POLL: What seat are you using?

[racurley]

I finally got around to taking a long (for me) ride and found that the stock seat was uncomfortable for me after a couple of hours. Not torture but not good. Curious what people are using. Can we do a poll? You can make 2 selections: one for the seat and one if you use air/beads/sheep or some other add-on.

[Bogdan]

Russell Daylong. Came with the bike. I like it.

[skylarmav1]

Stock seat and want another.

[riceburner]

I'm using the stock seat (for the Rockster, I think it's the 'highest' of the 3 options), and I think it's 'OK'

It doesn't help that the cover has split across the front (it's been like that for years).

I often think about a Sargent or similar, but I like the height of the seat - I don't want to be lower relative to the bars and footrests.

[Buckster]

I have the Sargent and love it. I bought the Sheep skin a long time ago and found I really didn't need it. I might sell it actually.

[pebmr]

Wunderlich low seat. Wish it was regular height instead. Mine came with the high comfort seat, which is still a little too high-makes you sit on top of the bike instead of more in the bike. Tried the standard and low heights also. Still looking for the nice regular height seat.

[Keppelj]

Stock seat with an Airhawk which, of course, will move offering some front to back choices. Works for me.

[towerworker]

I've a Sargent that came on my '04. My first (an '03) had the stock seat and I had forgotten how that felt till one day riding with a friend who had an identical '04 like mine with the stock seat so we switched bikes for an hour or so. I couldn't wait to get back on the Sargent. Only problem with the Sargent is it does set you up an inch or more. Went from easily being able to flatfoot the bike when stopped to often having one foot down flat and nearly just a toe on the other. But that's part of the comfort of the aftermarket seat is having a bit more foam in the seat. Plus I'm only 5'9" and I think I'm starting to get shorter in my quickly adding years!

My seat covering is nearly worn out and getting thin in a couple places but the seat's been on the bike for 12 years and has 70K on it so I guess it's about time.

[peels]

the stock seat is near perfect for me... I might consider an airhawk type of cushion, or beaded cushion. only to mitigate "swass" lol but shape, contour, height (im 6') it just works.

[racurley]

I.... Only problem with the Sargent is it does set you up an inch or more. Went from easily being able to flatfoot the bike when stopped to often having one foot down flat and nearly just a toe on the other. But that's part of the comfort of the aftermarket seat is having a bit more foam in the seat. Plus I'm only 5'9" and I think I'm starting to get shorter in my quickly adding years! ...

I like the idea of the Sargent seat but I'm 5' 6" and am already subjected to the one-cheek stance when stopped. An additional inch might makes stops very interesting, particularly with any slope involved. Hmmm. The Sargent website lists the specs in comparison to the BMW seats like this. I thought I had a standard seat so I'm guessing that equates to a low in this chart.

Technical Seat Specifications:

BMW Low Seat 30.4" / 780 Mm
BMW High Seat 32.3" / 820 Mm
Sargent World Sport Seat 31.85" / 809 Mm

[gregor]

I use the standard stock seat (not low or high versions). Have used a sheepskin pad in the past. But a few runs using the stock seat gets my rear accustomed to it . Have done 1000 miles in 3 days no bother.
But even with my 32" inside leg, I can stand with both feet flat on the ground, when stationary!, and raise myself off the seat. Maybe if you are shorter use the low stock seat.

[sstein]

Sargent came with 02 R. Longest ride was 300 mi. So far so good.

[kirby]

218,000 on mine. 180,000 on the sergeant, still looks new. 35" inseam. With air pad I can do 12 to 14 hour days.

[racurley]

218,000 on mine. 180,000 on the sergeant, still looks new. 35" inseam. With air pad I can do 12 to 14 hour days.

That's an impressive number of miles. At my current rate of adding miles, I'll get to that total when I'm 95. I need to put so more miles on!

[Biff's R]

82,000 on the seat. My seat isn't the original that was shipped with the bike. It originally had the tan seat, but someone wanted it on an Edition 80 Rockster. The sealer switched it out before I bought the bike. I occasionally use the Alaska Leather Sheepskin butt pad for long days in the saddle.

Kirby that is an impressive mileage total.

[kirby]

82,000 on the seat. My seat isn't the original that was shipped with the bike. It originally had the tan seat, but someone wanted it on an Edition 80 Rockster. The sealer switched it out before I bought the bike. I occasionally use the Alaska Leather Sheepskin butt pad for long days in the saddle.

Kirby that is an impressive mileage total.

I bought it (Rockster) in '04. Put on standard r1150r bars, ohlin shocks (rebuilt 5 times) staintune (complete) exhaust (much lighter than stock, the cat and stock can is heavy).
I have done several track days and one all out 15 lap race. (radared at 141 mph with a slight tail wind .9 mile straight and never hit the rev limiter in top gear)
I have used dino oil and changed it at 6000 miles.(also dino in RD and Trans). Right now I do not have to add any between changes. Last compression check was 159/160 psi. Check the valves and rocker float around 12,000 miles. Rebuilt the right throttle (shaft clicking) one new hall sensor,3 fuel filters, stick coils once, front wheel pivot joint once, front wheel bearing once. Many instrument light bulbs.
I crabbed and pulled the transmission at 169,000 miles and there was minimal spline ware and the clutch plate still in great shape so did not replace.

When it starts using oil or the compression drops off I will pull the cylinders and do a top overhaul.

Best all around moto I have ever owned (out of about 30).

About 80% of my street riding has been sport touring (solo) with very little stop and go stuff (city), with a fair amount of dirt roads out here in the western states. Never been dropped or damaged.
I'm good to it and it has been good to me.

[DAM650]

218,000 on mine. 180,000 on the sergeant, still looks new. 35" inseam. With air pad I can do 12 to 14 hour days.

impressive mileage.

[RSteveRBMW]

Corbin with an Alaskan Sheepskin butt pad on my 2002.

[peels]

I have changed my tune on the seat, i havent had a problem in the whole time Ive owned it....Whether its age...the extra 20 lbs...or Im just riding longer these days, its no longer good for me. the stock seat rendered my bottom numb on a 1200 mile trip...

I fiddled with an airhawk at a bike shop. not impressed for the price.

kicking the idea of a DIY seat pad around in my head. inflatable, foam or otherwise. BUt Ill also shop for a new seat with this poll in mind.

[gregor]

If your bum is numb- then that is a desirable state of anaesthesia. Like having a few pints of best bitter - it wears off after a few hours. I'd rather be numb than in pain. A personal opinion only I must say.