Standard Height Seat to Lower - F800GS

[Shimster]

Hey All

I'm considering buying a low seat for my 2016 800GS as the one I've got is the standard height and sometimes I'm tip-toeing a bit to much and on more than one occasion, my foot has slipped on loose gravel

Has anyone downgraded from the std height seat to the low seat? If so, did you have any regrets? I've heard rumour that it's uncomfortable on long rides.....

As always, great to hear any feedback.

Shim

 

[SteveT]

I have used a low seat on my F8GS and yes, for my derier! it does prove to be uncomfortable when doing long hauls, mainly down to the Yorkshire Dales for some dirt riding.

I have taken to doing a bit of DIYing and placing some medium density foam onto the seat, secured by a strap, for the long haul bits of my journey. Remove it when more foot/ground contact required when off road riding.

For day to day wanderings of up to 250 miles up here on tar, I put up with the reduced foot/ground contact when using the standard seat.

SteveT

 

[MickDB1]

I have a comfort seat on my 700gs.
Very very happy with it.
My mate steve has had one on his 800 for
98000 miles and says its still his comfiest bike seat ever. They come up on eBay quite often also 800 facebook forum.
Yer welcome to try mine if yer passing chezzer.
Good luck

 

[SteveT]

The thing with the comfort seat is thats it's higher than the standard one, so it will just worsen the thread starters problem of "tip-toeing".

SteveT

 

[Shimster]

I have a comfort seat on my 700gs.
Very very happy with it.
My mate steve has had one on his 800 for
98000 miles and says its still his comfiest bike seat ever. They come up on eBay quite often also 800 facebook forum.
Yer welcome to try mine if yer passing chezzer.
Good luck

I'm on the Isle of Man, so I don't think I'll be passed too soon, but thanks for the offer

 

[Shimster]

I have used a low seat on my F8GS and yes, for my derier! it does prove to be uncomfortable when doing long hauls, mainly down to the Yorkshire Dales for some dirt riding.

I have taken to doing a bit of DIYing and placing some medium density foam onto the seat, secured by a strap, for the long haul bits of my journey. Remove it when more foot/ground contact required when off road riding.

For day to day wanderings of up to 250 miles up here on tar, I put up with the reduced foot/ground contact when using the standard seat.

SteveT

Thanks @SteveT

For long journeys, the std seat is perfectly fine and I can tolerate the lack of ground contact at stop signs etc.

I wouldn't mind picking up a 2nd hand one though so at least I can try it.

 

[Shimster]

The thing with the comfort seat is thats it's higher than the standard one, so it will just worsen the thread starters problem of "tip-toeing".

SteveT

What!? I thought the comfort seat was lower than std?

 

[Shimster]

This is why I have always liked this forum... I learn something new all the time.

I need to get the terminology right... what I'm interested in is the Low seat, rather than the Comfort seat.

 

[steve hughes]

I have a low seat on my lowered F700gs. I replaced it with a Sargent Seat bought off here. Height wise its the same, but confort is improved especially for the pillion. You can see the amount of padding in a low seat here compared to the sargent ( red pinstripes)


The truth is the seats on these BMW twins are always going to get a bit wooden at 150 / 2- 2 1/2 hrs of riding whatever you do. Its the shape and being a shortass I slip down onto the thinness part of the seat. If height and comfort are equally matched for you I would suggest a lowered seat and an airhawk or similar. On our Euro holiday (3000 miles / multiple 300 mile days ) I just wore cycling shorts under my pants.

In my book being able to control and balance the bike ranks above multi hour comfort, as today most of my journeys are 60-90 mins so bum ache doesn’t feature.

Its a pity you are not local as you could try both for size

 

[Shimster]

I've reached the decision that I need a lower seat on my 800GS. If snyone is looking to sell theirs, please drop me a PM.
Mine is a 2016 F800GS

TAA

Shim

 

[Anthony Byrne]

I switched to a lower seat on a 2017 model and yes it made a difference. I found it’s narrower between the legs giving more length for you legs.

I also ended up switching to the lower touratech shocks and Christ what a game changer. I loved it and became so much more confident. I wouldn’t normally recommend such a big change but it was a game changer.

It’s the one bike I always regret selling

 

[frosti]

You could always get the original seat modified.
I have a Sargent on mine but still modified it to fine-tune it a bit.

On the forks, I have Andreani Cartridges for the last few years - @ €700 delivered from Italy and they do make a big difference over stock fork springs.
Fitting cost a bit extra or do it yourself.

 

[Shimster]

Has anyone bought a Seat Concepts seat? Was it worth it?

Seen this one and quite like it, the price isn't too silly either.

Low Comfort | BMW (2008-18) F650/700/800GS

Details:For this model we lowered the seat 1 inch and narrowed the seat where you reach for the ground. We also dished and widened saddle area for better comfort. This combined with our proprietary foam creates a seat ready to offer an enjoyable ride for the long or short ride ahead.Fits...

seatconcepts.com

 

[SuperTed]

I had a Seat Concepts seat on a Suzuki DRZ400SM and it was very definitely worth it. Currently have a Sargent seat on my F800GS but that’s been modified to suit my preferences. After my experience with the Seat Concepts on the DRZ I would recommend them, particularly as they do a Low version and Sargent don’t.

 

[Shimster]

I had a Seat Concepts seat on a Suzuki DRZ400SM and it was very definitely worth it. Currently have a Sargent seat on my F800GS but that’s been modified to suit my preferences. After my experience with the Seat Concepts on the DRZ I would recommend them, particularly as they do a Low version and Sargent don’t.

I've just placed an order for one of their low seats. £500 delivered to my little Island, all the way from the US of A

 

[ubermick]

I've just placed an order for one of their low seats. £500 delivered to my little Island, all the way from the US of A

The Seat Concepts low was absolutely fantastic on my F650GS twin - when I ordered it though was just foam and cover, no seatpan, and cost something like $200. They've gotten quite saucy with the pricing!

 

[Shimster]

The Seat Concepts low was absolutely fantastic on my F650GS twin - when I ordered it though was just foam and cover, no seatpan, and cost something like $200. They've gotten quite saucy with the pricing!

The seat that I've ordered is a full unit. Just take my existing seat off and put the new one on.
I've had word from the UK distributor that it has been dispatched from US shores and should be with me next week.
I'll throw some before and after pieces on to this thread when it arrives.

 

[MickDB1]

A chap once told me..

Anyone can be uncomfortable.

Good Luck

 

[Shimster]

Morning All

As promised, here are some before and after pictures of the new Seat Concepts seat.

My initial impressions are Wow!! It's made a huge difference and rather than just being able to get my tippie toes on the ground, I can now almost flat foot on both sides at the same time The build quality is great as well. No issues with the fitting, just remove the original seat and slide the new one in it's place.

 

[DxDaz]

Please forgive the thread hijack, looking to buy an F650-800 gs soon.
On a standard ( not lowered ) bike is there a difference in seat height between the 650 and 800?
I’ve seen a couple of 650’s in garages near me but they all seem quite low.
For reference I’m 6ft with 32 inside leg and it’s purely for road use.
Thanks.