First impressions and path forward...

[orojk]

I've just got me the black '03 and rode it home ~500miles in one day on the stock seat. It hurts...
I really love the power and handling of the bike. Heated grips were the real savior on the mountain passes.
Low COG makes it very easy to move around at parking lots ( I think even my wife will be able to handle it).

The sitting position is a little unusual to me though - I am more used to the dual-sport type of sitting. The tall seat, handle bar risers and peg lowering kit sound like a path forward, but I wonder if they really do make that much difference.

I would really appreciate if somebody of my height ( I am 6 2", 32 inseam) will share his experience of dealing with the bike's ergo issues (if there were any).

Can anybody compare the BMW tall seat and Sargent comfort and height?

Thanks!

[bluelight]

A year ago I was in your shoes. I bought an '04 R sight unseen on the advice of
a bmw fanatic (ownes 3 and does 15-20k a year). So I located one in Ct and sent my mechanic
up there to check it and put it in his truck. Well the first time on it I said to myself What the
F... thing is this. Im almost 6'2 also. I felt like a jockey in a stakes race, but my knees have
seen better days due to my BB days. Uncomfortable was being kind.

So first I thought I would just sell it. At 7K miles with ABS, heated grips I was in for 7K
plus tax and transport and inspect costs say 8K total.

I started reading all the posts I could find and realiazed that the bike was setup stock
for short guys. So I got a Sargent seat which raised me up but with my feet on the ground
felt like a wedge pushing my legs apart and the piping didnt help either as it ground into
my legs. Sent back.

A lot cheaper was a BMW high seat (highest one, OK) which redifined the bike 1000%
$185. The extra 3" of height is padding, nice. Its flat and gets your nuts off the tank,
great. And the height unloads your knees so you can forget the jockey thing, WOW.

I next got the cheapo bar backs from the machinery co, and they help out even more, and
get your back a bit more upright. 29 or 39 bucks, not sure. I also had the bent front wheel straightened at frame straight (a month wait but the wheel came back perfect and I mean that)
And new tires Conti heart attacks, replaced the rear after a sea shell got stuck in it ( at 100 miles) , new rear is holding up. Nice tires and the bike falls into turns, with almost no effort in countersteering, wierd at first but when you get used to it you head into turns faster and faster. (dont get stupid though).

So next is possibly adding the expensive peg kit which doesnt look like it makes a dramatic
difference, but at 200 plus its not that crazy. Bike configured as is ,is a new bike for a tall dude. The difference between the squared off stock dunlops ( which felt like cardboard)
along with the stock bike setup and my present R is so dramatic that its amazing.

[jfslater98]

Can anybody compare the BMW tall seat and Sargent comfort and height?

While I am on a Rockster, so the ergos are slightly different I can speak to the seating issues (and have in other threads if you search). I have similar, if not identical, dimensions of height and inseam. I purchased a Sargent, and while more comfortable than the stock seat, it didn't help with the leg room issues. I have an Airhawk, which does help a bit with the legroom, and is all day long comfortable. Feels a bit strange on the seat at first, but you'll get used to it. A cheaper option is Sheepskin pads or beads, but I can not speak to their ability to add more space for your knees.

Between the Airhawk and the peg lowering kit, you will get about as much leg room as you can without getting back on your GS or whichever Dual Sport was in your past. I had a KLR, which I would still have if I wasn't "landlocked" with asphalt. Best of luck in your hunt!

[orojk]

Thanks for sharing!

[priapismic]

First thing I did after riding my new '04 R home from the dealer - 118 miles - was to order a peg lowering kit from MV Verholen. The cramped knees nearly killed the bike for me. With the kit installed, the pegs went down by a measured inch and five-eights. Five and a half years later, I don't regret lowering the pegs one bit. Yes, I've touched the pegs down while leaned over (far over), but better cornering technique (i.e. hanging off) keeps that to a minimum.

The very next thing I did was to order up a Sargent seat, and it's still on the bike, too. No regrets on either purchase. Work on the bike, you'll get it to fit eventually, and you'll fall in love with it.

[gregor]

500 miles in one day is a lot for a first trip. I can now do 300 miles plus on my stock set up, plus a screen, without discomfort , once I have got over that first long ride of the season bottom pain. I'm 6'2" with a ~31 1/2" inside leg.No intention of changing the set up. Extreme wind noise is my only grouse.