I finally got around to replacing my seat. What a difference! It's like going from a padded folding chair to a La-Z-Boy.

I went with the Gripper top and vinyl sides with red thread. I also went with a slightly softer foam since I'd like to do more road trips on it. The gripper top is better then the stock seat. I also really like not having that ridge where the strap used to be. It's nice having it flared out a little more where I sit too.

Installation was a breeze. It took maybe a hour in a half. Most of that time was removing the old cover and prepping the pan for the new one.

The only thing I'll need to get used to is the roll when I accelerate. Because the stock seat was so firm you stayed in place when you accelerated. With this seat I feel myself being pulled back on acceleration and forward on hard stops. Again, minor differences and something I'm sure I'll get used to and adjust.

 

Niceeeee.

 

Looks great, I like the red stitching. You can get those wrinkles out if you work at it a bit.

 

That's interesting, I noticed your's doesn't have the same creases mine does. They're not wrinkles but stitches going across the front of the seat. I've seen another recently too with the same stitching. I wonder why some are that way and others aren't? Was your center piece padded? Mine has a thin pad between the two layers of vinyl. Maybe that's why it is stitched there, to keep the pieces together and from shifting. I think the very front of my seat can be tightened up. So the next time I have it off I might play with it a little.

Actually, if you look at the two seat they appear different. Follow the stitching to the tank and you'll see what I'm saying.

 

Its because one is for the 07 and older bikes. the one with the creases are on the 09 and newer.

 

Definitely look different to me. Looks like the red one is much thinner towards the tank, as compared to the green one. Are both of these bikes '09 or newer??? Could be a difference in the model years...

 

OK, that explains it. Mine is a 2012.

 

How does it affect the seat height with the wider seat? I'm only 5'7" so the KLX is about as tall as I would want a bike...

 

Good question! I'm 5'11" and before I could be close to flat-footed on the ground. Now I'm on the ***** of my feet. It's not so much the seat height as it is the width. The stock seat was so narrow it rode ride up in your crotch. This one is more of a seat and wider at the crotch.

 

Yeah that would be a problem for me. I'm on the ball of my foot so that means I would be on my tippy toes...