BMW R1200GS ADVENTURE seat height, how much lower with standard GS seat?

vteec

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hello
i have just sat on my friend's 2010 Adventure with standard seat but on the lowest setting.
i have read numerous threads that even with my 30.4 inch inseam and a standard GS low seat i should be able to reach the floor comfortably.

i was on tip toes, can this standard low seat be that much lower?

thank you
 
vteec said:
hello
i have just sat on my friend's 2010 Adventure with standard seat but on the lowest setting.
i have read numerous threads that even with my 30.4 inch inseam and a standard GS low seat i should be able to reach the floor comfortably.

i was on tip toes, can this standard low seat be that much lower?

thank you
Click to expand...

Just to give you an idea, the seat height on the GSA is about an inch higher than the std GS. So, with the seat on low on the GSA its about the same as the std GS on high. With the std GS seat set to low, you will be about an inch lower than you were on the GSA. The "low" seat option will be that much lower than that but I don't know by how much. Hope that makes sense.
 
On a GS (not A) with a standard seat on low I'm on tiptoes and it's a b'stard to go backwards With a OEM low seat I can get both feet flat on the floor with 30" inside leg HTH
 
hello
thank you for your replies.
i have sat on a standard 1200gs with low seat and yes i could put my feet flat.
so i am totally with you on that.

could not beleive what a difference the GS adventure was.
i know that there is 20mm in suspension but the standard adventure seat must have a lot of foam for sure.

i think i can imagine that the standard gs but low seat on the adventure would be fine for me.

thank you
 
Standard seat works for me with 29inch in seam. Need to be a little careful with the weight. I am considering going back to the standard seat until I have a wobble which reminds me why I am on the smaller seat.
 
vteec said:
hello
i have just sat on my friend's 2010 Adventure with standard seat but on the lowest setting.
i have read numerous threads that even with my 30.4 inch inseam and a standard GS low seat i should be able to reach the floor comfortably.

i was on tip toes, can this standard low seat be that much lower? thank you
Click to expand...

Nice to have an american on here ( inseam? :D ) but to try and be helpful, the reach to the floor also depends on whether the bike has electrical suspension or manual. The old manual system allows the bike to get a bit lower if you wind off almost all the rear pre-load. Then with the loaw seat on a standard 1200gs I can just about get my feet flat with a 29 inch inseam ( it's catching!). You might just make it on an adv with manual suspension and the low seat and 30 inch inside leg. But why struggle? Unless you really are going long distance off road, the adv is a fashion item. Looks a bit more hard core. A bit more butch. Personally I would prefer to ba able to paddle it about a bit easier and save some money too.
 
Im 5"8in and have a 29in inside leg :eek: With a Kahedo low seat on the GSA with ESA set on comfort and no pillion or luggage im tippy toes. Takes a little getting used too and im still learning but its fine. You just need to think about it before you stop anywhere. :thumb2
 
hello Delboy777
do you have the extra low or low seat please? because with the extra low there should be a further 2cm in reduction in seat height, but i have been reading that it is uncomfortable.
thank you
 
Have a kheado extra low seat a.d 400 mile days are no problem.with the bmw low seat 50 miles is a killer.
With a 30" inside leg i can put both feet flat and sit in the saddle all day

Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
 
hello frank1200
so this is on an adventure please? and with ESA?

thank you
 
The standard GS seat is 20mm lower than the GSA seat. So the GSA on low is the same as the GS on high.

I have tried a low low Kahedo Bottom friendly but horrible riding position. I turned around after 1/2 mile absolutely HATED it. I have a standard Kahedo on a GSA and find that's fine. Im male 5ft 8ins with "normal" inside leg proportions
 
hello, for comparison, i have ridden an f800gs with bmw low seat, that was perfect, i managed that easily.
do you think the gas with touratech x-low is similar in height? but then again the 800gs is lighter.

and also a standard 1150gs with bmw low seat, i can almost flat foot that one.

thank you
 
With both legs flapping the whole plot feels safer but IMO its almost all illusory. The GS is heavy and like any heavy bike if/when it leans too far it will fall and the normal human cant stop it. Its the real reason why we have crash bars (in a proper crash they do nothing useful to protect the bike).

I set the seat so cannot flat foot with both feet. But I can get one foot flat with the other on the footpeg. IMO that is the most stable with the wheels and foot making a tripod and the other leg stiffening things up.

Let any large bike lean too far and it WILL fall over. Even Arnie will fail to stop a GSA once its on the way down. Anyone who tries will get hurt.
If the seat is too high and the rider is on tippy toe - clearly they will soon drop the bike
If the seat is low the rider's legs have less control because they are bent.
If the seat is high and the bike falls the rider can more easily jump clear
If the seat is too low the rider has to stand up before they can jump away so more likely to get a leg trapped.

With one leg on the footrest and one on the floor the rider has more control of the bike. Pressing down on the footpeg stabilises and the down leg as said makes a tripod. The one downside is if the bike goes too far to the footrest leg they rider has to quickly swap legs.

Whatever option folks take its a compromise. I personally prefer to be comfortable when riding so accept that I cant easily flat feet when the bike is stopped. On long runs I put the seat to high and around town put it to low. 20mm has a significant effect. I NEVER try to paddle the bike backwards. Its easy to hop off and push and to be honest quicker and less risky for dropping the bike. I accept the compromise for 1% of the time when I need to move the bike backwards. The other 99% Im more comfortable and have better control.

I also use the side stand to climb on the bike and for reversing. With stand down I can let it fall onto the stand. For climbing onto the bike I stand on the LH footrest and swing a leg over. This might not be so clever on a Harley but the BMW side stand leg is nearly vertical so sees minimal bending forces. My 2008 GSA has always been used like that and shows no sign of side stand stress.
 
vteec said:
hello Delboy777
do you have the extra low or low seat please? because with the extra low there should be a further 2cm in reduction in seat height, but i have been reading that it is uncomfortable.
thank you
Click to expand...

I have had a Kahedo extra low seat for about 2 years, used over 14K miles - 2011 GSA.

I like it because its fairly narrow at the front so I can almost, depending on the suspension flat foot it, I've also lowered the pegs, so I feel fine sat there ready to go.

I like it less for comfort, a day here or there I find bearable, touring can be a pain if you're using motorways to munch miles.

Comfort wise - longest journey in a day has been 435 miles. Airhawks will lift you up, sheepskins better, but for me with this set up motorways are the killer, 325mile long days in say Norway no problem as I tend to move about more with the bends.

There's padding but not much, I don't think enough to remove for a gel insert - I may be wrong!.

Main thought to avoid disaster is to avoid paddling backwards and choose your stopping place wisely as sometimes even the newly fitted flatfoot on the sidestand means supporting the bike on the right while it flicks out, not so good if the ground on the left is uneven - very obvious but the tipping point is a fine learning curve....

Perhaps I'm over careful , my mate has a standard seat, padding out gel insert in and is on his tips of toes with his pillion with no problems - confidence and common sense will see you fine!!
 
Gossy said:
I have had a Kahedo extra low seat for about 2 years, used over 14K miles - 2011 GSA.

I like it because its fairly narrow at the front so I can almost, depending on the suspension flat foot it, I've also lowered the pegs, so I feel fine sat there ready to go.

I like it less for comfort, a day here or there I find bearable, touring can be a pain if you're using motorways to munch miles.
I have found the Kahedo is hard but the Sargent sides dug my inner thigh and the standard GS seat has a lump at the back just under my sacrum. What is that about?

Comfort wise - longest journey in a day has been 435 miles. Airhawks will lift you up, sheepskins better, but for me with this set up motorways are the killer, 325mile long days in say Norway no problem as I tend to move about more with the bends.

There's padding but not much, I don't think enough to remove for a gel insert - I may be wrong!.
The standard Kahedo has more padding then the low low but anyone with shorter legs than mine will need lower suspension or thicker shoes.

Main thought to avoid disaster is to avoid paddling backwards and choose your stopping place wisely as sometimes even the newly fitted flatfoot on the sidestand means supporting the bike on the right while it flicks out, not so good if the ground on the left is uneven - very obvious but the tipping point is a fine learning curve....
VERY GOOD ADVICE! I had one or two tumbles until I had reprogrammed my head for working with a taller bike. I don't paddle the bike backwards but if I ever try its so slow, getting off to push is still quicker.
I also find the standard side stand is too short - its a heavy bike to haul upright and if you tug too hard it could go the other way. Park so it leans even further and you are really stuck. I have fitted a solid rubber hockey puck. You know immediately if the ground is too high so you move the bike accordingly. With the short stand you find out the ground is too low and then cant pull it upright again to move somewhere else. The SideKicker would be perfect but its just much too costly for me.

Perhaps I'm over careful , my mate has a standard seat, padding out gel insert in and is on his tips of toes with his pillion with no problems - confidence and common sense will see you fine!!
If you wear 31 to 32 inside leg jeans you will be ok with a standard height seat. Fit some paint protection so remove that worry and give it a try.
Click to expand...

I would say anyone new to the GSA or even the GS should slit some cheap car radiator hose and gaffa tape it over the crash bars. Perhaps also tape some rubber sheet to the rocker cover protectors. If the bike falls they will protect the paint so you can feel less worried about finding the envelope of safety. When you have it sussed, pull the stuff off again.

Also be careful how you use the ESA preload. Wind it up to 2 helmets & luggage on a sloping road and you could be soon losing the bike (how would I know that!). Its no biggie just be a bit careful.

I have tried bar risers which initially seemed to be more comfortable. However, IMO sitting too upright reduces the rider's ability to work the handlebars and makes the bike feel heavier, especially when moving slowly where we need fine control. Also, sitting up too much the rider puts more weight onto the pelvic ischial bones (pin bones) so the buttock muscles get crushed and the spine gets more vertical impact from road bumps. A low seat exaggerates the problem.

I have gone back to the standard GSA bars but have them turned well forwards because my wrists suffer especially at base of thumbs. I may also try the bar mounts turned the other way to see how that feels. Some Renthal crosser bars may help because I believe the BMW bars sweep too far back. I never had the thumbs problem on the heavy old Yamaha Diversion 900 yet its upper body position with risers was much like my GSA is now.

I am also tempted by some Fasst Flexx bars but its not a low cost option. http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4f72a9818a161990ff5163d66&id=184ff734b6&e=2da062967f
 
thank you for your replies! much appreciated!!

Gussy: can i ask you what is your inseam please? i will keep you tips in mind

Gadget: i am buying a brand new 90th with ESA, changing the suspension is not in my mind at the moment. but thank you for you suggestion.

Bendy toy: do you think that my new bike with ESA will be actually higher than one with non esa?
 
vteec said:
thank you for your replies! much appreciated!!

Gussy: can i ask you what is your inseam please? i will keep you tips in mind

Gadget: i am buying a brand new 90th with ESA, changing the suspension is not in my mind at the moment. but thank you for you suggestion.

Bendy toy: do you think that my new bike with ESA will be actually higher than one with non esa?
Click to expand...

Inseam/leg 29", I forgot something, Daytona M Star boots, really comfortable but adds 25mm;)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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