seat=torture

[ricks01]

has anyone successfully obtained a warranty replacement seat for 2007 K-GT's? mine, built sometime last fall, has the MOST uncomfortable seat i've ever had the misfortune to sit on. been riding since 1976, never had this problem. just can't see spending big $$ for an aftermarket seat when i bought a bike designed to go long distance.

in the sad case in which BMW wont fix the problem it created, what is the best bandaid fix for the rude seat? beads, sheepskin, or??:drink

[lkchris]

It's form over function

[deilenberger]

Air cushion.. either an AirHawk, or FreedomAir (my favorite..)

http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?pid=3533

30 day money back.. can't go wrong with that..

[ricks01]

Air cushion.. either an AirHawk, or FreedomAir (my favorite..)

http://www.derbycycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?pid=3533

30 day money back.. can't go wrong with that..

freedomair sounds like a good bet. $$back guarantee is a winner. thanks for the info.

[ricks01]

It's form over function

i know bmw keeps the names/addresses of those who approved that "seat" under lock and key. they must be very embarassed! (my old sears riding mower has a more comfortable seat):D

[kbasa]

I've owned a bunch of BMWs. On every single one (except my /2), I've eventually tossed the stock seat and suspension.

What a difference.

[hallzee]

Replaced the OEM seat on my LT. It was the most uncomfortable seat I ever sat on. Went with a Rick Mayer; can ride all day now, without a complaint. On the stock seat I could go only a couple hundred miles, before it started to be "no longer fun".

[PGlaves]

You need to understand the BMW design process better, and then you will fully understand why the seat height is too tall, the windshields are too short, and the seats are uncomfortable.

BMW has a chief ergonomics tester. I'm pretty sure I saw her and one or two assistants walking around at Intermot. She is about 5'9" tall, but very high waisted. Her long legs gave her an inseam length of about 35" like somebody 6'6" tall, but her short torso length gave her a seat to eyebrow height about the same as somebody 4'8" tall. Thus the tall seat height and stubby windshields that blast you about eyeball level.

From behind it was easy to tell that unlike those with considerably more, how should I say this, um .... spread ..... she would fit comfortably on those OEM seats.

Since all new models must obtain her approval I'm afraid we are doomed for a while, at least until she changes jobs or achieves a bit more ... um ... middle aged spread.:)

[From MARS]

I knew my FOB (flat old butt) didn't comform to the stock seat on my bike. Now, I know why. Thanks, Paul.

A big +1 on Rick Mayer seats. The one he did for me has greatly increased my riding pleasure. Plus, he said if it didn't work for me, I could send it back. Now, he would have to pry it from my flat, bony, happy butt.

Tom

[TR250Tom]

...in the sad case in which BMW wont fix the problem it created...

Rick,

Another way to say this might be, "the problem that you bought after testing the bike". I've had my share of bumps in the road with BMW, but I have to chime in here; I don't think it's at all "sad" that they won't buy you a new seat more to your liking if the old one still performs exactly the same way that it did when you bought it. The marketplace is full of barbacks, seats, windscreens, and peg relocation kits for people who want to make their bike fit better. Caveat Emptor.

Cheers, Tom

[ricks01]

Rick,

Another way to say this might be, "the problem that you bought after testing the bike". I've had my share of share of bumps in the road with BMW, but I have to chime in here; I don't think it's at all "sad" that they won't buy you a new seat more to your liking if the old one still performs exactly the same way that it did when you bought it. The marketplace is full of barbacks, seats, windscreens, and peg relocation kits for people who want to make their bike fit better. Caveat Emptor.

Cheers, Tom

point taken. however, you dont get to TEST the bike the way you ride it when you OWN it! therein lies a major difference. further, my k11lt and intercepter were all day rideable with the factory seat. oddly enough, were the rest of the bike not so completely great, maybe the seat thing wouldnt bug me so much! looks like a r-meyer seat coming, then, perfection.:usa :whistle

[ricks01]

point taken. however, you dont get to TEST the bike the way you ride it when you OWN it! therein lies a major difference. further, my k11lt and intercepter were all day rideable with the factory seat. oddly enough, were the rest of the bike not so completely great, maybe the seat thing wouldnt bug me so much! looks like a r-meyer seat coming, then, perfection.:usa :whistle
correction: r-mayer.

[darcym]

You need to understand the BMW design process better, and then you will fully understand why the seat height is too tall, the windshields are too short, and the seats are uncomfortable.

BMW has a chief ergonomics tester. I'm pretty sure I saw her and one or two assistants walking around at Intermot. She is about 5'9" tall, but very high waisted. Her long legs gave her an inseam length of about 35" like somebody 6'6" tall, but her short torso length gave her a seat to eyebrow height about the same as somebody 4'8" tall. Thus the tall seat height and stubby windshields that blast you about eyeball level.


I think I know that tester ... she's the same one who serves as a model for Barbie dolls.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/doomscribe/SMILEYS/unsure.gif

[deilenberger]

point taken. however, you dont get to TEST the bike the way you ride it when you OWN it! therein lies a major difference. further, my k11lt and intercepter were all day rideable with the factory seat. oddly enough, were the rest of the bike not so completely great, maybe the seat thing wouldnt bug me so much! looks like a r-meyer seat coming, then, perfection.:usa :whistleThe problem is that not everyone's bunns are the same. I have typcially found BMW seats an instrument of torture - Dick Cheney would approve of most of them.. make terrorists sit on a BMW seat on a bumpy road for 4-5 hours and they'll tell everything they know - and more..

Except - my current R1200R low seat. Works as good for me as most of the custom seats (and better than some custom seats) that I've had made for other BMWs I've owned. Not everyone with an R1200R likes their seats - it seems no one likes the "normal" or "tall" seat - but a number of people DO like the low seat. And some people don't.

One of those "YBMV" sorta things (your butt may vary..) and expecting BMW to provide a seat that EVERYONE likes (I hated my Sargent seat..) really isn't reasonable.

Again - I'd suggest giving AirHawk or FreedomAir a try before ditching the seat that came on the bike. A lot of people have found the air cushion to be a good solution for a painful ride.