Snowbum's BMW Motorcycle Repair & Information Website

SADDLES, SEATS:
I strongly advise that you think very seriously about your saddle.  It will make a tremendous difference in your riding day, this is especially so if you ride long distances.  Also...if you can, I strongly advise doing a ride-in/ride-out, with custom fitting, while you are there.  This is not available from all saddle makers.  Done really right, you will be happy you did.  I suggest, that if the situation warrants, you plan to ride in the day or night before, get a motel, and have the seat done the next day.   Be very sure of the type and style of seat you want.  I suggest you ask, at Rallies, where hundreds of motorcycles are likely there, to sit on someone's motorcycle, on the center-stand, for AT LEAST 10 MINUTES!!!  Get a feel for the seat comfort, fit, bottom and side support, lumbar support, ergonomics for the controls, etc.  Do this for many many motorcycles.  As you sit on the bike, ask yourself how each item I have mentioned really feels to you. Pay less attention to color, style, etc.   It took me many years and miles to get the perfect seat for me...which may well not be perfect for you. Take advantage of what I have taught about seats at TechDays, most of which is here, highly condensed.    Consider that as you age (even if you put on a lot of weight...or not), that your butt is less supportive to your internals, and your bone structure will be more and more noticeable.  Thus, the wider the seat area that supports you, the more comfort you are likely to have.  Pay attention to the forward part of the seat.  Unless you have a rather tall inseam, as you age, you will find seats that are wide at the front, instead of tapered, will make it more and more difficult or uncomfortable to access the sidestand, etc.   I cannot overemphasize the need for a truly supportive and comfortable seat.  Flat board seats just don't 'do it' for TOURING.

Russell Cycle Products:
Russell Day-Long touring saddles  (800) 432-9566; 530-336-5323,  4917 Shasta Dam Blvd, Shasta Lake, California, 96019.  Previously in Fall River Mills, CA., now owned by Terry Bradford.   The "Russell Day-Long" is what Snowbum has ridden on for many decades, on many bikes.   The basic design Snowbum preferred (when younger) used an crosswise S spring from right to left, that is, across the saddle wings.  This design was the original Bill Mayer (Sr.) saddle, and he sold the design, etc., to Russell.  Takes a bit of time to 'break-in', and worth it.  Available in both leather & artificial materials.  Very supportive.  If you can possibly go there, I suggest you make an appointment for next day, that is, stay overnight at a local motel.  They make the saddles to fit YOU, each is custom.  You will not be sorry!  I love these saddles for the comfort, and longevity. They do offer mail order.  They will have you take some measurements, etc., when you mail-order.  They also have a 'sport model', with lower, and to me, softer wings, etc....it works better for those with short inseams and who are much older.  Like me.  I've done a lot of touring, including 7 trips to Alaska, all except one (ouch!) on Day-Long saddles.  When I was younger I used the S spring type of Day-Long, ...now, at my advanced age, I use the Sport Seat, which, with a somewhat narrowed front area as I requested, is lower and works better with my 29" inseam, and I suggest you request, or at least consider, a very tall lumbar support area, that actually contacts and supports your back in your normal riding position. If you cannot ride-in, I suggest you pay a lot of attention to all the measurements and fit, etc., that they will ask for, if ordered for shipment. My present Sport saddle from them (on my 1995 R100RT) was done that way, as weather at nearly the last moment precluded me from riding through icy mountain passes to get to them for my scheduled ride-in appointment. They did a superb job for me.    http://www.day-long.com