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Help with After Market Seats

DXMENON

New member
I have a 1200RT. Got most options on the bike but the factory seat is killing me. I am planning to ride to the rally so I have more incentive than ever to replace my seat. I know there are couple of different after market seats: Cee & Baileys, Russell Day long Saddles, Sargeant, etc. The first two I believe are in the $400 -$600 range which is doable for me. Can anyone give me some feedback as to the comfort/quality of these seats, vinyl vs leather, etc. If I'm going to spend a lot of money, I want to make the right choice.

Thanks for all the feedback in advance.....
 
Hi Deepak! There are a bunch of threads on aftermarket seats already. Just use the search feature near the top of the page.
 
Seats

A lot of words have been expended on the subject. I think I have a hard ass because I have not had a problem with the factory seat with a sheepskin pad on it. I have had problems with my knees for which I got pegs so I can stretch out every half hour or so.........

I guess the subject rivals Oil and Final Drives....:hide
 
There is more than just one good seat on the aftermarket scene.

For what it's worth, I went with Sargent and could not be happier. All-day comfort (even survived an Iron Butt in good shape) and well built, with some neat storage features beneath.

Good Luck!
 
I'm larger than the average bear, and my butt has gotten sore easily on every stock motorcycle seat I've ever had, including bikes from four decades. I've have had two aftermarket seats, and I absolutely loved them both.

I had a Diamond seat (from FL) on a Honda Valkyrie. It was built for someone who was nearly my twin. He hated it, and gave it to me- complete with receipt for $350+, in 1999 dollars! When I sat on it, I immediately absolutely loved it. I still own it though the bike is long gone- I may someday own another Valk, and will want this seat!

I currently have a R1150GS with a Russell. I had mine built after sending them lots of photos, plus an extensive (neurotic?) list of concerns/complaints. I was very apprehensive about the cost.

When I got my seat, I couldn't feel anything special about it. I was worried that I had wasted my money. After a couple of 500 mile days, I still couldn't feel anything "special" about it. Then it dawned on me- I couldn't feel anything "special," but I didn't have a sore butt, either!:D My longest day with it so far is just over 700 miles- no sore butt!

I went with a leather cover. I like it, I think it is slightly less "sweaty" than vinyl. That said, I've also been experimenting with wicking underwear, mesh gear, etc., so it's not an entirely fair comparison to the old days in jeans and whitey-tighties. You will want a rain cover for a leather-covered seat. I am not impressed with the rain cover that Russell sent, that's my only complaint.

Read up on Russell's comfort guarantee- a nice feature, if you ever need it!

Do a search, read the posts, and take your chances. Good luck!
 
Couple of thoughts:
  • Remember that to get a Russell, either of the Meyers, Rich's, etc..., you have to send your stocker and you'll be out of a seat for the time it takes to customize yours. Corbin and Sargent send the pre-made saddle to you and you can ride your stocker while you wait for it to come in. It shouldn't be the biggest consideration, but something to think about particularly since spring is right around the corner and the wait time is about to grow.
  • Don't immediately discount the cheaper (~$40) options such as an Airhawk, Beadrider, or Alaska Buttpad.
I have a Sargent with Beadrider beads on it. The combination seems fine. Although I haven't attempted a 500 mile day on the combination, I've done my share of 300+ mile days and no monkey butt at all. In comparison, the stock 12GS saddle hurt in less than an hour, and was pure torture after a couple of hours. The Sargent by itself helped a lot, but I still got a little bit sore after 200+ miles, and after 350 miles or so my butt was ready to call it quits, even though it was still better than the stocker after just a couple of hours. The beads (only $40) on the Sargent certainly added another couple of hours or 100+ miles, but I don't know yet if I could do a SS1000 type ride on it, yet.

But, if I had to do it over, I'd send my stocker to Russell and be done with it. At the time (three years ago), the wait was two months and I commute daily so I couldn't be without the seat, so I got the Sargent which is a fine saddle and far better than stock, but for me is still not ideal for truly long distance riding. I may yet send my stocker to Russell and sell the Sargent.


Hi Deepak! There are a bunch of threads on aftermarket seats already. Just use the search feature near the top of the page.
+1

Do a search here and at other forums, like the equipment forum on ADVrider. Lots of threads out there.
 
I have a Rick Mayer and it is a wonderful seat. Hand made to fit me.

If you hang out at a local shop, ask around who is riding with what seat and have a look (or even a test seat) on them.

We are all built differently, but a custome seat will be better than an aftermarket, and an aftermarket will be better than stock.

A lot depends on how many miles you ride at a tme, and what you basic build is. If you are very large, or very tall, or very something else - go custom.

If not, see if you can test one of the others. Beware that return shipping and "restocking fees" on some of the off-the-shelf seats can run you upwards of $200 - on a $450 seat.

Another option for custom is to buy a second seat from a salvage place (undamaged) and send that in to the custom shop. You end up with two seats, but if you sell the bike you can sell the custom seat seperately.
 
I went with a Sargent that was custom (no welts, topstitch, no logo and symphony vinyl). This is a low seat, but I think a standard seat might be a better deal for the extra padding.
 

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New Seat is just a short ride away

you're in Florida.. Corbin is just outside Daytona (at National Gardens/US 1 off I-95) and Sargent is in Downtown Jacksonville (east 1st). both will let you try a seat out. if you get there early enough you could probably put 200-300 miles on it before you return it..:whistle
 
I've got an email of an owner who had an RT seat from I believe an '05 if someone needs a seat pan or whole seat. I don't know what the condition is it, was offered to me when I bought something from them. Send me a message if anyone should need it.
 
Seat wisdom

Hi there in Florida. Each aftermarket seat has something a little different than the others. I had Corbin on my K75 and loved it. It took about 500 miles to break in. it was always firm but comfortableI bought a Sargant seat and I think this is the best yet. I also had a Comfort Seat from BMW but the Sargant is still better. This summer I rode out to Gillette from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan . We put 1400 miles on in two days. Comfort was never an issue. FWIT, I'm 61 years old and I like to put miles on . I also went with leather. It's a beautiful seat and would not hesitate to buy another one.:nod
 
Custom Seats

Consider what brand that you see the LEAST amount of used "for sales". That should paint a pretty good option.
 
I went with Cee Bailey because I figured if the CHiPs officers use them, they must be great.

I'm disappointed. I forgot that motor officers are on and off the bikes fairly frequently. It feels really good when riding around town stopping at traffic signals, etc. But although better than my stock seat, I start to get a little uncomfortable after an hour of sustained highway riding. Much more than that and I'm constantly trying to change position or just need to stop and get off the bike for a few minutes. Now I'm wishing I'd gotten a Russell. I have not heard anyone with a Russell complain.

The Airhawk is a great idea. I had a Corbin on my Moto Guzzi and it was soooo much better than stock, but still would get uncomfortable on a long trip. An AirHawk pretty much eliminated the problem and it is way cheaper than a new seat. I haven't tried the AirHawk on my RT/Cee Bailey yet, but I will on my next trip - to the Texas Hill Country in April or May.
 
Although I had no problems with the stock seat on long riding days, I was hoping that possibly a more comfortable seat might entice my wife to come for rides. I picked up a used Corbin on Ebay (with some apprehension since so many on this site are not Corbin fans). Even though I was satisfied with the stock seat, the Corbin is so much better, on short rides or on 700 and 800 mile days. Mine is vinyl which is fine by me as I don't worry about covering it when it rains. It has never been stuck to me on a hot day, but that may depend upon your riding suit.

If I have one Corbin complaint, it is a wider seat than the stock and therefore my 28" inseam found it more difficult to find the ground until I had the bike lowered 1/2".
 
I had a Sargent on my R1150RT and it was worlds better than the stock seat....I traded up to an R1200RT last spring and thought I'd die on a trip from FL to the Outer Banks of NC. The factory seat is junk.....how come BMW makes such great car seats and such lousy bike seats?????

On the trip back I stopped at Corbin's shop off I95 near Daytona and walked out with a Corbin. Its a lot wider than stock, doesnt slope to the tank, and sits a bit higher. Im 6' with pretty long inseams, so no problems reaching the ground (this is something you should check if you're short of stature). Couldnt be happier with the Corbin, although the stitching looks a little Harley-like. I bought off the rack but you can order anything your heart desires. Im thinking Ostrich leather with lime green piping would look great....maybe with some snakeskin accents....:laugh

gmichel
R1200RT
 
Lots of folks on several forum say good things about Russell and http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

I had a Travelcade/Saddlemen's seat on my last bike - it was hard as pine and refused to break in, even after be "softened" by the factory and nearly a year of riding.

My boxer has a Corbin and, while it ain't soft as a Lazy Boy, I noticed that my butt did not get tired on the 430 mile second day of bringing the bike home.
 
After Market Seats

Another strong vote for Sargent from me. I swapped out my seats in Denver two summers ago on a trip from Atlanta, and never, ever considered going back to stock. The difference in riding pleasure is remarkable, and it makes my annual 5,000-milers easy to take. I love it, and love to ride with it on the bike (1200RT). I have a Corbin with built-in backrest on my Harley that I like, too. I think the trick is spreading out the seat area and providing a little more "give" in the seat. Works for me.
 
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