Seat Experiences

[Grumpy Goat]

I too believe that I would like to try a sport seat. I do flat foot well on the one helmet setting and am comfortable in two helmet mode, and depending on how tippy toed I am when set for a passenger, I may switch. BUT I am not willing to pay the new price.

I too have the gap you show with my normal seat - bugged me too, but the sport seat narrows the seat I believe.

[Duccrazydave]

When talking with the BMW sales guy, he mentioned that the sport seat was the preferred option that most RS owners wanted ( in our area, at least). When I put the sport seat on my bike the gap was gone. Fit like an oem seat should. Still confused as to why my seat didn't have a gap on the new bike.
I'll just be patient and wait for a deal to swing my way

[Lee]

My standard seat is similar to your bottom picture showing a bigger gap at the back.
The gap on Debbie's seat is fairly even.

[Ray]

It [sport seat] sits me higher so less angle at the knees plus easier to move around on if I want due to the profile not locking me in. The additional padding is appreciated as well.

An old thread, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents from the ergonomics perspective. I used an old custom Corbin for over 100,000 miles, and loved it, but to date, the sport seat (OK - with RS suspension) has been the most comfortable touring platform I've run. For someone like me, who has to compress lots of riding into single days and a few weeks/year, all-day (and rarely all-night) comfort are paramount.

With old well worn leather and new synthetics, we have sufficient friction to stay connected to the seat, and can more easily use our glutes to actively "sit in" (to use a horseback term) and remain one with the bike as it accelerates, decelerates, bounces, and jumps, and slides. (One reason a great rider like Darrell doesn't need to use his knees under heavy braking.)

BMW got it right in not calling the sport seat a high seat. It's more. For me, someone who loves the ergos of the RR, it's not about knee position and higher height; it's about a flat platform that does not require a lot of gluteus activity to keep me from getting jammed up against the gas tank with every bounce and deceleration.

(In fact, during a recent run with CSBS on a 2018 RR - with a new, stock, tilt-forward seat - I ended up with slippery, new leathers, for which Dylan Code had me experiment successfully with some sticky stuff - yes - produced for horse folks....)

[Ray]

One strange thing I noticed upon returning was how much better my seat fit the ‘18 model, than my ‘16. The gap between the seat/ tank junction has always bothered me a bit. I had attributed it to production variations in the seat foam. But after seeing it on the new bike, there’s definitely something else going on. There’s no adjustability to speak of in the mounting area. So I’m left scratching my head on this one. I’ve included pics of the seat on my bike. Any ideas?

In case this is still an issue - the gap looks similar to what I recall happens when the "variable saddle" holder on the XR I rode a couple of years ago, was in the low position. You note nothing in the mounting area - is there something going on with the saddle?

("Variable saddle holder" on the GS)

       

[Duccrazydave]

Actually the curvature of my stock seat does't match the tank. The mounting pads are in good shape. I even saw adjustable mounts, where the center hole is offset, so you could rotate it for lower or higher than stock height. Raising the front of the seat (with the mounts removed) just has the "side wings" hitting the tank, while the gap remains.
The GS tank/seat junction is different and made for that flexibility. I have a shop, 10 minutes from the house, that makes custom seats. Mostly for Harley's, but he did a wonderful job reshaping and recovering the crowned stock seat on my '92 900SS. I'm going to ask his opinion on this, since I plan to modify the seat, like Lee did, with the gel insert.

[Ray]

Actually the curvature of my stock seat does't match the tank. The mounting pads are in good shape. I even saw adjustable mounts, where the center hole is offset, so you could rotate it for lower or higher than stock height. Raising the front of the seat (with the mounts removed) just has the "side wings" hitting the tank, while the gap remains.
The GS tank/seat junction is different and made for that flexibility.

You've put some thought into it (as usual). Somehow I knew I was wasting your time with my over-simplified thought. (I think Lee recently stated, he always knew I was simple.

Looking forward to the photos.

[Duccrazydave]

Totally not wasting my time, Ray. These are the kind of discussions that, quite often, lead to a better answer than I thought I had.


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[mspratz]

I have had all the bodywork off my RS regularly for its annual ACF50 treatment. I have found that the gap between the tank covers and the seat can be reduced a little. When reattaching the tank covers, I have all the fasteners in place but slightly loose. Then I press down gently on the rear of the tank covers and tighten the rearmost fasteners first. Those particular fasteners do not have a bezel, so they have some free play in the mounting holes.
This procedure doesn't eliminate the tank/seat gap on my bike, but it does reduce it enough to make a difference.

[Grumpy Goat]

Hmmm ... interesting tip Mike. I might do that next time. I do not really like the gap but I don't dislike it that much to spend big bucks for a seat. I would consider buring a used Sport seat if the price were right, since I would get more legroom and close the gap - two birds for the one stone.

[Duccrazydave]

Appreciate the input on the tank bodywork. Mainly the gap is there to remind me of my OCD tendencies, should I forget

[70garyb]

My Sargent arrived this last weekend, I’ve not had more than a few minutes on it but at a minimum I like the red outline, it blends well with the frame

[ESquared]

My Sargent arrived this last weekend, I’ve not had more than a few minutes on it but at a minimum I like the red outline, it blends well with the frame

REALLY interested in your thoughts on the Sargent (agree on the red piping!), as their pitch is that their design takes the forward incline out of the seating position. Is yours the standard height "sport seat"?

[70garyb]

My Sargent arrived this last weekend, I’ve not had more than a few minutes on it but at a minimum I like the red outline, it blends well with the frame

REALLY interested in your thoughts on the Sargent (agree on the red piping!), as their pitch is that their design takes the forward incline out of the seating position. Is yours the standard height "sport seat"?

I actually went for the high seat, from what I understand it’s about the same height as the OEM standard, my original OEM was low seat and it was very low for me. What I can’t say so far is the seat is definitely not pitched forward like the OEM, I actually now need to find the best seating position whether it’s forward middle or back but it certainly feels like I have the option to sit anywhere on the seat without being forced forward.

[ESquared]

Well, having choices is definitely a good thing, especially if it affords you the option to really move around over the course of a ride, just to let your joints adjust for a bit. I'm hoping Sargent will be at the Rally offering at least "test sits" if not test rides. And you're right, even the OEM "Sport" (tall) seat is still canted toward the tank a bit.

[36654]

The Sargent Tall seat is the same height as the RS standard height seat. The Sargent standard / regular height seat is the same as the R1200R standard seat.