Pillion or solo: which looks better?

6703 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Geepers, Feb 6, 2019

Geepers

Discussion Starter · Jun 28, 2018 (Edited)

I know I'll only ride solo but can't decide if I like the clean fender look better than fender + pillion seat. The front of these bikes is so huge I'm kinda thinking they need the pillion seat to look a bit more balanced. On the other hand I hate having stuff on my bike that doesn't need to to be there! I see Sammy-D has removed his seat but can't tell from his photo (in Gallery) what the effect really is. Any comments from those who have removed the pillion seat and grab rails? Are you glad you did it? Or maybe you think you'll put them back?

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

PAVALKER

· #2 · Jun 28, 2018

what if....the opportunity arises to get a big breasted woman on the pillion holding on to you and resting them on your back? Without a rear seat..... that opportunity would likely not happen. LOL

Reactions: 2

Geepers

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 29, 2018

Hmm…the seat's definitely coming off.

jfro5867

· #4 · Sep 9, 2018

I removed the side covers to adjust the rear shock and spotted the positive terminal on the battery was really loose. A breakdown lying in wait. So much for dealer PDI's eh .......... Anyhow, in order to get to it without scratching anything I decided to whip the seat off, i could see that the bracket under the seat was two piece so i have put it back on as solo. I like it. I have removed the pillion pegs to clean up the look. I am leaving the rear grab handles on though because pushing it backwards without would be a nightmare.

Hot Rod

· #5 · Sep 9, 2018

This wasn't an issue for me. When I rode bike home it was about an hour & a half ride .....The stock seat was done at that point. Ordered a Corbin Gunfighter .....a whole lot more support & best looking seat currently available for the Valks.......

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Geepers

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 9, 2018

jfro5867 said:
...I am leaving the rear grab handles on though because pushing it backwards without would be a nightmare.

Hadn't thought of that…remove the seat but leave the grab rails. Are you able to post a picture?

jfro5867

· #7 · Sep 9, 2018

That bike of yours looks mint. Very nice indeed.

Not sure if i can get a picture on here, i will have a go and see if i can do it. Its so easy to do though literally a few allen bolts and you are done, have a go and see what you think......

jfro5867

· #8 · Sep 9, 2018

Geepers,
Its lobbing it down with rain so i took this in the garage, its not the best picture in the world but you get the gist. In person it looks nice. The solo seat has a bit more shape than you think because the pillion pad covers it @up.;

See less See more

Reactions: 1

jfro5867

· #9 · Sep 9, 2018

Sorry didnt work cant do it .

See less See more

Prgrmerror

· #10 · Sep 9, 2018

The Corbin gunfighter is the best looking seat IMO but... without an option for a backrest it’s not going to be on my must have list. I have a 2up Corbin and love it. It’s broken in and fits me like a glove. I’m wondering out loud here. What’s to stop a local seat place from removing the cover and making it into a gunfighter with a backrest then recovering it???

JackB

· #11 · Sep 9, 2018

I like it without the rear seat and grap bars, but I would like a rear rack where the seat was.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

flatman

· #12 · Sep 9, 2018

solo

See less See more

Swagfu

· #13 · Sep 11, 2018

Prgrmerror said:
The Corbin gunfighter is the best looking seat IMO but... without an option for a backrest it’s not going to be on my must have list. I have a 2up Corbin and love it. It’s broken in and fits me like a glove. I’m wondering out loud here. What’s to stop a local seat place from removing the cover and making it into a gunfighter with a backrest then recovering it???

When I was customizing a seat for my GSX1250FA I had several seat builders tell me they wouldn't touch a Corbin. Something about the glue they use and how it affects the pan. Nobody ever really gave me a good reason in my opinion. I am with you on that thought. Someone could probably do it.

Geepers

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 3, 2019 (Edited)

Following suggestion from jfro5867 I removed pillion seat but left grab rails....like it a lot. That pillion seat is just plain fugly IMO....and unnecessary when you're a "solo only" rider. Seeing more of that delicious red paint is nice too

See less See more

use2b

· #15 · Feb 3, 2019

PAVALKER said:
what if....the opportunity arises to get a big breasted woman on the pillion holding on to you and resting them on your back? Without a rear seat..... that opportunity would likely not happen. LOL

wiser words have never been spoken but since i already have that department covered i added a back rest for her so i could lean back and she couldn't get away.

DillPickle311

· #16 · Feb 4, 2019

Geepers said:
Following suggestion from jfro5867 I removed pillion seat but left grab rails....like it a lot. That pillion seat is just plain fugly IMO....and unnecessary when you're a "solo only" rider. Seeing more of that delicious red paint is nice too

How does it look from the side? I like it too!

Geepers

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 5, 2019 (Edited)

More shots of grab rails without seat

Hopefully this gives a good sense of it....will take one from directly behind later. Will probably spray those two bolts red too (the ones in the fender)

See less See more

4

Valk

· #18 · Feb 5, 2019

Geepers said:
Hopefully this gives a good sense of it....will take one from directly behind later. Will probably spray those two bolts red too (the ones in the fender)

Geepers- I found some round plastic auto body panel clips (not sure exactly what they are called) at Autozone and trimmed the stems and screwed them down in those bolt screw holes.. they look much better than the screws... my bike is black and the round clips were gloss black so worked out well for me.. you might be able to paint those vs. painting the screws... just a thought.. Love the look of your bike! I too took the rear seat off (I also removed my grab rails)..

Rob

Reactions: 1

Geepers

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 6, 2019

Shot of grab rails / no seat from behind

See less See more

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.