Super Meteor 650 TOURING seat fitting and REVIEW

[@bobbys0642]

Also shoutout of appreciation to Mrs T for getting on cam and talking. Her contributions really do resonate with others as a pillion. My wife watched this and agrees whole heartedly hearing from a passenger perspective and not just the rider.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thanks. She”s a little reluctant to be on camera, as you can imagine. But she did really well. Confidence growing. Looking forward to our long trip in October. 🙏

[@pistonheater]

Thanks alot for this valuable feedback .. Mine comes stock with TOURING SEAT INSTALLED with BACKREST too .. and I was going to change to single seat for just to look cool ,.. But I now understand that it would be hurtful for my rider to seat on those SPLIT seats .. So now i m sticking to my stock touring seats that came with my bike ..

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Your welcome. But an aftermarket single seat is better again. For those times you do t have a pillion 🙏

[@bobbys0642]

Very interested to see the new aftermarket seat. I upgraded to the Touring seat and personally found it quite good. Once the break in period is done its improved even more so. I guess the thing I keep an open mind about is that both seats but especially the touring seat isn't a 1 seating position for everything. Instead it is a seat that prompts or encourages you to shift around for different maneuvers. Some might dislike that idea but I personally like that it makes me feel like I need to really ride it, shift around and focus on balance and posture to get the most out of the bike. Especially for low speed steering. As a riding instructor I found a fair bit of trial and error getting low speed u-turns and circles to feel easy and tight. Once I realized how much shifting around on the seat helped I came to have a new appreciation for the seats and how much flexibility it does give you to shift around. Anyway that is my 2 cents. Hopefully someone agrees and I am not just in a state of copium. Haha. Cheers Mr T.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Many thanks also. Low speed u turns I have always struggled with on this bike. Especially coming from the Meteor 350, which had twice the turning circle. The handle bars, instruments and controls look the same. Even the tank. So your brain thinks you have the old turning circle, which you don’t. It’s caught me out many times. RE blame it on the upside down forks. But they are still miles away from the tank when on full lock. The stoppers are too big. Annoying! Maybe I need some lessons 🙏

[@bobbys0642]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand The stoppers are a tad excessive. As I understand it, it is partly due to the increased ride hight if the bike as well as the weight. Turning your bars more than we currently can would I believe contribute to more folding of the forks and increase to dropping the bike at low speeds or straddle walking. Especially for beginners. But I can say with some practice using real counterbalance and seating position I am able to effectly turn this the SM650 to a comparable turning circle as the CB125's we use as training bikes. Took me about 8 weeks of consistent practice before I got it down pat. Just goes to show after a decade or more of riding it's still fun to be able to practice and learn even an old skill on a new machine.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@bobbys0642 Because I can’t turn as much as I want to, or think I can, that causes me more to nearly fall off at slow speed. And with the Meteor 350 it was no problem. With the 650 I can’t even do a U turn on a dual lane road here. At least one or two 2 shunts. Tempered to get the angle grinder out 😂🙏

[@bobbys0642]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand now there is an idea. Haha

[@Griffindor21]

...cant wait for next week👍

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Hope you are subscribed 😂🙏

[@akidrosli7917]

Hope you film the long trip down south! Perhaps a trip to Malaysia one day? :D

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yes that’s the plan also 🙏

[@jonoxford6447]

Good to see you two getting out and about on the 650.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Ha ha. Thanks. It’s been a while. 🙏

[@Fortunato0405Mauro]

Great, the video of the "Seat Saga" of your SM650. Congratulations.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I think that’s a compliment 😂🙏

[@freddy9210]

Thank you, Mrs T 🎉🎉 Good to hear from you.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thanks a lot 🙏

[@GaryUnwin-u2x]

Yes found it in the end. I’m taking delivery of same bike with touring seat and windshield added. Hopefully gonna like it.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Cool 🙏

[@JeffTubb08]

Awesome video again Mr T, thank you Mrs T for your input on the touring seat. Still waiting for my bike to be ready to collect from the dealer, can't come quick enough.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

You will be a boy with a new toy soon. All the best with it, and thanks for watching 🙏

[@StixDarKlor]

The look on her face when you said you'd ordered more seats 🤣😂 Really interesting video and glad that Mrs T liked the seat, bodes well if I decide to get one too. Interested to see how next week's video pans out though and how the comfort differs between the three seat types. Oh, and was it lower for you compared to the stock seat, I too suffer the short leg syndrome :D Thanks again Teacher T :D

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Ha ha yes. Looks and feels lower, but still the same footing. No difference. The only thing that helped me was changing my rear shocks from the standard 310mm to 290mm Meteor 650 suspension upgrade. Hagon Shocks - Are they any good? kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5mUe2NvoJarrdk 🙏

[@StixDarKlor]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Brilliant thank you :D

[@freddy9210]

Awesome video, Teacher T 🎉🎉

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. We try our best 😂🙏

[@TriumphRascal]

Another great video. I’m looking forward to seeing the next one so I can consider my future options for replacing my seat. I’ve just bought a screen (RE OEM) for mine, have you considered fitting one? I literally fitted it today and have only travelled 5 miles, so I can’t really say whether I recommend it yet, but I can say that I can feel the air hits my helmet now.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I had the windshield installed on my Meteor 350. I understand the buffeting you are feeling, which is why I won’t fit one to my Meteor 650. But if you experiment with the angle of the shield a little bit you should find a sweet spot 🤞🙏

[@straightup1234]

Loving this super meteor 650, after 2nd bike (cruiser style) just came across channel, need to check out your review of this bike ❤

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Lots of videos to watch. I have a love hate relationship going on with the bike. But lately more love, and less hate as we are slowly ironing out comfort issues. 🙏

[@straightup1234]

@Teacher-T-Thailand Thanks for reply u have great passion for motorcycles & seem to know this bike well!! Riding a cb1000r but want a lazy cruiser that's not too expensive. Royal enfield are great value & got great character 👏

[@jackh1749]

I have had my RI SM 650 Celestial Green for about a week now. I bought it from our local CM dealer (about 5 minutes from my condo) with the factory panniers (which I have come to like) and the touring seat which my wife likes but after an hour I start to feel like I might need to explore for some improvement for myself. I will be eagerly awaiting your review of the new gel seat. Overall, I absolutely love this bike and I will be over the moon if I can improve on the comfort of the touring seat somehow. Staying tuned.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Sure. You can see them / trial them if you are attending the ‘One Ride’ on the 22nd? Myself and Mrs T are attending. 🙏

[@gsoni79]

Awaited video thank you teacher t

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

You are welcome 🙏

[@Moonsunstar777]

Beautiful couple 🍀

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thank you. 20 years together 👌🙏

[@codemonkey181]

Ah bloody hell... QR code?! I installed mine by scrutinizing you tube videos. Every day is a learning day 😂

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yes for me too lol 😂

[@lnk4328]

At 5’8”, I find the touring seat very comfortable and have done 600 mile days without issue. Also have no issue with its looks. I am looking forward to RE releasing the KXA00212 luggage rack.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Nice. Is that the rack that fits on the back rest? It’s a shame they are so slow with accessories. 🙏

[@lnk4328]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Yes, attaches to the backrest side rails.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@lnk4328 as always, a little too late. So many aftermarket options that have beaten them to it. 🙏

[@OriginaleasyD]

I have about 1,400mi on my SM650. It's the Celestial so it came with the touring seat. I've owned a lot of bikes and this is by far the least comfortable, most painful seat I've ever experienced on a bike. I'm thinking about trying the Sahara seat.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Make sure you watch next week's video then 😂🙏

[@TyphoonPilot1]

Thanks TT.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@pete147]

Hi Teacher T, I’m not sure my wife would have appreciated me buying more seats 😂 however , I’m very happy with the touring seat but I need to do a longer ride to fully review it. I’m already Looking forward to seeing the next video. 😊

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@pete147 I think I will have at least one set of seats for sale again soon 😂 Mrs T is very understanding 😂🙏

[@DutchBigTwinLover]

I am still struggling with the standard seat. I tried the touring seat in the shop where I bought the bike, but that did not feel as if it would give more comfort. For the pillion yes, but not for the rider. My former bike was a HD Fatboy from 2010 and that seat was very, very comfortable. Maybe because it much bigger size in wide and hight. I could ride for ours and never feel uncomfortable. On the SM seat after an hour or so, its start hurting my but. I hope to find a better seat for my bike. I am not going to make any changes to the current seat. My wife owns the same bike and she never complains about the seat. Anyway, Thanks very much for the indept videos and keep up the good work. 🙂 Greetings from The Netherlands.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I feel for you. I recently made a video reviewing the Harley Davidson Street Glide. I have never ridden a motorcycle with such a comfortable seat. So coming from HD to RE is certainly not going to be kind to your butt. You”ve experienced the best, so nothing can compare. I’ll keep comparing seats till I find something good. Hang in there, and thanks for watching and commenting 😂

[@DutchBigTwinLover]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand I saw that video where you road on the Streed Glide. That bike is on my bucket list but as you know, Haley's are getting so insane expensive that I probably never can afford one again. For the price I got for my FB I could almost buy two RE's. My wife wanted to get her own bike instead of riding as a pillion thats why I traded my HD for 2 RE's. Do I miss my HD?? .... mmmm...Yes. 🤭 I miss the sound, the torc and de comfort. But yeah, it's like comparing apples with oranges. 😛 Do I like my RE? Yess!! I love it. I would like to have a better sound. In the Netherlands I can by a Zard exhaust which is legal and should sound much better than the stock ones. On my HD, 1585cc/ 96CI I had V&H's 😎 There is a short clip of my HD on my KZbin channel. Check it out if you like. I think you like that sound. Are you planning on changing your exhausts?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@DutchBigTwinLover Mrs T is getting to the stage where she wants me to buy her a bike instead of riding pillion. To be honest I would not like riding pillion either. Trouble is she is so small even the Meteor 350 is too tall and heavy for her. Yes I will change exhausts when possible. Rhino racing is easier for me to get here, and they do sound good. 🙏

[@DutchBigTwinLover]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Mrs J is just 1,68m tall. She only struggles sometimes to pull the bike backwards. 30 years ago she started on a Suzuki Savage 650 which is a very low bike. You can still find these bikes in good condition second hand. It’s a chopper kind of bike not for the highway but very comfortable and good quality. I love the sound of the new Rhino exhaust but I don’t think they ship them to Europa. (NL)

[@MMilewski78]

I am really interested how's the after market seat going to feel and fit to the bike. I don't like the look of the RE Touring seat but I need to come up with something to make my Mrs' bum hurt less. I am moving towards the something like ComfortAir Seat Cushion pads. I have a backrest from Givi. For me looks better and for a pillion the support is much higher than the RE one.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Im with you I don’t like the look of the touring seat. But it isn’t much time to switch seats. And Mrs T really thinks the touring seat is a vast improvement for her. So days of long travel planned with her, the touring seat will be going on 🙏

[@sellignomod83]

Hi Teach, thank you for this video. Would you say the touring seat is lower than the original. I find the original seat is kind of wide a bit and a bit high. Did it helped to change to the touring seat?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Not lower sadly. The same. Consider changing the rear shocks from the original 310 mm to 290 mm if you are looking to lower the bike 🙏kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5mUe2NvoJarrdk

[@davidskaggs9914]

My experience is that 3 hours is ok at the beginning of the journey, but even with the best seat two hours is best for breaks. If navigation says 6 hours it will take at least 8 to 9 hours. This is for multiple day journeys in order to not feel too fatigued and to be able to enjoy the trip. I now plan my trips so I ride no more than 7 or 8 hours total and stop well before dark to explore the areas I am visiting along the way. I think of long rides as a marathon. I would much rather do a 10k instead of a full marathon at my age and I've never been tied to a desk so I'm pretty fit.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I don’t whine we will be riding for more than 6 hours a day. Break it down to 2 to 3 hours at a time. It’s just great to get Mrs T back on the bike. I don’t want to scare her off. And the beauty with Thailand, it’s easy to find accommodation, and not need to book in advance most of the time. We will just stop where it feels right 🙏

[@plandovanje]

Happy I could help Mr T 🫡

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

You will feature next week also? How are you finding the touring seat now after you cut it like I did?

[@plandovanje]

I do not own a RE. Yet! Once I do, it will be Shotgun 😎

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@plandovanje it’s a nice bike. I had great fun riding it on my review kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXPSn2yubriVoaMsi=g-DiKX6bAS0QIygR

[@KarinaSM650]

Hey T how are the Panniers going with the mounting stay, no issues with suspension?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

No problem. And no worries. As confirmed by Hagon, my after market shocks manufacturer. As long as you torque to 45 Nm all is good. The shot gun pillion subframe bolts onto the same location. And a saddle bag is a lot lighter than a pillion lol. Over tightening is the issue that causes problems

[@BobfmBali]

As RE have a modular system of building bikes I was wondering if either the Shotgun or Shotgun touring would fit the SM?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Yes pretty much. I’m sure it may be possible to fit the Shotgun floating seat on the Meteor as it has a tubular T piece under the seat. But the Meteor touring seat won’t fit the shotgun I don’t think, as the rear mud guard on the Shotgun is not weight bearing. A pillion sub frame has to be added 🙏

[@leswatson8563]

Everyone I know luvs my touring seat 🤷. I'd have put good money down that Mrs T would feel the same. My rest is factory set right back. That allows the passenger to push back against the back rest allowing just a little bit more passenger leg room on long rides. As for me Teacher T. I've ridden both models. And I do think my touring seat feels softer than the RE model that you have. Mind you I am really interested to hear your thoughts on the new aftermarket seat in your next vid. By the way. Youngsters were crab fishing in Padstow while I was there! Safe October cruising to you both 🤘😊...

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

The touring seat is more comfy than the original single seat. But after I cut it, it’s as comfy as the touring seat. So no change for me. But a huge improvement for Mrs T.. I won’t mention the crabs. 😂🙏

[@leswatson8563]

​@@Teacher-T-Thailand jolly good 😂👍

[@ajayrai-bx5tq]

Is the touring seat more comfortable that the split seat​@@Teacher-T-Thailand

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

@@ajayrai-bx5tq for the pillion yes, but for the rider not really 🙏

[@ajayrai-bx5tq]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand how are the hagon shock absorbers, is it worth replacing?

[@MR1FLYINGPIG]

I know it sounds weird but the touring seat bends in half. DO NOT TRY FOLDING IT ALL THE WAY! There is a point in the middle above the rider seat that has no structure/brace. Apply pressure to bend the seat and you can remove it in and out with ease so you don’t have to remove the back rest. I have one and I needed to take it off once that’s how I found out. The front of the rider seat mounts into the tank and that mount acts as a stopping point allowing you to apply force to bend the seat.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

In hindsight sight, you can unbolt one side rail also. But yes I agree with you 👍🙏

[@abdulrahmanfarooqi2293]

wouldn't Mrs. T need a wider foot rest!! or I missed seeing it!

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

No complaints about the original foot rests from Mrs T ,,🙏

[@RamanathanSrinivasan]

Thank you for the video, I was going to switch to touring and I wanted an easy swap. Now I will wait for your gel seat. Can you tell me where you ordered the gel seat in India ?

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I will reveal all next week 😂🙏

[@RamanathanSrinivasan]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Not fair , I need to wait for 604,800 seconds now

[@RamanathanSrinivasan]

@@Teacher-T-Thailand Found the seats, you gave a visual clue when you showed the seats, of course I will not reveal the brand, it's looks good in their website but will wait for your real life review before I buy them

[@gsoni79]

It's a shame on Royal Enfield part to not put any thought in the touring seat fitment

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

Again made on a budget. Mrs T certainly likes it. Long journey will tell 🙏

[@rockintigger]

You don’t fancy an angle grinding mod then?🤭

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

That will be another video 😂🙏

[@RyGuyTheAVGuy]

QR codes have been around for over 15 years guy...

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

I haven’t bought anything for 15 years. 😂🙏

[@amitchakrabarti1403]

I think as RE owners we try too hard to improve the bikes. But at the end of the day it is a lost cause. As riders we can endure the pain, but our better halves have no incentive to do so. If we plan to tour with our partners we have to ditch RE and search for better alternatives.

[@Teacher-T-Thailand]

There are better alternatives out there for sure. But they cost at least 2 or 3 times the price. So I’m on a mission to spend a little money to improve comfort where it’s needed. Slowly winning 🙏