From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jun 2 17:55:42 1997 From: Tom Austin To: "'bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com'" Subject: BMW: Trip to Russell Cycle Products Date: Mon, 2 Jun 1997 13:38:48 -0700 X-Priority: 3 Reply-To: Tom Austin Saturday, May 31 was my "ride-in" appointment at Russell Cycle Products to have a "Day-Long" saddle built for my new 1997 R1100RT. This message addresses my experience at Russell's shop and my initial experience with the saddle. I have prepared a longer version of this message that includes my experience with the lodging and dining available in Fall River Mills, California. Email me directly if you want a copy. With the stock RT saddle, my butt goes numb in less than 100 miles and I have to frequently stand up to restore some circulation on longer trips. Although the stock seat feels OK initially, the basic problem is that it just doesn't provide me good support over a wide enough area. In cross section, the seat takes the shape of an inverted "U" when you are sitting on it. As explained on Russell's web page, the Day-Long saddle is supposed to address this problem building up the stock seat pan to provide support over a wider area using a patented spring suspension system. Every report I have seen on the saddle has been favorable, so I decided to give it a try. It took about two months to get an appointment. Arriving at Russell Cycle Products two minutes before our 8:30 appointment, my wife and I were greeted by one of Russell's employees, a weathered gentleman with the graying ponytail hair style that seems to be quite popular in Fall River Mills. We were told exactly where to park the bike and Don Russell was then summoned from his upstairs office from which he runs his accounting business. (Don has plenty of gray hair but no ponytail.) He took Polaroid photographs of my wife and me sitting on the bike, and then of me on the bike alone. Stepping into the front of the shop, we then proceeded to take inseam measurements and to review the specifications for the saddle being built for us. We ordered the all leather saddle, in black, with the large rectangle stitching pattern. By about 9 a.m., the crew at Russell were ready to start on the saddle and we were asked to come back by 11 a.m. for a trial fitting of the unfinished saddle. At the trial fitting, I seemed to have pretty good support, but the passenger's saddle didn't fit my wife properly because our back rest (RCU Designs) wouldn't let her sit back far enough. Rather than recontour the seat, Don suggested that he recontour the backrest to let her slide back farther. It took about a half an hour for Don's crew to disassemble and do the basic modifications to my backrest to make it work better with the new seat. During that time, I chatted with Don about his business. I told him that I had seen reports on the Internet that he purchased the patent for the Day-Long saddle from a guy named Bill Mayer and that Mayer had recently gone back into the seat building business. Don said he was aware of the fact that Mayer was again making saddles but that he had inspected one and confirmed that it does not contain the suspension system covered by the patent for the Day-Long saddle. Don's impression was that Mayer is not taking much business from him and that the Mayer saddle couldn't possibly provide the same degree of support. There were plenty of cycle magazines to keep us occupied while the saddle and the modified back rest were being covered. By 2:30, Don was called down for a final inspection of the finished product. Many of you may have seen pictures of the seat installed on an R1100RT on Russell's web page. My seat is 17.5 inches wide across the wings and that whole width provides support. It has very nice stitching and excellent fit of the leather to the foam. My total bill, including a rain cover, was $545. Don's last words were to "Give it 500 miles" before deciding whether it was just right. My initial impressions are that its very close to just right after 350 miles. It definitely sits higher. With the stock seat in the highest position, I could just get both heels down. After Russell's modifications, I was on the balls of my feet. Lowering the seat to the middle position made it possible for me to get my heels down again, but getting your feet planted is a little more awkward. With the stock seat, you can reach the ground without changing your position on the seat. With the Russell seat, when you drop your feet off the pegs the back of your thighs push against the front edge of the seat wings, which levers your butt toward the tank, taking you slightly out of your normal sitting position to get your feet all the way down. It's not a big sacrifice, considering the benefits. During the first 100 miles, I tended to slide toward the tank a little too much but by the end of my trip back home (350 miles), the saddle had conformed more to by rear end and I felt like the seat was cradling me better. Most importantly, THE SEAT WORKS AS ADVERTISED. On Saturday afternoon, during the first leg of my trip home, we covered about 200 miles with two very brief stops. On a ride that long on the stock seat, I would frequently stand up on the pegs during the second hundred miles for relief. I didn't need to stand up once with the Russell seat. The greater area of support improves circulation to the point that the numb, aching sensation I got with the stock seat was completely eliminated. Same story during the last leg of the trip on Sunday as we rode 150 miles. I can't report on the passenger's seat yet because my wife rode her own R1100R on the trip. In summary, there are pluses and minuses associated with the Russell seat. Aesthetically, the lines of the bike aren't as smooth and clean with the Russell seat. But what the seat lacks aesthetically it makes up for in improved comfort and it gives the bike a unique look. Shorter riders may have a problem with the increase in seat height, which I found to be equivalent to one notch of adjustment. If the lowest seat height setting is marginal for you, you may have a problem with the Russell saddle. If you don't use the lowest setting with the stock seat, the increase in seating height should be no problem. Also, the seat may be less suited for hanging off the edge of the seat on during hard cornering. I don't ride like that, so it wasn't an issue for me. Finally, the price isn't cheap, but it's a bargain given the quality of construction and courteous, personal service that comes with it. It was a real pleasure dealing with everyone at Russell Cycle Products. Tom Austin '97 R1100RT From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Jul 7 21:57:43 1997 From: "Pat Roddy" To: "largiader, anton" , , Subject: BMW: Re: Re: Mayer vs. Russell Date: Mon, 7 Jul 1997 21:22:21 -0400 X-Priority: 3 Reply-To: "Pat Roddy" > FWIW, years ago Russell bought the rights to what essentially > was the Mayer Day-long suspension technology. Although Mayer > has recently begun making seats again, they do not contain the > patented suspension which makes the Russell Day-long saddle so > (apparently) comfortable. > > I'm getting a Russell one of these days. To hell with the > looks. > Anton From a very satisfied Mayer owner. Hey Anton: Bill Mayer says, and I quote: "With all the different densities of foam available nowadays (12), there is really no reason to build a seat with springs unless the rider exceeds 250 lbs. He built a seat for me AND Linda, for 235.00 US. The 'same' seat, by Russell, quoted out for over 500.00 US. I can now have a Mayer for the LT and the GS, built for two, for the price of one Russell. Had a Russell-BTDT. pr pr Buford, GA. USA 93K1100LT--long Banzai runs 95 R100GS--goes wherever you point it :-) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jul 9 02:14:20 1997 From: "Pat Roddy" To: "bmw list" Subject: BMW: Mayer's Phone Number Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1997 23:45:16 -0400 X-Priority: 3 Reply-To: "Pat Roddy" OK, OK, I didn't put the Mayer's phone number in my post to Anton. My carpal tunnel is flaring up again, so instead of answering 25 e-mails for his number, here it is AGAIN! :-) Print it out! Save it! Bill Mayer 916-246-7521 He is located in California, so call at an appropriate hour. pr A few e-mails indicated that I had said these seats were BETTER than Russell seats. No where in my post did I say that. YMMV-Keep that in mind. The new Mayer seat is NOT like a Russell-it is built with varying densities of foam, NO SPRINGS. There is a big difference in these seats-and to my knowledge, Mayer doesn't have much info on them, other that what he will tell you on the phone when you call. I am very satisfied with mine. I know one pres who sold his and is going for a Russell. Remember, YMMV. :-) I cannot stress this enough. pr pr Buford, GA. USA 93K1100LT--long Banzai runs 95 R100GS--goes wherever you point it :-) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Fri Jul 11 15:42:23 1997 To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 12:14:31 -0700 Subject: BMW: Quick fix for cracking Corbins X-Juno-Line-Breaks: 1-2,7-8,11-19,22-24 From: borgstrom1NoSpam@NoSpamjuno.com (S Borgstrom) Reply-To: borgstrom1NoSpam@NoSpamjuno.com (S Borgstrom) Those of you suffering from cracked basket weave vinyl seat covers may be interested in this... Your local hardware supplier probably sells "liquid electrical tape" you can use this to coat the off-white fabric that appears after the vinyl has broken away. One heavy coat to fill the weave followed by a few light coats worked for me.... Still holding up 1500 miles later, seems to have acted as a binder for the small cracks so the hole hasn't spread any. A few dollars worth of liquid tape beats $150 for a new cover any day... works well as an electrical connector sealant as well. (surprise, surprise) Stephen Borgstrom '91 K100RS '77 GL1000 BANG#2 Federal Way WA Saw the R1200 in the steel today, initial reaction: "Coooool" second glance: "Hey, that's really cool!" not a bike for me right now but maybe down the road.... From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Tue Jul 22 16:19:59 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 10:55:16 +0900 To: gluckmanNoSpam@NoSpamchrysler.geis.com From: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu (Victor M. Kimura) Subject: BMW: Russell Seat Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu (Victor M. Kimura) Ken Gluckman asks about the increased height on a Russell Daylong saddle: > But, victor, you didn't mention anything about the height. I recall > that this was one of the reasons you bought the seat. > > Is it lower? And does it make it easier to get your feet to the ground > in a comfortable way? > > The vertically challenged want to know... Ken, Actually, I had heard from several others who purchased the Russell Daylong that it increases saddle height slightly, so I was a bit apprehensive about sending my R11RT saddle to Russell. What I did do, however, was to indicate right on the informational form that I wanted the new saddle to be as low as possible, given my 30-inch inseam. The saddle itself is a bit higher, which gives me a little more leg room (much needed). However, what I believe Russell did was to cut the front part of the saddle, near the gas tank, to be considerably narrower than the flat or rear part of the seat. (Recall that seat height AND width are both "reachability" factors for the vertically challenged.) Therefore, at stop signs, I scoot forward and put my feet almost flat on the ground (which is unchanged from the stock seat), while gaining a bit more leg room when in the riding position. If you order a Russell Daylong, which I most certainly recommend, remember to write quite clearly that you'd like your saddle to be as low as possible given your particular height/inseam. Victor ============================================================ Victor M. Kimura Monterey Bay BMW Riders Email: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu IBMWR BOOF #92 Santa Cruz, California LSTC #2 1997 R1100RT (Gambaru) MOA #76804 1992 K75 (no name yet) ============================================================ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jul 23 13:42:11 1997 From: EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 13:24:11 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Cc: bmwmaxNoSpam@NoSpamcdsnet.net, dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu Subject: Re: BMW: Corbin seats Reply-To: EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Max C. McHatton: >If you are interested in comfort, get a Russel. In my opinion, you can change this line to "If you are interested in comfort, quality & especially customer service, get a Russel." People have also apparently been having quite good luck with Mayer's new seats (Pat, Richard?) ~~~~~~~~~ http://users.aol.com/esquireted/moto.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ted Verrill - EsquireTedNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com - TedVNoSpam@NoSpamFool.com - K1100RS (Zephyr) Georgetown, Washington DC, USA - HOYA JD '94 - Joe's Toadies IBMWR - BMWBMW - BMWMOA - BMWRA - GG#3 - SoD#7 BMWBMW Newsletter Editor, "Between The Spokes" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visit http://www.bmwbmw.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jul 23 01:19:40 1997 Date: Tue, 22 Jul 1997 22:05:28 -0700 From: "Max C. McHatton" To: dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: Corbin seats Reply-To: "Max C. McHatton" dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu wrote: > > I'm looking for a new seat for my R75/6. The Corbin seats are very > appealing and run $289. Currently, I sit on a Denfield. It find it > uncomfortable after about 30 minutes of riding. Any experiences with > Corbin seats or comments on seats, in general, would be appreciated. > Feel free to entertain at will. > > David Dinauer > Milwaukee, WI > dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu I have Corbin seats on both of my bikes. The one on my 76 R90 is almost 10 years old, looks good, and is quite comfortable. The one on my 95 R1100 is about 2 years old, and cost over $600. It looked good when it was new, but the vinyl has separated from the foam on top. It is only a little more comfortable than the OEM seat. If you are interested in comfort, get a Russel. Max From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jul 23 18:52:39 1997 From: Neil3474NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 18:33:36 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: Corbin seats Reply-To: Neil3474NoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Prezzes: Just got my seats back from Bill Mayer, and am dee-lighted with the appearance of the woven vinyl cover. It looks great on my RT, as if it were made for the bike. Cost about $250 plus $60 shipping. Biggest complaint with the factory seat was a butt-ache after 3 or 4 hours on the saddle. Don't have a long distance ride on the new one yet but initial comfort indicates a marvelous improvement. Neil Jones '97 R1100RT "Pretty Boy" '88 735 IL (When 2 wheels just aren't enough) From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jul 23 20:13:56 1997 Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 20:03:08 -0400 To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com From: Erik Miner Subject: BMW: Russell Rules!! Reply-To: Erik Miner Well Gang I got my Russell saddle today and I gotta say it is beautiful! way nicer than the Corbin I bought and returned the next day. The Russell fits perfect and although I haven't gotten a chance to do a long ride yet I can tell it's gonna be a lasting love affair!! and to top it off I had a production date of 7/17 and got it back to NJ from CA today. of course I did send it in a week early. All I can say if anyones looking for a comfortable cool looking seat Russell is the way to go!! Erik Erik Miner 97' R1100RT MOA # 77368 "No matter where you go,there you are" From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 14:00:26 1997 Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 10:40:53 +0900 To: krosenbaNoSpam@NoSpamerols.com From: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu (Victor M. Kimura) Subject: BMW: Trip Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu (Victor M. Kimura) Karl Rosenbaum writes: > I just returned from my first long M/C trip in a number of years. After >about 2000 miles in 5 days, my butt is ready for some sort of change. I >have a Corbin Dual Touring saddle and that is fine for the short haul, but >not for the long haul. Karl, Call Russell in Fall River Mills, California for emergency butt work... Victor ============================================================ Victor M. Kimura Monterey Bay BMW Riders Email: victorNoSpam@NoSpamcats.ucsc.edu IBMWR BOOF #92 Santa Cruz, California LSTC #2 1997 R1100RT (Gambaru) MOA #76804 1992 K75 (no name yet) ============================================================ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Thu Jul 24 18:35:53 1997 Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 15:22:52 -0700 From: "Max C. McHatton" To: dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: Re: BMW: Corbin seats Reply-To: "Max C. McHatton" dmdinauerNoSpam@NoSpamsmtpgate.bcsew.edu wrote: > > > Max > > Thanks for responding. Do you think they've diminished in quality > since you bought the seat for your R90? Or is the design of the saddle > different? Have you complained to Corbin? > > Dave Dinauer > Milwaukee,WI Dave, The design, materials and craftmanship are all diferent. The new design seems to favor apearence over comfort. It looked realy good; at least until the vinyl began to seperate from the foam. This seems to be a very common complaint these days. I don't know if the problem lies in the new materials, the design or the workmanship. As for the comfort; Corbin maintains that "the seat needs to break in". Well, after 3000 miles it stil isn't comfortable. Corbin hasn't offered to replace or redo my seat. I have decided to have Russel redo it. Max From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Mon Aug 4 22:43:21 1997 Date: Mon, 04 Aug 1997 22:24:00 -0400 From: Mac Saphir To: "Smith, Kris M." Cc: "'IBMWR LIST'" Subject: Re: BMW: SARGEANT SEATS X-Priority: 3 (Normal) Reply-To: Mac Saphir Smith, Kris M. wrote: > Hi all- > Can anyone tell me how to reach these guys. They're in > Ft. Lauderdale (I think). Also; does anyone have any > experience with these seats (good or bad)? > > Mercy Buckets, > > Kris Smith > Londonderry, NH > 96 R11RS - Blue Bombshell > GSBMWR, MOA Kris: Sargent is in Jax-sonville, not Lauderdale. 1-800-749-SEAT. I had a Russel done by them. Looks nice, but now it ain't a Russel. Their padding is inferior to the stock Russel padding. They did a great job cosmetically but it doesn't sit like the original. MS From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sun Jul 27 23:00:11 1997 From: spikeNoSpam@NoSpamhevanet.com Date: Sun, 27 Jul 97 19:48 PDT Subject: BMW: Corbin seat To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: spikeNoSpam@NoSpamhevanet.com I didn't really realize how comfortable my Corbin was, despite a couple of 600+ mi. days, till I had to send it back to get the faulty glue job redone. The stock seat REALLY sucks! Spike Cornelius 85 K100(S) 65 Triumph 500 Portland,Or From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Tue Jul 29 18:35:55 1997 Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 13:40:03 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com From: Brian Curry Subject: BMW: Russell seats new Website Reply-To: Brian Curry For those people interested in Russell seats, they have a new Website. The address is easier to find than the old one, since it now is at their own domain. The new Russell Seat Website is at: http://www.day-long.com Makes sense no? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | "Do not give in to evil, but proceed ever more boldly against it." | | Virgil | | | | Brian Curry, 1990 Blue K75RTs both coasts, Chester Springs, PA | | The 9.25 cents a minute guy, USA SoD #23 | | | | KGN- Improving Lives Around The World | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From "Pat Roddy" Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 21:42:18 -0400 From: "Pat Roddy" Subject: Re: BMW: Re: New Mayer Seat John, et al: I had my Mayer seat intentionally narrowed up front to avoid the back of the thigh burning that sets in around the 300 mile mark. That burning is now a thing of the past. Once, under extreme braking, thanks to a truck, she slid so hard into me I almost lost control when her full weight landed upon my shoulders then onto my handlebars. When I told Bill Mayer of this, he just promised that that would NEVER happen again. And remember, a picture can't show you everything. The pillion seat, used by Linda, is very comfortable for her. Her main complaint of the stock seat, the Corbin and the Russell was that under heavy braking (and yes, we DO haul ass together), she would slide into me. Linda is of Scandinavian stock-that seat may appear narrower than it really is :-) Mayer requests that you take pictures, lots of them, of both you and your pillion (if applicable), sitting 2 up, one up, etc., etc., etc. He then takes the pics, looks at them, and his hands build the seat as he sees it needs to be. Simple, no? The first time I got Linda on the new seat, I told her I was going to get up to 80 or so, then jam on the binders. She grinned and said "Go for it". At the end of the ABS assisted stop, she was still perched where she was when we started out. The seat is a keeper. Not only is it comfortable. but the price was right, especially considering one built for TWO riders. Not only does it look so much better than its' predecessors (it kinda looks like a Corbin on steroids, but nothing like a Russell), its fit and finish was absolutely flawless. Yes, I am a convert. After nearly 40,000 miles of riding in pain, although I am not 100% pain free, I am not taking the Advil/aspirin/Tylenol cocktails I once was. I can go further than I ever had hoped to go before the demons set in. pr pr Buford, GA. USA 93K1100LT & 95 R100GS N 34 04.762' W 83 58.886' Elev-1200+/- :-) GPS Rules! From largiaderNoSpam@NoSpamworldlynx.net (Largiader, Anton) Date: Wed, 27 Aug 1997 20:22:27 -0400 From: largiaderNoSpam@NoSpamworldlynx.net (Largiader, Anton) Subject: BMW: Re: Reynolds rack for k's > If you have seen or have one of these racks with removable backrest > please email your thoughts/comments on its functionality. TIA I just got one because I needed a real backrest for Tracy on long trips. I've seen them and like them, and the removable backrest seemed much sturdier and better placed than any of the saddle-mounted backrests. Plus, the rack is well shaped for carrying aux-fuel if the need should arise. Antennae mount easily on them, too. Anton Largiader, Chester Springs, PA Astral Blue '94 K75 BMWBMW, IBMWR, BMWMOA, NMA, K-Whiner #45, and probably more... "I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead " - Jimmy Buffett lyric, "I'm Growing Older But Not Up", from Coconut Telegraph. From Erik Miner Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 21:11:23 -0400 Subject: BMW: Mayer seat update for the K12 Hi all: I was going to try and write everone personally who wanted to know about the seat but there's too many of you. So.. I got my seat today from Bill Mayer and I must say it's REALLY NICE it sorta looks like a custom Corbin, except being built on the stock pan it fits correctly! I got mine in vinyl and the way Bill made it, it looks.. well the drivers seating area is done in that sorta serrated looking vinyl and the pillion area is all smooth leather looking vinyl, it really looks trick.. As to the comfort factor I really did'nt get to ride more that about 20 miles on it today but no question it's better than stock, I'll find out how much better when I head out to Fontana! If any of you are heading there look for a red K12 with NJ plates and the only one with a Mayer Saddle, if you buy me a beer I may even let you sit on it :-)). Not much more to say about the seat, but I've gotta say it was a real pleasure dealing with Bill Mayer. I called him about 2.5 weeks ago and he had an opening for this past Wednesday so on Tuesday I overnighted the seat to him he built the seat Wednesday/Thursday and overnighted it back to me Thrusday and I got it this Morning.. that's service!!!!! plus the cost of doing the seat as a solo in vinyl was only $195.00 plus shipping can't beat that for a custom made seat with a lifetime warrenty!!! As Bill says:" if you ever have a problem send it back I'll take care of it".The man really is a gentleman. Erik Erik Miner 98' K1200RS BMWMOA # 77368 "No matter where you go, there you are" From tom_keenNoSpam@NoSpamcoax.net (Tom Keen) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 16:46:38 +0000 Subject: BMW: Rbike... seat rebuild Last week Mrs. Quinn, a neighbor, came over to scold me for allowing my cat to sleep on her outdoor furniture.. I managed to to divert her focus and asked her about her auto upolstery business. I discovered that they rebuilt a lot of motorcycle seats. One thing led to another and I gave her the stock bench seat off my R100.. you know the one.. flat and stuffed full of foam that compresses to the pan in about an hour.... well.. they called me today to come take a look.. what they did was remove the cover and hollow out the back side of the old foam. They then installed three different kinds of modern closed cell foam in the hollowed out space.. something a little cushy for the pillion, a very dense foam in the of the driver's section and some softer stuff on the edges, to eliminate "the ridge". The foam they used is very dense does not compress at all like the old foam. Really seem to distributes my weight much much better. All for $35... Im impressed. Im one of the few folks I know, who likes a bench type seat. It allows me to move back and forth so my back doesnt cramp. Another alternative to $250 to $350 for a custom seat. I would think a similar process could be applied to any stock seat. Im riding it to Fontana next week.. will let you know the results of a real road test. Tom Keen ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom_KeenNoSpam@NoSpamcoax.net Dayton, Ohio, USA The IBMWR BMW Marketplace http://www.ibmwr.org/marketplace/ MOA, RA,IBMWR,SOD#9, BMW MOA Director ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Wed Jun 11 20:35:13 1997 From: "Aikins, Ron" To: "'BMW Mailing List'" Subject: BMW: RE: Russell Seat Materials Date: Wed, 11 Jun 1997 17:15:54 -0700 Reply-To: "Aikins, Ron" I just got my 1st Russell seat yeaterday, so can't offer experienced advice, but it helps to talk to the folks at Russell. They're generally very helpful & informative. Stich patterns: I got the rectangles, mostly because I liked the looks the best on my bike (Voyager XII), but I learned from the folks at RCP that the small square stiching has the advantage of breathing better simply there is more stiching in the seat. Materials: I got smooth vinyl, mostly because of $$/comfort ratio. RCP will tell you that if it's maintained reasonably well, vinyl will last many, many years, so the trade-off for the greater price for leather should have more to do with considerations such as looks & breathability. RCP says the leather is *marginally* better breathing. Velour: Again according to RCP, this covering has to do with the comfort factor in hot weather. If your saddle has been sitting out in the sun for a while, on what material would you rather hoist your hiny -- smooth leather, smooth vinyl, or velour? --ron Date: Tue, 28 Oct 1997 23:17:46 -0500 From: "Matt Thornbury" Subject: BMW: Corbin customer service Greetings all, Figured some may be interested in this latest addition to the never ending seat topics. I now have my third Corbin seat on my R11RS. First one was a rumble seat type, black/teal to match the pearl silver paint/teal graphics of the stock bodywork. It was fine (good on the butt, fit the bike perfectly), but the Mrz. felt the backrest was too upright, and there's no way to adjust it. Then, the RT came out, and we adopted the topcase from it w/Corbin pad. At this time I also had the bike painted bright yellow, and got a new Corbin seat to match, sans backrest. This one didn't fit. Sent it back requesting repair/replacement, and they sent me a whole new seat (fr & rear), no questions asked. Maybe Mr. Corbin has gotten the situation under control lately? Guess we'll see. BTW, all those with early RS's take note: If you use the RT (or similar) topcase, and go with the different bracket from BMW to prevent frame cracking, the pillion Corbin will not mount normally. It's front "tangs" slide in at different spots than stock, and the updated BMW bracket interferes with these. I just removed the tangs, and let the rear of the front seat, along with the lock, hold the passenger seat on. Does fine. A Mayer or Russell would be better for these applications. Matt Thornbury Ashland, KY R11RSL 900 SP Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 19:18:56 -0800 (PST) From: spikeNoSpam@NoSpamhevanet.com Subject: BMW:Corbin B-S Unfortunately for me, I did not come to the list till after I bought a Corbin Canyon Dual Sport for my K last Jan., so I had not read the cautions about bad glue and iffy after-purchase support. While my butt gradually came to appreciate the seat, it was gradually de-laminating. While in Castroville last July the cover was reglued with the comment that this was happening a lot, and if this re-glue job did not work on mine they would have to make another cover. Back in Portland, the seat cover was completely separated from the foam across the top of the seat. I called Corbin and they told me to have my dealer send the seat back to them to be fixed. It has been back and forth between here and there several times now as they try to bill my dealer $160 for the work. Nice one year warranty, huh? I understand they are moving all the seat work to the Florida location, so maybe the people in charge are out of town? Or out to lunch? 3 months and counting, and they aren't answering my dealers calls. I see Sargents is producing a line of seats now- sounds like a viable alternative to Corbin may be appearing! I hear those folks understand customer service! Spike Cornelius 85 K100(S) 65 Triumph 500 Portland,Or From ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sat May 31 12:32:40 1997 From: ARKUNTZNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Date: Sat, 31 May 1997 12:07:55 -0400 (EDT) To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Subject: BMW: Russell Seat Inquiry Reply-To: ARKUNTZNoSpam@NoSpamaol.com Tom Hundt asked about experience with Russell Day-Long Seat on R1100. I don't have an R1100, but do have a Russell Day-Long on a K-75 that my wife and I have put about 10,000 miles on. I've ridden on Corbins and Russells and can tell you there is no comparison. The Corbin probably looks better, but the Russell does what a seat should do - provide excellent support and comfort. In my opinion, the Day-Long design, using small coil springs sized to the rider and passengers's size and weight, far exceeds the Corbin off-the-shelf products. I have to admit that the longest day my wife and I have in the Day-Long is only 13.5 hours, but it was still very comfortable at that point. I understand the Corbin takes a long time to break in, too! I look at seats like shoes, if they don't feel good while walking out of the store, they never will. The Russell was comfortable from day one. After 300 miles, it felt like I'd been sitting in it all my life - and my wife feels the same way from her perch. (I have no vested interest in Russell, I'm just a very happy customer. Al Kuntz Greenback, TN 1995 K-75 Date: Tue, 23 Dec 1997 06:31:10 +1100 From: David John Barker Subject: BMW: Re: bmw- Seat Rain Covers On Sun, 21 Dec Rich Rosenthal wrote > Subject: BMW: GEAR: Seat Rain Covers > > Prezzs: > > I have a Corbin on my R11R. Any recommendations where to buy a rain > cover for the seat. I don't believe Corbin makes covers for theirs?? > > TIA > > Rich Rosenthal > Wellfleet, MA > rosieNoSpam@NoSpamcapecod.net > R1100R, '96 > BMWMOA, BMWRA > A damp butt 4/10s kind of guy > Rich, I have only got the standard R1100R seat but with a sheepskin seat cover fitted. The company that makes the sheepskin covers also makes a rain cover for about Aussie $20. Comes in its own bag and slips on real easy. Try The Good Wool Store on They might be able to help. Cheers Dave Barker "Snow" '97 GL1500SE "Darcy" '96 R1100R Parramatta, New South Wales Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 22:41:04 EST From: Stalme Subject: BMW: toasty buns saw an ad today in the Feb. Cycle World for "motorcycle seat warmer" from Travelcade. $129.95 for under seat version. www.saddlemen.com It's supposed to be 82 F here in Tampa tomorrow so I guess I'll pass on the seat warmer. Maybe an ice bag............ Steve Cook 75 R90/6 in sunny Tampa, Fl MOA, RA, Airhead #1633 and Poverty Rider Boof # 107 and SoD #32 and (__!__) Friend of Bill W. Date: Sun, 4 Jan 1998 08:48:23 -0500 From: James Colburn Subject: BMW: BMW/Seat rain covers, recommendations? >Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 14:41:48 -0500 (EST) >From: Thomas Hundt >My Corbin tends to get waterlogged when the bike's parked in the >rain... and it still contains water for days afterwards. There's >a lot of foam in there, and it takes a while for water to >evaporate from that sort of material. > >OK, so I'm thinking, get a cover, like the rain cover for a tank >bag (which I also don't have :-). Checked the Corbin website, sure >enough, they have covers, for $40. Seems to me it should be like >a $10-20 item. > >Anybody got suggestions for an alternative? Ah yes, the Corbin rain cover, which someone told me once isn't even waterproof... Try looking for a backpack cover at your local REI or camping supplier. Have fun with it too. Walk in with the seat off of your bike and proceed to try the different sizes on said seat to get the best fit. Different sizes and colors are available. I paid about $12 at REI for one that fits and keeps my Russell dry. Jim Colburn (aka james.colburnNoSpam@NoSpampressroom.com) "It doesn't matter what temperature the room is, it's always room temperature." Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 11:49:26 -0400 To: Internet BMW Riders From: Erik Miner Subject: BMW: Be Careful!!! Sender: ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Erik Miner X-No-Archive: yes X-Bmw-List: Majordomo 1.94.3 X-Web-Page: http://www.ibmwr.org/ X-Copyright: (c) IBMWR and the original author(s). I just thought I'd let you all know about a recent experience with the company Hartco they make the sheepskin seat covers. I called them up and ordered a sheep skin cover for the K12 (thought it might make the stock seat bearable). I got it a couple of days later put it on and I really didn't help. So I call up Hartco and say sorry it doesn't help make the seat any better I'd like to return it. Well low and behold now they tell me "sorry we don't give refunds" And we make them custom. Of course it only took three days to get it. Real custom. Before you all flame me, yes I should have asked about their refund policy up front. So after a not very pleasant disscussion with the owner Mark he agreed to take it back with a $25.00 restocking charge. Obviously I will never do business with Hartco again and I guess the point of this rant is remember ALWAYS ask what a vendors refund policy is. If I had, I would not have bought the cover. Erik Erik Miner/ MotoRace 98 K1200RS "The Big Red Beast" BMWMOA #77368, IBMWR, NJ BMW Shore Riders "If on my theme I rightly think, There are five reasons why men drink. Good wine, a friend, because I 'm dry, or lest I should be by and by, or any other reason why." X-Sender: rwhansenNoSpam@NoSpammail.bicnet.net X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (16) Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 16:40:44 -0400 To: Erik Miner From: "Ralph W. Hansen" Subject: Re: BMW: Be Careful!!! Cc: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Sender: ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: "Ralph W. Hansen" X-No-Archive: yes X-Bmw-List: Majordomo 1.94.3 X-Web-Page: http://www.ibmwr.org/ X-Copyright: (c) IBMWR and the original author(s). At 11:49 4/29/98 -0400, you wrote: > >I just thought I'd let you all know about a recent experience with the >company Hartco they make the sheepskin seat covers. Before you all flame me, yes I >should have asked about their refund policy up front. So after a not very >pleasant disscussion with the owner Mark he agreed to take it back with a >$25.00 restocking charge. Obviously I will never do business with Hartco >again and I guess the point of this rant is remember ALWAYS ask what a >vendors refund policy is. If I had, I would not have bought the cover. > >Erik > >Erik Miner/ MotoRace >98 K1200RS "The Big Red Beast" >BMWMOA #77368, IBMWR, NJ BMW Shore Riders > "If on my theme I rightly think, > There are five reasons why men drink. > Good wine, a friend, because I 'm dry, > or lest I should be by and by, > or any other reason why." > > >Hi Erik, Don't be too hard on Hartco. I've dealt with them for about 10 years now. Ten years ago I got a seat & backrest cover for my '86 Suzuki Cavalcade (only problem I had was loosing the rain cove-My fault, I should have bungeed it on). Wen I got my '94 R100 GSPD I sent them both seats (Corbin & Solo seat) to have covers made. I have found them to be courtious & helpful people. Their covers fit well & are warm in winter & cooler in summer. I travel regularly in the Northeast & in the South (all year 'round). I'd order from them in a minute. They may not be for everybody, but it worked for me. Ralph Hansen Fitchburg, Mass. Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 22:01:46 -0700 (PDT) X-Sender: jlaiiiNoSpam@NoSpammail.teleport.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 To: bmwmcNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com From: Shibumi Subject: Re: BMW: NO REFUND IS A CROCK! Sender: ibmwrNoSpam@NoSpamworld.std.com Reply-To: Shibumi X-No-Archive: yes X-Bmw-List: Majordomo 1.94.3 X-Web-Page: http://www.ibmwr.org/ X-Copyright: (c) IBMWR and the original author(s). At 10:05 PM 4/29/98 -0400, Dendy, John wrote: ..... >I had considered ordering the same cover, but not on their conditions! >I'll probably go for the Airhawk. > >IT'S YOUR MONEY, PEOPLE! > >John Dendy FWIW, an m/c sheepskin seat cover is pretty easy to make. The advantage is that it's way less expensive, even if you have to buy the remant. If you do buy it, you might get a choice of colors. Plus you get a custom fit and attachment method. Of course if you don't like the quality of the workmanship, you can't bitch about it here. Get an ample piece/remnant of sheepskin, trim it to a custom fit, and attach it with Velcroe or elastic sewing ribbing. I used velcroe on a stock R65 saddle, fitting it from front of saddle to the pillion strap and just over the bottom edges on each side. When the R65 bit the dust, the same cover fit perfectly on the corbin solo seat of my R80G/S. I went to elastic for attaching to the G/S. An approximate 4" strip diagonally across each corner fit nicely under each corner of seat. The seat is black so I used black elastic, although you can't really see the elastic anyway. Although there are easier ways to do it, for me the greatest satisfaction was in the material I found. Thought I still had this old sheepskin coat hiding somewhere. It was in pretty bad shape as a coat but had some fine material in it. 'Course I couldn't find the damn thing anywhere. In looking for it, I ran across 2 sheepskin covers for the headrests from a Porsche that belonged to some wealthy Costa Rican former boyfriend of my wife's before we'd met some ten years ago. Hmmm, sez I, time for these pieces of history to be transformed to my advantage. I ripped the seams on the headrest covers and sewed the two big pieces together. The seam runs down the middle of the seat, conveniently avoiding any anatomical pressure points, and is invisible under the fleece. I cut it to fit and now I fart where the boyfriend's head once was. Hers, too, for that matter. Do-it-yourself projects can be very satisfying ...some even more than others. -John __________________________________________________ John Arnold Village Idiot 86 R80G/S-PD Lat44.65 Lon-123.9 BOOF# 100 Central Oregon Coast BALL#1 IBMWR BMWMOA _________________________SoD#29___________________ who invites us to remember: "Live by the foma that makes you brave and kind and healthy and happy." -Books of Bokonon, 1:5