R1100 R seat questions...

[JackHinrichs]

I made my first 200+ mile ride on my new '98 R1100 R today and discovered that the stock seat isnt going to cut it. I have used Corbin seats on other bikes and loved them. What is the consensus for the most comfortable seat on the R1100 R?

Should I try a seat cover before I toss a bunch of money at a new seat? Or is a cover only going to get me another 50 miles or so?

regards

-jack

:drink

[enjine]

i did about 12,000 miles this summer on my stock r1100r seat. i learned to anticipate when the pain would set in and subsequently took breaks every 90 miles. I'd rather drive a full 150 and break at changes, SO... i'll be picking up a russel daylong soon. was just looking at them today, in fact :)

[Andrew Klein]

I've gotten used to the seat on my '99 R1100R. I tried an Airhawk, but found I was slipping towards the tank and getting, er, crunched. If you're uncomfortable, a Corbin would be great.

[Motor31]

Try a sheep skin first for a quick fix.

[rgvilla]

I have a 99 R1100R and had the same problem. I love Corbin seats, had one on my ZX-11 and rode comfortably all day. I didn't want to spend the money so first I bought the seat beads. They helped a lot but didn't quite do the trick so I bought a gel pad that I found on the internet. It was about $110 if I recall correctly and the beads were $35 at Lima from a vendor. This has done the trick for me. I can ride comfortably all day with the usual breaks for gas, coffee, water, bathroom breaks etc. I'm going cross country this summer so I'll see how well it works. I have been comfortable on day long (8 hour trips) but haven't gone day after day.
I have the gel pad on first and then the beads over it. Good luck in your search.

[edgerber]

I have a '99 R1100R. Hadthe same problem. I was able to pick up a used Corbin seat, It did the trick.

[Boingo]

All tail ends are different, so what works for others may not work for you.

2000 R1100R here. I also picked up a used Corbin, and found it an improvement over the stock seat. I really like the shape (holds it in there), but for my un-padded tail, is a hard seat. Not a problem for day long rides, but it kills me on multi-day trips. My fix was an Airhawk, awesome device, if positioned and inflated correctly.

[drummer]

I have a Russell Day Long and love it. I rode two different days this last summer for 11 hours each day (half of which was in the rain - both days had 5 hrs. of rain) and not a bit of a problem. I woke up the next morning ready to ride again.

Can't speak about Corbin, but I do love my Russell.

[PaulWhite]

I've looked at seat options for quite a while but w/ 47K mis on the original, I've gotten very comfortable with it. And I like the bike better every year even w/ demo riding the new ones. (Its the riding position that just fits good) I did my first 1500 mile camping excursion along the Blue Ridge Pkwy, Smokies and then last spring my longest one day continuous ride was 550 mis. I find that around the first full tank of gas, I'm ready to get off but it improves steadily w/ each tank and each day. I have gotten a pair of bicycle shorts and eliminated seams which made the biggest difference. Now, I would actually like to get my wife a more comfortable pillion seat and keep mine up front - but don't think that's possible. From reading and its a lot of $ to spend, I have decided Bill Meyer or Russell are probably best bets

[kantuckid]

I am short and have the OEM seat adjusted as low as possible-actually I made it go lower than intended as I'm 5'9" and have 29" inseam which works fine unless you choose to stop. I see a 2004 R1150R for sale in flea market that has lower Works shocks-is this the only solution thats been tried? I use stock seat with the sheepskin velcroed underneath and the comfort is much improved EXCEPT for having the jewels crammed into the gas tank! This is worsened by the lowering of the seat. I would like to hear some comments as to short riders vs. seat height vs. comfort issue as well. I am considering move to 2004 as mentioned above . I am afraid of the seat on the R1100s as it apparently lacks the adjustment found on the roadsters?

[my1100rt]

I too have an 01 1100RT and I agree that the stock seats are just not very comfortable. I looked at all of the other aftermarket brands and looked at the pro and cons (cons being mostly price). I found a slightly used Sargent seat on e-bay for a lot less than it would have cost me to purchase any aftermarket seat. I like the Sargent just fine. It has a nice cup type fit to it and it's a bit wider too. I have had a Corbin on another bike I had before and liked it too. I guess it has a lot to do with how much you have to spend because they are all pretty good. I guess it's an individual preference and acceptable amount you have to spend on it.

[jld2872]

I have a R1100R with a Corbin saddle and I have found it to be very comfortable. The seat is wider and flatter than standard and seems to distribute the weight (and pressure) better. I still get a hot spot or two on longer rides, but that's part of the charm of riding, I suppose. Santa brought me a Bead Rider this Christmas, but I haven't been out to try it yet--I am a little concerned about the...."crunch factor" (mentioned in one of the other replies) under braking. You might try the less expensive remedies (bead rider was about $35) before committing to an aftermarket saddle. Good luck! JLD

[Polizeitaucher]

I too went to the Corbin. I also use www.alaskaleather.com and am really pleased with both items. I use them together on the longer hauls.

[mcollect]

I have a R1150R and the stock seat did not cut it. I bought a Sargent better but not great. Now have a Corbin that was cut lower great seat. If you get the 1150 look for a used corbin, riders are trading 1150s for 1200 and selling the after market seats for cheap.

[bikerfish1100]

Corbin's are over rated. and i speak from having used them for over 100,000 miles. go with Rick Mayer- his craftsmanship & build quality are excellent, and he guarantees his work for life. mine is being redone right now, AAMOF.
http://www.homestead.com/prosites-rmcycle/index.html
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q13/bikerfish1100/just%20bikes/rmcseat21.jpg

[shoeman]

Comfort is in the seat of the sitter. I have had Corbin, Sargent , Stock and Russell.
I would rate-1. Russell 2. Corbin. 3a. Sargent 3b. Stock.
Sheepskin did not buy me a mile.

[gerdel]

I got an Allyn air seat manufactured in Woodstock,NY. Bought it from JC Whitney and it is great for trips although I don't use it locally as my rides aren't that long.