[K100Dennis]

I'm thinking of upgrading the driver's seat only on my '05. I find the soft touch type BMW seat to be too soft and the wrong shape (or something). After about 1 hour in the seat I get restless and start squirming around looking for some comfort/relief. I've contacted Russell Day-Long to make an initial inquiry but I would appreciate comments from any users of the product. I do have 1 question - it appears that the seat height may be higher than stock (from pics on their website). Is this correct ? as it would suit me more if it were the case (34" inseam and legs cramp a bit).

 

[rwbloch]

I think the seat may be a bit higher than stock. For what it's worth, I am 6' 3" have a Russell seat I keep in the "high" position, and lowered pegs. It's very comfortable on long days - I've done up to 13-14+ hrs door to door, with a few stops - 750+ miles, still reasonably fresh at the end of the day, but there are a lot of factors that may be contributing to that.

In net, Russells are nice seats, my only complaint is that the leather has "worn away" at the edges.

 

[kevincaron]

The number one best thing I have done for the bike and myself. I have an "09" and have no problem riding for 7 to 8 hundred miles in a day now. Before I was standing up every 200 miles or so just to relieve the pressure. Now I don't even stand up to fill the bike with gas.

I have done two coast to coast rides, one on a gs 1200 with a stock seat, the other on the 1200lt with the Russell. On the gs, I could not feel anything below my waist for a few days after getting home. With the Russell it's like sitting in your office chair for a day.

If you are in the Phoenix AZ area you can take mine for a ride and see for yourself.

Stop reading and start ordering!!!

 

[aangen]

You can sit on the stock seat for an entire hour??!! I certainly can't. My 99LT came with a big bucket Corbin on it. Soft like marble but large and comfy. It also came with the stocker. Just for kicks one afternoon I swapped the stocker for the Corbin and about 35 minutes later I knew that the stocker felt like I was sitting on a loaf of bread that was trying to penetrate me. Bah. The Corbin I won't change as I can ride it all day non-stop. Russells are better still. I'm thinking you'll be fine.

 

[cws]

3 best things you can do Dennis...
1. Change the seat (I went Rick Mayer)
2. Change the lo-beam to HID... I actually did both but don't need to.
3. Add some moto-lights

and then a 4th we've talked about.... shock upgrades.

 

[Thumperjon]

+ 1 on a Russell Seat

 

[Kra961]

You'll find purchasing a Russell or for that matter any of the other saddle one of the best investments you can buy for the bike. The second is shocks

I bought a 09 LT and I could last at most 30 min on the stock seat before cramping and hip pain would force me off the bike.

I went with a Russell my inseam is also 34, the seat sits higher so that provided relief to the leg's its now possible to run all day long and have done so several times now with out the suffering from before.

There are a few things I would have them do different on the seat and will do when I have it replaced you can find pictures in my sig..

While the seat supports your rear it needs to be narrower for when we are stopped and have our legs down, its a bit to wide so it takes some getting used to and it creates a pressure point that can be a little uncomfortable.

Also in the bucket at the junction of the back support you'll notice there's a bit of an angle meeting the seat, the problem is that its much and it kicks you forward of the back support I want to sit in that bucket and up against the back support not be kicked away from it.

Two minor items but overall you'll be extremely pleased with a new saddle over the OEM garbage.

 

[Beemerick]

Love my Russell seat. I did an IBA SS1000 in March; 17 hours on the bike. A K1200LT with a Russell seat made it look (and feel) easy; great seat. The only down side for me was being without a seat for 4+ weeks while it was being built...

 

[sleepwalker]

+1 on the Day Long Saddle. I bought the leather seat and should have stayed with the vinyl. All in all 1000 mile days are not a problem.

 

[copperstatetour]

I was looking into a Russell for my R1200C when I was trying to make it roadable, but never pulled the trigger because I bought the LT to fill the role.

Anyway, from my discussions with the Russell folks (don't remember who I was talking to) they wanted my measurements etc because they were going to make the seat custom to my inseam, weight etc. They told me that my stock R1200c seat would be lower than the one they would make me based on my measurements so I think it depends on your size how they make it.

Based on my conversations with them when I am ready to pull the trigger on a new seat they are going to be my first and last call.

Only downside I can see is that they are kind of ugly just setting there, but that is more incentive to keep your butt covering it

 

[TWheels]

I am considering a Russell for my RT and would appreciate a little more information on a couple of things posted on this thread. How much higher is the seat from stock? My inseam is almost 30". I was thinking leather but it appears some would not recommend this?

 

[Kra961]

I am considering a Russell for my RT and would appreciate a little more information on a couple of things posted on this thread. How much higher is the seat from stock? My inseam is almost 30". I was thinking leather but it appears some would not recommend this?

Russell says they can make a low profile seat as long as you don't require the extra suspension. I've put around 20K on my leather seat so far and haven't seen any degradation, they use a fairly thick leather for the seat's

 

[wardenross]

Get the Russell. You will love it.

I just followed their instructions, took the proper pictures, let them design it for me.

They are real experts. Let them make the decisions.

It will fit you perfect. They chose leather for the seating part and vinyl for the vertical part.

Did I say that I love it?

This is one of the few things I've ever purchased that far exceeded my expectations. And I'm a very "hard to impress" guy.

 

[JimE]

The feedback I got from a long-time Russell rider was to get the leather insert. He says that the sides are what tends to crack, so stay with vinyl for that part. The insert gives you the comfort advantage of the leather without sacrificing the durability of the vinyl.

Just one opinion of course, but this guy has had several and if you saw his bikes you'd know that he cares for them meticulously. So I'm sure he did all the right things for the proper care of the leather.

 

[Patric]

The only down side for me was being without a seat for 4+ weeks while it was being built

I picked up a extra seat on E-bay, so when I send my seat from my K1200LT to russell to have a daylong built. I I would have something to ride on wile my seat is out being worked on.

I had a Russell on a '80 R100T , & currently have a Russell sport on my R1200GSA. The sport looks like a daylong seat, but I think the springs the wings are not there. The sport is just a little higher that the stock seat was. The Daylong is a bit higher...But anyway...The Russell on my GSA is the best seat I have ever had.

 

[K100Dennis]

Thanks everyone for the information on the Russel product. I will be pursuing this option as the stock seat is just way too uncomfortable. I just can't get my head around how/why BMW could fall so short in this area, with the required solution being so different to the stock design ??? Makes no logic to me, but then,..............

 

[Axle]

just remember Dennis you got 200 bucks on the top for freight and just so you know I don't particularly like my Russell day phsssst!! I still have to get off every 2 hrs with a numb bum

 

[Knife]

Can't get my head around the total cost with pillion: $1,350.00 to $1,650.00, and in all vinyl. Wow! For now at least, I'll just suffer.

 

[deputy5211]

just remember Dennis you got 200 bucks on the top for freight and just so you know I don't particularly like my Russell day phsssst!! I still have to get off every 2 hrs with a numb bum

Well Linton, maybe you should get ride of that horrid Russell Seat and gift it to Dennis.

 

[JimE]

Can't get my head around the total cost with pillion: $1,350.00 to $1,650.00, and in all vinyl. Wow! For now at least, I'll just suffer.

Wow is right...that's a lot higher than their website shows.

I'm figuring about $825 for my GTL with leather inserts and a recovered passenger backrest (not including shipping).

Can you explain how you came up with your numbers?