Driver / Passenger seats - Villa or ISRI

Darkspeed · July 14, 2017, 01:34:25 PM

Ok im trying to narrow down my seat options and need some experienced input.

Im limiting myself to Villa with integrated seatbelt or ISRI with integrated seatbelt.

Villa has a lot of options $$$$$ but its like driving a lazyboy down the road.

ISRI 6832-870 is a bus drivers seat with some options $$$ and it looks more like a professional euro seat.

ISRI has heat and cooling... Villa has heat.

How important is footrests? full recline?

How important is Air Ride?

My back is looking for the smoothest ride.

My bus is air shift automatic / air throttle.

I want the integrated seat belts and swivels. One driver and three passenger.

Its going to be expensive so I dont want to make a bad decision... Any feedback is appreciated!

luvrbus · July 14, 2017, 01:42:24 PM

I had a Viila for years they are a nice seat but not the most comfortable for driving.the seat bottom part is to long IMO

bigred · July 14, 2017, 02:39:52 PM

Look at shop4seats.com I too,am looking at replacing the upper part of my Air Ride seat and these folks seem to be pretty reasonable.

PP · July 14, 2017, 02:57:48 PM

We replaced our front seats with new takeouts from an RV dealer in Junction City, Oregon several years back. Got a great deal on power seats with everything but the base, which we didn't need anyway. I do like the idea of a foot rest on the drivers seat though. Or a full recline position for the driver like a Lazy Boy. Long trips would be a breeeeeeze.

DoubleEagle · July 14, 2017, 04:41:40 PM

Whichever seat you get, make sure you sit in for a while to see how it fits your body before you buy it. The proportions of the bottoms and backs can vary a lot, and you might be sitting in it for years. The choice of upholstery is an important consideration. Some like leather, some like vinyl or fabric. Which ever you choose, consider how they will feel after sitting on it for hours. There should be adequate ventilation of body moisture. I venture that it is the most important seat in the coach.

kyle4501 · July 14, 2017, 05:23:09 PM

I found a Bostrom seat on craigslist. The BackCycler ( continuously inflates and deflates the lumbar region ) really helps on long trips.

I will most definitely choose the cooled seat option on the next seat.

blue_goose · July 15, 2017, 05:06:48 AM

First do you have enough room for a large drivers seat? When I changed the drivers seat in my Eagle and the MCI it was a major project to carve out enough room to put the large base into the area.
I had 4 different driver's seats in the Eagle and so far 2 in the MCI. By far the best driver's seat is the Isri. That is what I ended up with in the Eagle. If I find a Isri at the right price the MCI will have one in it. A large seat like the Villa isn't good as a drivers seat because it doesn't fit good. They are too big and the seat is too long.
JMO
Jack
Should have said that the wife loves her seats to go with all electric movements and foot rest.

daddysgirl · July 15, 2017, 09:29:39 AM

I have a Bostrum Air Ride Talledaga...and I love it.
It adjusts for any position/body type...the "seat" section has an adjustable end for longer or shorter legs and up/down angles; adjustable lumbar support; heat and cool; up, down and swivel. You can control the firmness of the ride, etc. One of the best, if not the best, purchases dad ever made.
But my favorite feature is that it allows me to position myself so I'm at a proper angle to the wheel and pedals. Dad was 6'5"...I am 5'9". And with the length of time spent in that spot, I also believe it's the most important seat on the bus.

TomC · July 15, 2017, 09:33:38 AM

Most of those great looking RV driver's chairs are just that-great looking. Try to find a truck seat. My favorite is the standard driver's seat that is now installed in Freightliner Cascadias. Lots of adjustments and can extend the seat bottom for better leg support. If I can fit the seat in my truck, I'll use that. Otherwise will just keep my Bostroms. Good Luck, TomC

buswarrior · July 15, 2017, 10:50:42 AM

x2 Tom's comment.

A proper seat, intended for a bus or truck.

In being witness to many retrofits, the old school seats take up significantly less space, and the driving positions were designed around that.

And, I find many of these modern chairs do not go low enough for short drivers, or the old school "sit on the floor" types. The top travel height of these chairs is ridiculously high, why we can't have all that travel down where humans can use it...?

I prefer to be lower, and rarely inflate the suspension on a modern chair, and I wish I could use it more.

I have seen suitable low chair suspension in a Peterbilt truck, but have researched no further.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

Darkspeed · July 15, 2017, 03:02:15 PM

Thanks everyone!

Is an air ride seat noticeably smoother than a non air ride seat in an air ride bus?

kyle4501 · July 15, 2017, 06:16:08 PM

Quote from: Darkspeed on July 15, 2017, 03:02:15 PM
Thanks everyone!

Is an air ride seat noticeably smoother than a non air ride seat in an air ride bus?

YES

Darkspeed · July 15, 2017, 07:18:28 PM

Ok I guess it is ISRI!

Anyone know of the best place to order from?

The euro version bus driver model actually comes with a swivel..

RJ · July 15, 2017, 10:02:48 PM

Just an FYI:

At the transit property I worked at, the USSC Group seats had the lowest back injury workman's comp claims, whereas the Recaros had the most. We didn't have any Isri seats in the newer fleet, but the oldest Flxs (77's) had non-air ride Nationals - another seat we didn't have any work comp claims from.

Here's a link to the USSC Group for you to consider:

http://www.usscgroup.com/division/ussc-group-operator-seating/

FWIW & HTH. . .

somewhereinusa · July 16, 2017, 05:07:09 AM

Quote from: daddysgirl on July 15, 2017, 09:29:39 AM
I have a Bostrum Air Ride Talledaga...and I love it.
It adjusts for any position/body type...the "seat" section has an adjustable end for longer or shorter legs and up/down angles; adjustable lumbar support; heat and cool; up, down and swivel. You can control the firmness of the ride, etc. One of the best, if not the best, purchases dad ever made.
But my favorite feature is that it allows me to position myself so I'm at a proper angle to the wheel and pedals. Dad was 6'5"...I am 5'9". And with the length of time spent in that spot, I also believe it's the most important seat on the bus.

I had a Talledaga in my semi, loved it at first then, not so much. The ride was great. I'm not all that big but I found the seat bottom too narrow and my thighs would ache after 4 or 5 hours. I have a Bostrom wide ride in the bus. It's basically the same as a Talledaga but the seat bottom is wider between the side bolsters. Makes all the difference in the world.