"Tall in the saddle"

[rolyak]

My '85 R80RT has a Corbin "Dual Tour" and I know Corbin will rework the seat for about 75% of the cost of a new one also I have talked to a seat specialist who can do the job for about $350 or so.

A low seat can be ordered from BMW for around $450 but I don't know if it would give me the 1.5" I need to put my feet flat on the ground.

Does anyone know how the "Dual Tour" compares to the low seat or even the stock seat?

Thanks
Tom

[krehmkej]

Corbins are generally wider and flatter than stock. This makes it harder to flat-foot, all things being equal.

You might consider having Sargents re-work it.

[Bombayduck]

Just a thought but it might be less expensive to have a pair of riding boots built up with thicher soles and longer heels?

[535is]

Flat-footing is overrated ...

[ccolwell]

Try Sargent -- they have a dedicated rebuild service for BMW's. IMO a much better company that Corbin.

[Yarddog]

I agree with 535is, in that flat footin' is nice but not necessary...but how about lowering the shocks and fork? I'm new to the BMW scene, but that's one way the American bike girls and boys do to get it down there...I feel like I'm on a Skycrane when I ride my R100/7, and although I'm a tall guy, I'd feel better closer to the ground...but I don't want to modify my stock seat, it's VERY comfortable...

[paulfinney2]

Lowering the fork or shocks will decrease ground clearance, increase difficulty lifting onto center stand.
Strong toes build good character.




26"inseam

[130262]

I have the same seat on my 87 r80rt.I am also height challenged.Someone suggested shortening the shock.They had done one for there wife. I calculated it,took it apart ,cut and rethreaded it 3/4" shorter.It lowered the bike about 1",but also slightly changed the angle and causes it to bouce easier because of it.I have it on the hardest setting. I had a tire with a lower 80 profile which brought it down.That is an easier and better choice. I will be trying to replace my shock with a good used one and going back to a 90/80 rear.

[bikerfish1100]

Rick Mayer http://www.rickmayercycle.com/ will custom build you a saddle that actually fits your butt, and can easily design it to give improved reach to the ground by narrowing the nose of the saddle while retaining good thigh support (better than stock). he's done 2 of my bikes so far, and the 3rd is soon to happen.
I've used Sargent's and Corbins in the past- Rick is #1, Sargent #2, not sure how low i'd rank Corbin these days. last seat i bought from them took 3 return trips to the factory, and they still got it wrong (QC issues- i eventually just let them keep it).

[shire2000]

I had a similar problem with my 81 RT when I bought it. Previous owner had installed a custom seat from Rich's in Seattle. It was much wider than the stock one and although I could reach the ground flat footed, I found that the sides of the seat bothered my thighs and after longer rides I was getting tingles in my legs. Pinching nerves or something.

My fix was to purchase a seat that was available from BMW way back when the bike was new. It was made by the same manufacturer of the original seat, but is cut down by about 1.5 inches in the front half. It does not have quite the same cushioning factor, but being the same width as the original I found it much more comfortable. No more tingles. For very long rides I use a sheepskin for extra comfort, even in the rain.