A Remedy for the DR650 Seat (Torture Device)!

The DR650 is a great bike! The seat really sucks though. Here is a way to fix this problem at a lower cost than purchasing a new seat. There are some considerations to be aware of which are in this video.
ProCycle Seat Foam and Cover kit: procycle.us/pr...
Seat Concepts Replacement Seat: procycle.us/pr...
Cheers!
#dr650 #dr650seat #dualsport #advbike

[@ullithebully]

Great video DOC !! The original seat is no joke being a torture plank !

[@pilotdane1]

ULLI !!!

[@ullithebully]

@@pilotdane1 DANE 💪

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks Ulli! I was a bit of a struggle to complete but hopefully it helps a few people along the way. Yeah, the stock seat is like riding on a board! Cheers!

[@danebumpus6335]

From South Carolina - LMFAO !!! DOC - You are correct, as usual - I was "ok" on the stock seat for about 70 miles and that was about it. Had the stock seat for years because I don't ride terribly far - but glad I finally changed it !!! I love your honesty and even showed what did not work that well. I was afraid to use the "kit" only because of the stapling.... You made it look easy with the air stapler. Cheers !!!

[@verbalwidget7267]

Dane!!

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks Dane for the kind words! Recovering the seat was way more difficult than I thought it would be due to this being the first time I have done one. The hardest part is trying to stretch the fabric really tight so you can staple it to the seat. Major PITA and I am not talking about about bread LOL!

[@bigtrev761]

🇦🇺😎👍Hey mate I couldn’t agree more. I’ve done 260000 kms in my stock DRasaurass seats and they never , never get better never ever . In fact last nite I was riding home on a 40 k ride and I started getting sciatica. Un-believable! Great video

[@doc650adventures]

Cheers Big Trev! Sorry to hear you are a victim of the stock seat. The recovered seat is much better by far! Hope with a new seat you can get back to normal! Cheers Mate!!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

I used to enjoy putting new seat covers on my motocross bikes. I haven't done it in a few years though.

[@pilotdane1]

GRUMP !!!!

[@doc650adventures]

This might be the only one I do. It was quite a challenge to finish. AHA! That's why you are such a good rider! I figured you had a background in trail/ motocross riding!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

@@doc650adventures I've been riding since I was 10 years old and motocross and trail riding has always been my favorite type of riding. I sold my last dirt bike (KTM 350) about 3 years ago. I don't have a go slow button so my wife likes me riding the adv bikes a little more 😁

[@pilotdane1]

DOC !!! - Awesome video !!! Funny too !!! - This video (over time) is gonna get a shit ton of views. Great tutorial on upgrading the seat with the kit VS just bolting on a new one. A really good job brother - especially the need for an "air stapler" !!!! Cheers !!!

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks OBI! I figured you would like the picture of the DR650 rider after enduring the stock seat. Recovering the seat was a challenge for sure. I will be doing a follow up on how much it improves the riding experience in the near future. The air stapler is a great tool to have. I actually bought it awhile back to staple up fence wire to posts. I never suspected I would be using it to redo a seat LOL!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

I'm from SC but I prefer at least to wear flipflops 😁 and going to a happy place sounds like fun.

[@doc650adventures]

LOL! I thought you and TImmy wore the Mighty Seekway Water Shoes! I have heard "Seekway is the Way!"

[@TheBeardedGrump]

@@doc650adventures we switch from flipflops to Seekways when the terrain gets extreme. Lol You're right Seekway is the way 😉

[@spaztech]

I love DIYing everything I can, but I've never attempted a seat refoaming.. maybe one day? Well done video Doc! Anything we can do to alleviate a pain in our arse is worth doing in my opinion. 😂

[@doc650adventures]

Spot on Spaztech! This was the first (and probable the last time) recovering a seat I have done. It was harder than I thought it would be for sure. Going on a test ride today to see how it feels. Thanks for watching Man! Cheers!

[@OneOldManRiding]

Doc I appreciate the thorough install, and I am looking forward to a more long term review after you put it to long term use. Perhaps on a ride down south... That said, I watched a video with five sure fire ways to grow your KZbin channel earlier today, and you did not hit ANY of them... - Frank

[@TheBeardedGrump]

I like said he should have titled it my seat is too hard on my new bike on new bike day 😁

[@OneOldManRiding]

@@TheBeardedGrump 100%

[@pilotdane1]

FRANK !!!! "CLASSIC" LOL

[@doc650adventures]

@@TheBeardedGrump Perfect title! LOL! I wonder how many DR650s Suzuki would sell if they allowed for test rides LOL!

[@doc650adventures]

Hey Frank! Yeah, I will try harder next time. LOL! I would buy another bike but I have run out of room in the garage. It is starting to look like the Suzuki Dealership, LOL!

[@randomlyTrees]

Good stuff, Doc, I agree with all points. I went the DIY route with a Seat Concepts pad and cover on my old CRF250L. It was a cost savings over purchasing the completed seat from them, but took me half a day or better to do. Also found I had to get a different staple gun. I eventually used an electric stapler, which did alright but I had to go buy it, so that cut a little into what I would have saved. On the DR650, I decided to save myself time and just bought the full seat instead of DIY. All in all, it comes down to which resource you have more of, time or money. The upgrade itself is definitely worth doing.

[@doc650adventures]

Thank You Andrew! The more I got into the task at hand the more I began to realize how much work it was. The DIY stuff is fun to do until it becomes more of a challenge than you originally thought. The air stapler was a much have in order to fully seat the staples into the seat pan. I did the same as you with my other DR and just bought a Seat Concepts seat. The recover kit is working out really well so far. Great points on making sure you have enough resources to do the job. I hope you are doing well great up there in the PNW and I am looking forward to seeing you out and about in your next video! Cheers Brother!

[@ParallelCamper]

Great video DOC. I 'm still running the stock seat on the DR but have an inexpensive pad attached. I think that a new seat is in the future. Thanks for the well wishes. Had a couple of medical appointments and everything is good for recovery.

[@pilotdane1]

ROB !!!

[@verbalwidget7267]

Geart to hear about your recovery Rob, I'm 100% with DOC, I miss seeing you on YT.

[@doc650adventures]

Thank You Rob! Even a pad is a big improvement over just the stock seat. I am rather surprised at how expensive both the recovering kit and a new seat are. Just wanted to send you some well wishes which I believe we all are thinking of. Glad to hear your recovery is progressing nicely!

[@CHUNKYNUGGET666]

Job done! I staple it all up with sacrificial staples then I staple it properly when tension is in it. Tends to look neater👍

[@doc650adventures]

Great tip! Sounds like a great technique!

[@swedishrick377]

DOC!!! "torture device" 😂🤣😂 Great alternative to paying more for a seat for sure if you have the tools like you said. Don't you know that Suzuki purposely designed it that way so we could stand and improve our riding 😂. Too bad the seat cover didn't come in that very cool pink-purple foam color though! 🤣Nice job and cheers brother!

[@doc650adventures]

Rick!! I think you are on to something about Suzuki forcing riders to stand up! Unfortunately, they do not offer a pink cover LOL! I think it would have set off the white of the DR quite nicely! Thanks for the kind words Man! Hope you are getting a chance to ride out there in between rainstorms! I appreciate the support!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

You should have titled the video. My seat is too hard on my new bike on new bike day 😁😂

[@AdventureGlide]

🤣🤣🤣

[@doc650adventures]

HaHa! Good one! Funny thing is, my neighbor and friend Tim (imagine that one) has more seat time (poor bastard) than me on the Snow Pig. I have been loaning it to him until he gets a new V-Strom 650XT ADV. I think he is more excited about the new seat cover than I am. We did about 150 miles awhile ago and he was not a happy camper!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

@@doc650adventures awesome. I'm sure he's going to be pumped when he gets his V-strom. It's cool that you have a neighbor that rides. It's also cool that his name is Tim 😁

[@doc650adventures]

@@TheBeardedGrump He is a good dude who was "bitten" by the bug after riding the Snow Pig. He does still have a sore ass though. LOL! He is excited about the new seat cover. Hopefully, it won't take too long for a V-Strom to show up at the dealerships around here. I guess we should all have our own Timmys! Have a great weekend Brother!

[@smalltimer4370]

Your DR looks great man - very nice configuration!

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks you so much! They are great bikes and fun to modify. Appreciate your comment! Cheers!

[@perpetualmoto]

Doc this is so true. I put 60k miles on the stock seat and I wouldnt wish that on my worse enemy! Waterboarding may not be as devious and mind bending as the DR seat....must be some kind of preservation device developed through a millennia of riding on the DR...

[@doc650adventures]

WOW Brad! 60K on a stock seat? That has got to be a record! The gel seat is very comfortable and great for longer rides. I am still amazed at that many miles on a stock DR seat. Glad you can still walk!! LOL!

[@perpetualmoto]

@@doc650adventures the stock seat should be illegal - but i promised myself no upgrades for comfort...maybe in the future tho.

[@alexanyanEVN]

Thanx for share & Love from Armenia 🇦🇲

[@doc650adventures]

Thank you and all the best to you my friend!

[@RodKrisBisdakMotovlog]

That's definitely great motorcycle but the original designs is not also good for to see it. It really cool to modify for better. Keep it up and more vidz to come brother.

[@doc650adventures]

Hi RodKris! The seat that comes with the DR650 is terrible but easy to fix up. Thank you for watching and commenting! Hope all is well where you are at (I am thinking it is nice and warm)!

[@pjourneys5337]

Good making !

[@doc650adventures]

Thank You and thanks for watching!

[@jonwoodworker]

Nice video DOC. I was going to do the Pro Cycle seat then just said WTF and got the Seat Concepts. I like it because it's not bulky and still all day comfortable. I've always wanted to try a gel insert. I put a really expensive Sargent seat on my VFR800 20 yrs ago...I hated it then and I hate it now. Before spring, maybe I'll slip in a couple layers of cardboard...lol

[@doc650adventures]

Very true about the Seat Concepts seat. I have one on my first DR650 and it does well. Good point about it not being bulky. The ProCycle re-cover kit does add some bulk and height. Very comfortable though. As far as that Sargent seat, if you put enough cardboard in it, you can get it to the DR650 standard LOL!

[@grunta3370]

I've been through this.before , u need the stapler with the smaller gauge staples the penetrate deeper ..the thick heavy duty staples don't go in plastic deep enough

[@doc650adventures]

That makes a bunch of sense! Thanks for the tip! Cheers!

[@rebeltz2010]

True, same as some MOTO GUZZI's, sorta like sitting on a brick, but not as comfortable! I use a sheep skin as well, seems to help, cheers from Sth OZZ

[@doc650adventures]

I had not heard the Moto Guzzis had a torture device also. I bet the sheepskin doe work well. Cheers 🍻

[@garywinkworth3380]

you done a great job on that seat. thanks mate

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks Mate! It make a huge difference over the stock seat! Cheers!

[@jeffwright9431]

I bought a Seat Concepts for my DR650 and was unhappy. I found a used Corbin for $50 and I like it much more. Just finished a 1400 mile 7 day trip and I still had to stand up once in awhile but could generally do 50 to 60 miles before my butt was screamin.

[@doc650adventures]

Excellent! Glad to hear that you have a great solution to the seat issue! The SC seat is OK but it does take awhile to break in. Thanks for the info! Appreciate it!

[@cranerigging3604]

Nice work redoing the seat ! 👍 The original DR650 seat looks like it was borrowed from the RM series ..... Our DR650 came with the factory Suzuki Gell seat and it's not to bad for long rides .

[@doc650adventures]

Thank You! The original seat does look like it was for the RM series. A factory gell seat for the DR650? That would be great to have for sure. I have not seen that here the in US though. Really glad you like the video! Thanks for the comment!

[@modshiftmotion]

Nice.

[@doc650adventures]

Hey Mod! Great to hear from you! Hope you are doing good out there with all of that crazy rain! Glad you liked the video. Hopefully it helps someone who is tired of enduring the stock seat on the DR. Cheers Buddy!

[@modshiftmotion]

@@doc650adventures For sure! Been riding in the rain commuting through the rain, the DR has proven itself yet again. I'm sure the seat is such an improvement. Thanks for sharing.

[@justgjt]

I got the Seat Concept Tall Kit but l have not installed it yet because I dont have an air stapler and after watching whats involved I think l'll take it to an upolstery shop and get them to do it. l think they will do a better job at getting it snug and ripple free.

[@doc650adventures]

Probably a good idea to have the upholstery shop do it. I can tell you, it is really a struggle to get the fabric tight and then try to staple it down. Time will tell but I may do the same thing later LOL!

[@justgjt]

@@doc650adventures Good to hear you finally got happy buns Doc 👍🏻 🇦🇺

[@doc650adventures]

@@justgjt Thanks Bro! It is amazing how something so simple can drastically improve a ride. Cheers!

[@Jimo368]

If you think the 650 seat is bad, the 400 seat hurts as soon as you sit on it.

[@doc650adventures]

😂. I believe you! Fortunately, I have not had the opportunity to try one out. Thank you for watching! Cheers!

[@SWATT101]

I just took my seat to the local car upholstery shop...he's going to add two foam "wings" to the sides, keeping the front narrow and a inch of high density foam overlay. With a nice cover job...200Cdn vs 6-700 to get a ready built up here.

[@doc650adventures]

That is an excellent solution Sheldon! I am guessing the stock cover had enough material to fully cover the seat after the additional foam was installed. How much did the comfort improve? Really curious. Great idea! Thanks for posting your comment!!

[@SWATT101]

​@@doc650adventures hi no he's going to do a custom 2 tone cover grey and black...should turn out great.

[@doc650adventures]

@@SWATT101 Wow! That sound really nice! Not sure how, but it would be great to see how it turns out.

[@SWATT101]

​@@doc650adventuresGoogle maps review... Bancroft Ontario, Rainbow Auto Glass. There is a pic there.

[@deanhendrix3179]

In SC, in the low state, we be barefoot. In the mid state (armpit of the south Columbia) we go flip flop. In the upper state, close to the cultural meccas, we gots to go with Crocs.

[@jeramoo1147]

Thanks for this video. Very informative. What pannier racks are on those? And do you like them?

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks for the kind comment! The pannier rack is a Mule Packs system acmezoom.com/store.php

[@curtistackley4529]

Great video. How is the ProCycle seat compared to the Seat Concepts? I’ve had the Seat Concepts on my DR650, DRZ400SM & the Africa Twin that I have now. All of them were much better than stock but after an hour I need to stand up while riding. My bum hurts badly!

[@doc650adventures]

Hi Curtis! I have the seat concepts seat on my other DR and between the two, the ProCycle seat(recover job) just seems more comfortable. It is thicker and wider than the SC seat. I do not have a bunch of miles on it but first impression is it is more comfortable. Cheers!

[@curtistackley4529]

Thank you so much for the reply. I’ll go that route.

[@doc650adventures]

@@curtistackley4529 My pleasure! Happy to help!!

[@doublex632]

The problem with most of these dual sport seats is the slant, it puts a lot of pressure on your tailbone, thanks

[@doc650adventures]

Very true Double x! Combine that with less cushion and the tailbone is not happy. We often joke about the seats being this way to force you to stand on the pegs. Great comment! Thanks!

[@20TIL6]

“These fumes will put you in your happy place”. 😂

[@doc650adventures]

Glad you caught that one Robert! 😂Luckily, I never went to my happy place until I took the DR650 with the new seat for a test ride! Thanks for watching!

[@20TIL6]

@@doc650adventures replacing the stock seat was my first modification on mine. A 30 min ride was all it took!

[@doc650adventures]

@@20TIL6 I bet!! 30 minutes is about right to feel the pain of the stock seat. Same here on my other DR, I put the Seat Concepts seat on as the first mod.

[@davidfalgout7304]

cool deal.... I figured you might say to, ... "just get a sergeant to seat concepts". LOOKING FORWARD to your review of comfort the seat affords.... I wonder / and hope some will reply here comparing the sergeant to the seat concepts!

[@doc650adventures]

Will do David! I have a Seat Concepts seat on my other DR so a comparison of the recover kit will be easy! I can tell you, I did a log trip on the DR with the Seat Concepts seat and it did really well. I agree, it would be interesting to see or hear of a comparison of the Sargent vs. Seat Concepts seats. Stay tuned Bro for more! Cheers!

[@markroberts1838]

Don’t get an aftermarket “gel” seat . It’ll only add weight. I recommend an aftermarket foam one. Good tutorial

[@doc650adventures]

Great point! The gel seat is definitely heavier. Comfortable, but heavy.

[@markroberts1838]

I posted the remark before you mentioned the weight gain of a gel seat. Sorry, I should have waited to comment until I had watched the entire video. I have a 2023. Only mod so far is a lithium battery. Pro Cycle is like 2 hours from me but they are only a retailer and don’t do of adding aftermarket products on bikes. Luckily, I found a shop nearby who does but they charge $115 hr. I don’t have the tools or temperament to do any thing to tech so I’ll have to pay big $ to get the bush pig to where I want it to be. Thanks

[@doc650adventures]

@@markroberts1838 Hey Mark! Congratulations on owning a DR650! One of the best bikes ever made! As far as mods, I have other DIY videos on my channel that might help you depending on what your goals are. I can tell you that the mod I did to my DR is the suspension upgrade. It is the most expensive but has the highest performance improvement. Carb jetting and pipe make a significant difference also. Lots of the mods you can do yourself if you have some tools. Please keep me updated on your progress with your bike! Cheers Buddy!!

[@markroberts1838]

@@doc650adventures looks like they are the most dependable bike ever. I read up one one having 300k miles on it . Thanks for the heads up on the other DIY’s .Yeah buddy, I’m getting stoked!

[@pineywoodsriders2184]

Nice bush pig. Good job on the 2x4 seat replacement.

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks 👍

[@kriskjellquist1758]

Barefoot in SC... ha...in NC and I'm glad I'm not the only bonehead who walks around my garage barefoot!

[@doc650adventures]

😂😂😂Us Boneheads are everywhere!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

We will see how it will work for you while riding. A very informative video bro. I used that hand stapler when making a bed and experienced the same thing, it needs a lot of pressure to do it properly. Finally I made it but my hand was useless for some three days. :) p.s. I didn't have the possibility to use the pressure one that you did in this video.

[@pilotdane1]

GREGOR !!!!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@pilotdane1 Yeah, I am here. :)

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks as always for watching Gregor! Glad you enjoyed the video. The hand staplers are OK for light work but as you know, are not the right tool for serious work such as what you did with one. I imagine you hand was very tired after all o that work. Hope things are great for you my Friend! Cheers!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@doc650adventures After the next day my hand was OK, but I wouldn't do it again. :) I am fine right now. I have to say that the freezing days are here in Central Europe. Daily temperature in my town is now 4 degrees. :)

[@doc650adventures]

@@RRRRefuelRideRace Brrr! I was wondering how cold it was there. Makes riding a bit of a challenge. Hope you are staying warm my friend!

[@397coney7]

I bought one of those expensive seat concept seats. After one hour on the road, my ass hurts bad😂. Yes, its better then the stock seat, but spending $370.00, it should be comfortable for the whole damn ride. I just ordered an air cushion to sit on top of it. We’ll see if it helps.

[@doc650adventures]

Hey 397! I experienced the same thing on a longer ride to the NC Outer Banks. The Seat Concepts seat is an upgrade but as you said, it still is not as comfortable as expected. Mine has seemed to soften (break in) over time. The air cushion should make a difference. I have a big trip coming up and I should (for better or worse) have more info on how it does. Thanks for watching and commenting!! Cheers!

[@joserangel4392]

Where I can get this cushion? I’m looking to fix my seat

[@doc650adventures]

The seat cushion recover kit is available at ProCycle.com it works great!

[@Sportster2012]

Take it to a upholstery shop and just get it done

[@doc650adventures]

That is another option for fixing the terrible stock seat. You should do a video on how much easier it is to have someone else fix your seat! I would love to see it!

[@ronsexton3685]

Well the seat is way better than the DRZ400 seat.

[@doc650adventures]

Hi Ron! I did not know that the DRZ400 seat is worse than the DR650 seat. Suzuki can definitely do better with regards to the seats on both. Thanks for the comment! Cheers!

[@Dastardly_X]

🤘🏻🌟 🤘

[@doc650adventures]

Thanks Scott! Hope the video was useful and thanks for watching!

[@johnnorris2817]

i ride 50 miles everyday to work and i think the seat is fine

[@doc650adventures]

That’s great news! Glad you like the stock seat. Saves money also!

[@TommyNitro]

My used bike has a Sargeant seat....not a fan.

[@doc650adventures]

Interesting. I have not experience with Sargent seats but I am sorry to hear that it is not a good seat to ride on. So far, the recover of the stock seat with the ProCycle gel seat has been great. I have a Seat Concepts seat on my other DR650 and it does well.

[@TommyNitro]

@@doc650adventures I have a Seat Concepts on my Husqvarna. I like it a lot. This came with the bike when I bought it. After about 70 miles I'm getting really uncomfortable on it. I was honestly surprised.

[@doc650adventures]

@@TommyNitro That is surprising considering how much they cost. Great feedback you are providing Tommy! It should help someone chose the right seat. Cheers!

[@democracyornothing]

the first 800 miles it's a brick, then it doesn't feel as much

[@doc650adventures]

Very True!! Longer trips can get rough on the stock seat.

[@michaelhefford6420]

Just get a set of JIS screwdrivers.

[@doc650adventures]

They are a great thing to have for working on the DR650.

[@ssaa8664]

👍🏾