BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

In the 4,600 miles that it took me and my friends to get from Maryland to Utah and back, I believe that I have gained some insight into how to improve upon the poorly designed seat that comes standard on the R1150R.

I think that the seat becomes so uncomfortable on long rides for three reasons:

1. The seat lacks thick enough cushioning.

2. The shape of the seat is actually *convex*. It's almost like you're sitting on a moderately cushioned barrell.

3. The biggest flaw in the design of the seat, however, is the lack of indentations at the area that most of a rider's weight is concentrated:
the ischiums, or sit bones.

I think that if motorcycle seats were designed with oval indentations located where the "sit bones" meet the seat, it would take the pressure off of those bones and distribute it instead to the meaty part of the butt, therefore relieving that concentrated, burning pain.

I'm sure that a custom seat would make a big difference over what I've got now, but even the ones that I've tried out don't make accomodations for the ischiums...

That was the only thing that I found uncomfortable about the R on a truly long distance ride.

So if there are any seat designers/manufacturers reading this post, *please*, steal my concept and produce this seat!

Thx for giving it a name (ischiums), cuz I noticed that about my butt bones too, for lack of a proper name. That is where all the soreness seems to be concentrated, and I do not notice it on my Cruiser's hard, leather saddle.

So, what's the proper name for that indentation above the upper lip, just below the cartilage which separates the nostrils?

The indentation in the middle of your upper lip is called a "philtrum."

I just happened to read about it in a book last night..... weird...

Hehe, I remember George Carlin asking that years ago, but I do not recall the response (if there was one). Now I know. George asked all sorts of questions, didn't he?

I must have a BMW shaped bum! 16,000 kms in 22 days and no complaints. Stock seat with a sheepskin over the top.

I think the seat is nearly perfect. Must be the bums out there!

I must have a BMW shaped arse also.. ..I think the stock BMW seat is ok...btw..just show'in where the kevlar is in the Draggin's..(they're inside out)

DJ

That's disturbing



Actually, I never have had a problem with the seat either. However, I did discover after a long motorcycle ride this weekend that (trying to be discreet, dignified, and diplomatic here), the wrong choice in garments under jeans/riding pants can make for a very uncomfortable ride - - - - and I can't blame the BMW seat for that. Lesson learned

Well, that just goes to show you; opinions are like a#@holes. Everybody's got one..... *yuck, yuck*

I'll be appearing here all week. Please don't forget to tip your waitress.

BOOOOOO DJ

that's an opinion we didn't need

you must really be bored, hang in there buddy

Gypsy,
I know what you mean... I did a long ride last week from Reno through Yosemite and home to San Francisco... Even with the Sargent seat I have, after 7 hours of riding I felt the seams in my skivvies as if they were branding irons, especially after taking a break and getting back on the bike. My 383 mile ride home took me a little over 10 hours... Beautiful ride and I'll post some pics from the ride when I find time...
T.

MIXR wrote:I must have a BMW shaped bum! 16,000 kms in 22 days and no complaints. Stock seat with a sheepskin over the top.

WOOH! WHERE and WHY??!

Are you sure that Australia's big enough for you?

GypsyRR wrote:... wrong choice in garments under jeans/riding pants can make for a very uncomfortable ride - - - - and I can't blame the BMW seat for that. Lesson learned

Let me guess…

G - strings?

This stock seat is not as bad as some others I have had on other bikes. But bad enough a Sargent seat is on my short list.

Re skivvies: One word - Underarmour compression shorts!

Let me guess…

G - strings?
[/quote]

*PLEASE*, DJ... NO PICTURES...

No motorcycle comes with a good seat. Personally, I think its a conspiracy; a Sargent seat will solve your woes. I'm still using the stocker but I'm well padded.

If I'm doing a big ride I'll wear cycling shorts under my riding gear..they make a big difference.

Also I stand a little every now and then..just un-weight really..and that helps also...there's also the odd stop for a pic..

I've sat on a lot of other bikes and geees...some seats out there are rock hard.

The Ducati Multistrada and the Triumph speed triple are just a couple that come to mind.

DJ

wncbmw wrote:One word - Underarmour compression shorts!

Vann, that's 3 or maybe 4 words.

Had to be done.
You knew it was coming.

ASK and ye shall receive!
A seat designed for the...whatevers, I forgot already.
I've had this bookmarked for over a year and still haven't actually seen one anywhere.

http://www.kontourseat.com/

Anyone ever heard of someone actually buying one?

Lets just be honest here; *as a group*, we BMW riders are probably the most hardcore on the road when it comes to actual riding (Hey, sometimes you've got to acknowledge a truth).

And BMW designs motorcycles that, in virtually every other way, are focused on performance and comfort on very long rides.

It just seems like they didn't put much thought into making the seats.

Kinda inconsistant with the meticulous design of the rest of the bike.

Maybe it would simply be too expensive to produce a higher quality seat?

*shrug*