Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin
Harley’s Sport Glide is proving to be a very versatile motorcycle, not least of which are its capabilities as a mile muncher, and while the tech articles in recent issues have dealt with improving performance, we have also been improving on its touring credentials, starting with the seat.
From a rider’s butt viewpoint, I’ve had no real issues with the stock seat, even on 350-mile days. However, the same cannot be said for any unfortunate passenger and many owners defer to a more appropriate one piece touring seat, then complain about the looks.
Despite these limitations, the stock seat does suit the lines of the bike – which is another example of a brilliant styling exercise – but the whole look is arguably compromised if a more practical seat that looks as though it came from an Electra Glide is substituted.
Enter Mustang, whose touring options have been much favoured in the USA by high mileage and Iron Butt aficionados for many years.
Mustang gives us an excellent choice for the Sport Glide – as well as other models – with a solo touring seat option to which a separate pillion seat – as well as a rider backrest – can be very easily added or removed. So, as well as the additional comfort desired by us higher mileage riders, we also have very easily configurable styling combinations.
And of the various styling permutations available, this particular Mustang Touring Solo has their ‘dagger stitch’ pattern and a built in receiver for an easily installed and removed rider backrest.
The seat is wonderfully well made and oozes quality. Fitment utilises an existing additional ‘keyhole’ in the stock rear fender, usually hidden by the original one piece seat, using a supplied fixing screw and spacer that also allows the easy slot-in attachment of the optional pillion seat, which is then fastened at the rear using the existing OEM fixing point.
The rider backrest simply slots in to the built-in receiver when required, which incorporates a rake adjustment.
And if riding solo, and additional storage capacity is required, the space normally taken by the pillion seat can be used to mount a fender rack.
I’ve got around 1500 miles in this particular saddle, and have to say that it is exceptionally well put together and is very, very comfortable.
Not only does the Mustang Touring Solo take the already versatile Sport Glide to a whole new level, thanks to a combination of good-looking complimentary parts, it makes long days in the saddle even more luxurious. / Boz