Sorry to drag up an old topic, but after doing a search on the issue, I wanted to see if something like this link below would work on my f4i

http://www.itrocks.com/motorcycles/gel_seat.htm

Seems like the guy did this mod to his SV, and I know that SV's have like 3" of foam to work with on the stock seat, but after this mod the poster said he got bout 2-2 1/2" drop w/o ****in with the suspension. My ? is could this work on my bananna seat too?

I'm bout 5'4" w/ a 29-30in inseam and can barely tiptoe the bike @ stops. I'm certain I do not want to go down the dogbone route and I know a lot of people do the lean @ stops, but I am relatively new to riding -- just jumped off a 07 kawi 250 and onto my 05 F4i a month ago -- and I feel like I still need a least the ***** of my feet touching. Thanks

 

Take your seat toyour local upolstry guys (for like cars seats) and ask them what they think and how much there is to play with. Those guys can generally do anything (from my own experience) and it will look stock.

 

Hey thats a pretty good idea. I am 5'4" with a 29" inseam also. What I have been doing is when I come to a stop light, I put my right foot flat on the ground and my left foot on the peg to hold up the bike. But taking out 3" of padding is pretty smart. I don't really want to lower my bike because I don't want to ruin the ergonomics of my ability to lean on corners.

 

I'm 5'1 with a 27" inseam. I bought lowering links already but this seems like a good idea. I need a nice drop though to ride comfortably though. I really didn't want to mess with the seat though. I would also like to know if anyone has tried this on the an F4i.


I too just upgraded from the 07 250. Going to get an 02 F4i this weekend.

 

I am going to do this to my bike. I got some neoprene 1/2" padding on ebay and will put it in next week. The padding only cost 8.99 and you can cut it easier than gel. I got two sheets of 1 foot by 2 foot. So if I need to make it thicker, I can just put on two layers. I'll take photos to show you how it turns out.

 

Another thing I have heard of is vertically challenged people getting the seat narrowed, so not to loose the cushion on the rump. A buddy of mine just did it to his new Harley and he was really pleased. He can almost flat foot at stops where he was tip toes before.

 

I think anything below 5"4 depending on your inseam your gonna need to lower it. I personally wouldnt go more then 1in front and rear. I bought mine lowered and raised her back up, im about 5'7-5'8. idk my inseam but will measure later on. Here is a difference between lowered and not, pics are almost at identical places so check it out and see the difference. It was 1in rear and 1 3/4 front thru the triple tree. P.S. I can get most of my feet flat, but i lean to one side sometimes unless on a hill or something, lots of those around here.
Lowered

Stock height


See the height difference? It changes your peg height and exhaust/kickstand height. So the more you can do without lowering the better it is.

 

Oh and think about this, depending on where you are you might be on the seat more then at stops (my case) so idk if making the seat more uncomfortable is a good idea. Just get some thin gel inserts completly replacing the phone. Its more comfortable anyways.