In the 4,600 miles that it took me and my friends to get from Maryland to Utah and back, I believe that I have gained some insight into how to improve upon the poorly designed seat that comes standard on the R1150R.
I think that the seat becomes so uncomfortable on long rides for three reasons:
1. The seat lacks thick enough cushioning.
2. The shape of the seat is actually *convex*. It's almost like you're sitting on a moderately cushioned barrell.
3. The biggest flaw in the design of the seat, however, is the lack of indentations at the area that most of a rider's weight is concentrated:
the ischiums, or sit bones.
I think that if motorcycle seats were designed with oval indentations located where the "sit bones" meet the seat, it would take the pressure off of those bones and distribute it instead to the meaty part of the butt, therefore relieving that concentrated, burning pain.
I'm sure that a custom seat would make a big difference over what I've got now, but even the ones that I've tried out don't make accomodations for the ischiums...
That was the only thing that I found uncomfortable about the R on a truly long distance ride.
So if there are any seat designers/manufacturers reading this post, *please*, steal my concept and produce this seat!
Lessons learned (the hard way) from long distance riding...
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dragonmojo
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Thx for giving it a name (ischiums), cuz I noticed that about my butt bones too, for lack of a proper name. That is where all the soreness seems to be concentrated, and I do not notice it on my Cruiser's hard, leather saddle.
So, what's the proper name for that indentation above the upper lip, just below the cartilage which separates the nostrils?
So, what's the proper name for that indentation above the upper lip, just below the cartilage which separates the nostrils?
Traffic signals timed for 35mph, are also timed for 70mph.
'04 R1150Rx (GRN)
'88 Hawk GT
'04 R1150Rx (GRN)
'88 Hawk GT
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dragonmojo
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MikeCam
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Great Design
I think the seat is nearly perfect. Must be the bums out there!
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DJ Downunder
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I must have a BMW shaped arse also.. 
..I think the stock BMW seat is ok...btw..just show'in where the kevlar is in the Draggin's..(they're inside out)
DJ
..I think the stock BMW seat is ok...btw..just show'in where the kevlar is in the Draggin's..(they're inside out)DJ
Last edited by DJ Downunder on Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:10 am, edited 2 times in total.
That's disturbing 
Actually, I never have had a problem with the seat either. However, I did discover after a long motorcycle ride this weekend that (trying to be discreet, dignified, and diplomatic here), the wrong choice in garments under jeans/riding pants can make for a very uncomfortable ride - - - - and I can't blame the BMW seat for that. Lesson learned
Actually, I never have had a problem with the seat either. However, I did discover after a long motorcycle ride this weekend that (trying to be discreet, dignified, and diplomatic here), the wrong choice in garments under jeans/riding pants can make for a very uncomfortable ride - - - - and I can't blame the BMW seat for that. Lesson learned
Kristi
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iowabeakster
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Gypsy,
I know what you mean... I did a long ride last week from Reno through Yosemite and home to San Francisco... Even with the Sargent seat I have, after 7 hours of riding I felt the seams in my skivvies as if they were branding irons, especially after taking a break and getting back on the bike. My 383 mile ride home took me a little over 10 hours... Beautiful ride and I'll post some pics from the ride when I find time...
T.
I know what you mean... I did a long ride last week from Reno through Yosemite and home to San Francisco... Even with the Sargent seat I have, after 7 hours of riding I felt the seams in my skivvies as if they were branding irons, especially after taking a break and getting back on the bike. My 383 mile ride home took me a little over 10 hours... Beautiful ride and I'll post some pics from the ride when I find time...
T.
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Boris Badenov
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DJ Downunder
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If I'm doing a big ride I'll wear cycling shorts under my riding gear..they make a big difference.
Also I stand a little every now and then..just un-weight really..and that helps also...there's also the odd stop for a pic..
I've sat on a lot of other bikes and geees...some seats out there are rock hard.
The Ducati Multistrada and the Triumph speed triple are just a couple that come to mind.
DJ
Also I stand a little every now and then..just un-weight really..and that helps also...there's also the odd stop for a pic..
I've sat on a lot of other bikes and geees...some seats out there are rock hard.
The Ducati Multistrada and the Triumph speed triple are just a couple that come to mind.
DJ
ASK and ye shall receive!
A seat designed for the...whatevers, I forgot already.
I've had this bookmarked for over a year and still haven't actually seen one anywhere.
http://www.kontourseat.com/
Anyone ever heard of someone actually buying one?
A seat designed for the...whatevers, I forgot already.
I've had this bookmarked for over a year and still haven't actually seen one anywhere.
http://www.kontourseat.com/
Anyone ever heard of someone actually buying one?
Lets just be honest here; *as a group*, we BMW riders are probably the most hardcore on the road when it comes to actual riding (Hey, sometimes you've got to acknowledge a truth).
And BMW designs motorcycles that, in virtually every other way, are focused on performance and comfort on very long rides.
It just seems like they didn't put much thought into making the seats.
Kinda inconsistant with the meticulous design of the rest of the bike.
Maybe it would simply be too expensive to produce a higher quality seat?
*shrug*
And BMW designs motorcycles that, in virtually every other way, are focused on performance and comfort on very long rides.
It just seems like they didn't put much thought into making the seats.
Kinda inconsistant with the meticulous design of the rest of the bike.
Maybe it would simply be too expensive to produce a higher quality seat?
*shrug*