BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I´m just wondering if you guys have seen the new "improved" r1200r 2008 seat ??
any comments...
Is it far more different than the actual 2007 seat???

I have the tall seat on my '08 and it seems decent for a couple hours, but due to the temps in my neck of the woods I haven't had the ability to ride all day. Can't wait 'till spring when I can deliver the all day assessment!

BOXERCOLOMBIA wrote:I'm just wondering if you guys have seen the new "improved" r1200r 2008 seat ??

There's a difference?.. I wasn't aware of that.. hmmm....

The one I saw at the International MC show in NYC, and on the 2008 in my dealers showroom looked identical to what we have. ..

so..

My bike is an 08 model and it looks the same as what was on the older models I have seen. If it's an "improved" version then the others must be torturous to use.
regards Mick

according to the BMW motorrad press release, among the changes made in 2008 will be to the r1200GS, f650gs, new colors for the K1200r, and finally there would be a new more confortable seat for the pillion to the r1200r...
So I´m just speculating here, but it seems to me that seat change is only a marketing hook of some kind...?? unless they want to empty theirs 2007 leftover seats stock first, before they go out with "the real 2008 seat" ? .....

I have a theory that the BMW seat engineer(s) are aliens from somewhere outside our solar system and designed the seat for alien butts.

I think you may be onto something..

I have a buddy who bought a new K1200GT. The day he bought it he left on a trip from NC to Maine. The day he got back he began a search for a new seat. He said the stock seat hurt so bad it nearly brought him to tears.

Funny about those German seat engineers. His K1200GT's seat did the same thing the seat on my R1200GS did - it forced his 'package' back, effectively crushing his nads. I demo'd a R1150RT a few years ago - the seat was the primary reason I didn't buy the bike.

I'm thinking it may be their way of getting back at us Yanks..

As far as I can tell the best way to improve on the stock seat is to put it in the shed and use a seat made by Rick Myers. Mine is covered in leather and is very supple and comfortable and nice to look at. In my leather riding pants when I am in the twisties I can slide my butt from side to side with ease. Buying the seat was not cheap but made a big difference in riding pleasure.
Mark

NCGS wrote:I think you may be onto something..
I'm thinking it may be their way of getting back at us Yanks..

Actually it has nothing to do with nationality as the Germans have to sit on the same seat. But it may be a gender thing -- I think I heard,but can't confirm, that the head of the BMW motorcycle seat design department is a female engineer that has just finished going through her second ugly divorce.


I must add that after 7k miles the seat may be getting better

That's one think that just bites about the R12's. If you think your 1150 seat is uncomfortable in one way or another, the 12 has it beat. I've sat on all three heights, as near as I can tell, and I don't like them. I have not gone so far as to put my Alaskan pad on one, but that may take the edge off.

I think that's something that's butt dependent. The low seat on my R is MUCH better than any BMW seat on any BMW I've owned (and that's more than a few of them..) It's not quite all-day comfort, but getting close to it now. I haven't felt the need for my air-cushion in about 4,000 miles..

mogu83 wrote:

NCGS wrote:I think you may be onto something..
I'm thinking it may be their way of getting back at us Yanks..

Actually it has nothing to do with nationality as the Germans have to sit on the same seat.

I cover this subject in my video podcast. The problem with the seat is that it is designed for everyone, and no one. Imaging making a pair of pants that is supposed to fit someone 5'2" tall, and someone 6'2" tall. It would fit absolutely no one.

I posted a link to my video podcast trailer about this subject in its own thread before catching this one. It is located here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMrBU2IboPE

peckhammer wrote:Imaging making a pair of pants that is supposed to fit someone 5'2" tall, and someone 6'2" tall. It would fit absolutely no one.

I am guessing they would fit someone 5'8" tall or you could just have zip-on sections that were removable to shorten the legs!

After a lot of suffering I turned to the aftermarket for saddles years ago. The best by far for me has been the Bill Mayer Saddle (BMS) on my current R1150R. I will be turning to him for a new one for my new R1200R. These are customized for each rider. A friend bought a BMS for his R1150R on my recommendation. He is 2-3 inches shorter, and 30 lbs lighter than me and his saddle sits completely differently. So much so that we can't swap bikes any more. Bill Mayer's dad started this whole custom saddle deal and he built me a Day Long for a Suzuki Water Buffalo back in the early 1970s. This was before Russell bought the business. So Russell and Bill Mayer Jr. and now Rick Mayer all come from that pedigree started by Bill Sr. waay back. God I'm getting old. Of the group, Bill makes the best saddles for me, but any of these could be best for you and any are far superior to stock. My partner and my son are both using Corbins on their Beemers at the moment. I never much cared for them. Saddles are very personal.

Bill