Seat

[robertgerena]

Anybody got any feedback on custom saddles? I would like to hear whether you feel it is worth the cash, I know that my stock R1150GS saddle leaves a lot to be desired after three hours or so. I am looking at a Rick Mayer saddle, he seems like an actual custom shop, not a production facility, but if anyone knows of a better saddle at a better price, I'd love to hear from you.

[kbasa]

Got a Rocky Mayer on my GS and love it. Got a Sargent on the RS and on the VFR and they're both terrific as well.

If you have the time/money/inclination, a custom seat will work better for you, particularly if you are short/tall, have short/long legs or other anatomical anomalies.

But, overall, Corbin seats suck.

[robertgerena]

Thanks for the feedback.

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by KBasa

But, overall, Corbin seats suck.

Yes they do. They suck, they suck hard.

[bikerfish1100]

can't say enuff good things about Rick's work- the guy is the best out there right now. never heard anything bad aobut his stuff- and if you're not happy he'll give you your $ back. otoh, i have heard some complaints about Rocky's quality. and innumerable complaints about customer service and quality control from Corbin- will not buy new from them again.

[Luckies]

Well, I’m buying from Rick. I talked to each of the seat vendors at the rally and decided Rick was the best man for the job. I based this on his prior profession and his knowledge of the human body. Who better to design and build a seat? As a recovery room nurse, in which I believe is critical care, he would have to deal with all sorts of issues, and patient comfort would have to be the number one concern. The decision seemed easy to me.

Dave

[robertgerena]

"Who better to design and build a seat?"

A Proctologist would be the only better source than a nurse, I guess.

Seems my instinct was correct, Rick Mayer gets the best critique so far. Nobody seems to care for Corbin. One other question, does anybody know if the Rick Mayer seats interfere with the BMW top case, or saddlebags?

Thanks again.

[username]

aren't proctologists [snap of rubber glove heard in background] primarily interested in rooting around up inside there, and peering in, as opposed to making your tushie comfy? :D your seat affects your whole body too, so it's a big ergonomic thing.

robert - do you have a dealer selling used bikes near you? if so, swing by, and you might find used bikes with aftermarket seats on them. take a book and sit on one for a bit, and see what you think. i did this and concluded that i could be very happy with a sargent saddle, even if it wasnt custom formed to my perfectly scultped behind. ;)

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by username
aren't proctologists [snap of rubber glove heard in background] primarily interested in rooting around up inside there, and peering in, as opposed to making your tushie comfy? :D your seat affects your whole body too, so it's a big ergonomic thing.

robert - do you have a dealer selling used bikes near you? if so, swing by, and you might find used bikes with aftermarket seats on them. take a book and sit on one for a bit, and see what you think. i did this and concluded that i could be very happy with a sargent saddle, even if it wasnt custom formed to my perfectly scultped behind. ;)

I ride with a guy who has a Sargent that is pretty much shot after 50,000 miles. Has anyone else had this experience as well?

[kbasa]

Originally posted by YB in IN
I ride with a guy who has a Sargent that is pretty much shot after 50,000 miles. Has anyone else had this experience as well?

Got about 35K on the VFR seat and it still looks and works great. We've only got about 10K on teh RS seat, so it's still looking pretty new.

[robertgerena]

Username, I can't say for sure, but it would seem that proctologists are experts in all things related to the butt. A dubious honor, at best, but (no pun intended) we all gotta make a living.

Enough about butt doctors.

I am leaning toward the Rick Mayer, seems to have the best rep.

[bikerfish1100]

Rick warranties his work. for life. how can you beat that?
he builds the saddle on your seat pan- should interfere with absolutely nothing. except your discomfort.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Robert - I've owned two Rick Mayer seats. First one on a K100RT, current one on a R1100RT. I've been pleased with both. Suprising improvement over stock, especially after the first couple hundred miles of a long ride. Can't yet comment on longevity (but I'm working on it). Since Rick builds them on the stock pan they are a perfect fit - no problem with bags, etc. I see you live in California. I would STRONGLY suggest you ride up to Redding and let Rick build your saddle there. I did this for the K bike, but did the shipping thing for the current saddle. It was an excruciatingly frustrating experience. Maybe I just had bad luck, but Rick seemed incredibly disorganized. First he misplaced my order, then he had me down for a airhead RT, and finally seemed to have no record of receiving my stock saddles, leaving me waiting about 12 weeks for the return of a $300 deposit. It took 16 weeks to get the saddle which had been promised in 10. So... great guy, great saddles, but I'd ride to Redding!
Steve
P.S.; I've owned 3 Corbins; they were all right, nothing more, nothing less.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Oh yeah, the important thing to know about proctologists is this: choose one with small hands!
Steve

[robertgerena]

Steve O, thanks for the input. Initially I didn't have an opinion on any of the manufacturers, and the feedback seems to indicate that Rick Mayer is the way to go. Thanks for the advice on his "Shipping Policy", I'll be up in the area around Thanksgiving, maybe I'll drop in on him then. My only issue with the Corbin was that it wouldn't allow the use of the standard BMW trunk, and the price isn't that much better than the true customs out there.

Thanks again.

[Mr. Frank]

I've had two Rick Mayer seats and have been very pleased with the quality of materials and workmanship. Rick is very easy to work with.

Most people rate the Russell as a bit more comfortable, but it's more expensive and doesn't look very nice on the bike IMHO.

[lorazepam]

I have a Rick Mayer on my bike and you can have it when you pry my cold dead butt cheeks off it.

[ScottM]

Drove up to Ricks last spring. Hated the stock seat on my R and had to have something that worked. He built me one while I watched. The guy is an artist. Added some height and width. It's great! Rode it to Spokane last summer without any pain.

[bmwmick]

Robert,
Make sure you call and schedule an appointment before "dropping in". He only has a few available slots per week.
I have a Rick Mayer on my R1100RT and I REALLY like it a lot. BUT, Steve-o is correct, Rick is very disorganized (or maybe it was just my order and Steve's order). First, he lost my order for a couple of weeks, then found it, Lost the two spare seats I sent (because he is always looking for good seat pans) then found them. When he sent my seat back he only sent the front and not the rear, then he sent the rear (after a couple of phone calls and two more weeks) and then he forgot the rain cover, but it was sent separately after another phone call. Took about 3 months to get it right, including some confusion where he sent MY seats to another customer (I know because I permanently marked my pans with my name).
Love the seat though. :dunno

Mick

[dzimbric]

Originally posted by YB in IN
Yes they do. They suck, they suck hard.

No they don't. I have over 30k on mine and it is begining to get broken in. What sucks is the lack of service in customer service.

Once you break in your rear to the seat and you get the seat to fit correctly it is a decent sit. There are considerably heavier than the Sargeant or some of the other aftermarket saddles available. With the corbin I didn't have to send off my stock seat pan, still have it tucked away in the garage. Of course I got a real good deal on a brand new one otherwise, I would probally be looking at a different manufacturer.

[dzimbric]

Originally posted by lorazepam
I have a Rick Mayer on my bike and you can have it when you pry my cold dead butt cheeks off it.

Heard they were a little to stinky to approach.

[StevieWonder]

thanks for the input.

This can be VERY important on those visits to the proctologist! :brow