R1200RT Seats (aftermarket)

[TGA57589]

I want to change my seat for something a little more comfortable for the long ride and would like the input of the MOA people for what they use.

I like Wunderlich bolt on doo-dads but not sure what they offer in a seat will do the trick although I like that they use a stock seat pan. Mine is heated and I want it to stay that way without adding any extra switches like I have seen on some re-seat designs. As we all know a new seat is a big $$ investment and I want to try to avoid disappointment. Thanks to all who can add to this insight.

[DarrylRi]

Do a search on the forum for aftermarket seats. There have been a ton of threads about it and there are lots of choices for products and manufacturers.

[Greenwald]

A week from today (May 4th) will be my 3rd trip to the Smoky Mountains from WI in two years on my R1200RT.

The run from Sheboygan, WI to Gatlinburg, TN is about 760 miles, and as usual, I (and this time, also my son on his ST1300) will do it in a single day.

What seat affords me that kind of long-distance comfort?

Sargent.

Other good seats: Russell and Mayer.

All three can be had with heated-seat feature.

Good Luck with your choice!

[Polarbear]

Just had mine done, as I watched. I live fairly closeby and had the luxury of riding in for my seat, as it was made. Last week:). Ojai,CA and he advertises well in our magazine, with full page clarity! Perfect:). GSA1200 here and the stocker seat was painful after a long day. Just about any option you need is available. All the companies are making good products in aftermarket seats, I feel. I chose Rocky, because he was cheaper than Corbin and had the time to get me in fast and his Dad(Bill Mayer) built one of my old seats that I still ride after 300000 miles:), on my R100/7. B.Mayer the Third is "Rocky" and he has his Dad's want to keep us happy and riding. I'm sure the others do as well, but my choice this time for my reasons:). I came away with a wonderful, beautiful seat in Red/Black to match my GSA1200 scheme. Much happiness:), Randy13233:thumb :usa

[rdennert]

I have a CORBIN with over 26,000 miles on it, still super comfortable on my 2006 R1200RT. I have heard good things about SARGENT and BILLMAYER. :blah

[grw]

I want to change my seat for something a little more comfortable for the long ride and would like the input of the MOA people for what they use.

I like Wunderlich bolt on doo-dads but not sure what they offer in a seat will do the trick although I like that they use a stock seat pan. Mine is heated and I want it to stay that way without adding any extra switches like I have seen on some re-seat designs. As we all know a new seat is a big $$ investment and I want to try to avoid disappointment. Thanks to all who can add to this insight.

I rode down to Rick Mayer Cycles in February for a "ride-in" seat build. Not only were Rick and Seth excellent hosts but I rode off with the most comfortable seat I've ever had. You can see my photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/gary.wasserman/VisitToRickMayerCycle

Good luck with whatever you choose!

-Gary

[dshogman]

Gary,
Good looking red bike - mine's the same. Also the seat - Rick did mine, and with red thread - looks and feels great. Highly recommended seat and experience.

[BobFV1]

I've had custom seats on BMW's before (and I think highly of the ride-in job that Rocky Meyer ant Bill Meyer Saddles did for me), but on the RT I have been pleased with the stock seat plus an Alaska Leather Sheepskin Buttpad. Barb and her team at Alaska Leather know BMW's well and if you call them they will send out a very nice sheepskin seat cover that will be as good looking as it is functional. (And no, I don't work for Alaska Leather ;) )

http://www.alaskaleather.com/ (http://www.alaskaleather.com/)

[hlothery]

Another vote for Rick Mayer.

[Oldmanwheeler]

I just put a Cee Bailey seat on my 08 RT and it is by far the most comfortable seat I've ever had on a bike. One of Cee Bailey's primary business is manufacturing seats for military and commercial airplanes and knowing how long military pilots can be sitting in the cockpit I figured they had to make good motorcycle seats as well and I was not disappointed.

[markgoodrich]

If you order a Sargent directly from the company, you have 30 days to try it, get a complete refund if you decide against it; you're only out the shipping, which runs about $20 each way. I think they have a restocking fee for the heated seat. I ordered the unheated seat, rode it for a few weeks, decided it worked for me after a number of failures elsewhere, and sent it back, ordered the heated version, been happy since. Sold the OEM seat to get the price down a little bit, for $200, and the guy who bought it was so ecstatic at the price I probably left a hundred bucks on the table.

I think one of the other custom makers also allows you to return the seat, can't remember which one.

So far the Sargent's good for 7 days straight of 500-700 mile days. For me. Everyone is different, which is why I suggest the Sargent: you can return it if it doesn't work.

[RTinger]

I wish I had the kind of butt that is happy with the stock seat...

[Atomicman52]

Here are a couple of pics of my Rich's cusom Seat from Rich's here in Washington.

Heated with Gel pads and both Pebble and smooth grain leathers with Silver stitiching.

Unbelievably comfortable!!! Soory 'bout there!

here ya go!

[RTinger]

Atomic,

...no pics!!

[GSinNC]

Another vote for Sargent for the R1200RT..... have had mine for about 5 months now and did a 2200 mile trip in June and what a difference! Also, have a Rick Mayer on my GS and his seats are really nice as well!

[Beemeup]

I've had a Russell Day-Long saddle for 2 years and I'm hooked. If I ever change bikes again that will be the first thing I will add to the new one. My RDL is the most comfortable saddle I've ever had. Best of luck with your decision. Don

[na1g]

Very happy with my Sargent. Third bike I've put one on (FJR, ST1300) so my tush must like 'em. Sargent starts with a new base pan so you don't have to send your seat away for weeks while they do the upholstery. They will sell you just the front section (although the cover doesn't match the OE rear) and will do it either heated or un-heated. My Thunder Gray Metallic R12RT looks great with the silver piping on the front seat.

pete

[jaherbst]

BMW Comfort Seat-the only way to go. I have had most of the others and this is by far the very best. My second choice would be the Russell.

Jack

[Krommenoek]

+1 for Sargent. Put it on this spring and couldn't be happier. Had a question about the proper piping color to order for my bike so I called and was greeted with a friendly and knowledgeable sales rep. She answered my questions and even asked some of her own to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted.

[BMWDEAN]

I bought Rick Mayer's saddle. Wonderful solution.

http://www.rickmayercycle.com/

[RODNEY.ANDERSON@COX.NET]

My '01 RT had a Sargent seat when I bought it, so I don't have any experience with the stock seat.

I've done a 710 mile day on the Sargent and that was before I put the Alaska Leather pad on from the previous bike.

With the Alaska Leather pad I believe I could do a thousand miles in a day. I hope to find out early in August...

[FrankFlorio]

I had Bill Mayer build mine (2008 R1200RT). I'm quite happy. Go to www.billmyersaddles.com 805-640-9146 -he's in Ojai, CA.

[ozonewanderer]

Well that certainly settles the matter!:dunno

[ckcondon]

I picked up a Corbin low for my RT and have been pretty disappointed thus far. It's REALLY hard and while I've heard it can take a lot of miles to break in, I don't think I can use it long enough to get to that point!
Sargent is based here in Jax, FL so I'm going to pay them visit before I head to PA for the Rally. Otherwise I'll just go back to my stock low BMW saddle.

[thundley]

BMW Comfort Seat-the only way to go. I have had most of the others and this is by far the very best. My second choice would be the Russell.

Does the BMW Comfort Seat sit much lower than the stock seat? I have a 34" inseam with my stock seat in the highest position and really don't want to go much lower.

Tom
2007 R1200RT

[Ponch1]

Does the BMW Comfort Seat sit much lower than the stock seat? I have a 34" inseam with my stock seat in the highest position and really don't want to go much lower.

Tom
2007 R1200RT

I believe it is lower than the stock seat in the lower position, which would make it unusable. I find the low position not good and I have a 34" inseam. I cannot imagine lower.

[Atomicman52]

For me, the comfort seats don't allow me to sit far enough back on the bike. That is the beauty of a riding into the shop to have a custom seat built. A custom seat is not only tailored to your reach to the ground and pegs, but also to your fore/aft riding position , posture and the shape of your derriere!

[tsperez]

Just got a slightly used Corbin yesterday. I've had two Corbins before on Honda ST's so I know of their style and firmness. But this seat puts me much more forward on the RT. I am almost against the tank. Putting the seat on the high position helps but then I am more on my tip toes when I stop.

Is this normal on the Corbin? On the stock seat I was all the way back where I was against the front of the back seat where it functioned like a mini backrest. If I try this on the Corbin I end up on the back lip of the Corbin - not cool.

Anybody else experience this when switching to the Corbin (normal seat, leather seating area)? Btw, I'm 5'10", 32 inch inseam, 200 lbs. And I was almost ok with the stock seat but do like the Corbins but have no experience with the other custom seats.

tsp
Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

Edit: I just rode my bike about 65 miles today and the seat feels a lot better. I'm using it in the high position and it helps to get me away from the tank. The issue is that it moves me forward too much for my liking. Other than that I'm totally ok with the seat.

Edit #2: The Corbin is getting better (or I'm getting used to the new position) every time I ride the bike. I'll do a report once I break it in. I only have about 200 miles on the seat at this time.

[DavoRT]

2009 RT. Stock seat = sore fanny after 45 minutes. Took the leap of faith and bought Sargent heated seats for what, $800 ? (Got a free hat, though)!

Bliss for the backside, and looks good too :brad

[ckcondon]

I did 600mi on the Corbin today and it was miserable! Like riding a picnic bench! I'm checking out saddles as soon as I get to the rally. The Corbin will be for sale ASAP!

[RTinger]

I have heard a lot of folk testify of how comfy their seat is. However, how many of those actually have a LOW-SEAT that is comfortable.

The Russel low is like a board; so is the Sargent, the Corbin and the stock...

I have not ventured into a Rich Custom or a Rick Mayer because there is no refund on these guys...And if Russel and Sargent could not make a comfy low seat I have little faith anyone else can...unless I see it!

For me, that is the challenge: Who can make a low comfortable seat. Sargent and Russel make very comfy seats...they also have a pile of foam that make the sitting even higher than normal. Even I can put a bunch of foam inside a seat, shape it in somewhat a concave form and make a comfy seat.

My Corbin is wide and molding to my butt well, but as yours, hard as a rock.

what a trip...frustrating

[Ponch1]

I have heard a lot of folk testify of how comfy their seat is. However, how many of those actually have a LOW-SEAT that is comfortable.

The Russel low is like a board; so is the Sargent, the Corbin and the stock...

I have not ventured into a Rich Custom or a Rick Mayer because there is no refund on these guys...And if Russel and Sargent could not make a comfy low seat I have little faith anyone else can...unless I see it!

For me, that is the challenge: Who can make a low comfortable seat. Sargent and Russel make very comfy seats...they also have a pile of foam that make the sitting even higher than normal. Even I can put a bunch of foam inside a seat, shape it in somewhat a concave form and make a comfy seat.

My Corbin is wide and molding to my butt well, but as yours, hard as a rock.

what a trip...frustrating

Sounds like there is not enough material for the low seat to work right. May be the fix is a bike that isn't so tall so a suitable seat can be used that allows enough material to be comfortable.

[ckcondon]

Good point abou the low saddles being uncomfortable all around.
I love my RT, but hate to think that I won't be able to make it comfy for my 29" inseam!

[Beemeup]

I have a 29-30" inseam and I had the original low seat that went with my low suspension model 2009 RT. I couldn't stand the saddle and sent it to Russell to turn it into a Day Long. When I got it back I was on my tip toes and didn't feel I had the kind of control I wanted. I considered the expensive option of custom shocks to lower the bike and then decided to try the less expensive option of increasing my foot plant by having my boots altered as someone else on this forum had done. I took my BMW all around boots to a local shoe repairman and he added 3/4 of an inch to the bottom of my boots for a whopping $90. Believe it or not that 3/4 of an inch makes all the difference for me and I have a pretty good foot plant now, not flat footed, but good on the balls of my feet. They aren't great for a lot of walking, but then I usually take walking shoes with me when I know I'm going to be walking anyway. I love my RDL and feel confident in my foot plant too. Another option to consider. Don

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/capsnut/boots/boots004.jpg


http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp243/capsnut/boots/boots001.jpg