taking them out as the mounting rails have lots of sharp edges that could easily scratch leather or vinyl surfaces. Its easier with the top down.
Another common problem is disconnecting the wiring from the seats. Don't just blindly pull the connector. There is a little sliding locking mechanism on one side. Just pull it out and then it disconnects easily.
Also, when they are out check the webbing underneath. My '03 driver's seat was sagging and it turned out the webbing was completely ripped, resulting in nothing holding the foam padding up. I did a little DIY repair with some Plexiglas, wood strapping and slip ties. Now I'm back to riding high in the saddle