Bill Mayer Saddle or Sargent for R1200s?

[gordon1200]

I have searched for info on these two makers, and understand that neither has a full replacement saddle for the s. Have experience with Sargent, and loved their product. From combing the forums, it appears that Bill Mayer is a very well respected seat vendor. Any specific experience or recommendations for the R1200s? (The stock plank HAS to be replaced this winter!) ;)

[RJM2096]

I have a R1100RT that I am also wanting a more comfrotable seat for. I am looking at Sargent, but before I committ I will check a local shop known for motorcycle seat building. If you have the pan for your R1200S you may find that a local shop knows what they are doing. I am sure most shops can add or drop height, use various materials, including the new graphic black look as well as add a pleat for the butt.

I am a new member of the BMWMOA and this subject seem to be revisited almost everyweek in one forum or another.

[TomfromMD]

Is there a reason you aren't also considering a Rick Mayer seat?

[AZ-J]

Is there a reason you aren't also considering a Rick Mayer seat?

Isn't Rick Mayer, Bill Mayer's son, who runs Bill Mayers Seating now?

[TomfromMD]

Not quite. One of Bill Mayer's sons, Rocky (Bill III), runs the original business and his brother, Rick has his own business.

http://billmayersaddles.com/

http://www.rickmayercycle.com/

[DarrylRi]

You might be interested in this "review" thread (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=262330&postcount=17). I'm very pleased with Rick Mayer's products, this is my fourth.

[billpierce]

I have an 11s not a 12 but for looks and comfort I think the sargent is tough to beat.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/IMG_0526.jpg

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc164/billpierces/IMG_0525.jpg

[BMWDEAN]

http://www.rickmayercycle.com/index.html

http://bmwdean.home.att.net/rt-saddle.jpg

[budkohn]

Just call and/or email Rick Mayer......that should help you.

Almost everybody likes his seats. His seats are darn good, quality excellent, his service sux!!!

Do a google search and see the responses, I wish I did. The seat is great but perhaps not worth the hassel to get it. It was a nightmare getting the seat. I called and called as they had charged my CC and I waited 7 or 8 weeks for them to ship it after the charge about 11 weeks total. After many unanswered E-mails and Phone calls it just showed up.

I talked to him at the Westbend Rally about an adjustment on a seat. He said "call and then we will tell what to do" I have about 7 calls and 5 or 6 unanswered emails, I guess he forgot how to answer the Phone.

[GSWayne]

The January issue of Rider magazine has a whole list of custom seat makers.

Look for one that is a nice riding distance away and then you can really get it custom made for you. I did this with Rocky Mayer on two different motorcycles and was happy with the results both times.

[drummer12345]

South Sound BMW in Fife, WA recommended Rich's Custom Seats ( http://www.richscustomseats.com/ ) in Seattle to get a replacement seat for my R1200S.

[sachiwilson]

The January issue of Rider magazine has a whole list of custom seat makers.

Look for one that is a nice riding distance away and then you can really get it custom made for you.

This can't be emphasized enough. Every butt and every bike are different. You can't just say that seatmaker X's seats are better. They may make great seats but if those seats don't fit YOUR tushie, you're going to be disappointed. But by going to a local maker, you can get exactly what you need.

[kreinke]

I just got my Sargent seat and am in the process of wiring up the electric heat. I can tell you that I have never felt a more comfortable seat! Granted this is just sitting on the centerstand in the garage as the Great Wisconsin Glacier has me iced in for the moment.

The workmanship is excellent and the seat is quite a bit lighter than other custom seats I've sampled.

[TR250Tom]

I just got a Rick Mayer seat. Frankly, it's been a disappointment. I ordered on Oct 1, and they ran my credit card 2 days later. Then I got an email stating my seat would be built 11/14. Just before Thanksgiving, no seat yet, but I get a call saying they won't build my seat until I send a $300 deposit check. I tell them I sent it weeks ago, along with my photos. They act like I goofed, but they promise to make the saddle now.

I get my seat in December, with snow on the ground. I have it out of the box for 30 seconds, and I see I'll be sending it back. The workmanship is awful, with a loose vinyl edge showing that needs to be tacked down. I talk to Rick on the phone, and he gives me the same "Daddy knows best" paternalistic attitude. I mail the seat for another $35, so $740 in it so far for a vinyl seat.

I got my seat last week and went for a ride, 3 months after I paid for it. The seat forces me right up against the tank, and my knees are bent uncomfortably, as if I'm too far forward or too low. The seat is also so soft that I shift forward and backward when I brake and accelerate hard (which is often.)

Yes, I could ship it back for another $35 and hope it comes back comfortable and good-looking, but life is just too short. I'll get a Sargent when they release the R1200R model in '08.

My advice is, do not get a Rick Mayer saddle unless you can ride into the shop yourself, pay by check, and don't mind being talked down to.

YMMV. Tom

[TomfromMD]

Sorry you had a difficult time with Rick Mayer, Tom. I ordered my R1200RT seat in mid January and finally received it May, although some of the delay was caused by Rick's accident. It generally took 2 or 3 days for Seth at RM to respond to my emails, but both he and Rick were very cordial. And the seat (front only, heat & leather) quality is superb with excellent comfort.
As you said,YMMV,
Tom

[bpdougd]

I can't speak to the comments on the Mayer seats. I ordered a Sargent seat in preparation for an extended trip in October. It arrived on time just before I left. I put 3500+ miles on the Sargent on my R1200RT. With the stock seat I was ready to get off and take some pain medication after a hundred miles or so. With the Sargent, I found myself stopping to take pictures, get a snack, etc, instead of because of pain. 600 mile days, while tiring, became possible.

YMMV

[jeremell]

I have a Sargent seat on my R1150R. It is very comfortable and it looks great too. I have had Corbin seats, and while they are comfortable, I like the Sargent better. I completed an Iron Butt ride last summer and the Sargent seat was great.

[larrydk]

I've been thinking about a seat for my r1200s also.

I like the Corbin, but the only reason is its available.

Sargent has had a pre order type format for this bike for some time now, I don't know if they've ever made a seat though.

I looked seriously at the seats by the custome guys at the meats, I just did'nt feel they were for the "s".

I've ridden corbin seats (circa 1997 SV1000s) and Sargent seats (circa 2003 Ducati 800ss).

They were equally great seats for sport type bikes.

If I don't see anything else, plan on ordering a Corbin in March, just not sure about materials.

[henwin]

I've been thinking about a seat for my r1200s also. I like the Corbin, but the only reason is its available.


Based on long ago experience, I wouldn't get a Corbin if they were the last maker on earth. I've seen very little good about them in the intervening years.

You may be too young to remember, but it was Corbin who put their saddles on Beemers of yore, and they were terrible--the saddles that is.

[TR250Tom]

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj14/TR250Tom/IMGP3102.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj14/TR250Tom/IMGP3101.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj14/TR250Tom/IMGP3103.jpg

Rick Mayer saddle on my R1200R. I still think Rick was difficult to work with and careless in the quality of the seat he shipped to me the first time, but I admit the saddle is getting more comfortable as I break it in.

Cheers, Tom