Seat lowering "bobbins"

[Bob Jeffries]

Has anyone tried either the Cymark or Wunderlich seat lowering "bobbins" ?

Do they make a noticable difference?

Anyone got any for sale?

 

[FlyingPanda]

I have the Wunderlich ones. The difference is 'just about' noticeable. What I tend to do is shuffle well forward if I am going to be stopping somewhere a bit dodgy (gravelly slopes) especially whilst two up, because I can nearly flat-foot it if I have to when I am right at the very front of the seat. Then, for the rest of the trip, I shuffle back slightly and you really don't notice they're there. Some people say that they tilt you forward on the seat but to be honest I can barely tell the difference. Overall, because they don't cost a lot, they are worth it, but they just make a marginal situation slightly less marginal (I have a 30" inside leg and ride a GS Rallye)

 

[brummy bloke]

I have a set of cymark cams that lower the front of riders seat, I don't use them any more but found them useful when I first bought my gs while getting used to the seat height.They are not an expensive item, give cymark a call or pm Mark Hooton of this parish who owns cymark, he is a top chap to do business with

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

Has anyone tried either the Cymark or Wunderlich seat lowering "bobbins" ?

Do they make a noticable difference?

Anyone got any for sale?

1 cm is what they drop the seat height by, but if you are riding solo and are not to tosser sized, have you tried setting the ESA to Min to see if that helps.

 

[fredaroony]

I tried the Wunderlich ones briefly and they made the seat loose

 

[Morety]

I have the Wunderlich ones and as well as lowering the front by 10mm, they increase the slope back to front...something to consider. Yesterday, I tried the BMW Exclusive low seat (not to be confused with the standard gs low seat). I found that much better and could get both feet almost flat footed with it fitted but the payment for that (despite the price tag) is a notably shorter seat to peg distance plus the shape of the seat slopes to the front even more and is scalloped up at the front a little, so not useable unless you slide back a little. It would be pretty unusable with the lowering lugs fitted imho as it would reduce seat to peg height further making it uncomfortable. Best compromise for me was Exlusive low seat fitted to the high position at the front and low on the back to level it out. That was comfortable, if a bit firm, but you lose some of the standard seats' seating flexibility in terms of roominess (the exclusive seat shape and padding means that only the rear 2/3s is usable) so if you like to move around on a trip, you may prefer the standard seat.

I may sell my Wunderlich lugs and just go with the Exlusive low seat which I'll use for longer trips loaded up and keep the standard one for local bimbling about.

 

[keithquad]

I made some from different size tubes & have worked well on this '18 & '13 model well.
I'm 5 foot 2 with 28 inside leg so I need all I can get.

 

[MrC99]

I considered a low seat for my GSA as although I had no real problems touching the floor (31" leg) there were the rare occasions that I could have done with a bit more in reserve - eg on cambers/rough ground. Thought I'd try the Wunderlich bobbins as a cheaper solution and have found they make just enough of a difference for me that I'm no longer thinking about splashing out on a low seat. Not really found the increased slope having a noticeable effect but will find out on my next long (ie 200+ mile) trip.

They work for me so certainly worth a punt if you're borderline short in the inside leg department but if you're really struggling for leg reach I'd think about a lowered seat.

 

[ShakeyGS]

My touratech standard seat is set low at the back and high at the front but is on a ser of Cymarc’s cams so probably sits half way between low and high. Works for me.

 

[peter56]

Seat to peg height will be affected. I would advice you to lower pegs to compensate

 

[Morety]

Yes, for touring comfort, lowering the seat usually means lowering the pegs also maximises the benefits.

 

[MrC99]

TBH the bobbins only make a minimal difference so probably no need to change the pegs just for them unless you were marginal on the stock seat.

 

[Bob Jeffries]

I don't usually have much of a problem, I'm 6'1" with a 31" inside leg, but in 2002 I had a big accident (wrote off GS and very nearly me as well) which left me with a weak left arm.

When I do have a problem it's almost always when SWMBO is a pillion and the bike leans a little too far to the left, my arm isn't strong enough to stop it falling over! I am just thinking that if it was a little lower I might have an even better footing that would give me more leverage on the bars.

Or am I just being dull? With SWMBO on the bike I always set the ESA for 2-up, perhaps leaving it at 1-up would keep it a little lower and that would be OK.

Opinions?

 

[Deleted account 191119001]

I don't usually have much of a problem, I'm 6'1" with a 31" inside leg, but in 2002 I had a big accident (wrote off GS and very nearly me as well) which left me with a weak left arm.

When I do have a problem it's almost always when SWMBO is a pillion and the bike leans a little too far to the left, my arm isn't strong enough to stop it falling over! I am just thinking that if it was a little lower I might have an even better footing that would give me more leverage on the bars.

Or am I just being dull? With SWMBO on the bike I always set the ESA for 2-up, perhaps leaving it at 1-up would keep it a little lower and that would be OK.

Opinions?

A simple solution would be to get a seat that is not as wide as the original BMW, that way you keep a comfy seat, but as your legs are not as spread, you will gain the foothold, if that makes sense.