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View Full Version : GS/A vs. RT seat


Billinge
Jul 14th, 2009, 12:30 pm
Hey all,


I just finished with a group of 14 co-workers, a 6500km ride through Alberta; Montana; Idaho; Washington; Oregon: California and Nevada and the 3 things stick out in my mind.

1. The trip was awesome! So many interesting places to stop and see. The people I met on the way whether they be riders or cagers were universally friendly and helpful. Definately a trip I would do again. This was my first big road trip and i am hooked now.

2. There were many roads I was unable to go down as i did not feel quite right taking the RT up some of the dirt roads in the California / Nevada mountains. Its just not the right bike for that environment.

3. That friggin' seat has to go! I tried shifting my position. I bought a pair of LD Comfort shorts. I tried a sheep skin, and a beaded seat pad thing. After as little as 100 miles my butt was on fire. But i draw the line at spending $750+ for a custom built seat for a bike that should come with that sort of thing as standard equipment. I was the only one out of 14 riders that had seat issues, and go figure, i was the only BMW. Sitting naked on broken glass could hardly me more painful. After a couple 500 mile days I was almost unable to function due to the pain.

So, my question is this. Is the seat on a GS/A any better than on the RT. Or does it suffer from the same lack of foresight as that on the RT? I really want to stay in love with the RT but as i look at it now i am actually dreading riding the thing again. And that is wrong. The only other advantage to the GS would be the opportunuties off-road that i dont have right now.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

cliffy109
Jul 14th, 2009, 7:05 pm
I would think the GSA would be going the wrong direction in terms of factory seat comfort. I can't handle more than 90 miles on my '04 GS and I've sat on the new GSA and found it to be a lot harder and narrower than that. I'm a new convert to beaded seat covers though. Every other part of my body may hurt, but my butt was comfortable and even cool on a recent 200 mile ride and that was at the end of spending 120 miles on the track.

judspin
Jul 14th, 2009, 8:23 pm
Quite a few threads on seats on this and other forums. About the only threads that draw more attention and ones on(1) tires and(2) which oil is best.Do a check. Most will agree that the seats leave a lot to be desired. I put a Russell seat on mine and am quite happy. Life`s too short to put up with a sore butt!

frgiii
Jul 14th, 2009, 9:00 pm
After spending $20,000 on the bike I don't understand why you would not spend the money for a good seat. Your trip would have been more pleasurable if you would of had the seat before the trip. BMW RT's have the worst seat in the industry but the bike is the best bike I have ever owned. Good luck with your decision.

Keith_H
Jul 14th, 2009, 10:34 pm
Never been comfortable on a stock seat from any type of bike. BMW, Harley, etc. Seems you always have to upgrade the seat. :mad: