Saul’s Upholstery Sur-Ron Hex Seat: The Most Comfortable (and Grippiest) Upgrade I’ve Done
May 12, 2022
If you ride a Sur-Ron X for more than a quick rip around the block, you already know the seat is one of the first things that starts a negotiation with your body. The stock seat is firm, doesn’t give you much forgiveness over chatter, and on longer rides it can be the difference between “one more lap” and “I’m done.”
So I swapped over to a custom Sur-Ron X seat from Saul’s Upholstery—this newer design with a hexagon stitch pattern—and put real riding time on it to see if it’s just a cool look, or a legit comfort/control upgrade.
First impressions: this thing looks custom (because it is)
Right out of the box, the vibe is “built for your bike,” not “generic aftermarket.” The hex pattern is the headline, but the whole execution matters: full grain leather across the seat, contrasting orange thread, and orange piping that ties into an orange-accent Sur-Ron build really well.
I’ve run a previous Saul seat with more traditional stitching, and side-by-side the biggest visual difference is how much the hex pattern pops. It gives the seat a more technical, almost armored look—like it belongs on a supermoto setup.
Install: straightforward swap
Seat swaps on the Sur-Ron are refreshingly simple, and this one was no drama. Once it was bolted down, the fit and contour looked right immediately—similar overall shape to stock, but with a more built-up, finished profile.
The seat line also flows nicely with the bike’s frame. It sounds like a small thing, but on a Sur-Ron, the seat is such a big visual block that a well-contoured design makes the whole bike look more intentional.
The feel when you sit down: planted and noticeably softer
Before even rolling, the grip stood out. The leather is non-slip, and with the added texture from the hex stitching, I felt more “locked in” compared to my previous seat.
Comfort-wise, the gel insert is not subtle. Sitting still, it felt more forgiving than:
my earlier Saul seat without this same gel feel
the Luna float seat
and definitely the stock seat
If you’ve ever ridden your Sur-Ron over rough pavement or hardpack and felt the bike transmit every sharp edge straight into your hips, this immediately takes some of that bite away.
Test ride: the difference is instant
Within the first few seconds of riding, the upgrade was obvious.
More comfort over bumps
The gel and foam combo takes the harshness out of the ride. It doesn’t turn the Sur-Ron into a couch (it’s still a lightweight e-moto), but it smooths out the little hits and vibration that add up over time.
More grip, more control
Even wearing sweats, I felt planted. That matters more than people realize—because when you’re not sliding around, you’re not constantly re-adjusting your body position. You end up riding more confidently, especially when you’re accelerating, braking, or shifting your weight through turns.
Piping: no, it didn’t hurt my thighs
This comes up a lot with seats that have piping. In my riding, it wasn’t an issue at all. No rubbing, no sharp edge, nothing poking into my legs. The piping actually adds to the premium finish without creating a comfort penalty.
Design details that actually matter day-to-day
The hex stitching isn’t only cosmetic. It adds texture, and that texture adds grip. Combined with the non-slip leather, it changes how secure the bike feels under you—especially if you like a more supermoto-style ride where you’re carving and pushing the bike around.
Also, because these seats are handcrafted, there’s room to tailor the build. Saul can adjust foam based on your height/weight and preferences (more/less foam, wide/narrow, etc.), which is one of the biggest advantages of going custom instead of “one seat fits all.”
What We Like
Immediate comfort improvement, especially from the gel padding
Noticeably grippier feel; I stayed planted without thinking about it
One-of-a-kind hex pattern looks incredible on a Sur-Ron build
Full grain leather and clean finishing details (thread + piping) feel premium
Customization options (materials, colors, foam shaping)
Things To Consider
Custom work means you’ll want to think through your color/material choices so it matches your build
If you’re sensitive to seat height/feel, ask about foam setup options before ordering
The piping concern gets talked about online, but it didn’t bother me—your gear and riding style may vary
Final Thoughts
This hex seat is one of those upgrades that changes the ride more than you expect. The look is wild in the best way, but the real win is comfort and control. The gel takes the edge off bumps, and the added grip makes the bike feel more connected to you—like you’re part of the chassis instead of perched on top of it.
If your Sur-Ron is already dialed with power or suspension mods, a seat like this is the kind of “contact point” upgrade that makes the whole build feel more complete.
Links
Saul's Upholstery Custom Sur-Ron Hex Seat (Promo Code: RUNPLAYBACK): https://saulsupholstery.com/product/surron-x/
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/