So I got a few new toys from the big brown truck the other day and in preparation for the new additions got every thing lined out for new plugs, oil change, new filter and so fourth. Took the seat off(ultimate), pulled the tank off, set tank on work table and protected it from accidental knock off or bumping and noticed on either side where the seat rides close to tank that the paint has been completley worn down to almost bare metal and the bottom of the seat leather has been worn to a very smooth surface. WTF Anyone with the ultimate seat seeing any wear along the lower edges of the tank or the under side of the seat? After waxing you can see a few "pits" where the the wax filled in all the way to bare metal The paint looks like it was ruffed up with some very fine sand paper, the clear is most definatley gone and feels very rough to the touch when you run your fingers over it and not to mention it looks like crap

That part of my tank isn't as glossy as it used to be, but it isn't worn to the metal. With the seat on it isn't noticeable.

Not much help, but I have a seat that wore the paint off of the back fender.

That's why they give you only 30 days to return it.

That really shocks me that a rather spendy seat would wear so badly on the paint of the tank. If they had been in bussiness for only a couple of years I could chaulk it up to poor execution of the design, but that is not the case here. At the very least they should have supplied you either with the knowledge that this could happen so you could address the problem before it occured or supply you a few strips of the 3M clear to protect the tank in that area. It may sound petty seeing that when the seat is on you really cant see it and nobody is none the wiser,but one you get moisture exposed to the chaffed areas(in this case all the way through the paint to bare metal in places) then you are faced with the potential of rust. Just makes me sick to my stomach that my once scratch free bike is no more.

Yeah, it disappointed me too, but the seat is so darned comfortable I figured it was a trade-off. But in your case it's more serious. You could wax the tank and get a tank bra to cover that area. Outside of repainting, I don't know what else you could do hammersly.

I think after I cleaned and re-waxed over the worn spot on the tank I'd still apply some 3M clear to minimize any further wear. I'd also be contacting the company and letting them know that while you love the comfort of the seat you're disappointed that you've had to sacrifice some of your paint to get it. Maybe they'll do something. You'll never know if you don't let 'em know.

-M7

My stock seat and the yamaha stiletto seat has done the same thing on my bike. any road dirt that's gets in between the seat and the tank acts like sand paper
and wears the paint.It's not a knew thing it has happened on almost every bike I've ever owned.Thats why I don't run a tank bra it will do the same thing.with all the sand in FL. IMHO

Come to think of it the same thing happened on my '86 Venture Royale with a stock seat. Good point rand1965.

Whenever two things rub there will be some kind of wear . The only way to prevent it is make sure there is space between the two parts , i.e. the tank and seat.