Seat height

[trogxx]

Hi, all, Ive just picked up a wunderlich that has 4 settings, I thought I would be ok with this as I'm a tall girl but even on the low setting I'm not completely flat footed which is what I'm use to... I'm a newie to the GS... its the only thing thats a negative along with the side stand... had a scary mo... the other day when I couldnt lift the bike off the stand due to a slight slope.... totally gutted... any recommendations with stand extensions??? also whats heel lifts??

Hi Trinity,
Hope you hav'n't fallen under the bike anymore!
You mention you've tried the wunderlich seat. Did you find it comfortable? Did you purchase both front and rear seats? If just the front, did the colour match the original rear?
Take Care,
Henry

 

[bumpy]

Heres my findings on the GS with low seat. I am 5' 8" tall

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1404811#post1404811

 

[Dave Barrett]

OK, here's my tuppence worth. I'm 5' 7", with a 29" inside leg. On my first 1150GS, I had the low seat from BMW and can honestly say it was one of he most uncomortable seats I've ever had, since they basically just removed the padding to make it lower. I kept the standard seat on the second 1150, which sorted the comfort issue, the only downside being when my wife got on and off.

On my 1200, I decided to go for an aftermarket seat, basically because I found the standard version too uncomfortable on long journeys. I went for the low Touratech "comfort" seat and find it perfect for me. 12 hours in the saddle is OK and I can get both feet more or less flat on the floor when my wife's jumping on and off.

 

[trogxx]

OK, here's my tuppence worth. I'm 5' 7", with a 29" inside leg. On my first 1150GS, I had the low seat from BMW and can honestly say it was one of he most uncomortable seats I've ever had, since they basically just removed the padding to make it lower. I kept the standard seat on the second 1150, which sorted the comfort issue, the only downside being when my wife got on and off.

On my 1200, I decided to go for an aftermarket seat, basically because I found the standard version too uncomfortable on long journeys. I went for the low Touratech "comfort" seat and find it perfect for me. 12 hours in the saddle is OK and I can get both feet more or less flat on the floor when my wife's jumping on and off.

Hi,
Thanks for reply.
The Wunderlich low does sound tempting.
Did you buy just the riders seat? I know I sound like a bit of a tart, but I was wondering if the bike looked 'pants' with mismatched seats.
Cheers,
Henry

 

[frank1200]

5 9" and 30"
i was ok on tip toes with standard saddle on low setting but not that confident and had to think about stoping and slow moving.
bought a bmw low seat, has to be the most uncomfortable bike seat ever made.
now have a kahedo extra low seat. wide at the back and narrow at the front.
(it looks like a horse saddle)
very comfortable and great for confidence i just stop and put both feet flat on the ground without having to think about it.
got a set of fastway footpegs on the low setting which leaves the seat to knee angle the same as or near enough to the standard seat to peg angle
this transformed my riding pleasure and i would highly recommend these mods to any fellow shortish person

 

[trogxx]

Hi,
Thanks for reply.
The Wunderlich low does sound tempting.
Did you buy just the riders seat? I know I sound like a bit of a tart, but I was wondering if the bike looked 'pants' with mismatched seats.
Cheers,
Henry

Hi,
Brain death.
I meant touratech.
Cheers,
Henry

 

[Dave Barrett]

Hi Henry,

I just bought thr rider's part. TBH, I wanted the all black version, which TT didn't have in stock, but after a quick ride round with the new seat, I was convinced, so bought the "silver" version. It would probably look better with the matching passenger seat, but I'm not really that bothered.

 

[i_satan]

I'm spot-on 6 foot and still getting used to the height of my 07GSA, after owning (mostly) VFRs before.

Had Trinity's situation after sidestand parking on a camber a fortnight ago. Managed to recover it myself (just). Bit of a warning, that one.

My other concern is that when I have my luggage on the back (which is a normall holdall bungee'd to the passenger seat - I don't do panniers) I can't seem to get on the bike with any dignity. Without luggage I just bend my knee, adjust my sunglasses, and I'm away.

With the bag there my foot gets stuck in it leaving me looking like a numpty.

So at the moment my technique is to stand on one leg, hold out the other leg straight at 90 degrees and lurch onto the bike (think of Eric Cantona kung fu kick).

Not really looking for any tips. Just thought I'd share.

 

[cocokid]

seats

Hi all,

Have ordered new 08 Gs - pick up at end of month.

Problem is -- I can't make up mind about seat height (i.e low or regular).
Am 5'8" short and road tested on regular height saddle. Okay on the move but felt uncertain on stops and slow control -- of course could be my riding!
Dealer recommends regular as lower height saddle would be less comfortable.

Am ancient, presently ride t100 (775cms) and have arthritic knees so keen on the regular height of GS saddle. If got regular and all went belly up, suppose could buy lower atermarket saddle. Sargent? Touratech? Shoe lifts? Other ideas?

Appreciate any help.

Cheers,
trogxx

hi trogxx, I have an 07 gsa and I am about your height,I purchased the bike from devon and rode it back to hampshire on a low gs seat,tying the original on the panniers,I was very suprised at how easy the bike was to ride, however I did have a sore butt after 190 miles.I have now bought a sargeant seat (low) which is far more comfortable for me , and I can almost get feet flat if I need to ,just take your time in difficult parking situations,Dave.

 

[shugie]

I'm spot-on 6 foot and still getting used to the height of my 07GSA, after owning (mostly) VFRs before.

Had Trinity's situation after sidestand parking on a camber a fortnight ago. Managed to recover it myself (just). Bit of a warning, that one.

My other concern is that when I have my luggage on the back (which is a normall holdall bungee'd to the passenger seat - I don't do panniers) I can't seem to get on the bike with any dignity. Without luggage I just bend my knee, adjust my sunglasses, and I'm away.

With the bag there my foot gets stuck in it leaving me looking like a numpty.

So at the moment my technique is to stand on one leg, hold out the other leg straight at 90 degrees and lurch onto the bike (think of Eric Cantona kung fu kick).

Not really looking for any tips. Just thought I'd share.

I've got short legs, 29" inside leg, and use a standard Sargent seat on low setting, plenty comfortable. Generally I use the front of the sole of my foot when stopping, having shifted forwards in the seat for some extra reach, then get one or other foot flat. I think it's partly a confidence thing, but the 1200 is lighter than the 1150, so it's become easier anyway.

As for getting on when the luggage is on the back, I just stand on the peg and swing my leg over, can't do that standing on the ground. Got told off for that method of mounting once, but it works just fine for me. A side stand extender is also quite useful, although it does limit the number of safe stopping places.

 

[Putneybiker]

I had a 1150 GSA and had low seat. Now have 08 1200GSA with regular seat in low position, seems ok; obviously can't get both feet on the ground at once but couldn't on old bike either. Soon get used to it, I reckon. Dealer told me to try with standard seat and so far happy with his advice

 

[EggChaser]

I have a Seat Height Reduced (BMW 2008 Option) 1200GS that comes with Lowered suspension front and rear, lowered stands and the low seat that reduces the height to 790mm and I find it nice and low but as others have reported the low seat is a little too hard and flat to be that comfortable.

As such I managed to get hold of a standard seat to test on my bike. I feel happier with the seat height reduced GS with the standard seat on the low setting than with either the height reduced or standard GS with the low seat. - I think it is cos the seat itself is more comfortable and I can still ground my feet well when stopping, swing my leg over the pillion seat and push the bike around easily etc. Means I will probably be in the market for getting the standard seat (that I bought cheap on eBay recovered to colour match and maybe gel inserted instead of a) continuing with the low seat and b) buying an expensive 3rd party seat.

It did get me thinking though about what seat heights are possible between the different 2008 model bikes so I did some research.

2008 GSA with seat in high position = 910mm
2008 GSA with seat in low position = 890mm
2008 GS with seat in high position = 870mm (Note: World of BMW website lists this as 875 in an article)
2008 GS with seat in low position = 850mm (Note: World of BMW website lists this as 855 in an article)
2008 GS height reduced with GS seat in high position = 840mm
2008 GS with low seat = 820mm
2008 GS height reduced with GS seat in low position = 820mm
2008 GS height reduced with default low seat = 790mm

There are some combinations that I don't know but assuming that the GSA seat is different from the GS seat and that both GS and GSA seats are interchangeable on the models (this may need confirming) then there should also be

2008 GSA with GS seat on high
2008 GSA with GS seat on low
2008 GSA with low seat
2008 GS with GSA seat on high
2008 GS with GSA seat on low
2008 GS height reduced with GSA seat on high
2008 GS height redcued with GSA seat on low

And if there is also a taller seat then that increases the height range against OEM seats - when you then add in Sargent et al the range combinations for height are probably the best of any motorcycle

BTW
Finally I am 5'8" with a 29" inside leg - just in case it helps anyone deciding on seat heights.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"...the other day when I couldnt lift the bike off the stand due to a slight slope.... totally gutted... any recommendations with stand extensions??? also whats heel lifts??"....I have been riding GS's for about six years and although I am over 6' tall i will NEVER park it on a camber because I know it will be very difficult to lift it up to the vertical even if i am able to climb on to it alright. The bottom of my drive has a slight camber - I stop at the letter box to collect my mail BUT if i drop a letter I am in REAL trouble! i thinkthat my new 2008 model is even more canted over - but I hesitate to fit a stand extension as yet.

 

[Andy_E]

I've also had a few 'moments' trying to get the bike upright when parked on cambers and have realised that to prevent embarassment parking needs a little more planning than it did when I rode sportsbikes.

Not tried a lower seat yet, but tempted.