Mayer seats vs. Russell

[DETOUR]

I have a production date with Russell for a daylong seat.Any thoughts and experiences one versus the other would be appreciated.Its not to late for me to change my mind.I do a significant amount of local riding as well as fairly frequent long distant and the so called comfort seat is a joke.

[DETOUR]

Sorry if this is a redundant question,I am new to the site.I will get it figured out with time.

[ultracyclist]

Welcome, and please post a pic of your bike.

Both aftermarket seat mfr's are excellent.
The shape of your "anatomy", height, weight, type of riding, and more determine the configuration of your seat.

I have sat on both Russell and Mayer seats, and I prefer Russell Day Long. IMO it is a sturdier seat and I am a heavier person.
I am going to order a new Russell about Feb of next year.

For aftermarket gear like custom seats, you may want to post in the "Gear" portion of this forum.
May I also suggest that you go to the gear section and use the search feature of the site for specific seat info. This topic comes up often.

Is there a local BMW club in your area where you could look at different seats on models similar to yours?

Ride safe.

[kgadley01]

I have a R1100RT and had a Sargent seat on it for awhile. it was much better than stock, but now I have a Russell Day Long and love it. Welcome to the Forum.

[jimshaw]

Literally hundreds of Iron Butt riders cannot be wrong. Russell is by far and away the choice of long distance riders.

I've had two, and after 1400 miles in a day, every part of my body was sore except my butt. You might be surprised to find that the Russell doesn't cost any more than most of its pretenders.

I have had one seat of vinyl (~120,000 miles before I traded the bike), and the latest one with a leather top (~40,000 miles since I couldn't do one more mile on the GS stock seat). It's a personal choice, but I prefer the leather top. You do have to take a little better care of the leather - keeping the sun off when parked for long periods. Buy the 'hairnet' style cover Russell sells, if you buy the leather. It's smaller than your fist, rolled up.

Nice people at Russell, too. :thumb

Jim
IBA 3278

[widebmw]

I got a Russell seat in 1992 for my R100R and I had it done in vinyl.
At 120,000 miles the vinyl started to crack so I had them rebuild it in leather.
I have put another 140,000 miles on it and I like the leather better.

[bikerfish1100]

following "best oil?" and "best tires?", "best seat?" is probably the top re-repeated question on this forum.
try the search button in the upper right corner- you will see what i mean.

[DETOUR]

Thanks for the advice guys on the seats and posting ideas,again I am new to bmoa and the whole posting concept but certainly seeing huge advantages already in playing off other peoples been there done that philosophy and input and weeding thru it to figure how it will help myself.By the way Russell first available production date is in late feb.so anyone wanting to get one made should contact them sooner instead of later.at this point I beleive I still want a Russell seat.

[ultracyclist]

I liked Russell better because I was sitting ON the seat rather than in the seat.

No fun having a scrunched tailbone.

[scjack]

I put over 600,000 miles on various, Day-Long (Russell) seats. Owned at least six of them on different bikes and never had one problem. Always bought the leather and routinely cleaned and conditioned it with Lexol. Gave up my long distance riding due to health problems but would buy another if I could do the 500+ mile days again.

[bikerfish1100]

given the similar yet different shapes of the Mayer and the Russell, i would expect the Russell to be superior for pure distance, straight up RT style riding, and the Mayer to be superior for back roads, 2-lane twisties on S or RS styled bikes. not that either would be a bad choice on the less preferred scenario, but i "think" the wider wings of the Russell will somewhat limit saddle shifting, and the smaller wings of the Mayer will give a bit less thigh support.
I've never ridden a Russell, but a 500+ day on the Rick Mayer on my 11S is no problem at all.
just some thoughts.

[clcgsa]

What bike? I have a Daylong on my CLC and LOVE it; thought it would be too "Barcalounger" on my GSA and went with the Mayer. The Russell is more comfortable, but the difference is slight. I say you can go with what you think looks best; they're both way better than any other seats I've ever seen.

[tommcgee]

I'm very happy with the Russell seat. The "Day Long" part of their name is a true story and a 750 mile day is my kind of day.

[Harrington]

I'm just another happy Russel customer. The customer service was great and their product is excellent.

[glenfiddich]

given the similar yet different shapes of the Mayer and the Russell, i would expect the Russell to be superior for pure distance, straight up RT style riding, and the Mayer to be superior for back roads, 2-lane twisties on S or RS styled bikes. not that either would be a bad choice on the less preferred scenario, but i "think" the wider wings of the Russell will somewhat limit saddle shifting, and the smaller wings of the Mayer will give a bit less thigh support.
I've never ridden a Russell, but a 500+ day on the Rick Mayer on my 11S is no problem at all.
just some thoughts.

That was absolutely my experience. With the RDL on my R12GS I could easily do 750 mile days...but on dirt roads where I like to use all the saddle depending on the terrain the wide wings really got in my way. Painfully so, as in digging into the back of my thighs.

I have a Bill Mayer now. Not as comfy past 500 miles as the RDL, but much more versatile for mixed riding IMO. So the poster that stated it was dependent on your type of riding was spot on.

Pete

[ALIENHITCHHIKER]

Can't personally comment on the Russell. As the previous posts indicate, it has an excellent reputation.

I've owned two Rick Mayer saddles (K100RT & R1100RT). Good quality leather, definitely all-day comfortable, but a bit soft for my taste - despite my telling him on the second purchase that I would like it a bit firmer.

I like the look of Bill Mayer's saddles but have only sat on them at shows.

Honestly? I prefer the vinyl covered Sargent I bought for daily commuting, thinking I'd save the Mayer for longer rides. The only reason I've kept the Mayer is that my wife prefers it - so I mount it when we tour two-up. The Sargent foam is just the right density for my butt and its ergos are just right for my lower back.

My 2 cents regarding leather - better looking, a bit more comfortable in warm weather, if you keep it oiled (or waxed) it will wear with a lovely patina, BUT, if it gets wet it will be miserable to sit on for at least the rest of the day.