Saddlemen Step Up VS. Explorer Seat: Which is Best for How You Ride?

Stay tuned! Today, I'm going to show you a couple of seat options—the Explorer and the Step Up—on the Low Rider and Low Rider ST.

Today, I'm going to show you what you probably already know—just how bad your stock seat is. There are a lot of seat options on the market, and I'm going to show you two from Saddlemen—the Step Up and the Explorer. Your choice will depend on what you want your seat to do.

First, let’s talk about the stock seat. You'll notice it has super soft, crummy material, no real lumbar support, and offers very little comfort. Over time, it won’t last, and you’re not going to enjoy it. The lumbar support on this stock seat measures only 5 inches, from seam to top, meaning it won’t hold you in place at all. It provides no performance benefits and no passenger capability.

With the Step Up or Explorer, you’ll gain all of these features.

Removing the Stock Seat & Adding a Rear Seat Nut

Let’s remove the stock seat and install a second nut for a two-up seat. I’ll show you how to do it so you can switch back and forth between a solo seat and a two-up seat easily.

1. Take a Phillips screwdriver and remove the screw from the stock seat.
2. If you want to go back and forth between solo and two-up, you’ll need a second seat nut.
3. Carefully pop out the plastic grommet in the back.
4. Run a wire down through the hole, attach the seat nut, and pull it up through the hole.
5. Secure it with a plastic retainer clip and cut the wire off.

Now, let’s check the seat height measurement before installing the new seat. The stock seat measures 25 inches from the bottom to the crown of the seat.

Installing the Step Up Seat

The Saddlemen Step Up seat is mainly designed for the rider, but it does have some passenger padding. This seat comes with GelCore technology in the rider position, and you can optionally add GelCore to the passenger section.

• Reinstall the Phillips screw (or upgrade to a thumb knob or security screw).
• The Step Up seat gives the bike a more aggressive look and complements its design.
• It is available in various stitch patterns: Honeycomb, Lattice, Tuck & Roll, and more.
• You can also customize it with different thread colors and material choices.

Seat Measurements:
✔ Stock Seat Lumbar Support: 5 inches
✔ Step Up Lumbar Support: Just over 7 inches (2 inches more than stock)
✔ Seat Height: 25 inches (same as stock, so no major forward/backward shift)

Why Choose the Step Up?

• Patented GelCore Technology provides superior comfort.
• Narrow cut in the front for easier leg positioning (great for shorter riders).
• Wider lumbar & side support keeps you locked in while riding.
• Ideal for aggressive riding—prevents sliding around in corners.

Installing the Explorer Seat

The Explorer seat is a touring-style seat designed for long-distance comfort. It provides much more support for both the rider and passenger.

• Wider and thicker padding for the passenger (compared to the Step Up).
• Comes standard with GelCore in both the rider and passenger sections.
• Much wider passenger area—just under 11 inches (compared to the Step Up’s 6 inches).
• Increased lumbar support—8 ¼ inches (compared to 7 inches on the Step Up).

If you ride long distances, the Explorer is the best option. It allows both you and your passenger to stay comfortable for extended rides.

✔ Step Up Passenger Width: 6 inches
✔ Explorer Passenger Width: 11 inches
✔ Step Up Lumbar Support: 7 inches
✔ Explorer Lumbar Support: 8 ¼ inches

Customization Options

Both the Step Up and Explorer seats can be custom ordered with:
✔ 16 different thread colors
✔ 26 different material patterns
✔ Custom logos & stitching options

Popular designs include:
✅ Lattice Stitch (Black or Custom Colors)
✅ Tuck & Roll
✅ Honeycomb
✅ Carbon Fiber Look (Dominator Style)

Which Seat is Right for You?

• Step Up = Sporty & aggressive riding, with some passenger padding.
• Explorer = Touring comfort for both rider & passenger, ideal for long trips.

Get Yours Today!

Both seats are available now at Lifestyle Cycles Online Mega Store!