So, I’m in the process of buying Lance Hiser’s seat moulds to become a seat manufacturer.
I know what I look for in value for a seat… but what would you like as additional offerings / characteristics in a seat?
I’m also looking for vendors / partners once I’m in full production mode. If that’s something that would interest you, please drop me a PM. (I’d also consider lifetime discounts for seed investors…)
I’ll have a more detailed release on my offerings once everything’s in hand and a few prototypes have been succesfully released from moulds.
But now’s the time for me to build things in, so discuss! Here’s a seat from the standard mould:
AS for characteristics…while I have gotten used to the Compkart seat, which for me is not deep enough, I primarily use it for its softer flex and reasonable price. Plus I can get them at our track. I have used a Deepseat in the past, but that was actually too deep and made getting in and out harder than it needed to be.
The other thing that has always bothered me about kart seats is the fitment / sizing information. Determining what I need based on the dimensions stated always felt like a crap shoot. Not sure how you would address that, but offering a way to have confidence I am ordering the right size for me would be huge.
Approach 1) Make seats with the same characteristics of the big brands at 70% of the price
Approach 2) Make custom fit seats tailored to each driver’s shape in the Jecko design themewith integrated support to vary the stiffness of the seat. Charge 2-3x the std Jecko or tillet price
I already have a thought on this that I’m planning on offering… one of the complications is that by definition, any padding absorbs ‘feel’ that a driver benefits from. Ditto any additional flexibility caused by mounting points for ‘add ons.’ So, it will have to be a rigid system…
That particular seat is carbon. Standard fiberglass was also offered. I have some interesting thoughts on core material, but have to resolve (measure) some comparisons first.
The Ribtect/Deep Seats have always been more comfortable for me when running TAG… I like the fact you could trim the sides. People say it negatively impacts performance, but so does hurt ribs. In LO206, running a t-11. I totally agree, better install/fit/sizing guidance would be helpful.
Just copy a T11t as a starting point and expand the range from there.
Then be prepared to give away a lot of seats to get exposure or get a major team onboard (which will require the seat to be as good as what they currently use).
Are you considering making a seat for taller and bigger drivers? Beaseley made a laydown seat Large/Large, which I believe was custom to Gary Lawson but fit me perfect. It was great for me because it had a high back which I am torso long. However I can understand it not be a ideal product given that most people are short and thin in karting.
“Waitless Seats, by SeaTED. Sure, we can’t actually make you weigh less, but with our secure fit and svelte curves hugging you, you’ll be confident. And confident is fast. Wait less, win more, buy SeaTED.” (Whirling blades of death sold seperately. Not valid in CA or NY or any other wimpy state where 2 cycles are outlawed. Odds of winning 1:1 and purchase definitely neccesary to win.)
This is excellent pitch and I’d seriously consider buying whatever this is selling, even if it’s a terrible idea.
NY a wimpy state?! How dare you?
Gather your red neck buddies and meet me and the boys down in the Bowery and bring blunt or bladed weapons, only.
Also, as one who summered in La Jolla/San Diego growing up and lived/worked as an adult in SF, I am deeply offended by the disparagement of CA.., but I also take comfort knowing that you must endure swarms of mosquitoes denser than the humid air you struggle to breathe, most likely.
The 2 cycle fumes kill the skeeters. Mostly. Unfortunately the strong survive and reproduce. Some will carry you off, and the others are running for public office.
