On the 11th hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month an armistice was reached between WWI Allies and Germany.

On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed. As a result of that treaty, German manufacturer BMW was forced to cease production of military airplane engines.

BMW therefore had to diversify and initially produced the M2B15 as a 500 cc portable industrial flat twin engine which ended up being used by motorcycle companies.

After merging with a motorcycle company, they produced the first BMW motorcycle in 1923, the R32 with a 486 cc motor that put out a whopping 8.5 horsepower.

Later, in 1983, they introduced the K100 with the most uncomfortable motorcycle seat known to man.

duck wrote:Later, in 1983, they introduced the K100 with the most uncomfortable motorcycle seat known to man.

But with the smoothest running engine known to motorcycling.
And the sexiest fairing known to women.

ERasberg wrote:

duck wrote:Later, in 1983, they introduced the K100 with the most uncomfortable motorcycle seat known to man.

But with the smoothest running engine known to motorcycling.
And the sexiest fairing known to women.

You bet......I had a nice experience one dark winter Sunday afternoon a few years back. Parked my K100RT outside a shop, beside the door, in a little village West Cork that sells vintage and retro kitchen stuff, I was looking for a Sheilamaid.

Two ladies coming out and who looked a long way from ones who would be on a bike open the door and look out and one goes....,oh, look an RT! Turned out her husband has one and she loves it. A few minutes chatting revealed I knew her husband anyway.

Yep, can't beat a K bike.

I just have to say it's a joy reading the threads on the K100-forum! One never knows what will bring a smile.

I suppose a young Wermacht grunt didn't have time to beschweren (gripe) about the seat on his R71 sidecar as he trundled over frozen ground towards the Russians on the eastern front, or climbed sand dunes under Rommel's command in the Afrika Korps. It was all "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer". No time to complain.  

For a 'touring' moto manufacturer, meant to cover some distance, BMW certainly have spec'd some absolute crap seats for their bikes over the years. My '77 Airhead with an S seat pan, had the auxiliary toolbox slot directly underneath the riders' portion, with a trapdoor above the base metal pan, providing little comfort or room to breathe for the nungas. I managed to ride for years and years on that virtual 2x4, even cross-country and back several times, but I was in my 20s, and numb to a lot of things anyway. My original '04 R1150RT seat was so lacking in firmness that it forced me into a forward lean that had, again, me nungas up against the back of the tank and spine close to curvature. The firm replacement Sargent seat gave me doubts at first, but after first use, saved me. The '09 K13GT is a Teutonic torture rack without a sheepskin strapped over it - in 45 minutes I was standing on the 'pegs to get blood moving again. The cut down original '95 R100 Mystic seat is so thin that after a hundred miles I'm forced to climb off and walk around for fifteen minutes to resume circulation. In retrospect I should have had more padding added to the custom seat on the Big Block; it lacks enough padding for a full burn of the petrol, tho' its intended use is not as an all day cruiser. The '07 K1200R came to me with the stock factory seat. After a few tours I opted for BMW's so-called optional 'comfort' seat. It was a good try on their part, because it is wider under the bum for both rider and passenger, sits a bit higher and does give much better ergos to the 'bar and 'peg relationship, but is still far too firm and was too 'spendy'. For the money, I shoulda gone for one of those sweet-looking French-made Top Sellerie seats. 

Corbin traditionally make the hardest seat known to man, but for some reason - with zero give in the leather covering or foam underpinnings - it's one of the most comfortable seats of the various motorbikes I own. It's a good thing it's not me having to lug it around, tho', it's that bloody heavy. But the best BMW seat ever award goes to my now-sold '03 K1200GT brick, with its compliant curves, heated element and ample padding for both rider and passenger. I could easily do a two hundred mile stint and not even stir a thought about what was beneath me. I miss that machine's velvety power, smoothness, fantastic ergos, and all day riding ability.

German seating does seem to be a bit harsh.  I can still remember the first time I dropped my but into the driver's seat of a '63 VW bug. 

As far as brick seating, I agree about the stock and Corbin seats.  I have had a couple Russell seats, one of which was the La-Z-Boy of motorcycle seats, and the other was just slightly less comfortable but still good for a 12+ hour day in the saddle.  The problem with the Russell seats is that they are a lot higher than the stock seat and make stopping and holding the bike up difficult if you're less than 6'2" tall. 

Right now, if I was forced to pick, my choice would be the comfort seat.  It can be comfortable for 10-12 hour rides, and doesn't raise seat height much above that of the plank.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorcycle-Motorbike-GEL-Seat-Cushion-Comfort-Pad-Black-Size-Medium-14-17-x12-2/263895428991?hash=item3d7164af7f:g:b-0AAOSw1rFbfuue:rk:60

Works for me! Better still, I can swap it onto the Bandit too. Now, if you've ever ridden a Bandit much above thirty miles, you really, really wouldn't complain at the K seat... honestly.

At least for me, an Alaska Buttpad (sheepskin) does wonders to make a Corbin more comfy on long rides.

https://alaskaleather.com/

Agreed, and this fine layer came from Egli Sheep Farm in Canada. I spotted their sign 100kms back and waited in anticipation for the business to appear. It was desperation at that stage, and they did not disappoint. I use it on my other bikes, it was not a lot of dosh, either. Saved my backside, it did. It was about $69 Canadian Loonies.

Point-Seven-five wrote:The problem with the Russell seats is that they are a lot higher than the stock seat and make stopping and holding the bike up difficult if you're less than 6'2" tall. 

The height of RDLs really varies from seat to seat. I've had several used ones that I bought but finally broke down one winter and got in on a deal on a group discount buy.

I'm 6-2 and the one Russell made for me for my K1100LT does ride noticeably higher than another one I've got now but in terms of riding comfort it is the bomb. When riding it feels much better than the lower one.

I didn't expect the RDL I had made FOR ME to be significantly different than other used ones I've tried but it really is perfect.  When Russell makes the seat for you they have you send in several pictures of you sitting on your bike and use that to get it fine tuned for YOUR body on YOUR bike.