Seats - again!

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:34 pm

Yes, I know topic this gets a lot of coverage.............BUT, I just bought a new one and feel I have to share my experience with everyone.............

For years I laughed at folks spending money on replacing prefectly good seats - I have had a lot of BMWs including several air heads, Ks, even F but never had any problems with seats before - sure some are better that others. But never felt like getting my wallet out to replace a seat.

My Rockster bought new a couple of months ago was good for 30 mile days - it killed me - don't tell anyone but I actaully went to the doctor (first time in ten years!) it seems the Rockster had given me piles!! (too much information) and I thought you only got those from sitting on cold concrete - in my opinion that descibes the Rockster seat down to a 'T'.

So, lots of research, lots of money - I bought a Sargent front & rear at the National Rally in Vermont...........I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE, IT IS A NEW BIKE, it even helps with knees, seams as though the extra support from the seat does more than just cossett ones' bum! Not only that but I was also having trouble with my tale bone - not any more!

It even looks pretty good (some of the seats I checked out just looke daft).

So, if you are thinking that your Rockster seat is a bit on the rough side - have a look at a Sargent.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 10:39 pm

Pictures?....aar...on second thoughts..

DJ

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:47 am

DJ Downunder wrote:Pictures?....aar...on second thoughts..

DJ

LOL

How much is a replacement seat then??

Post by **sjbmw** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:49 am

2 hondas, 1 suzuki, 1 BMW, and I have never have owned a stock seat worth 200 miles.

Unless you are buying a GoldWing or LT, I think the motorcycle makers have conceded the seats to aftermarket.

The Sargent gets it juice from being wider, not just softer.

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:05 am

I was too young to recall whether I had butt burn with previous bikes (I've changed out a K75S saddle for a Sargent, but maybe it was due to style?). However, my Rock is a pain, but surprisingly, the leather saddle on my R12C is wonderful even after 60,000+ miles on it.

Will be looking at upgrading the Rock's, but I can't use the higher seat height due to inseam.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:17 pm

I reckon if anything the Sargent seat might be harder than the stock Rockster - the difference for me is the fact that it is wider and supports my 'whole' much more than before.

As I said I have never changed a seat before - I went ten years without a car and really have done monster miles on many bikes and just never had a problem. Based on my experience in order of best to worst here is my list.
1. R100GS PD / R100GS
1. R80GS
1. R100R
2. R1100GS / R1150GS
3. K1 / K100RS 16v
4. K75RT
5. Kawasaki Zephyr
6. F650
7. Honda XBR 500
8. Honda XR400
9. KTM Duke 640
10. KTM EXC 400
11. R1150 Rockster

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 5:20 pm

This is strange. I think that the factory BMW seat is not hard enough because it sags too much in a long ride. Although the seat's profile may make it feel like it's hard to certain rider.

I have a Sargent on my Rock and I can tell the difference not just from the way the foam doesn't deform with riding time, but of course the seat is dished out more to hold the buttstocks better.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 8:33 pm

fnfalman wrote:This is strange. I think that the factory BMW seat is not hard enough because it sags too much in a long ride.

Yes, that's what I was trying to say - the BMW seat is not hard at all - the problem is that it is narrow at the top - kind of like a ridge. It was the ridge that gave me the problem - I did have a look at the lower BMW seat (would have saved a load of money) as that is much flatter - but I thought I would go with the trend and change for a Sargent. It seemed that was the most popular solution.

chris · Post by **chris** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 3:20 pm

Damned if I can work out what's wrong with the beemer seat. I've ridden my XR for a 100 miles no problem and that's like a bloody plank. I was hoping the beem would have a real comfy perch. How can they get it so wrong? Do Germans have a completely different physiology as well as that famous sense of humour. OR maybe it's their little joke...

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:26 pm

I figure it costs just the same to make a bad seat as it does to make a comfy one!...............so whay don't they make it comfy? Yes, I know we are all different but I amsure there must be a better compromise.

PhillyScott · Post by **PhillyScott** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:48 pm

Yeah I saw the Sargent seat too and really liked the way it looked on the Roadster they had at their stand at the MOA Rally in Vermont.

Sargent has made me 3 seats for other bikes and they not only look great, they are super comfortable. I'd like to get one for my Rockster, but it is a bit taller than my "low" stock seat.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:54 pm

I was the first customer at the show to buy a seat - I had a quick look at the one on the Roadster and bought one! Job done.

dhfriday · Post by **dhfriday** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 11:03 pm

Man... I thought maybe it was just me. My butt was damn sore after just 200 miles. I'd buy the Sargent in a second, but they're not exactly cheap. Plus, I'm assuming the passenger back rest doesn't work with a top case???

ranmar850 · Post by **ranmar850** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:19 am

jon pierce wrote:I reckon if anything the Sargent seat might be harder than the stock Rockster - the difference for me is the fact that it is wider and supports my 'whole' much more than before.

As I said I have never changed a seat before - I went ten years without a car and really have done monster miles on many bikes and just never had a problem. Based on my experience in order of best to worst here is my list.
1. R100GS PD / R100GS
1. R80GS
1. R100R
2. R1100GS / R1150GS
3. K1 / K100RS 16v
4. K75RT
5. Kawasaki Zephyr
6. F650
7. Honda XBR 500
8. Honda XR400
9. KTM Duke 640
10. KTM EXC 400
11. R1150 Rockster

And you don't think that the passage of ten years and the absolutely appalling seats on a few of the bikes above the Rockster on the list had anything to do with your piles? I think your reasoning is just a little bent, pal; I'd say the Rockster was the recipient of your developing piles, not the cause of them. I'm 53, have no trouble with 600 Km days on the stock seat, and NO piles.

vas2grny · Post by **vas2grny** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:08 am

I totally agree w/ranmar850. I've done over 30k on my rockster with a few 600 mile days thrown in. No problem on the buttocks.
Although I am Greek and we are known for our strong backsides

dhfriday · Post by **dhfriday** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:05 am

Strong backsides aside, maybe it's just a matter of preference or body build. I personally find the Rockster seat too soft. It's nearly as soft as my friends stock V-Max seat which I found uncomfortable on long rides as well (He doesn't seem to have any problem with it). However I had an SV 650 prior to the BMW and found that seat pretty comfortable for long rides, as it was much stiffer.

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:38 am

dhfriday wrote:Strong backsides aside, maybe it's just a matter of preference or body build. I personally find the Rockster seat too soft. It's nearly as soft as my friends stock V-Max seat which I found uncomfortable on long rides as well (He doesn't seem to have any problem with it). However I had an SV 650 prior to the BMW and found that seat pretty comfortable for long rides, as it was much stiffer.

It's too soft. My R12C's leather saddle is much stiffer, and waaay more comfy (as my 400-700 mile days have proven). The Rock causes me butt burn getting to Chico (less than 100 miles away); could it be it is so soft that I'm hitting the seatpan?

dhfriday · Post by **dhfriday** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 10:36 am

While riding the aforementioned V-Max, I swear I could feel the bar running across the back of the seat. So I think anything's possible. However the owner didn't mind the seat at all. I personally plan on upgrading some day. I just wish the seats weren't so expensive. That being said, if ever there were something to spend some money on, I'm thinking a good seat for comfort's sake is one of them.

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:54 pm

ranmar850 wrote:
jon pierce wrote:I reckon if anything the Sargent seat might be harder than the stock Rockster - the difference for me is the fact that it is wider and supports my 'whole' much more than before.

As I said I have never changed a seat before - I went ten years without a car and really have done monster miles on many bikes and just never had a problem. Based on my experience in order of best to worst here is my list.
1. R100GS PD / R100GS
1. R80GS
1. R100R
2. R1100GS / R1150GS
3. K1 / K100RS 16v
4. K75RT
5. Kawasaki Zephyr
6. F650
7. Honda XBR 500
8. Honda XR400
9. KTM Duke 640
10. KTM EXC 400
11. R1150 Rockster
And you don't think that the passage of ten years and the absolutely appalling seats on a few of the bikes above the Rockster on the list had anything to do with your piles? I think your reasoning is just a little bent, pal; I'd say the Rockster was the recipient of your developing piles, not the cause of them. I'm 53, have no trouble with 600 Km days on the stock seat, and NO piles.

Nope - sticking with my thoughts on this one - I simply have never had a problem before, sure a bit uncomfy maybe after a long day but never pain after 30 minutes! Since fitting the new seat just a couple of weeks ago I have done two camping trips of 1,500 miles each - no pain! Clearly we all have different shapes!