Got LOW Comfort seat..

[deilenberger]

Full review and photos when I ride it a bit (got about 20 minutes on it tonight..) It's probably replacing the Sargent seat I had made a few years ago.

Very quickly - the "low" comfort seat is perhaps 1/4" higher then the Sargent seat, but the Sargent seat IS broken in, and the new seat isn't.. I'm guessing they'll be just about the same height once the new seat has some miles on it. The seating area is 1" wider then the Sargent (14" vs 13"). It has a bit more of a bucket to it then the Sargent (the Sargent is almost flat, the Comfort is shaped more like a saddle.) I had no problems reaching the ground on the new seat, felt about the same distance to the ground as the Sargent seat did (which was about identical to the BMW low seat.)

I took some photos which I'll upload when I have a chance. If I have time I'll drag down my spare BMW "low seat" and take a photo of all three seats at the same time.

My brief ride was OK - but not a defining test since I've been off my arthritis meds for over a week now, and I basically ache all over (more eyeball surgery tomorrow..) The new seat does seem to position you on the bike more then the Sargent, with less ability to slide around, but a larger contact area for the butt-cheeks. Seat foam feels compliant and not quite as firm as the Sargent "Atomic" foam. Fit and finish are as expected - like it was made for the bike by BMW. One thing I like - the cover is formed with a row of stitches in the bucket area to form the bucket/back of the bucket. This means no glue was used to hold the foam in place - the stitches do it. Glue is not a good thing under a seat cover, but lots of seat makers use this technique... including the BMW stock seat. It appears Sargent used the same glue-less techique (with a sewn seam at the same position, joining two piece of the cover together.)

More data and photos as I get to it..

[Caroanbill]

If I have time I'll drag down my spare BMW "low seat" and take a photo of all three seats at the same time.

Yes, please! Particularly the OEM low seat - while the low comfort seat is AUD $731 (ouch) I am thinking seriously - it really depends on how much higher it is than the OEM low ...

Aside .. I don't suppose anyone has a pillion review to add??? I'm OK with OEM low + Air Hawk, would probably be (much) better with the Comfort low + Air Hawk - but it's really the pillion section I'm interested in. The OEM one seems to be "domed" for styling reasons ... it looks uncomfortable, and feels worse (from my short stints sitting on it on the open road, just to stretch out!) and since my rack / topcase never leave the bike, the sytling benefits are entirely lost on my touring R12R.

[Paul]

I've just got it too, i don't mean to hijack the tread but i have a question if you don't mind.
The low comfort seat is more comfy than stock seat, haven't tried for a long ride yet but i've been commuting on it for the past ten days and it's an improvement.
I have a problem with it thou.
It's noisy.When i get the bike and sit on it, it squeaks, seems as if there is some play between the seat and the tank.
It's annoying, i don't want to sound picky but is it supposed to be like this?
Does yours do the same thing?
Thanks , Paul

[deilenberger]

Paul, make sure all the rubber bumpers are in place.

There are 4 toward the front, two shorter ones closest to the front, two longer ones a bit more toward the middle. If any of these are missing it will flex and might cause noise. When I got mine - one was missing, luckily I had a spare left over from another BMW seat for a different bike..

[sproggy]

Yes, please! Particularly the OEM low seat - while the low comfort seat is AUD $731 (ouch) I am thinking seriously - it really depends on how much higher it is than the OEM low ...

The "Comfort Seat Low" is the same height as the standard seat the bike comes with - nominally 800mm. Despite the confusing naming, there is no BMW comfort seat that is the same height as the optional low (non-comfort) seat. I picked up my comfort seat (low version) 2 weeks ago, did one ride into work on it and decided to get rid of it straight away. The reason? Its extra width, combined with the prominent seam along the 'edge' of the rider's seat. The extra width makes it more difficult for me to reach the ground (5'7", 30" inseam) because it pushes my legs further out and the seam right on the pressure point makes it uncomfortable for my inner thighs. I persevered, though, and it has improved a bit (bedded in?) or, more likely, I've got used to it, but for city riding (lots of foot-down junctions) I find the standard seat far more comfortable on the rare occasion that I'm on my own. For longer trips (90 minutes plus) the better quality foam, improved shape and wider seating area make it far more comfortable for me than the standard one.

Aside .. I don't suppose anyone has a pillion review to add??? I'm OK with OEM low + Air Hawk, would probably be (much) better with the Comfort low + Air Hawk - but it's really the pillion section I'm interested in. The OEM one seems to be "domed" for styling reasons ... it looks uncomfortable, and feels worse (from my short stints sitting on it on the open road, just to stretch out!) and since my rack / topcase never leave the bike, the sytling benefits are entirely lost on my touring R12R.

It'll have to be a second hand opinion, but the pillion comfort (or lack of it) was the reason I had to change seats in the first place - my wife hated the standard seat (we commute two-up every day). She said it was completely the wrong shape and anything more than 20 minutes (our commute is 45 each way!) became painful. The comfort seat has a completely flat pad which is far wider than the standard pillion provision and obviously the flat nature of it is a big improvement on the domed standard one. It is also higher (for more leg room or to allow more padding?) but the downside of this for me is that she sits far higher above me and this does affect the balance of the bike a bit. I don't notice so much now but I did the first few days. She says it's like being on a different bike and she even suggested that we go to Cardiff (5 and a half hour round trip) on the bike last weekend which is the biggest possible recommendation for the seat that I can offer, knowing how particular she is about on-bike comfort. If you buy this seat your pillion(s) will love you! Sure, it's not so stylish as the standard one but I have a big, ugly topbox that lives on the bike too so it makes little difference.

As for the observation someone made about squeaking, I had the same problem and used a silicone spray on the contact points of the seat - it's been silent ever since.

[celticus]

Full review and photos when I ride it a bit (got about 20 minutes on it tonight..) It's probably replacing the Sargent seat I had made a few years ago.



I basically ache all over (more eyeball surgery tomorrow..) ..

Good luck Don , Be well Take care.

mark

[dav]

Yes, please! Particularly the OEM low seat - while the low comfort seat is AUD $731 (ouch) I am thinking seriously - it really depends on how much higher it is than the OEM low ...

Really $731!!!!, bugger i was going to order one at my next service.

[celticus]

For $731 is it still covered with that swell vinyl?

Mark

[Mollygrubber]

For $731 is it still covered with that swell vinyl?

Mark

...you slay me Celticus...

[celticus]

Like you say growing up is optional.

Mark

[Caroanbill]

Thanks for these comments!

The "Comfort Seat Low" is the same height as the standard seat the bike comes with - nominally 800mm. Despite the confusing naming, there is no BMW comfort seat that is the same height as the optional low (non-comfort) seat.

It is listed as the same height, but tere are a couple of comments here that, broken in, it's not quite so tall - so a good picture will tell me , since the dealers don't want to get one on 'spec' (they are sepcial order from Germany here). Like you, I'd also be affected by the wider front section. I'd be keeping it for touring work - I used two seats (standard and high) on my F650CS and am quite happy to swap seats for a given ride (it takes all of 30 seconds!)

pillion comfort (or lack of it) was the reason I had to change seats in the first place - my wife hated the standard seat (we commute two-up every day). She said it was completely the wrong shape and anything more than 20 minutes (our commute is 45 each way!) became painful. The comfort seat has a completely flat pad which is far wider than the standard pillion provision and obviously the flat nature of it is a big improvement on the domed standard one. It is also higher (for more leg room or to allow more padding?) but the downside of this for me is that she sits far higher above me and this does affect the balance of the bike a bit. I don't notice so much now but I did the first few days. She says it's like being on a different bike and she even suggested that we go to Cardiff (5 and a half hour round trip) on the bike last weekend which is the biggest possible recommendation for the seat that I can offer, knowing how particular she is about on-bike comfort. If you buy this seat your pillion(s) will love you! Sure, it's not so stylish as the standard one but I have a big, ugly topbox that lives on the bike too so it makes little difference.

That's the change I'm looking for!Just looking at the standard seat I can tell it's all wrong for a pillion. A flat is seat is a great improvement - though it'd be better with some small ridge in front of pillion thighs so she doesn't have to push back on the 'pegs when I brake. I think I'd be lowering the pillion pegs for leg comfort, too. I don't mind the higher pillion seat - a higher CoG is mitigated by increased pillion vision .. so she doesn't have to lean out to see (and then I have to counter her lean!).

[Caroanbill]

Really $731!!!!, bugger i was going to order one at my next service.

That was Frasers. Andy Cook is now at Procycle St Peters, so maybe I can get a better price there (I've bought 2 bikes from them, and done plenty of business with Andy at Motorhansa and Frasers). Doubt it would be much discount - the seat is special order from Germany.

You'd also have to allow a few weeks for delivery. There is no stock kept in Australia.

[deilenberger]

Doing this with one eye..

Sargent modified BMW Low Seat:


BMW "Low" Comfort Seat:


Side by Side:


View from the pillion:


General view:


Another general view:


When my eye heals enough that I feel safe on a ladder, I'll drag down the stock low-seat and do a comparo of all three. Meanwhile, quibble among yourselves..

[beached]

Doing this with one eye..


When my eye heals enough that I feel safe on a ladder, I'll drag down the stock low-seat and do a comparo of all three. Meanwhile, quibble among yourselves..

Hang in there, Don. Glad to see your post so quickly after surgery. Get well.

[AncientMariner]

Since we're suppsed to be quibbling I must ask, Don, don't you usually just use one eye when shooting pix?

Quibbling done. Glad to see you're back in battery, even if it is only with one eye.

Bruce

[Ashveratu]

Ooooh pictures, I love pictures! I have some too. I posted these awhile back when someone asked about seats or maybe it was about the white paint job...anyways, I thought I would share again.
Here is my low Sargent seat. I absolutely love this seat because I am a short bastard at 5'6", 29" inseam and weigh about 170lbs.

[celticus]

Ashveratu, That Sergeant seat with the white piping on the white bike is a thing of beauty. I hope it is as comfortable as it is pretty.
When you order it do you ask for "The Low Seat"?
That is the one seat I might consider trading my leather Rick Meyer seat for.
Good for you.

Mark

[Mollygrubber]

Ashveratu, That Sergeant seat with the white piping on the white bike is a thing of beauty. I hope it is as comfortable as it is pretty.
When you order it do you ask for "The Low Seat"?
That is the one seat I might consider trading my leather Rick Meyer seat for.
Good for you.

Mark

...dibs...

[dderrig]

Don, your stock low seat...do you want to sell it? How much lower is it than the standard seat (I ask cause my wife may want to ride my 1200r once in a while but she's to short (29" inseam) for the standard seat.

Dave

[deilenberger]

Don, your stock low seat...do you want to sell it? How much lower is it than the standard seat (I ask cause my wife may want to ride my 1200r once in a while but she's to short (29" inseam) for the standard seat.

Dave

Haven't decided yet. Depends on if I like the Comfort seat after a lot of miles on it. The low seat is about 1" lower then the standard seat (30mm IIRC..)