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Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 5:41 pm
by mrklunk
[size=13px]Hi folks,[/size]
I'm new!
[size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]I've just put a deposit down (remotely) on a 2021 RT. The bike is fitted with a high seat which will be too tall for me at 5'8" (31" inseam). My GS was fine set at minimum suspension, I could nearly flat foot, but when I sat on an RT at the weekend, it felt higher (it was in the showroom and suspension may have been set high). It's a big beasty and I'm a bit nervous of maneuvering it, I have to reverse out of my garage, so want my feet planted. I'm aware some riders think the knee angle is a bit cramped.[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]But, I think I'll need to order either the standard seat (heated) or a low one. Any advice/experience? Not cheap so want to get it right. I'll sell the high seat that's fitted once the bike is delivered.[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]This is the bike:[/size][size=13px][size=13px][size=13px]https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-de...R1250RT&page=1[/size][size=13px][size=13px][color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][font=Verdana][size=13px]Look forward to your thoughts.[/size][size=13px][color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][font=Verdana][size=13px][color=rgb(51, 51, 51)][font=Verdana][size=13px]Cheers[/size]
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:12 pm
by David.
These are the BMW seat height options.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:37 pm
by mrklunk
Thanks David. With 31" inseam the low probably makes the most sense.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 6:52 pm
by Glenn
If you have the width in your garage, a turntable is a great buy
https://www.easyturn.co.uk/ My garage is 2.8m wide and the bike is 2.2m long.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:10 pm
by Stu
31 inch inseam here too and the standard seat in the high position is just fine for me
In the low position its just too low
For reference I have a mate who was comfortable on mine with the standard seat in the low position and he has a 29 inch inseam
When you go back ask them to swap the seat for a standard one so you can try it out and then try it in the high and low position
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 8:47 pm
by Casbar
sakm wrote:
31 inch inseam here too and the standard seat in the high position is just fine for me
In the low position its just too low
For reference I have a mate who was comfortable on mine with the standard seat in the low position and he has a 29 inch inseam
When you go back ask them to swap the seat for a standard one so you can try it out and then try it in the high and low position
Told him the same, he asked the same question on another forum. I am 5ft 8 and use the standard seat in the high position.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:14 pm
by jackronner
You may first do what I did before I bought a low seat: Just remove all the seat height adjustment hardware, including the bracket for the rubber adjuster posts. Worked fine for me. Tho' I'm over 5'10", my inseam's just over 32", and especially when the bike is loaded for a tour, it can be very tippy with any misstep, and difficult to back up (aggravated by the cylinders limiting leg movement forward). I also removed the return spring on the front pegs so that they'll fold up out of the way when backing up. I think BMW is unwise to not consider the inseam-challenged segment of the population.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:32 pm
by emlevy
They offered “factory-lowered” models for years but I don’t know if they still do. If not, likely there wasn’t sufficient demand for them. I have the opposite problem — at 6’6”, the seats are too low!
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:37 pm
by scunny12
Just be aware that the low seat has minimal padding and is a plank. I am squirming about after an hours riding, but found the normal seat just that little bit too tall to be confident having feet firmly planted.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 12:44 am
by jackronner
Scunny12, I'm wondering if with a heavy touring load on the back seat, bags and trunk, whether the bike will sit as low as a low seat with a normal seat on? The suspension doesn't automatically compensate for the extra weight does it? I'll have to measure it next time I load up. Haven't taken a long tour on the new seat, so haven't ass-essed the "plank" factor yet, but it's a one-piece, and the sides flare out to the sides, kind of like a horse saddle, more than the stock seats on my 2009.
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:55 am
by GvG
I'm on my 3rd wethead RT, and now I have the high seat on the low setting (other 2 RT's normal seat on high setting),I'm 1.82cm and works perfect for me; easy both feet on the ground and much padding, very comfortable on long tours.
Normal seat high setting= 825mm (which leaves an ugly gap under the seat)
High seat low setting= 830mm so not much difference between those 2.
And I have the Wunderlich footpegloweringset mounted, gives a better knee angle, otherwise it would be to tight for my liking (but still no adventure knee angle
).
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:59 am
by mrklunk
Thanks, everyone for the feedback. A couple of guys are up to swap their standard seat for my high one so I'll go for that. I only started researching RT's last weekend and would normally test ridet. The sale has happened quickly due to finding a bargain. Cheers
Re: Seat Height Advice
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 11:19 pm
by scunny12
jackronner wrote:
You may first do what I did before I bought a low seat: Just remove all the seat height adjustment hardware, including the bracket for the rubber adjuster posts. Worked fine for me. Tho' I'm over 5'10", my inseam's just over 32", and especially when the bike is loaded for a tour, it can be very tippy with any misstep, and difficult to back up (aggravated by the cylinders limiting leg movement forward). I also removed the return spring on the front pegs so that they'll fold up out of the way when backing up. I think BMW is unwise to not consider the inseam-challenged segment of the population.
When I first got my RT it came with the normal seat, standard panniers,49l BMW top case with rack on top. With my wet weather gear and other essentials on board it is quite heavy and for me just too tall. I miss the normal seat padding, but feel more confident holding the bike up and manoeuvring around with the "plank" low seat. I guess I have a long torso and short legs as I'm 5 10.