BMW High Seat

[sondey]

Dave wrote:
"High - lovely leg room, slight tendency to slide forward, the bars are just a bit too far away."

Dave, if the high seat is better for you except for the reach to the bars, you might want to try the bar backs. I went with the ones " can't remember which ones they are now" that come 1" high and 5/8" or 1 1/4"back. I drew the back and high distances on paper, to get the angular distance. Then cut 2 sets of spacers out of pine. Approximated the angle and fastened 2 wood dowels behind the spacers to the grips with cord to see which would work better. Turned out the 5/8" back was plenty for me.

[dbrick]

Thanks, Paul. It's tempting, and I thought of it, but the slide forward makes it a no-go. I suppose I could have the seat re-contoured...

<enter chorus stage left>

Chorus: Let go of the stock seat, already.

<exeunt omnes>

[Kieran R1200R]

I think the BMW comfort seat is about as perfect as a motorcycle seat gets.
Made in Italy where they understand the art of making beautiful things out of leather.
Comfortable put still able to ride the bike in a active way,being able to move your but while most of those aftermarket "tractor-seats" put you in one position and keep you there...
Of course after 200 miles/or a burned tank of gas you need to get up and stretch and get the circulation going on any seat,stock or aftermarket.
A lot of those seats have the placebo effect;you spent a lot of money for a little foam and leather and so it has to be great...
And yes the BMW comfort seat should come stock on the R1200R
Except maybe for people with really short legs...

I couldn't agree more. I have the high seat or as you guys are calling it the comfort seat and have no problems, I'm 178cm tall have no idea what my inseam is! But have no problems flat footing at a stop.
I don't know if this is just a Ozzie thing but most guys over hear that are into touring have a sheep skin shaped and fitted to the stock seat and it seems to work, I have done it myself in past years.
Doesn't seem to be the trend to have a completely new seat fashioned but we are a small population compared to the USA.
Have you guys heard of using a sheep skin, wool of coarse! That may solve your problems instead of forking out a lot of money on a new seat.

[Don C]

Kieran, just to clarify, your seat is the high bench seat. It's not the comfort seat. Since they make at least six different seats, it's easy to get confused, especially since they do make a high comfort seat.

[mogu83]

Have you guys heard of using a sheep skin, wool of coarse! That may solve your problems instead of forking out a lot of money on a new seat.

I used a sheep skin for years, cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Major problem is when they get wet your carrying a large damp sponge for a few days. Somehow in our (North American USA types) quest to be more sophisticated and high tech we've moved on to more impressive and expensive methods (IMHO). Last time I rode into a BMW rally on a sheep skin most of the people didn't know why I was sitting on it.
BTW: Sheep can also be good company on a cold winter night if you can get past the smell.

[Kieran R1200R]

Kieran, just to clarify, your seat is the high bench seat. It's not the comfort seat. Since they make at least six different seats, it's easy to get confused, especially since they do make a high comfort seat.

Thanks Don.
Over hear though I have only seen 3 seats as options, my being the high seat, also the BMW outlet guy is calling it high, medium and low

[Kieran R1200R]

And where I live with a population of 1,000,000 and a State the size of Texas pluss I have only seen one other R12R out at the same time I have been riding so they are very rare. Not much discussion going on over here!

[websterize]

Question for Comfort Seat riders.. Do you find you are somewhat restricted in being able to move around in the seat?

I wouldn't say restricted, but there is a planted feel in the tall Comfort saddle. Fastdogs2's analogy of being "in" the Comfort saddle instead of perched on the factory seat is spot on. Moving side to side takes more work because of the upward slope of the sides. Front to back is easier, but the saddle material also feels grippier compared to the slicker factory seat. Those are my first-ride impressions. I'm 6-2, 32-inch inseam and can flat foot — that was my biggest concern upgrading. The taller pillion section requires a higher leg lift when mounting. A ballet dancer I am not.

The Comfort saddle seems to fit my riding geometry well and feels *really* comfortable.