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AV8OR

AV8OR

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The infamously uncomfortable stock seat on the R 18 Classic and various other models has a large number of posts, complaints, suggestions and solutions. It occurs to me we may have given BMW reason to really hit us, collectively, in the wallet moving forward. Rember the cheesy aphorism that the acronym BMW stands for Bring My Wallet. Well, I coveted a new seat but wanted a full season on my machine before making my mind up. Organized fellow that I am, I have a folder on my desktop, Seats. I have pictures and prices and different models. My local dealer sells the co-branded BMW/Mustang seats, and I tracked the price on the weekender. I ride solo and only want the driver's seat but you have to buy the whole shebang. I live in Alberta, Canada. The seat in May 2023: $830 CAD. The seat this week, August 2023: $1633 CAD. The numbers speak volumes; what a racket. Incidentally, the Roland Sands Design seat is also a co-brand between RSD/Mustang. (You folks all probably know this stuff already but jeez I feel deflated) Who wants to pay nearly 7% of the new value of the machine on a seat?
 
AV8OR said:
My local dealer sells the co-branded BMW/Mustang seats, and I tracked the price on the weekender. The seat in May 2023: $830 CAD. The seat this week, August 2023: $1633 CAD. The numbers speak volumes; what a racket.
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Apparently we are.

A simple google search shows a host of sellers with them for $649 US. Roughly $850 Cdn
 
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Gr8adv said:
Apparently we are.

A simple google search shows a host of sellers with them for $649 US. Roughly $850 Cdn
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Thank you Gr8adv. I appreciate your info. It is unfortunately a bit more complicated. The seat is only available from BMW. Mustang does not even sell them. This is part of the corporate trade agreement. I have not found a BMW dealer anywhere yet for the price you mention. The straight currency exchange at 1.36 CAD to one USD comes out to about $882 CAD. The online rate is the overnight bank rate, not the retail or consumer rate that punters like us get. One can add about 3% on for that. Next one must add the credit card (Mastercard for example) uptick on that rate. Now 1.36 becomes about 1.42 to 1.45 (I know this as I just returned from Alaska in July) Next is delivery cost. Cross border to Canada is simply extortionate. USA freigh forwarders like FedEx or UPS take a cut for having the package inspected at the inspection station, then there is the socialist Canadian government who want me to pay import duties on American made stuff. I can buy a Corbin, thank goodness, in my chosen layout, through a Canadian outfit in Ontario for an affordable price of $1120. CAD with the tax and delivery to my home included in that number. I am also going to get two quotes tomorrow from custom upholstery shops whose businesses have great reviews from Moto types for their superb work. I can tell you after my last 5 hour ride, something needs to be done, man my tail feathers were sore. ;)
 
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butchf16 said:
Pics?
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It's actually for a TC, bought it used from someone here on the forum, saved a little bit. It would look better with the bagger rear seat, but I just put a bag on the back since I always need storage (my commute is 100 miles a day, round trip). As I said, really comfortable, lives up to the hype, which is REALLy rare in this world.
 

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Ulrich said:
There was another fellow rider from the UK that had one made and it is stunning ... maybe a local shop/craftsman would be a good bet ... just thinking :)
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Yes, I viewed that seat when the chap posted it and it is stunning. The gent's name is Tom Hurley and he is in Scotland. My challenge is that I would have to send him my seat. Not really that difficult, I will be in England over this coming Christmas for 4 weeks. It is something I am considering. I am also in contact with an upholstery company in the Alberta city closest to where I live and this seems like an elegantly customized and economical solution.
 
Update: Well fellow riders I decided after my grumble to take my seat to an upholstery shop with a good set of Google ratings. We talked. I committed. The work was completed in 3 days. The chap was able to re-use the BMW insignia from the original seat cover and I am invited back for minor tweaks and adjustments. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that of course the original stock seat pan must be used, which is width limiting. I am very happy with the seat overall, especially the height gain as my hips are now above my knees and this makes the riding position more comfortable. I no longer suffer from the symptoms created by the stock seat. I selected a slightly smoother vinyl cover so that I can move back and forth easily and this works perfectly. The bottom line was also agreeable, as the cost was $350 CAD. Much more reasonable in my opinion. I also get a warm fuzzy because the seat is truly custom - the shop measure and observed how I sat on the seat, we discussed fore/aft position and height. I also supported a local business, as I did with my fender rack, also seen in the photo. Safe riding folks!Seat Mod1.jpgSeat Mod2a.jpg
 
AV8OR said:
Update: Well fellow riders I decided after my grumble to take my seat to an upholstery shop with a good set of Google ratings. We talked. I committed. The work was completed in 3 days. The chap was able to re-use the BMW insignia from the original seat cover and I am invited back for minor tweaks and adjustments. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that of course the original stock seat pan must be used, which is width limiting. I am very happy with the seat overall, especially the height gain as my hips are now above my knees and this makes the riding position more comfortable. I no longer suffer from the symptoms created by the stock seat. I selected a slightly smoother vinyl cover so that I can move back and forth easily and this works perfectly. The bottom line was also agreeable, as the cost was $350 CAD. Much more reasonable in my opinion. I also get a warm fuzzy because the seat is truly custom - the shop measure and observed how I sat on the seat, we discussed fore/aft position and height. I also supported a local business, as I did with my fender rack, also seen in the photo. Safe riding folks!View attachment 11689View attachment 11690
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That looks very comfy 😃👍 I agree that we get fleeced on making the ride comfortable 🙄 I bought a set of used day rider seats here in the UK a year ago for £400. I’ve just advertised them for sale at £400 so no depreciation really as the new cost keeps going up so residual values for quality used parts increases as well.
safe riding and enjoy the comfy seat 👍👍
Jon
 
AV8OR said:
Update: Well fellow riders I decided after my grumble to take my seat to an upholstery shop with a good set of Google ratings. We talked. I committed. The work was completed in 3 days. The chap was able to re-use the BMW insignia from the original seat cover and I am invited back for minor tweaks and adjustments. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that of course the original stock seat pan must be used, which is width limiting. I am very happy with the seat overall, especially the height gain as my hips are now above my knees and this makes the riding position more comfortable. I no longer suffer from the symptoms created by the stock seat. I selected a slightly smoother vinyl cover so that I can move back and forth easily and this works perfectly. The bottom line was also agreeable, as the cost was $350 CAD. Much more reasonable in my opinion. I also get a warm fuzzy because the seat is truly custom - the shop measure and observed how I sat on the seat, we discussed fore/aft position and height. I also supported a local business, as I did with my fender rack, also seen in the photo. Safe riding folks!View attachment 11689View attachment 11690
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Very nice! .. and good on you for the 'local business' statement .. I am with you on that ... unfortunately they are getting rare these days ... too bad.
 
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