Which seat to buy??

Post by **Rockosmith** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:30 pm

I have decided that the stock seat on my '04 1150R is just not as comfortable as I need it to be. My question is, between the Russell, Mayer and Sargent seat, is there one that seems to be more comfortable on an 800 mile day? Any and all opinions would be appreciated as these seats are not cheap and I would prefer to not make a mistake.

Thanks in advance..

Ryck · Post by **Ryck** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:57 pm

My vote goes to the Russell Day-Long. It's like sitting in your favorite easy chair. The seat height will be a little more than stock. I chose the vinyl seat with the small squares pattern and am quite happy with it.

NHighCotton · Post by **NHighCotton** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:12 pm

The Mayers (Bill & Rick) look better to me and are the ones I'm leaning towards, just can't do without a seat until winter.

Sargents look like a copy of a Corbin. I had a old one on a Airhead that left a bad feeling, they are probably better now.

Haven't heard much about KONTOUR but, they look like a nice seat.

Hiker · Post by **Hiker** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:20 pm

Please do search on 'seats' as there is just so much commentary out there.

Having said that, I just got a BMS. Why? Because Sargeant is ~1" higher (not good for me) and Russell's are not so good-looking (ie hideous).

BMS will work with you to get it right. They get a pic of you sitting on the bike and some vital statistics and they do a great job. My saddle is now shaped to accept a butt, specificaly mine. The marine grade vinyl doesn't match the existing material, but is clearly quality stuff and so looks pretty good. You can also get the pillion covered if matching is mandatory.

Good luck!

Hiker

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:21 pm

NHighCotton wrote:The Mayers (Bill & Rick) look better to me

They may look better, but they don't have the reputation of the Russell. It's hard to find a dissatisfied Russell owner (mine have been great) but I know several people who had to send seats back to Rick to redo. The Russell Day-Long is the cream of the crop.

Sargents look like a copy of a Corbin. I had a old one on a Airhead that left a bad feeling, they are probably better now.

I've had several Corbins I hated and now have a Sargent that is a very good seat. They may look similar, but they arae not. I bought the Sargent seat to ride on while my stock seat is being redone by Russell. When it comes back, the Sargent is for sale. I'd consider the Sargent to be a good 600 mile saddle, but I like 1,000 mile days.

Lee

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:51 am

I think any of the seats mentioaned above would be an improvement over stock, but to find the exact one that is a perfect match for your a$$, you would be looking at spending a lot of money to try them all.

I think you can find used Corbins for our bike pretty easily/cheap. Sargent seats seem to hold their value a little more, and the Russell/Mayer seats seem to never appear used (must be a good sign).

I have a Sargent and it works good for me. While I wouldn't say it's perfect, it sure is a BIG improvement over the stock seat. My son did notice an improvement with the Sargent passenger seat over the stock seat also.

Panzerleder · Post by **Panzerleder** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:31 am

Well, just to add to the mix, I got my seat (f & r) redone by Lee Bailey. Black vinyl with red piping ... on a black bike. Looks great! Also a huge improvement over stock. I've had several Corbins and liked them a lot, although they do require some breaking in. Also had a Sargents which was also very nice, but didn't fit quite as well as the others. The Day Longs have been around forever. They may be the "cream of the crop" but they are just too butt ugly.

Post by **ctRrider** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:03 am

I got a Bill Mayer Saddle about 40,000 miles and three years ago in vinyl. It has been the best upgrade to my bike. Bill (Rocky) got the seat just right to my specs. I made an appointment, sent the saddle in with pictures and all told with UPS it took around three weeks to get it back. I had him make it on the tall side for more leg room. I have ridden on 1,000 mile days and did my IBA BBG 1500 miles in 24 hours on it. The saddle has never been an issue, always comfortable willing to get back on it.

Bill (Rocky) Mayer and Rick Mayer are Bill Sr.'s sons. Bill Sr sold his seat business to Russell in the mid 90's. He decided to get back into the business with a new foam design several years ago, but passed away. His son Bill (Rocky) took over the business and uses his dads latest design improvements. The sadle is molded out of a special foam block that eliminates the need for the steel support that is in he Russell.

Rick Mayer also builds his own design of saddles by using multiple layers of different density foam. The designs are different than his dads.

Both are good saddles. I am very happy with my Bill Mayer saddle. It looks good too!

Tom

beemerphile · Post by **beemerphile** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:09 pm

Panzerleder wrote: The Day Longs have been around forever. They may be the "cream of the crop" but they are just too butt ugly.

Something that is an inverse impression of a man's butt is going to be butt ugly (only in reverse). The key here is that if you are riding the bike you can't see it. If you like to look at your bike parked more than you like to ride it, then get one of those swell looking Corbins that accentuate the "lines" of your bike. However, if you ride it very much, it may painfully reshape your butt to match your bike. You stylin' guys crack me up. - Lee

Post by **Boxer** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:14 pm

I noticed this seat on a Roadster from one of 3rad's photos at the Treffen-Garmisch show last week.

He suggested I look at http://www.bagster.com but I can't find much info there on the seats they show.

Looks like a pretty cool seat though for the style conscious.

In addition to the mid-height BMW seat I have a Bill Mayer saddle that was actually made for someone else. [got a good deal]
It seems fine though and has saved my butt many miles. Much easier on the buns than the stock seat. Although the stock seat is a little lower and I use it around town and on day rides.

pete · Post by **pete** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 10:10 am

Put a Bill Mayer saddle on my '04 20-30k miles ago, after 20K of pain with the stock saddle. The BM is a nice, simple design with minimal stiching (reduces water entry points), integrated seat heater (in addition to heat in grips, GS guards, and heated under jacket and gloves) takes the chill off during 60 mile commutes in February. Recommended to help you go the distance with much greater comfort than the BMW stock or "comfort" saddle.

You'll have to give up your seat pan for a couple weeks. If you want to add a heater, the heat switch can not be attached to the seat. Not a problem for me, as I had a heated pad rigged previously and simply used power from it, but a consideration if you like to put some miles on in cold weather.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:15 am

Rockosmith. Before I spent "big-bucks" on a seat I would try one of these
http://www.alaskaleather.com/ It is the best $35.00 I ever spent.( I won't go into details) but take it from a guy with a sensitive backside. If it dosn't work, well, you are only out a few dollars, and I am sure you could find a use for it. Good Luck, Den

Sebretian · Post by **Sebretian** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 11:08 am

Just bought a Sargent saddle (front and back) which arrived last week. Only made short trips so far but will be making a longer trip with pillion this afternoon. Far more comfortable than the stock seat which was killing mine and the wifes butt. The problem with the stock seat is they seem to be humped in the middle and lend no support where support is needed. You'd think BMW would recognize this and make changes. I'll have to let you know how it goes with the Sargent saddle on the longer trip. I have a 30 day return policy. The only thing I've found is that I'm about an inch higher in the saddle which isn't too much of a problem for me.
http://www.pbase.com/sebretian/image/63525272

I've only had the bike a few months and I thought I would be able to adjust the seat height? I don't see that capability on this bike. Is that feature no longer available on 2002's?

ramblinrod · Post by **ramblinrod** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 12:01 pm

Mnnden,

Did you get the medium or large sheepskin. I want to give it a try before spending big bucks on a new seat.

Rod

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:39 pm

Rod, The medium is perfect for the "R", Give it a couple of hundred miles,
I think you might like it, Den (I wish I had gotten the black &White)

Post by **bmwdave52** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 2:12 am

Russell Day-Long is the way to go. Mayer seats, both brothers, are knockoffs of the Russell.
I regularly do 800 mile days on this seat.
Also, treat yourself and get the backrest to.
http://www.day-long.com
Check out the "Gallery" and you will see what they look like on the RR.

Post by **toolinalong** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:37 am

I love my Rick Mayer saddle. IMHO the perfect balance between form and function, and inexpensive too. Worth the wait.

BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Which seat to buy??

Which seat to buy??

BMS Saddle

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Skeepskin-size for R1150R

bun support