Seats

[riceburner]

Just wanted to copy this post I made in the Facebook Rockster group as it's useful information for R1150R owners in general.
(Sorry if this is repeated information for anyone)

There are 3 heights: LOW, HIGH, and TALL.
HIGH was the OE/standard seat on the R1150R.
TALL was the OE/standard seat on the Rockster.
LOW was the optional seat for either bike offered to owners of shorter stature when buying (or as an after-market option).
At least - that's as far as I'm aware the situation was in the UK. Other countries may have had it differently.

Re part numbers: the Part number on the seat BASE [2 328 718] is (I believe) the part number for the BASE(or PAN) ONLY.
IE - each seat is an ASSEMBLY of: base, foam, cover, rubber bungs. So - the part number is the BASE manufacturer's (SHAD) part number, NOT THE BMW SEAT PART NUMBER.

Obviously, for each of the 3 seats to fit the same bike, they would have the same BASE.

Further info:
Looking at these links on realoem: (bike chosen for both links is March 2003 (iirc).
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=52_2818

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showpa ... Id=52_2818
Rockster:
Low-profile bench seat SCHWARZ 52538560395
Bench seat, high SCHWARZ 52538560396

R1150R:
only applies to seat height 820 mm
Bench seat, high SCHWARZ 52538560396

only applies to seat height 800 mm
Bench seat SAFRANBEIGE 52537658523
Bench seat SCHWARZ 52538560384
Bench seat BRONZITBEIGE 52537673639

only applies to seat height 780 mm
Low-profile bench seat SCHWARZ 52538560395

(I've stripped the prices and misc extra info off those).

So - 5 different official BMW part numbers, 3 heights, 3 colours. (both the non-black colours are on the 'HIGH' seat).

CAVEAT: this is my understanding of the situation. I stand to be corrected.

Photos below are from the original FaceBook Group post, so may disappear if FB changes their links.#

[Photoguy]

Thx for posting. I bought what was advertised as a 'low' seat for my R on one of the forums only to find out that it was the same that was on the bike. Not disputing the info above, but when I was trying to find out exactly what I had, I thought I discovered that there were only 2 available...the 'medium and a tall. And that might have come from Max's parts fiche, I don't recall. Maybe I just abandoned my search too early.

One of the things that I really liked about my '96 was the ability to vary the seat height by repositioning the lugs under the seat pan. I think there were 3 positions. I thought it was a great idea and was disappointed that they didn't continue it with the later bikes.

[Buckster]

I've always heard of three heights in the USA as well. Very informative post though.

[riceburner]

Thx for posting. I bought what was advertised as a 'low' seat for my R on one of the forums only to find out that it was the same that was on the bike. Not disputing the info above, but when I was trying to find out exactly what I had, I thought I discovered that there were only 2 available...the 'medium and a tall. And that might have come from Max's parts fiche, I don't recall. Maybe I just abandoned my search too early.

One of the things that I really liked about my '96 was the ability to vary the seat height by repositioning the lugs under the seat pan. I think there were 3 positions. I thought it was a great idea and was disappointed that they didn't continue it with the later bikes.

I assume your 96 was an 1100R? The seat on that is (as far as i know) different to the 1150R.

The adjustable seat height fittings are a good idea, the RS had that as well.

[Photoguy]

Thx for posting. I bought what was advertised as a 'low' seat for my R on one of the forums only to find out that it was the same that was on the bike. Not disputing the info above, but when I was trying to find out exactly what I had, I thought I discovered that there were only 2 available...the 'medium and a tall. And that might have come from Max's parts fiche, I don't recall. Maybe I just abandoned my search too early.

One of the things that I really liked about my '96 was the ability to vary the seat height by repositioning the lugs under the seat pan. I think there were 3 positions. I thought it was a great idea and was disappointed that they didn't continue it with the later bikes.

I assume your 96 was an 1100R? The seat on that is (as far as i know) different to the 1150R.

The adjustable seat height fittings are a good idea, the RS had that as well.

[Mrclubike]

Any one have any experience with any of the custom wide saddles
Comfort wise
I already know they are butt ugly

[swamper]

We have them on two of our 1150R's. Best seat ever for these bikes. I recently bought a Sargent and it's very good, but if on a long trip the RDL would be my choice.

[Mrclubike]

I just got the seat pictured above
It's a Russel Day long for $155 US shipped off of eBay
It does have a rip in the side but they are $555 + $70 (S+H) = $625 US for a new one
I figure I can take it apart and tweak it if I need to

[swamper]

I think I see the rip, easy fix it looks like.

[sweatmark]

Any one have any experience with any of the custom wide saddles
Comfort wise
I already know they are butt ugly

Based on comments from riders I've asked, those Day-Long saddle are "butt friendly".

Never tried one myself.

[Mrclubike]

I should know by the end of this weekend

[Mrclubike]

Got the seat
Was able to ride it and found I need to add some padding in the butt area to lift the back of my thighs off of the front edge of the seat
I assume if I would have bought it new they would have adjusted that
I have some foam coming to fill it in after that I think it is going to work very well
It does make it a little harder to reach the ground because it spreads your legs when standing

FYI
The wider section of the saddle is not just for looks
It is supported by a wood and metal structure that adds support to the sides that over hang the original pan

[swamper]

No wood.

[Boxer]

No wood.

Here neither...but I chalk it up to just getting along in age.

[Mrclubike]

Yes wood

[swamper]

Someone added the wood probably at some point.

[Mrclubike]

This is a Russell daylong I am talking about here
I think it is original to this seat
I definitely remove the original staples from it
Yours may not have needed the extra space
they are custom made

Yes wood

[swamper]

I've had 8 RDL seats made, all ride ins. Watched the guys put them together and never saw any wood in the shop or put into the seats. They have that leaf spring deal in a couple different configurations, I guess rates. they actually use most of your factory foam cutting it back and gluing on theirs with the wings. My last two seats from them never worked out well for our S100XR's, took them back six times each for reworks, they actually ended up taking the leaf spring out of them which makes it their sports seat version. While it was comfortable on a long distance ride it made you sit up to tall, like being on top of the bike instead of in the bike. I've now put on a Sargent which I like very much but if going on an extended ride will most likely use the RDL.
In your pictures it looks like where the wood is would defeat the spring from flexing.

[Tundra Dweller]

+1 on the Sargent seats. I currently have 3 Motorcycles with them including the R1150R.
I've ridden multiple long days, some 700+ miles with only a Alaskan Sheepskin pad added.
The sheepskin is a must. Keeps you from getting shweaty b*lls in the heat and warmer in cold weather.
Possible promo code - deadsheep

https://alaskaleather.com/collections/s ... in-buttpad