Seat change = handling change? R1200R 2012

[arp]

I just swapped my standard comfort seat (p/n 52_53_7_719_ 485) for the high comfort seat (p/n 52_53_7_719_ 484) on my R1200R Classic. I'm 6'1" with a 35" inseam and was generally OK with the standard comfort seat except for long rides where I would get the occasional hamstring cramp near the back of the knee. The high comfort seat moves my butt noticeably up and back, opens up the knee angle and allows for a bit more freedom of movement fore/aft.

Objectively there has been little change to the bike, but I nonetheless feel like the bike handles better. I'm guessing the higher seat, which has given me a slight forward lean, has improved my upper body position, which in turn has improved my riding. Not something I anticipated.

Alex

[ka5ysy]

Alex, I would venture a guess that your slight forward lean has resulted in your arms being bent a bit more when on the bars. This will give you a more relaxed feel to the controls. We tell students to lean forward and bend their arms all the time. The result is pretty much instant improvement to their riding as they are not holding on with rigid straight arms. Adding bar-backs will usually result in the same relaxed arms, giving better control, without the forward lean that causes back pain to some riders.

It will also give a bit of forward weight shift which probably helps a bit too.

[mogu83]

Glad to see that BMW somehow managed to make a seat that makes someone happy. Good on you.

[roadfool]

My used '11 R1200R had a Wunderlich standard height seat on it but it was too tall for my 30 inch inseem. I switched to the oem comfort in standard height and that's a bit too low for me and causes hip cramps.

I like to sell the Wunderlich, any interest? I'll then purchase the Wunderlich low cause they make a very nice seat.

Regards, Paul