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Tony Archer vs Gel - Printable Version

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Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 27-03-13

Hi there fellow riders.
I'd appreciate your opinion on seat replacement for my FZ1S 2008 gen2.
I've had an incident with lower back recently (riding over pothole) whereas I had to move around the same way as my pregnant wife for a week.
After that i've decided to invest a little into backside comfort.
After speaking to Tony and looking at fleabay the options are as follows - re-foamed stock from TA for around 60 squid (it'll be higher by abt 25 mm tho) or Yamaha Comfort Gel one - on ebay £100-200.
Have you had any of those? Opinions?
Thanks!

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - sure2ride - 27-03-13

If you have hurt one of your disks in your lumbar spine I'd go for a higher re-foamed stock one. I have always had these on my Fazers. I tried a strap-on gel seat for the beemer 800st when I had it, which was comfortable on the old posterior, but did nothing for the shock absorbtion, unlike the re-foamed seat. See what density of foam you can get, maybe a mix with dense foam lower down and softer foam on top, and try on off cut on your seat if you can, that will help decide. But in my experience foam is better for shock ansorbtion if you have a disk problem, Hope that helps, and that your back pin improves.  Smile

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 27-03-13

Thanks a lot mate. That's the info i was looking for.

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - jeffco - 27-03-13

I had my FZS1  seat recovered by Tony, job well done and a great improvement over standard.

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 28-03-13

Thanks, that's what i've heard about Tony as well. I generally prefer foam over gel. What i was interested in is how does refoaming compare to the genuine Yamaha gel seat (not the gel pads - tried it before - it's crap).

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - DekF - 28-03-13

Hi
I've use all three types.
The stock seat was uncomfortable but I still managed 300+ days
I then tried the Yamaha 'touring' seat but it didn't offer much more comfort & I felt I was positioned too high in relation to the bars.
I am using a Tony Archer modified seat at the moment & it is very comfortable & retains a similar position as the stock seat. He did rider & pillion seats for £90.


Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - purplebear7 - 28-03-13

Smile  I had the seat on the 'Spanish Dancer' Honda CB1300 sidecar outfit completely re-built and re-covered to order by Tony .. while I waited  8) 

All organised and booked well in advance .. to be done during a ride from Holland back to Spain via Scotland. He also made me a one off matching additional 'cushion' insert .. to fit inside the sidecar seat (She's worth it  Wink ). 
 
All done with 100% expert workmanship and top class materials and just about unbeatable prices .. no complaints.

However .. he really is the most laid back bugger you'll ever meet  :rolleyes  so he does not always please everyone .. I've heard a few very valid complaints about his service. Give him time and listen to his advice .. you will not go far wrong.

I also recently got an Air Hawk inflatable jobby .. nice bit of extra $£€ comfort on my regular 500 to 750 mile days  :lol

I've never used a Gel insert .. but they are no use down here on the Costa Blanca anyway .. 40c+ temps in the summer can really hot things up on a bike .. frying your bum within minutes.  :\ .

Stay Cool Dudes  Wink    Trev

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 28-03-13

(28-03-13, 01:18 PM)DekF link Wrote: Hi
I've use all three types.
The stock seat was uncomfortable but I still managed 300+ days
I then tried the Yamaha 'touring' seat but it didn't offer much more comfort & I felt I was positioned too high in relation to the bars.
I am using a Tony Archer modified seat at the moment & it is very comfortable & retains a similar position as the stock seat. He did rider & pillion seats for £90.
piccy pls?

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 28-03-13

(28-03-13, 04:10 PM)purplebear7 link Wrote: Smile  I had the seat on the 'Spanish Dancer' Honda CB1300 sidecar outfit completely re-built and re-covered to order by Tony .. while I waited  8) 

All organised and booked well in advance .. to be done during a ride from Holland back to Spain via Scotland. He also made me a one off matching additional 'cushion' insert .. to fit inside the sidecar seat (She's worth it  Wink ). 
 
All done with 100% expert workmanship and top class materials and just about unbeatable prices .. no complaints.

However .. he really is the most laid back bugger you'll ever meet  :rolleyes  so he does not always please everyone .. I've heard a few very valid complaints about his service. Give him time and listen to his advice .. you will not go far wrong.

I also recently got an Air Hawk inflatable jobby .. nice bit of extra $£€ comfort on my regular 500 to 750 mile days  :lol

I've never used a Gel insert .. but they are no use down here on the Costa Blanca anyway .. 40c+ temps in the summer can really hot things up on a bike .. frying your bum within minutes.  :\ .

Stay Cool Dudes  Wink    Trev

Cheers. Not yet ready (old enough) for a sidecar but good to know Wink

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - jeffco - 28-03-13

If you log in...go into Media...Home  page 4  image 33, 34 , 35 are of the seat Tony did for me, I asked for the Corbin type and had the piping done to suit the bike.

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - jeffco - 28-03-13

Mmmm..ive just gone in to check and its no longer on page 4, but if you go thru it and look for image no 0033&0035 theyre there somewhere

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - dickturpin - 29-03-13

(28-03-13, 10:33 PM)jeffco link Wrote: Mmmm..ive just gone in to check and its no longer on page 4, but if you go thru it and look for image no 0033&0035 theyre there somewhere
can you tell us the sort of money involved.....i may have a ride to see the guy sometime

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - jeffco - 29-03-13

Due to age and recreational substance abuse decreasing the  my memory I cant remember the exact price. Certainly not £100 plus. I do remember thinking it was an absolute bargain. His workshop is right by Huddersfield RLCs ground . go online get his number and ask him. you may have to call several times to get an answer I remember

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - durchy - 30-03-13

Tony did mine on gen 2  fazer when I bought it two years ago.
He does a great job of recovering, and colour coded rider and pillion piping to
match engine covers and hugger (gold).
Can't say it's a comfortable ride, as after about 80-100 miles you need a break.
I think the original seat was rubbish to start with, and apart from the Airhawk types
which makes you much higher, and not good for shorter riders, I think you have to
just put up with the pain!
As for Tony Archer, he's just your typical one man band, they're all the same, not really
keen business people, you just have to go along with them! 


Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - purplebear7 - 30-03-13

Tailgate,  Hi Mate ..

I can't see what the 'sidecar' bit has to do with the Bike Seat .. sorry maybe I should not have included that word.
A seat on a Bike is a Bike seat  :\

As for your 'Not Old Enough'  :rolleyes  Well .. like most Solo riders .. you have no idea about the fun you are missing .. I had my first BSA 650 Black Flash outfit back in 1959 when I was about twenty.

Photo:  About 1962/3 Me on my Big Beautiful Vincent 1000cc V Twin and Watsonian Single Seat Sports Chair. 

Stay Safe .. keep well over  8)    Trev

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tex - 30-03-13


  Good pic, bet you wish you still had the bike now !!!

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - pitternator - 02-04-13

I ditto the comments about TA. I had my FZ-1 plank , sorry seat , refoamed by him in 06 and loved it. He is not to be rushed, has to be rung a few times to get results, but a fine job all the same. He has no shortage of work, so for the price he charges, I think its well worth the wait.

I also have an airhawk seat which really complements the seats I have on my bikes. I had my gen1 seat foam cut a bit as I have short inseam,its a diggerseats jobbie which is still comfy for most rides, the airhawk makes it alday comfy. Similarly on my GS, as its the low seat version, its not as comfy as a stock seat , so once again the airhawk helps out on tours .I get on the bike first , then put the cushion underneath me, so I get the benefit of the lowered seat.

I dont like gel at all, I find it very uncomfy. Always have gone for a foam seat anyday. The issue with the FZ-1 seat seems to be yamaha never thought people would be riding it for any time. I mean decent foam is pennies....why not fit it in first place !!

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - tailgate - 02-04-13

(30-03-13, 02:29 PM)purplebear7 link Wrote: Tailgate,  Hi Mate ..

I can't see what the 'sidecar' bit has to do with the Bike Seat .. sorry maybe I should not have included that word.
A seat on a Bike is a Bike seat  :\

As for your 'Not Old Enough'  :rolleyes  Well .. like most Solo riders .. you have no idea about the fun you are missing .. I had my first BSA 650 Black Flash outfit back in 1959 when I was about twenty.

Photo:  About 1962/3 Me on my Big Beautiful Vincent 1000cc V Twin and Watsonian Single Seat Sports Chair. 

Stay Safe .. keep well over  8)    Trev
Hiya. Meant to say appreciate your feedback on subj. Re sidecar.. bike's my excuse to leave missus at home, not to drag her along if you know what i mean.. Wink  awesome photo. wish i could flash something like this before my grandkids

Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - purplebear7 - 02-04-13

Smile  Please feel free to flash that old picture at anyone you like Buddy  8) 
In fact you can have all my grand kids and great grand kids as well if you like.

:\  PB


Re: Tony Archer vs Gel - pitternator - 03-04-13

Trev
I dont believe you were everthat young !  :lol