Rick vs Bill Myer saddles

[Graf]

..........any opinions?
i am getting ready to invest in a custom seat and decided to go with Myer saddle.....questions is which one. Bill's is cheaper and since I want a leather seat...not vinyl....it's pretty plain looking (no stiching...as far as i can tell and no custom colors)....

Rick's is about $80 more..and they charge $25 for a ride in fee????...i guess they want to be compensated for looking at your face? ..but i really like the stiching and to be able to customize the color of the leather and Rick seems to be very profecient with different types of foam that he uses to build the seats.....

for now i am leaning towards Rick......because of the details on the seats, custom color and he is only 3 hours from my town vs 6+ hours for Bill. i am a believer that if you can ride to a shop and be there while they build your seat, you should......your butt will thank you on the way home

any thought, experiances with either one of the seats and most important, pros and cons would be appreciated.

thx....alex.

[NAIAD]

Alex,

I haven't purchased a seat yet, but I'm going to do a ride in appointment in September for a new seat on my R1100S. Got this bike in April after selling my '50R, and spent months researching the bike, and the available accessories. In the process of looking at aftermarket seats (I've owned both Corbin and Sargent) I've decided to go with Rick Mayer. I've been on most all of the BMW boards and have found many, many comments about Rick and Bill (aka Rocky) on those sites. General conclusion is that it seems Rick has a more positive feedback rating, but Rocky's not bad either. I'm swayed by Rick's participation in Iron Butt rides and rides Beemers, Rocky IMHO seems more tuned into the Gold Wing and large Harley style bikes. I also like Rick's approach with multi density foam...the BEST stock seat I ever sat on (actually owned 4 models of these) was the Suzuki GS850/1000 models back around 1980. They used 3 different foam types in those seats and they were really comfortable. It seems that Rocky's seats followed along in his dad's footsteps, I hear they are comfy and well built, but the final decision for me was frankly based on the style of the finished product. Prefer Rick's product based on all of that.....

I agree that a truly custom made seat fitted to the individual and his/her bike is the best way to go. My Corbin seat was custom made for my Ducati 900SS SP, my Sargent was a standard off the shelf for the '50R. Corbin was a good fit when it was finally broken in (2000 miles or so), but then anything would have been better than the standard Ducati 2x4 padded perch. The Sargent took a little break in as well, but it could have been shaped a little differently to improve comfort for my old hindquarters!

Anecdotal tale I came across from another Pacific NW R11S rider...he'd had his Rick's seat on his S for almost 10 years, and had a stitch starting to fail. As he was in the Redding area one day he dropped by to talk with Rick about the problem. Long story short, seat was reworked and actually modified for a better fit for no charge and the guy was back on the road about an hour later. Guess the lifetime guarantee is actually for a lifetime. I've chatted with this guy, and a couple of other S guys, on line and heard entirely positive feedback.

That's my 2 cents worth...hope it helps!

Ciao! Bill J

[celticus]

I really like my Rick Myer saddle (leather) and would recommend one to anyone.
Mark

[ziobato]

celticus: any picture available?

[celticus]

Here you go.


In my leather riding pants it provides a nice smooth non stick surface for hanging off the sides in the tight coners. Very comfortable and good looking.
Mark

[Graf]

....ok.....decission made....Rick's seat it is!!!.......thank's everybody for opinions....

alex.

[Bill Stevenson]

I am sorry I missed this thread until now. I have ridden about 55,000 miles on two different Bill Mayor saddles and like them a lot. Two of my riding friends also have BMS and they are still my friends and love their saddles too. This past March at Daytona I had a guy stop and look at my new R1200R with new Bill Mayor saddle and he said he had a Rick Mayor saddle on his R1200R. With my permission he sat on my bike and declared mine much superior to his in seating comfort. I have never ridden a Rick Mayor saddle so take this story for what it is worth. Stitching in the saddle is going to leak though and soaked foam is not a good thing while on tour. The seamless stitch free design of the BMS might not be as pretty, but it undoubtedly is more practical.

I believe that a saddle from someone with the last name Mayor is quite likely a superior product. My first was a Day Long made for me by Bill Mayor Sr. (their father) in 1970 for my then new R75/5. He eventually sold his company to Russell (another superior saddle).

Regards,

Bill

[ShinySideUp]

I had a Rick Mayer saddle on my ST1100 and really liked it over the 5 years I rode it.

They day I got my R1200R, I drove it 700 miles home and instantly knew it had to have its stock saddle replaced. After some research, I decided to give the Russell Day Long Saddle a chance. They use an internal steel spring to support your rear end and that design, invented by Mayer Sr., cannot be used by his sons, so they've gone to multiple density foam. All three companies make plausible arguments for why their approach is the best.

I like the Day Long better than my Rick Mayer, though they ARE similar, despite the marketing hype. The Day Long just seems to envelope my sit bones better. A more comfortable "pocket" is formed. YMMV.

I DO have to scoot forward on it a bit when stopping (to access the narrower part to put my lets down), so I usually just sit forward in city traffic and then scoot back once underway for any distance longer than a couple of blocks. The movement has become second nature. As for comfort, I've taken some long rides and my butt is NOT what gives out. The saddle works.

I purchased both the Mayer and the Russell saddles as ride-in's (which I think is the best way to get fitted) and experiences at both places were professional, friendly, and interesting. Good people all.

Here's a photo of the the Day Long double saddle. (My wife really likes it too). It's leather with vinyl sides.

Remember: Beauty is in the butt of the beholder...

http://tinyurl.com/65dwog

[X men]

That is a beautifull saddle for sure ! I have to say this is the first picture i see of this russel saddle. Over here in Belgium, most bmw riders who want to buy an aftermarket saddle, buy Corbin. In general, most are very happy with it.
In fact, over here i never saw a bill or rick mayer saddle, nor a russel. Not sure if these brands have an importer for european countries.

But this Russel saddle seems to less narrow for the duo part of the saddle than the corbin seat. Do you have experience with corbin, an if so, would you rate a russel day long superior than a corbin. Solely seen from the standpoint of the duo passenger. (my misses has a very cute, but sensitive butt )
My reason for wanting to buy a different seat is obvious : the maximum comfort for her.
I was thinking of buying a corbin, but now that i have seen this russel saddle, i am hesitating...

Peter

[Bill Stevenson]

Peter,

Russell Day Long saddles, or either of the Mayer saddles would generally be likely to be superior to Corbin, in my opinion. My partner has a Corbin on his R1200RT and he likes it, but liked the BMS on his previous R1200GS much better. Russell saddles are well liked by everyone who I have ever talked to. Corbin sometimes gets mixed reviews, but my son has one on his GS and loves it. It is such a personal thing that it is difficult to generalize. One thing is certain, you are likely to find any of these saddles to be far superior to your stock saddle.

Bill

[Dan-A]

I own two Russell Day Longs, one on a Gold Wing and one on a 04 1150GS. They are really good saddles and I would recommend them.

That being said, appearance is an important factor, and I believe the Rick Mayer seat looks better than the Russell on the R1200R.

[famousperson]

Bill,

Thanks for the picture of your RDL. I wondered what it would look like on the R12R. Visually, it changes the whole character of the bike, and I don't particularly like it. But, as you said, beauty is in the butt of the beholder, and I'm getting one. I haven't heard a single complaint regarding its attachment to the bike.

Just out of curiousity, why did you go for the leather top/vinyl sides? So far, I have nothing on which to base an opinion.

[Tr250Tom]

My Rick Meyer is OK, but to get one you have to deal with Rick Meyer, which is like losing a quart of plasma from your veins. Caveat Emptor.

[Graf]

My Rick Meyer is OK, but to get one you have to deal with Rick Meyer, which is like losing a quart of plasma from your veins. Caveat Emptor.

care to share you experience?

[ShinySideUp]

Peter - Yes, I've had a Corbin saddle before. They look nice: clean and good lines. Better than most OEM's for comfort, but not by a whole lot, in my experience. And not nearly so comfortable as the Russell, or the Rick Mayer I've had. They just don't provide a cupping effect for the sit-bones (ischial tuberosities) which is exactly what it takes to increase comfort. More area in contact with the same amount of weight equals less pressure.

Famousperson - Yes, I suppose the RDL does change the appearance of the whole bike. I'm so used to it by now that I never think twice. And my butt smiles each time I get on the bike (NOT a pretty sight!) Besides, much to the dismay of my wife, I simply don't pay a whole lot of attention to style. Russell uses your stock seat pan, so fit is not an issue. As to leather vs. vinyl, the RDL website has a pretty good overview, and you can talk to the good folks at Russell about their various materials to get a comprehensive and in-depth perspective. I've always disliked vinyl to sit on cuz it doesn't breathe. Leather just works for me: I can slide if I want and not slide if I don't want. The vinyl on the sides was simply to save a few of my shrinking dollars. It's difficult to tell it's not all leather unless you look closeup. I've always just plain liked leather. I've always just plain disliked vinyl, except in LP's. (Got to be of a certain age to get that reference!)

[Tr250Tom]

My Rick Meyer is OK, but to get one you have to deal with Rick Meyer, which is like losing a quart of plasma from your veins. Caveat Emptor.

care to share you experience?

It's a long story, but the highlights...

I paid a deposit and faxed the information, got an expected ship date about 6-7 weeks away, ISTR. Ship date came and went, but no saddle. I called, and they said I never sent the deposit. I directed them to my cashed deposit check, and after another wait, I got the saddle.

I opened the box, and within 30 seconds decided I would be shipping the saddle back to Cali at my own expense. The workmanship was wretched, with vinyl bunched up at the corners on one side where the material had been riveted less than on the other side.

After further waiting and shipping expense, I get my saddle. A few pop rivets had been added to the cover material. I sent Rick a "standard" saddle and told him on no account to lower the seat, but he built my replacement seat on a "low" base, and it is in fact lower, despite his protestations to the contrary. My legs are bent too much at the knees when I ride now. Also, the vinyl cover is starting to stretch around the rivets on the base, elongating the holes. It hasn't torn loose yet, but I can't see it lasting the way a factory seat does either. Some of the foam under the cover has apparently unglued, and there's a "ridge" on one side that is not present on the other.

The worst part of all this is when you talk to Rick. "No, we never misplaced your deposit check, where did you get that idea? Yes, it's a low pan, but I compensated with extra foam, and I KNOW it's the same height, despite your impression of sitting lower." And my favorite: "We've been making these saddles for a long time."

To be fair: I've had 3 550+ mile days with this bike, one with the stock seat and 2 with the RM saddle, and the comfort is greatly improved. With BMW's seat, I felt like I was sitting on a 4x4 piece of lumber, with all my weight supported only at the center. With RM's saddle, I didn't have to shift my weight at all, even on a 250-mile stretch of superslab with no breaks. Even the ugly ridge on one side is cosmetic only; it's a soft foam and you cannot feel it when it compresses.

You might well say that I'm whining; I wanted a comfortable saddle and I got it. But for $500, I expected quality workmanship, decent customer service, and for my specifications with regard to height to be respected. I also expect it to last. I don't think I got any of that.

My advice is stay away.

[NAIAD]

Tr250Tom,

Thanks for your candid and detailed feedback on Rick Mayer seats. Your's is the most complete criticism I've seen in researching the various BMW board sites about his product.

Result is I'm now re-thinking my decision to have him build a seat for my S bike during a ride in appointment I intended to schedule in September.

I appreciate your candor!

Bill J.

[Graf]

Tr.....thank you for your opinion....sorry you had problems. I like this seat more then the other I had a chance to sit on...BMR, Corbin and BMW ofcourse (worst one ever)....I am actually planning to ride in so he can do the seat in my presence so I am hoping to avoid the problems you had.....again, thank you for elaborating about your experience.
alex

[NAIAD]

Alex,

Could you post a review to this thread after you get your seat? I'd really appreciate that...

I'm still leaning (my S bike!) towards the RMC seat, just having second thoughts. I'd planned to ride down there for an appointment on Sept 9th, but new scheduling obstacles arise every day. Seems retirement days are busier than I thought they would be!

Thanks!
Bill J

[Graf]

i definately will....after all this is what this board is all about.....it may not happen within 2 or 3 month though.....time is at a premium these days...so is the money