Mike Denson Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 My Sergeant seat isn't working for me, and I'm looking at an RDL and wondered which options people have used? Heat, I believe there are two options, OEM and RDL. RDL is on/off, OEM is adjustable (on my 2015). Is this correct? Cover material: vinyl, leather, velour? Quilting pattern? Rain cover!!! I hated the rain cover on my Ultimate Seat, do I really need one on the RDL> I plan to call Russell next week, any information is appreciated. Link to comment
Dietrich Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 A few years back I put a RDL on to my 1200GS. I chose leather top and vinyl sides with the larger square pattern. Red/grey. Great seat, no comparable pain all day long. I did use the rain cover. Currently I have a used RDL from a forum member on my 650 GS. All vinyl, smaller square pattern, black. Just as comfortable as the first one. Looks ugly but when you sit on it, who cares :-) Great saddle and great service from the guys at Russell too. Good luck. Link to comment
TEWKS Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 OEM on the heat question, if you already have it. I did black vinyl & basket weave. Pat Link to comment
rideandfly Posted October 25, 2015 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Had been searching for a seat on the Vstrom for two up riding my Wife is comfortable on for all day. She has nerve problems after having Shingles and could not ride for more than 50 miles without pain. Tried OEM, Sargent, and finally ordered a Russel Day Long seat built on the OEM pan completed in leather, but still did not have much hope. RDL seats made a believer out of me. Now we can ride over 6 hours (longest ride two up so far on the RDL) and my Wife does not have pain. It took about 1000 miles (in our case) for the seat to break in and become very comfortable. I'm used to riding Sport/DS bikes and the RDL has a completely different feel, but I'm used to it now. The RDL is wider at the tank compared to the OEM seat, so it was lucky for me I had already lowered the bike front & back by 1", another story, accommodates getting my feet on the ground comfortably @ 5'11" tall with a full height RDL seat. Did not buy the heat option, will go with heated vest on the Strom. Always wanted to buy a BMW for two up sport touring, but had been reluctant until having this positive experience with the RDL seat. After seeing many RDL seats on BMWs, our next two up sport touring bike will be a BMW with a RDL seat. Link to comment
Chris K Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 RDL uses the OEM seat pan so you will have the same adjustment as the stock seat. I am on my second RDL seat, both for the R1200GS. I went with half moon stitching and vinyl sides with the vinyl Griptex (non-slip) seating area. Since it is all vinyl I have never had to use a rain cover on either seat. Link to comment
fastlarry Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 You should use the rain cover. The RDL's have stitching and water can penetrate the seat through this stitching. Can soak the foam underneath and cause a degradation of the seat. Had to send a seat back to Russell after failing to use the cover. Larry Link to comment
StuGotz Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 OEM on the heat question, if you already have it. I did black vinyl & basket weave. Pat Who's butt does the pillion seat fit Pat? MB> Link to comment
The Rocketman Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 I picked up used RDL heated rider/passenger seats off Fleabay last year for my '09RT. With the serial number, RDL confirmed the build of the PO was similar to mine. What I found were 2 problems, which ended up in me re-selling the seat. (1) Rider's seat was tilted too far forward, and the "boys' were getting crushed. (2) The wings on the pillion seat came out so far, my daughter couldn't hold onto the grab rails, and it made it really difficult lifting the bike onto the center stand as I couldn't get a grip on the grab rails either.. Guess having them custom made is the way to go if you're going to do it at all, but be aware of the passenger seat issue. Link to comment
TEWKS Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Who's butt does the pillion seat fit Pat? MB> But, I'm smart enough not to answer that question! Pat Link to comment
Skywagon Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Mine pattern is same as Tewks except didn't get basket weave. Leather on top, vinyl sides. This is my third Russell. They hold up well and because there is simply more seat volume; it spreads the load such that ride time is greatly extended with more comfort. It will make your feet about 2 inches further from the pavement that stock, but you will learn to work it with ease by leaning on 1 foot or the other when stopped. Link to comment
kltk165 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'm on my second RDL ('96 K1100LT and 2011 R1200RT) and have had velour on both seats. I'm really surprised more people don't go for the velour. It's very comfortable, doesn't get hot and you don't slide around on it if you're wearing riding pants. I spray it once, or twice, a year with outdoor Scotchgard and the water beads then rolls off. Link to comment
Ralphie Posted November 5, 2015 Share Posted November 5, 2015 Russell is the most comfortable seat I've ever used. It also changed the feeling of the bike the most as it raised me up so much. Over time I got used to the new feeling of the much taller seat. I always appreciated the added comfort. It took some time to get used to how the bike felt being so much higher in the bike. The added comfort of more leg room was offset by a further reach to the bars. The seat itself was very comfortable and they were a great company to work with. I went with black vinyl. Easy to clean, looked nice and did not need a rain cover. I have one, I just don't use it and don't have a problem. The added thickness Russell adds to the seat greatly increases the time for the seat to warm up and noticeably reduces the maximum temperature your back side feels. It gets warm enough to be effective but all that additional padding makes the stock heating element less effective. I've tried many seats. Russell is one of the few I'd recommend. Link to comment
Rob L Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I went through the Russell website and cannot find a way to order the basket weave material. Am I missing something? Link to comment
realshelby Posted November 6, 2015 Share Posted November 6, 2015 I went through the Russell website and cannot find a way to order the basket weave material. Am I missing something? For reasons unknown, you have to ask about the basket weave material when you call them. Not on the website. No additional cost. I have a V Strom seat with it and like it very much on that bike. Link to comment
alexp Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I sent them two emails inquiring about getting a new seat for my bike and never got any replies. Is this normal from them? Link to comment
realshelby Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 You are better off calling them. E-mails are not their first priority from my experience. Link to comment
Chris K Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 Never tried emailing them, I have always called. They are very helpful on the phone. Link to comment
kltk165 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I've emailed them on several occasions and never failed to get a response the next business day. Link to comment
Ralphie Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I sent them two emails inquiring about getting a new seat for my bike and never got any replies. Is this normal from them? Unlike other seat folks I tried Russell did follow up via email within a day. The last seat I had them make for me was four years ago so things may have changed but when I did work with them they were the only one who was good at following up via phone or email. Link to comment
Rob L Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Just got my RDL back yesterday. Can't wait to try it out! Looks like some cooperative weather coming Friday/Saturday Link to comment
kltk165 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 New pattern. I like it.. Link to comment
realshelby Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 That is the "basket weave". I had my V STrom done in that. Vinyl only and a no cost option. But it isn't on the website for whatever reason. It does tend to collect dirt in the dimples but I like the feel of it. Link to comment
Rob L Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 Went for a cool January ride today. Man, this seat is tall! I placed it in the lower position and it took some time to get used to it. Still on my toes at stop signs. Have to slide forward to reach the ground. Only rode an hour....it's January in Indiana! Link to comment
92Merc Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I just put my new RDL on the bike yesterday and took the bike for a spin. Mind you it was only 43 here in ND. But seat warmer still worked great. I'm 5'10" and had to slide forward a bit more than stock seat. But I was still able to touch the ground about the same. Seat was a bit harder than I expected. But still not as hard as my Corbin on the old bike. I need more miles on it. But I think I'm going to like this seat. And today, I went skiing! Link to comment
realshelby Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Russells can feel "hard" at first. I think the vinyl feels harder than the leather. They both break in over time. Link to comment
alexp Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I'm very happy with my RDL. It took 4 and half weks but it was worth it. Now I sit high on the bike and no more leg cramps. Link to comment
Slyder_Steve Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Rob, How tall are you? Steve Link to comment
Rob L Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I am 6'-1" 31" inseam. This is the 3rd RDL that I have purchased. 4th one I've owned. They are definitely the best comfort seat when you want to spend lots of hours in the saddle. They all ride tall and require you to slide forward to reach the ground. This one seems taller than any previous RDL that I had made. An hour in the saddle yesterday and I feel that I will get used to the new "perch". I know that when I travel it will be a real blessing to not experience leg cramps and back pain. The seat will probably break in a tad lower with some miles on it. Link to comment
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