► Seats (too high, too hard, pillion...) and suspension

Comfort Seat Revisited.

Well quite a few miles later I've come to terms with the comfort seat. It's much better than the standard seat, and being quite a bit softer you sit down into the bike quite a bit more, with the result that I find you can use one arse cheek or the other to hustle the bike through the bends. The riding position is a bit different and takes some getting used to, and as pointed out last Saturday, I have a habit of letting my right foot sit above the rear brake pedal with the result that it does a bit of flashing when faced with a bump or two. :augie Just need to be a bit more diligent about keeping the foot offset from the pedal.
 
Hey V8 Legend!

You back from your long trip yet? I've just ridden through France (650GS) over the Pyrenees to San Sebastian - just under 1700 miles in all. At first I thought the stock seat would manage, but by the end of day 3 it was killing me!!!!!:mad:

How did you get on with the comfort seat on your long trip? Would appreciate knowing before splashing out all that dosh!

Apart from that, I have to say the 650GS was brilliant! :) Didn't have any other problems.

By the way, if you're thinking of heading for hot climes, stick to the small standard screen. It allows lots of air flow. My brother (different bike but tall screen and fairing) was getting too hot!
 
I rode to Morocco on my standard seat and agree that it really kills ya back side.

In the end, I had my seat modified at a place near Brands Hatch. The guy removed the cover, hollowed out some of the foam and replaced with memory foam. The end result looked exactly like the original seat - a perfect job. The seat if now fine, rode to Morocco this year and didn't even notice any problem. The total cost was £80. :thumb

Highly recommend :rob
 
Arsehawk update

Following a ride to Pembroke without, and a ride the long way back with (about 7 hours in the saddle with a couple of stops), my opinion of the airhawk has improved alot. It was not too warm (18-20 degrees) so not so sweaty as the last test and the comfort level was vastly better than the OE seat - no numb arse and bad back. Southern France next week with hopefully much hotter weather will be the acid test. Have given up on the padded cycling shorts as they feel like wearing a nappy!
 
air hawks and dead sheep

I would agree the air hawk II makes a huge difference.

my TT touring seat is ok for me for about 1.5 hours, if im going to do more than that I opt for the Airhawk from start tried it in france last year exellent :thumb2 (no numb bum some 16 hour Days)

basicly its always putting varying pressure on your rear as they say a change is as good as a rest :D

Improved for this years Alps run with a dead sheep tried it on top of the airhawk with two rachet strapps (recomended by other GSer not my idea).

the main reason was to hide my hawk and leave it on the bike, any how 520 mile test ride proved very comfy and cool. if you stand for a short period and then sit on it, its amazingly cold :thumb2

heres a picture in wales, sorry I do not know the origin of the sheep :nenau but was sold as a bike seat pad i have a link somewhers lamb something..


dryrun017.jpg


:aidan
 
sorry I do not know the origin of the sheep :nenau but was sold as a bike seat pad i have a link somewhers lamb something..


dryrun017.jpg


:aidan[/QUOTE]

You're not fooling anyone Puma, we know you just kidnapped that sheep to strap to your bike - why else would you be in Wales? (apart from the fantastic roads, beautiful scenery etc etc...._
 
Aaaaarrggghhhhhh!

russh said:
Is the original seat that uncomfortable? I find my 800GS loads better than my last bike, a Honda Transalp. It's no 1200GS agreed but then the 800 is a different bike, the narrowness and hardness certainly help when off roading.
Click to expand...

Just back from a near 1700 mile trip (650GS) through France and Andorra to Spain. I thought the standard seat was OK .......... before the trip! Boy was I sore on the 3rd day!!!!

Some of this is due to being pushed forward and then getting sore thighs through friction, I think.

Now which route to go?

Viking memory foam or bite the bullet and splash out ona BMW Comfort seat?

By the way, the 650 was brilliant on the trip :)
 
I vote Viking :liv

£80, seat looks exactly the same, but soft. Can't go wrong.

Be aware, that if you get your seat modified at Viking, the softness sinks you another inch into the seat, so the riding position feels lower. Also, when i got mine done, i could just about feel the ribs under the seat which at first bothered me, but now i don't notice them. Rode to Morocco earlier in the year and sat on the seat the whole way :D

I would use Viking again, no question.

Steve.
 
Go Viking!

smaytum said:
I vote Viking :liv

£80, seat looks exactly the same, but soft. Can't go wrong.

Be aware, that if you get your seat modified at Viking, the softness sinks you another inch into the seat, so the riding position feels lower. Also, when i got mine done, i could just about feel the ribs under the seat which at first bothered me, but now i don't notice them. Rode to Morocco earlier in the year and sat on the seat the whole way :D

I would use Viking again, no question.

Steve.
Click to expand...

+1 on the viking option:thumb2

I have the same TT (Kaehedo) touring seat as Puma,purchased second hand in as new condition from hereabouts. A good seat,vast improvement over "the plank" (at least for my buns:eek:). However,like Puma,I too experienced some discomfort after a few hours in the saddle.(ie.before needing a fuel stop).Bit disappointing after spending a not inconsiderable sum on suspension and seating mods.I was not really too chuffed that the (admittedly sparsely padded) Skonarse was still complaining after couple hundred miles! Sooo decided to risk sending the TT to Ian at Viking,with a note explaining the problem,and requesting that the original look of the seat be kept as close as possible to the TT original,with maybe a reduced "tip forward" if that could be done.The result one week later is a transformed ride!My 800 is now as comfortable over long distance (400-500)mile days as my brothers 1150 ADV. I could tell immediately that this was the seating solution for me:thumb2
Great service from Viking,they phoned when they recieved my seat,to discuss exactly what I wanted doing,the cost,the alternatives etc.
got the seat back the day they told me (week later) and it still looks the same as the TT original.Cost £75 all in,inc postage :D:D:D
That should have been YOUR job BMW,not mine :eek

Ps,I do sink in a little,but only a tad,and def dont feel any ribs or anything at all for that matter.(12.5 stone solid grisle)WooHooo!
PPs.Might try a sheep too Dean,those long winter nights............
 
Ferret55 said:
You back from your long trip yet? I've just ridden through France (650GS) over the Pyrenees to San Sebastian - just under 1700 miles in all. At first I thought the stock seat would manage, but by the end of day 3 it was killing me!!!!!:mad:

How did you get on with the comfort seat on your long trip? Would appreciate knowing before splashing out all that dosh!

Apart from that, I have to say the 650GS was brilliant! :) Didn't have any other problems.

By the way, if you're thinking of heading for hot climes, stick to the small standard screen. It allows lots of air flow. My brother (different bike but tall screen and fairing) was getting too hot!
Click to expand...

Hi Ferret

Sorry for the delayed response, went AWOL for a while.

The new seat was perfect on that trip. I no longer think about the seat at all (isn't that how they should be?). Having said that, I did have to get it changed. The stitching was pulling apart, but NOG changed it no probs.

I considered putting the standard screen back on for the heat of Spain, however, I'm glad I didn't when that massive front crossed europe bringing no end of rain.
 
arsehawk

I did about 2500 miles to the Pyrenees and back and the Airhawk definately saved my rear. It feels odd and raises you up a bit, so I usually started the day with the standard low seat and reverted to the AH after a hundred miles or so when arse fatigue started to set in. I ended up using it sideways rather than lengthways as that way it gave more protection to the inside of my thighs from the seat edges. I am not entirely happy sitting on an approximation of a '70's waterbed though and after reading this thread, may go with Viking.
 
SKON said:
+1 on the viking option:thumb2

I have the same TT (Kaehedo) touring seat as Puma,purchased second hand in as new condition from hereabouts. A good seat,vast improvement over "the plank" (at least for my buns:eek:). However,like Puma,I too experienced some discomfort after a few hours in the saddle.(ie.before needing a fuel stop).Bit disappointing after spending a not inconsiderable sum on suspension and seating mods.I was not really too chuffed that the (admittedly sparsely padded) Skonarse was still complaining after couple hundred miles! Sooo decided to risk sending the TT to Ian at Viking,with a note explaining the problem,and requesting that the original look of the seat be kept as close as possible to the TT original,with maybe a reduced "tip forward" if that could be done.The result one week later is a transformed ride!My 800 is now as comfortable over long distance (400-500)mile days as my brothers 1150 ADV. I could tell immediately that this was the seating solution for me:thumb2
Great service from Viking,they phoned when they recieved my seat,to discuss exactly what I wanted doing,the cost,the alternatives etc.
got the seat back the day they told me (week later) and it still looks the same as the TT original.Cost £75 all in,inc postage :D:D:D
That should have been YOUR job BMW,not mine :eek

Ps,I do sink in a little,but only a tad,and def dont feel any ribs or anything at all for that matter.(12.5 stone solid grisle)WooHooo!
PPs.Might try a sheep too Dean,those long winter nights............
Click to expand...

:rob I must point out that On longer hauls over 1.5 hours I use the inflatable air hawk with a sheep lashed down on top. :thumb2 this is completly different to a blow up sheep :blast :beerjug:
 
Has anyone tried a Top Sellerie (saddlery) seat?

Dear Friends,
Has anyone tried a Top Sellerie (saddlery in english) seat for the f800gs or f650gs?
I had one made for my fz6 and it was awesome! Their seats are very popular among the sport touring crowd, yet I've never heard anyone with a f800gs with one.
The company is in France. They ship over the seat in a new seat pan. It's expensive, though. A new one is about US$700. It's probably less expensive for those in Europe.

They offer a low seat version, which is lower than stock by 3 cm. This is kind of important for me. :blush I like my factory low seat, besides the fact that it hurts my butt after an hour. Out of all the seats listed here:
  • BMW Comfort
  • Corbin
  • Renazco
  • Sargent
  • Touratech

There's only one other company that is willing to offer a low comfort seat (Renazco).

You can build a Top Saddlery seat using their website.
http://www.topsellerie.com/@EN-FR/B...ol-tank-covers-tank-bags-motorbike_2_498.html
The website doesn't perfectly represent what the seats look like.
Here's a better example.
http://www.topsellerie.com/@EN-FR/j...This=true&TB_iframe=true&height=500&width=900
873.jpg


I was just curious if anyone had one. Like I said, I had one for my fz6. I could (and did) ride for 8 hours in that seat. It's a luxurious hand-crafted French sofa that never let me down.
I may get one for my new bike. Cost is a big factor and also I don't want to be the first f800gs rider to test one out.

Some people may say the shape of this seat isn't very good for off road riding.
My factory low seat looks very similar, though. It has a dished out, rather than flat, look.
I've been on trails and the shape is fine, even when I'm standing on my pegs and leaning back.
Another concern is that the low seat option will mean less foam and more discomfort. Hopefully the seat foam has a long life to it and won't compress.

Thx in advance for any input.
I may take the plunge and report back with a review. It's damn expensive though...:blast
 
Seat Exchange

Anyne want to exchange a STD height seat from my 2010 2k mile 800GS for the lower seat obviously must be in the same mint condition Ill pay the postage on both ??
 
Adventure Boy said:
Anyne want to exchange a STD height seat from my 2010 2k mile 800GS for the lower seat obviously must be in the same mint condition Ill pay the postage on both ??
Click to expand...

You have standard seat and want a lower seat? Correct? If it were the other way around, I'd be interested in a lower seat.
 
seats

Agee, great stuff mate
My bike also has a comfort seat that has been used from new so the STD seat hasnt been used,

If you can PM me your postage details Ill reply with mine also if you give me your paypal ill do a gift payment for a tenner for the postage,

Or we could meet up sunday and exchange what do you think could meet halfway maybe ??
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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