R12RT Seat Comfort

[Johnny_B]

I'm planning a 3K mile trip and don't have the money to spend on a custom seat right now. Has anyone ever used seat pads? I saw an ad in BMW ON for the "butt pad". Not expensive and looks interesting but I'm afraid to order without any testimonials. The site is http://www.alaskaleather.com/index.html

 

Interested in what everyone has to say about this product or any other suggestions (gel pads) etc. Something that won't cost too much and will buy me some time before customizing the seat. I'm not sure that I can take 3K miles on the stock seat. Might never walk again.

 

Thanks,

[David_S]

I've used sheep skin pads that I made from a hide. They help with cooling and heat but don't really make much difference in pressure point issues. I have a used airhawk coming to try out. I've found that the best thing for me next to a custom seat is to stop frequently and stretch a bit and walk around to get the blood flowing. a few knee bends etc. If I wait until the pain sets in it's too late by then.

[Satguy]

Sheepskin is helpful, but not the total answer IMHO. I have a black sheep hide (dyed)that I bought at a craft show for $40 and cut pieces off it for the seat. I just remove the seat and wrap the skin around and put it back on the bike. Never bothered to sew elastic on it.

 

I also made a gel pad out of two gel seat covers for bicycles. Took a bit of work, but found out that gel was not really the answer for me. It got pretty hot and sweaty but there may be other gel pads that are better than what I made. Also thought about a memory foam pad, but never tried it. Tempra Foam makes a nice chair pad but it was over $100

 

The stock 1200RT seat is pretty good for me. I still maintain that a lot of the comfort issues can be partially solved by what you wear. Synthetic underwear really helps (no cotton) along with paying attention wearing pants with no seams in the seat area. Jeans under my riding suit really don't work for me. Stopping to stretch is also a great help too.

 

After riding across Canada and back this season on the 1200RT, I've decided that I don't need an aftermarket seat. YMMV of course!

[Johnny_B]

Great. I'm glad I checked here. I think I'll take your advice. Invest in some appropriate pants and underwear and stop frequently. I hate to think of spending all that money on a custom seat when I have the integrated heat, etc. already there. Thanks, guys, for the advice.

 

Safe riding.

[CSKLZD]

I put in a 600 mile day on the stock seat but the next day was not so comfortable. I have a gel seat pad from cross-gel and use it for an hour or two and then switch back and forth.

 

I wear cotton underwear and lite weight jeans without discomfort. Also long sleeved shirt when it's hot with a jacket for cooler times. I also bought Icon super duty 2 short riding boots and they are GREAT! I just bought them and took them out of the box and rode, a little stiff but still very comfortable. My feet get sore and they prevented that. Ride Safe.

[STUFF2C]

I'm planning a 3K mile trip and don't have the money to spend on a custom seat right now.

 

If your going to do 3k in 3 days your in trouble

 

If your doing 300 mile days your in great shape

 

I use an Alaska leather on the stock RT seat and it seems to be OK for now. Until the aftermarket seat mfg's get ramped up.

I just have a problem waiting in line for 4 months and not having a seat for a couple of weeks.

[Steve1962]

I have the low seat on my 1200 RT and it is not comfortable [ for me ] on any trip over an hour long .

Some time ago I bought a bead rider ..... www.beadrider.com - for a previous bike , and found whilst it was not perfect [ it does mean you sit slightly higher ] , it made a big difference .

I dug it out from the shed a week or so ago and am now using it on the bike - it makes longer trips far more bearable , see pic below .

 

 

Just my tuppence worth ,

 

Steve

[tom collins]

This is a very individual problem and what works for one does not work for the next guy, but here is what has worked for me.

Padded bike pants (spandex type) under tourmaster riding pants are a big improvement as neither has seams in the troublesome area. When it's hot, you can open the zippers in the tourmaster and as you start to get warm below, just stand on the pegs for a minute and a nice rush of air comes in to cool things down again. (Note: most people look terrible in biker shorts). In cooler weather, if you can also work in a pair of the flannel pajamas, that is riding bliss. I ride an 04 RT, but this seems to work for me. Your Results May Vary.

good luck

 

tom collins

[sideways]

Flannel PJs. Now that's my kind of riding gear!

At the end of the day, just unzip that Roadcrafter and dive in the sack!

[sisu]

I used Airrider installed inflatable inserts on my R1100, they were great since you could alter the "pressure point" as you drove, then reinflate, by mouth, at each gas stop. I didn't need them for my R1150 with the comfort seat, but I might use them again for the R1200, I will know after this summers long rides.

[BOOCH]

I put the Alaska Sheep skin pads from my deceased R1150RT on my R1200RT and they were fine UNTIL we got into major TWISTIES.My wife and I slid all over the place making the ride more uncomfortable,than with out them.If your ride is mostly straight,you will be more comfortable with them.

Steve

[John Bentall]

I put the Alaska Sheep skin pads from my deceased R1150RT on my R1200RT and they were fine UNTIL we got into major TWISTIES.My wife and I slid all over the place making the ride more uncomfortable,than with out them.If your ride is mostly straight,you will be more comfortable with them.

Steve

My experience of the sheepskin covers is that I slid around when wearing textile pants but was absolutely fine wearing leather pants.

[Catbird]

Having just received a set of the Alaska Leather sheepskin pads a couple of days ago, I haven't had a chance for a looooong ride yet. My wife and I DID go out for a ~75 mile ride yesterday, and neither of us slid around at all, We both find the pads quite comfy.

 

P.S.

If any of you guys tries pantyhose as a foundation garment for extended rides, maybe you could share your experience(s).

[tickle_my_tummy]

I found that when I switched from the 1150 to the 12RT I got a bit sore. I noticed too that my riding position was slightly altered. I believe it was the change in the riding position that was at the root of the discomfort and not the seat.

 

After bearing with things for a while I find the standard seat perfectly comfortable. Another bonus with the 12RT that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere is the non-slip factor with the new seat. This is a big improvement. Wearing Dynatec on the old seat was literally a pain in the a$$ because the position, the seat and the material caused some sliding. I do like the new seat very much.

 

Having said all that - I did try a bike with a low seat option and noticed also that it was harder than the standard.

[VFRLuvr]

The clothes suggestions are excellent. The Airhawk seat cushion works wonders for me in addition to the underclothing.

 

It's not terribly cheap but it's still cheaper than a custom seat and should be much quicker to acquire.

 

IBMWR Review

 

Airhawk Home Page

 

Note: I am in no way affiliated with Airhawk...I just think they make a fine product that works for me.

[jackflash]

I have the same seat problem on my 1200RT. I just concluded I need to be myself....a hardazz, LOL! I have yet to hear a great solution.

[Chunky]

I've used both sheepskin & gel pads on my LT before getting my R1200RT. The gel pads are much more comfortable and will prevent "monkey butt" (numb butt). Gel pads are about $80 at Bunn Ease or Airhawk. The Butt Pad (sheepskin) from alaskaleather.com is about $45. It has medium comfort and is cheaper.

[drjcl]

I HAD the low seat, very uncomfortable, I went back to the standard seat set on the low position, and this is much more comfortable than the previous arrangement. No complaints so far, about 400 miles on my new R1200RT.

[Scarver]

Just returned from an 11 day - 4620 mile - ride through Colorado and Wyoming. I have the low seat option and use the AirHawk medium width pad. Most days were 250 to 300 miles of twisties but first day was a 600 mile ride to Colorado and last day was a 790 mile ride from Denver to Plano; stops every 2 - 3 hours made it very bearable.

[Catbird]

...stops every 2 - 3 hours made it very bearable.

Just curious - what would be the average duration of your stops?

[Scarver]

Catbird,

Length of stops was 5 - 10 minutes. Either to fill up our tanks (was riding with an ST1300 owner), replenish our Sahara cooling vests, or just simply to stroll around a bit.

[Yorkie]

I have decided to get an Airhawk - could any of you guys who have them advise me of the best size for the 1200RT - measurement suggests the medium - but I would be grateful for confirmation before I order it.

[David_S]

Yorkie I would think a medium should work. I have a large cruiser size and while it does work it is a bit too long.