Best seat for female rider?

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:30 pm

I am a new owner of an '04 R. Loving the bike in every way except the @!*!# SEAT!

I am 5'5, 120 lbs. I find the seat to be four things.

1) too wide at the front of the saddle forcing my legs wide when stopping and manuvering
2) slanted forward so that I tend to slide forward over time and rougher road conditions
4) darned uncomfortable
3) just a touch high, yet can touch down ok, perhaps the width is playing more of a role here as well.

I am in the Pacific Northwest so location iis just part of the decision regarding new seat. I have heard good thngs about Rich's in Seattle area....any thoughts or experience from other women or the guys who know them?

Post by **socalrob** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:00 pm

There have been several short stature people on this board. Do some searches here and on the old R1150R.net board for all kinds of info on shorter shocks & custom seats.

IMHO, stay away from standard Sargent seats, they are taller than the standard BMW seat. Member of this board Pat (as in Pat's Playhouse)was short, he had alot of info on making his bike fit. If I remember right, its the width of the seat as much or more than the height, so you may need to have a custom saddle maker make you a narrower seat. One good thing, with shorter legs you don't need to lower the pegs, something done by many taller riders

b52bombardier1 · Post by **b52bombardier1** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:35 am

Hello,

Rather than spend a gob of cash on a full custom seat, try having your current seat shaved a little. I did not find mine to be uncomfortable but it was a little too high and wide for my 30 inch legs even on the lowest notch. I found a stock 1150 RT seat on E-Bay (I kept the original unchanged) and took it to an upholstery shop here in town and he had it back to me the next day. The E-Bay seat had a very slightly different look to the vinyl color but this was taken care of with a little Armor-All. Both seats (front and back bike seats) look the same now. The vegetarian leather (ok, it's vinyl) is easily peelable and the guy then took an electric carving knife (just like for your Christmas turkey) and shaved off an inch and then re-glued and stapled the upholstery. It has absolutely no wrinkles, feels great and is just where I need it for my leg length. Even the seam lines run the same as my original. The seat is now lower and a little narrower and in my estimation could go maybe another half inch lower without giving up comfort. Ok, maybe my butt is a little tougher than most but the saddle feels fine to me.

The amazing part is the guy only charged me $85 and got it back to me very quickly. You probably have such a place where you live - you could get your couch done there, too. Just call up your local Harley dealer (Shhh!! We wont tell anybody!!) as those guys seem to thrive on making seat changes and know all of the mod places around town. The upholsterer had an H-D seat there and his work looked very good as he was finishing it up.

I just thought this was better than shelling out $500 for a full custom. YMMV but I was happy with the way mine turned out.

Rick

Ebet · Post by **Ebet** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:35 pm

I wonder if you would like the BMW low seat. I have always had the low seat since I got the bike, as my inseam is only 29" and I could barely reach the ground with the regular stock seat. I have done plenty of all-day rides with the low seat and haven't found it to be too wide or uncomfortable. Maybe a local dealer would let you try it out, or someone might be selling one locally that you could try before buying (if you want to go that route rather than modifying your existing seat, which might also work for you, just depends on your preference)?

Post by **P_Jensen** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:51 pm

You did not indicate if you had the stock height seat or the optional low seat? There are several choices for improving the seat comfort/ reach. Both of the off the shelf aftermarket (corbin, or sargent) seats are wider and taller than stock. A custom seat will allow for better quality foam and shaping. Mr Eds Moto (http://www.mredsmoto.com) in Oregon does custom seats and has been used by many riders on the Chain Gang site (http://www.F650.com) with good results. Also Wudo (http://www.wuedo.de/indexeng.htm) makes a seat for the R that is narrower at the front, but is expensive ($$$).

greer · Post by **greer** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 6:20 pm

Beeming,

My husband and I did our own carving and shaping on my seat and worked wonders on it. If you decide to do this, or have someone do it for you, be sure to cut the flare off the sides of the seat pan so that your legs get a straight shot to the ground rather than bowing out. That helps immensely. To help reduce the forward slide, remove those rubber bumpers from those two rear bracket thingies on the seat pan. That'll let the seat lay a little flatter. Good luck and holler back with any questions.

Sarah

Hiker · Post by **Hiker** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:16 pm

You said your height, but not your inseam, so maybe the problem is more comfort than seat height.
I'm also put off by the increased Sargent seat height, although I think the seat looks great.

I'm going to try BMS.

http://www.billmayersaddles.com/R1150R.html

Oh yeah, I'm a woman 5' 7" probably 32" inseam. I can touch down but the seat gives me very nice butt-burn >200 miles.

Hiker

Post by **queenpdog** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 7:53 pm

For comfort, the Sargent seat is great, but likely too tall. When I had an F650GS I sent my saddle to Mr. Ed. He did great work and the turn around was quick. He also communicated with me every step of the way about what I needed. Give him a shout, I'm sure he could help.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 10:45 pm

JB, I do not know a thing about Rich's but he has a nice web site
http://www.richscustomseats.com/ another one you might want to look at is http://erston.com/ they are out of the Tacoma area, I'm not sure just where you live in the Great Pacific NW, but it would be nice if you could see these people in person, that is about as good as it gets when needing a custom saddle made. Good luck, Den

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 3:48 pm

Wow, Thanks for all the great input.

My inseam is about 32 inches so I am rather leggy. I can touch down fine, I think the issue is (As SocalRob mentioned) the width of the saddle. It just places my legs in a bowed fashion.

Thanks P Jensen....I think I will check with Mr ED. (hmmm wasn't he a talking horse?)
This sounds like a good 'close to home' option. The seat is already the lowered stock seat. As Hiker mentioned, the BillMayer seats look great, but I would like to see what I can do with the existing seat....But then again....Who knows...maybe I will wind up with two or three seats that I can pick out for my mood....sort of like shoes...(can we ever have too many?)
Taking the carving knife to it just makes me nervous. If it gets messed up then I have little recourse. I think I will stick with somone who understands both motorcycle seats and butts. And the dynamics at play over distance.

I will also look at those rubber bumpers at the rear...thanks Sarah....I feel like the seat is 'high' in the tailbone.

Again, thanks for the many helpful thoughts and suggestions.

Carol

Hiker · Post by **Hiker** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 7:11 pm

Wish I lived by Mr. Ed's...

Anyone have a low seat for sale?
Maybe experimentation is in order...

Hiker

DK · Post by DK » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:18 pm

Hiker,

I have a low seat I'd like to sell since I'm not using it after I bought the tall seat for my bike. Let me know if you're interested.

Thanks,

Dwayne

greer · Post by **greer** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:21 pm

Hiker,

I bet if you post a want ad here, advrider, ibmwr, and bmwsporttouring you'll be covered up with low seats. I'm also thinking the sales guy John at Louisville BMW said they had a stack of seats piled in a corner in case you can't find one anywhere else. Good luck.

Sarah

greer · Post by **greer** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:22 pm

See!!!!

Post by **bmwdave52** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:25 pm

I'd like to chime in for a Russell Day-Long. http://www.day-long.com The first is still the best.
I have done 800 mile days on mine. With your height you should have no problem touching the ground.

Hiker · Post by **Hiker** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:15 pm

Yo Greer! Is there one on our site? I'll go look. I tried IBM ..uh..whatever and nothing there, would appreciate buying from one of our own.

Oi! DK, Hi!

What're you asking?

Hiker

DK · Post by DK » Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:32 pm

Hiker,

I just posted it late last night over in the Buy/Sell section. I've got it listed for $125, shipping included.

Thanks,

DK

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:31 pm

Hello,
After research and poking around the internet and good advice from you forum friends.... I have just been in touch with MR Ed (Don) of Mr Ed's Moto in Albany Oregon.
I have an appointment to get the beak seat recarved.

and recovered.
He will spend the day giving me a personal fit.

I will post a pic and tell you all how happy I am with it when he gets done with me....right now I am so excited

my head is in a whirl....

thinking of my upcoming butt comfort.

OH Yeahhhhhh!

Carol

Just-Beeming · Post by **Just-Beeming** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:54 pm

Yesssss sireeeee....
I got my new seat yesterday.

Don @ Mr Ed's Moto gave me personal attention to detail that went well beyond what I expected.

I arrived just after 9:30 AM at his humble shoppe in Albany Oregon where he went right to work on my seat. He asked me what I didn't like, how I was riding, took a few measurements and began sculpting me a grand new set.
His artisty with a carving knife is to envy.

After sitting on the seat at various stages of reshaping and assessing (no pun intended)

what I was feeling...he sent us to lunch....
by 2:30 I had an exceptional seat with a custom fit. And it looks great too.
The price was more than reasonable for the attention that I received.
My seat was 350.

Thank you P Jensen for your recomendation to look into him.

The almost 100 miles home was pure pleasure!
I am so much happier with the bike all around.

I can stop more surefootedly, Ride with less fatigue and discomfort and feel more connected....as if I am more a part of the bike rather than a passenger on top of it.

If you are in the Pacific Northwest, or passing through I highly recomend Mr Ed's Moto. You can find him online as well.

Post by **queenpdog** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:56 pm

I was another one who mentioned Mr. Ed's Moto. Although I did not go to his shop and get such persoanl attention, he did have me send photos of me on my bike (F650). I sent the photos with me seat and two weeks later has a fantastic spot to place my arse. When I sold the F650, I sold the seat seperately and bought a used stock seat to replace it. I got the same amount I had paid for the seat back and have heard from the new owner that she is VERY pleased with the way it has held up and kept form. I would not hesitate to recommend mr. Ed's.

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