BMW Response re GS/A Seats

[polecat]

I recently contacted BMW to point out the lack of comfort on the GSA seat. This is their response.

'Thank you for your recent email dated May 14, 2010. I am sorry to learn of the issues that you have experienced with your bike. I can understand that this experience must be causing you some frustration and I would like to apologise that you and your wife are experiencing problems with the comfort of your BMW R1200GSA Motorcycle.

I have conducted an investigation into this matter on your behalf by looking at the reports, customer feedback and part order information that BMW Motorrad collates. I have checked our records and I can advise that we have not received any previous customer comments about the seat on the R1200 GSA being uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is not an alternative seating option for this bike as this is a rare complaint and as such the only alternative is to source a seating option from a third party.

I am sorry that I have been unable to resolve this matter for you, however, I would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and will ensure that I direct your comments to the relevant department within BMW Motorrad for their review and assessment.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
BMW Motorrad UK
*********
Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: 0870 5050160
Fax: 0870 5050205
Mail: [email protected]'

So it must be just me then ?

Maybe ***** could do with a few more e mails?

Edit - Sorry, putting out someone's personal details isn't on..... Toad

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

More than happy with my GSA seat, both rider and pillion.

Must just be you

 

[Achim]

So it must be just me then ?

Just be grateful you've got a GSA seat and not the standard one...

Buy an after-market seat and flog your GSA seat here - everyone's happy

Achim
(happy with GSA seat on my GS)

 

[harrybo1]

I recently contacted BMW to point out the lack of comfort on the GSA seat. This is their response.

'Thank you for your recent email dated May 14, 2010. I am sorry to learn of the issues that you have experienced with your bike. I can understand that this experience must be causing you some frustration and I would like to apologise that you and your wife are experiencing problems with the comfort of your BMW R1200GSA Motorcycle.

I have conducted an investigation into this matter on your behalf by looking at the reports, customer feedback and part order information that BMW Motorrad collates. I have checked our records and I can advise that we have not received any previous customer comments about the seat on the R1200 GSA being uncomfortable. Unfortunately there is not an alternative seating option for this bike as this is a rare complaint and as such the only alternative is to source a seating option from a third party.

I am sorry that I have been unable to resolve this matter for you, however, I would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and will ensure that I direct your comments to the relevant department within BMW Motorrad for their review and assessment.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
BMW Motorrad UK

Customer Service Executive
Ellesfield Avenue
Bracknell RG12 8TA
Tel: 0870 5050160
Fax: 0870 5050205
Mail: [email protected]'

So it must be just me then ?

Maybe ***** could do with a few more e mails?

sorry about your discomfort, but got to say my seat is great ride all day no problem.

 

[Giles]

I didn't realise the Gs and GSa seats were different. I have to say i've sat on mine (gsa) for over 10 hours at a time and have no problem with it...

 

[cookie]

my GSA was desperately uncomfortable 'til i bought a sargent seat.

i never bothered to tell bmw about it, as i just assumed they'd fob me off with a bullshit letter like you got.

 

[Bryn]

My 1200 SE has the GSA seats... and I found the riders seat pretty uncomfortable....

Took both to Melvin last week and he's put in 'Gelastic Pads'

I've seen the stuff and its totally different to a gel pad... looks like a stretchy waffle....

Custom Motorcycle Seats

He's in Coventry.... 24 Hour turn around

 

[nedflanders]

My 1200 SE has the GSA seats... and I found the riders seat pretty uncomfortable....

Took both to Melvin last week and he's put in 'Gelastic Pads'

I've seen the stuff and its totally different to a gel pad... looks like a stretchy waffle....

Custom Motorcycle Seats

He's in Coventry.... 24 Hour turn around

But what's the verdict and cost

 

[APW]

I have a 2010 GSA and had to buy a new seat because after 100 miles on the original I was in pain and I mean PAIN

How can they justify such a crap seat which limits you to 100 miles and yet the tank can take you 350 to 400 miles easy
get yourself a TT seat matey. Not cheap but 200 to 300 miles is no problem now.

I went for what TT call their Std height seat which is actually lower than the original

 

[Bryn]

But what's the verdict and cost

Not been out long enough to know the answer, but he showed me what he'd fetched out of other so called super comfort gel seats, then showed me what he was fitting... I could see there was no similarity.... so I can't see me getting much else comfier....feels fine on short runs, but that's not a full appraisal

£130 for both seats, dropped off and picked up.... they look no different to standard from the outside...

Dropped them off at 1600 last Thursday... he phoned me 1100 Friday to tell me they were ready....

Can't fault the service, and he's sending his re-worked seats all over the world...

He's Melvin Hunter... that's what he used to call his business, until he handed it down to his son.. now he just helps him out a bit

 

[Dainese Brave]

I had an 06 Gsa from new, and never really had an issue with the seat.

And this included some very long days in the saddle, and even driving back from Albania in three and a half days!!

All on all I found it ok.....

.....however after buying a Sargent seat last year, it was money well spent.

It's not an absolutely necessary purchase IMHO.... but along with HID lights, it is one of the two most important enhancements you'll make to your bike.

 

[B-Road Explorer]

I'm sure getting a different seat is the best solution, but for a quick fix, try setting the rider's seat to the high position on the front and the low position on the back. This made a big difference for my 2008 GS.

I got that tip here, so thought it was well known. I took a test ride on the 2010 GSA the other day and mentioned this bit of set up to the dealer. I was surprised to find he hadn't heard of it before.

FWIW I found the GSA a bit more comfortable than my GS.

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

No problems with my seat either. In the beginning it was somewhat sore, but am very comfortable with it now, 30k miles on. Either my backside has conformed or the seath has softened up/remoulded though time and use Did buy a Sargent seat for Mrs Nak on the back though (as well as lowering the pillion pegs). Not put that set up to the test in earnest yet but will in the next week.

Edit: +1 on the high front, low back setting

 

[Paul Wakefield]

I have always found BM seats and I take a while to adjust to each other - normally about 1k miles. The GSA took 3k miles but I now find it all day comfortable.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Regularly do 5-6 hour days in the saddle on a GSA. No problems at all.
Couple of simple things you might want to try.

Get some undies with no seams across the buttocks (I tried some £20 North face walking shorts. They were good but no better than £2.99 Tesco Boxers)
Try a fleece.
Try having the front of the saddle on high and the back on low.

 

[GSwadd]

I never realized what they meant in the magazines when they said the seats were too soft, as I always thought the GS seat was too hard. Having just come back from an 8000km round trip to Tasmania, I now know. While not too bad in the morning, after a few hours the foam packs down so you are basically held in one position, with no chance to move about to relieve pressure spots and I only weigh 80kg. Having the positions set high/low helps as then it doesn't roll you forward thereby crushing the gentleman's area all day. On the recent holiday I changed back to the high/high position after the first day just to give more leg-room between seat and pegs.

As they have to put a seat on the bike anyway why can't they just make it a decent one? If the aftermarket guys can get it right you would think BMW could too....

 

[gateway77]

A friend (BM sceptic) recently borrowed my GS for a few months and loved it so much he's now got a brand new GSA, but he's really missing the comfort of the Sargent seat I have on my bike.

He couldn't believe the difference it makes to longer rides.

I do hear what some riders are saying about the stock seat bedding in after a few thousand k - but personally I just can't be arsed to go through a period of discomfort like that when I just want to go out and enjoy myself, and maybe after riding for months they're getting used to something thats not really that good! (thats the seat I mean - not the bike, which is of course brilliant!)

 

[LBL]

I guess the whole point is that no two people are the same, if BuMW produced a differant seat some would like it but others would moan i believe if you buy a GSA you an request a GS seat.

For me on my 2008 1200 GS i withstood 2000 miles before changing to a Seargant seat, once i had done about 2 hours on the GS seat i was in pain, with the Seargant i can ride all day.

The Seargant went straight onto my 2009 GSA so cant comment on it, again tho no problems with the Seargant on it and for me well worth the money and it will go on my next GSA or will be sold privately for no great loss

 

[Rederic]

I tried to adapt to the standard seat on my 1200 gsa but i give in and fitted a sargent it took me about 20 yards to know its the best thing i have done to the bike totally changed the bike for me, it is firmer and gives you more feeling for what is going on below you, And it gives you so much more support ,I Have not done any realy long trips on it yet but 600 miles in one go was no problem and the space in the pillion seat will take your tools and let you put your comm,s in the tool tray

 

[elefantman]

eat more cake,my seats great