Num Bum on R1200rt

[steadysteve]

Did my first long trip on the rt recently. Me and pillion both got serious num bum which is still uncomfy three days later.
Anybody got any advice on remedies for this? Not sure if gel seats or air seats are any good or if i need to splash out on a complete new seat, kahedo, sargeant etc etc.
Strange how some guys say the rt is good for 400+ miles with no aches and others find them uncomfy, in our case after about 70-80 miles.
Peg lowering kits might help to put more weight on the thighs but at 150 quid a set i am reluctant to shell out.
My feeling is that the rider's seat is too narrow and concentrates the weight on the bones in your bum. The peg position for the pillion seems to push the legs up and tip the weight onto the lower back, although my pillion is 6'2".
The rt itself is brilliant- handling, range 330 miles plus at 59mpg,but let down by the num bum issue.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Giles]

Well ...... you're going to get dozens or replies waxing lyrical about Tony Archer, air cushions, sheep skins and all that guff

The bottom line is, being 'bike fit'.

If you only ride occasionally, the odd weekend, once in a blue moon take a long trip ... then you're going to ache.

There's not too much wrong with the seats on the RT, I'm afraid it's down to time in the saddle.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

Agree with that, "during the war" (When I was a 2000 mile a week courier) I could ride from Great Yarmouth to the West Coast of Ireland with not a twinge, nowadays, years later, 100 miles and I,m aching, ........ AirHawk helps

 

[sven]

I've ridden with the low saddle, standard saddle and BMW comfort seat:

The low saddle gets slightly uncomfortable relatively quickly, but then stays at the same level of discomfort all day (tested during 350 mile days in the States recently).

The standard height saddle is good for 3-4 hours before starting to get uncomfortable.

The comfort saddle is all day comfy, but locks you in one position and pushed you slightly closer to the tank. It's also a little tighter on the knees, so can cause knee ache if your pants are tight (mine are fine without the lining, but tight with).

As I like "making progress", the compromise solution is using the standard saddle except for touring holidays.

 

[Yorkie]

I had the same problem - had 1200RTs for 6 years - seat never got better so I bought a Sargeant seat (front & rear but not heated). Best accessory I ever bought. I now have a Sargeant on my 1200 Adv.
My RT Sargeant is still in mint condition sitting in my cupboard and is for sale. I paid £250 for it and that is what I would like for it. You are not too far away - if you want to come up to York & try it first you are welcome.
Peter

 

[steadysteve]

Seat

I had the same problem - had 1200RTs for 6 years - seat never got better so I bought a Sargeant seat (front & rear but not heated). Best accessory I ever bought. I now have a Sargeant on my 1200 Adv.
My RT Sargeant is still in mint condition sitting in my cupboard and is for sale. I paid £250 for it and that is what I would like for it. You are not too far away - if you want to come up to York & try it first you are welcome.
Peter

Thanks Peter. Definitely interested. Are you getting rid of both front and rear?. Don't want to upset the 'forum police' by trading on here but have you got a number i can contact you on?

 

[ebbo]

Did my first long trip on the rt recently. Me and pillion both got serious num bum which is still uncomfy three days later

I know this pain

The bottom line is, being 'bike fit'.

This I think is very true, I was once 'bike fit' used to ride an airhead all over sat on virtually a plank, never got sore

 

[rodsharp]

I thought they were armchairs and you only get a sore bum on GS !!

 

[Yorkie]

Hi Steve,
I would want to sell front & rear together.
We are allowed to trade in this way as I have put a fixed price on it.
I cannot PM you with details as you are not a signed-up member. I would prefer not to put my phone or E-mail details on public f you are interested then it would be best if you signed up then PM'd me.
Peter

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Hi Steve,
I would want to sell front & rear together.
We are allowed to trade in this way as I have put a fixed price on it.
I cannot PM you with details as you are not a signed-up member. I would prefer not to put my phone or E-mail details on public f you are interested then it would be best if you signed up then PM'd me.
Peter

Is it the heated option? If Steve doesn't want it I may well be interested. TY.

 

[Yorkie]

Hi TY,
No it is not the heated option.
I am awaiting a reply from Steve - as I have offered them to him, I think he has first dibs - but I will post here again if he is not interested.
Peter

 

[steadysteve]

signed up

Thanks again Peter. I have signed up and will get back to you when i have sussed out the PM thingy.

 

[Yorkie]

If you look towards the upper right side of the screen, you should see Private Message in blue. Click on that and you should find a couple of messages from me.
Peter

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanx Peter.
Apologies, wasn't trying to queue jump, just expressing an interest if Steve didn't want them.

 

[mark2jag]

Did my first long trip on the rt recently. Me and pillion both got serious num bum which is still uncomfy three days later.
Anybody got any advice on remedies for this? Not sure if gel seats or air seats are any good or if i need to splash out on a complete new seat, kahedo, sargeant etc etc.
Strange how some guys say the rt is good for 400+ miles with no aches and others find them uncomfy, in our case after about 70-80 miles.
Peg lowering kits might help to put more weight on the thighs but at 150 quid a set i am reluctant to shell out.
My feeling is that the rider's seat is too narrow and concentrates the weight on the bones in your bum. The peg position for the pillion seems to push the legs up and tip the weight onto the lower back, although my pillion is 6'2".
The rt itself is brilliant- handling, range 330 miles plus at 59mpg,but let down by the num bum issue.
Any advice appreciated.
Thanks.

I do hope im not taking my life in my hands suggesting this but, heres a cheap solution.......Padded cycling shorts. Obviously you will then wear your normal bike kit over the top. I dont ever wanna see anyone Just wearing cycling shorts on a bike, but theres nowt so queer as folk as our northern brothers say. I had an F800GS and the seat on that is an implement of torture and cycling shorts helped.......
Right, I'll get me coat then...............

 

[Jazbee]

I don't have any sore arse issues with my stock seat RT, find it comfy. Had a Sargent seat on my GS which was a big improvement on the stock seat.

 

[getalife]

I do hope im not taking my life in my hands suggesting this but, heres a cheap solution.......Padded cycling shorts. Obviously you will then wear your normal bike kit over the top. I dont ever wanna see anyone Just wearing cycling shorts on a bike, but theres nowt so queer as folk as our northern brothers say. I had an F800GS and the seat on that is an implement of torture and cycling shorts helped.......
Right, I'll get me coat then...............

Agree with you, that's what I do. Don't get cheap cr*p, look at £40+, still cheaper than new seat. You can get baggy short versions for summer so if you're touring you can strip off to the shorts and not feel so much of a twat when you stop for a perambulate.

 

[1964Hall]

Speak to Motorcycle seatworks in the UK (google them)

I had a low seat re-foamed and shaped for my RT12, OE heating refitted and new covering all for around £100. I've sat on it for 57,000 of the 62,000 on the bike now. Don't think much about it TBH so it must be OK.
\v/

 

[Boxed-in]

Just switch the heated seats on for ten minutes full blast, and relax into it....

 

[Yorkie]

Sargeant seats now sold to Steadysteve.
(Info for Timaloy really as I cannot PM him. )
Peter