity to compare and make an informed decision based on personal comfort.