The stock seat...

[Tarmac]

... at 5,000 miles, mine has soften up nicely, and is now much more comfortable. 3 hours in the saddle (highway drone) today, and im feeling good.

Maybe it's form fitting?

[ipokebadgers]

The day I picked mine up I rode 200 miles. The second day I rode over 500. I am one of the few, I guess, who doesn't have a problem with the seat. I normally don't ride more than two hours at a time before I stop and stretch everything and drink some water. I wish I could write it off to my superb physical fitness. But I can't because I am not. I guess I am just one of the lucky ones. Sounds like you are too.

[Sander Abernathy]

If you really like the stock seat, I would say you're in luck. When it wears out I'm sure there are quite a few sitting in closets and garages that people will gladly sell you at a great price.

[mogu83]

I pounded my 66 year old body for 850 miles one day followed by 1280miles (18 hours) the second day on a stock seat, suffered no permanent damage and could still walk (to a bed) when I finally got off. An unfortunate tour of Rt70 from the Utah boarder to the Jersey Shore.
I have to wonder about guys that have such terrible problems after a couple of hundred miles, must have delicate tushes.

BTW: the rumor that I have no feeling from the waste down are untrue.

[jonberm]

Harry, guys like us from Jersey are just survivors. Our body parts need to be tougher!

[wickwatch]

The stock seat kill's me after an hour or so... I just received my sargent seat today and I can't wait to try it out.....

[Michael Hart]

Stock seat works well for me to. I get more uncomfortable just being in 1 position for a long time. so when on a long trip I fillup at about every 150 miles. get the blood back to the toes and good to go another 150 miles
Mike

[Catchina]

1500 miles so far, longest ride without stopping was about 3 hours, no trouble with the seat so far. The 2011 comes with the comfort seat on it standard right?

[websterize]

The 2011 comes with the comfort seat on it standard right?

Affirmative.

[mvk]

I am not alone! Someone else likes the stock seat.

-2007 R1200R stock seat 14 hours , 1200km no problem.

-2011 R1200R so called 'comfort' seat - standard feels lower than the previous stock seat, too soft and disconnected from the bike - I'm trying to get a swap from the dealer for a high seat but don't know if this will make the riding position feel better. If not, mine will be for sale with a swap for a good base.

I sympathise with BMW that we have such diverse views about this seat (and let's face it they are all very good compared to bikes of 20 years ago), but what annoys me is that they do not sell just the base so we can get custom seats made to our liking.

In Oz a seat is over $700 - what would a bit of moulded plastic be worth - $100? But they would not make much profit...

But really, when I am on this bike my mind is on all the wonderful sensations flooding my senses and really not the seat.

The perfect all rounder!!!

[Radar in oz]

I am not alone! Someone else likes the stock seat.

.......

In Oz a seat is over $700 - what would a bit of moulded plastic be worth - $100? But they would not make much profit...

I also liked my stock 2006 seat (up to 1000km per day). My suggestion would be to get your new one re-foamed and recovered. Quite a bit cheaper than replacement and you can get a tailored result. I did this for the pillion section of my stock seat (leaving the front section "as is") with excellent results.

Peter

[creamora]

Harry, guys like us from Jersey are just survivors. Our body parts need to be tougher!

From a New Englander: I'm OK with my stock low seat; good for my 1.5-2 hour commute each way. If I toured I would stop for gas and a stretch every 1.5 hours.

Harder winters make for harder butts I guess...

[Tarmac]

Just to make it clear, my 1st impression (get it?) of the stock seat was not good. 1 hour in the saddle had me squirming, but it has definitely gotten better as I've piled on the miles, and im wondering if some folks have given up on it too soon.

notes:

My last bike, a DRZ400SM, was like sitting on a loaf of bread. Soft may sound good, but it was so narrow that I would call it the worst seat ever.

The seat on my old Triumph Thruxton was ok, but my buddy called it "the plank".

Some folks may not believe it, but my 2001 gixxer 750 had a great seat. But maybe it was because of the positioning, you carried a lot of your weight on the handlebars.

That brings us back to the R12R. It seems like im carrying a lot of my weight on my @$$, and not a lot
on my arms or feet. Is it possible that by adding taller windscreens, bar backs, lowered pegs, etc, and moving your body into a more upright position, your making things worse?

[xprof]

Of course it is, my friend Tarmac. But if you want to sit up in comfort behind a windscreen (and I do) then something's gotta pay. That would be your @$$, of course. But with my Mayer saddle and an Airhawk for 500+ days, even my @$$ is smiling!

[deilenberger]

That brings us back to the R12R. It seems like im carrying a lot of my weight on my @$$, and not a lot on my arms or feet. Is it possible that by adding taller windscreens, bar backs, lowered pegs, etc, and moving your body into a more upright position, your making things worse?

I think that's exactly the case for many people - it is for me. I find I prefer some wind around my head (as long as it isn't turbulent and buffeting my helmet around), and a slight lean forward (the weight on my wrists is offset by the force of the wind on my upper chest.) Lots easier for me to do longer rides that way then bolt upright (my back and butt are NOT happy at all riding bolt upright.)

The stock seats do break in - just like aftermarket ones. My stock low seat really wasn't too terrible, and initially the rebuilt by Sargent one wasn't amazingly better - it took the Sargent about 10,000 miles to really become comfortable for me.

[redwing]

I am not alone! Someone else likes the stock seat.

.......

In Oz a seat is over $700 - what would a bit of moulded plastic be worth - $100? But they would not make much profit...

I also liked my stock 2006 seat (up to 1000km per day). My suggestion would be to get your new one re-foamed and recovered. Quite a bit cheaper than replacement and you can get a tailored result. I did this for the pillion section of my stock seat (leaving the front section "as is") with excellent results.

Peter

So who does refoam and recover??? Sargent?

Robert

[Radar in oz]

I also liked my stock 2006 seat (up to 1000km per day). My suggestion would be to get your new one re-foamed and recovered. Quite a bit cheaper than replacement and you can get a tailored result. I did this for the pillion section of my stock seat (leaving the front section "as is") with excellent results.

Peter

So who does refoam and recover??? Sargent?

Robert

I had mine done by John Moorhouse in Capalaba near Brisbane (Australia). I chose him based on the work he did on a couple of bikes for a friend of mine. I have posted links to some photos in previous posts here somewhere.

Cheers
Peter

[jkhomes]

Redwing, yes Sargent is the best known for repad and recover. My BMW shop also recommended someone local, who I could always try and send it to Sargent if the local company screws it up. Interestingly, I seem to be getting used to the seat, and won't do anything until my after my 3 day Colorado trip the first week in June. I like being able to scoot up or back and change positions.