Ok, I am sure this has cropped up many times...........never have I ever considered changing a seat BUT - the Rockster is killing me, I have now done a couple of thousand miles and it isn't getting any better. I kid you not after just 50 miles I can't walk straight!!
How have they made a seat SO uncomfortable?? BMW must know that they have a reputation for 'not the Worlds most comfortable seat' and yet they still make them so poor. In the past I have coped with the standard seat on various BMW models - but not any more!
My wife loves her seat so I would rather not go to the cost of changing both seats and would like the new seat to look similar to the stock seat. Also I do not want a one piece dual seat.
I like the look of the Sargent seat but they tell me that it does not fit very well with the rear seat - anyone tried a front Sargent with the standard rear?
Any help will be greatly appreciated - thanks in anticipation.
The Sargent seat fits well with the stock rear seat section...no problems doing this. My wife loves the Sargent rear seat section as well and since it looks so good together I recommend getting them as a set if the price isn't a consideration, then spring for the Pirates backrest.
The Sargent seat is a great value and it will make you fall back in love with your bike. I know the stock seat really sucks. Why does BMW make them? I suppose they know that many of us will buy a custom seat regardless so they might as well save money in this area. There just isn't a one seat fits all out there. I haven't been too keen on the seats they are putting on the newer BMW bikes either.
I was going to say Sargent also. I don't have one but it is next on my "to buy" list. I am sure people on this board have installed just the front section, so I can't believe it won't work. In fact, I have seen one and remarked how well it matched the stock rear.
BMW seats didn't always suck. My wife could ride all day on my R90/6 and so could I. When I got an RS, I had to buy a Corbin just for her, since she couldn't go more than 50 miles without agony! Corbin was the only option back in those days.
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
Im in the Seattle area and I am blessed to be near a custom seat guy named Riches Custom Upholstry. His seats are the best in the business. If you are here, he fits the seat to your anatomy perfectly. If you can find someone in your area that does this kind of work then you are way ahead of a seat that you order off the shelf.
You'll get about as many different seat opinions here as you will windshield opinions.
It all depends on too many variables: butt thickness/boniness, weight, ability to tolerate certain types of seats, etc. etc.
I have a Bill Mayer that I bought used and it is much better for me on long hauls simply because it is wider and gives me more "cheek" support, if you will. The BMW seat I have is the 800mm one and works fine for me on day rides of 100, 200, to 300 miles. You also have the added factor of the clothing you wear. If you wear cotton briefs aith jeans...or even Draggin Jeans...you may start to ache sooner than if you were wearing those slick biker shorts underneath some softer material pants.
Find a seat that works for you by testing several if you have friends with those type seats. Then wear pants and underpants that don't give you monkey butt after 100 miles.
Some folks here love the stock seat. I tolerate it to some extent, but I know I ride better and more comfortably with a custom or at least a wider aftermarket model.
One thing's for sure, if the butt ain't happy, the rider won't be happy.
I recently bought the front Sargent seat and it fits fine with the stock rear. I was told the same thing about it fitting with the stock rear but it fits with no problems at all. I really like the seat; I can easily ride out a tank of gas without any problems. It looks good with the stock seat too; a really close match.
Just like DK says, the stock rear works well with the Sargent. It looks good and the craftsmanship is top notch. You also get a nice compartment under the pan for documents or whatever. Comfort is great!
I have also worked with Mr. Ed's Moto (located in the Northwest) and they do nice work as well. They work off of the stock seatpan, so you might lose some riding time if you have to send it out. I have also heard that they are pretty backed up with orders.
My vote is for Sargent. You won't lose riding time and you will not be dissapointed with the product.
I spoke with Sargent and they tell me there is a several week wait...........so I'll check them out at the BMW rally next month in Vermont and in the meantime I'll keep an eye out for a bargain on line.
