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Wunderlich Aktivkomfort vs stock Classic seats

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emgarciax

emgarciax

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BMW R 18 Classic
Took some side by side pictures as it may help someone looking to get an idea.
Passenger seat first as it is the most dramatic (in a good way) upgrade.
IMG_9007.jpeg
 
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Hi mate, that is very helpful. I am considering comfort options at the moment and m not sure which way to turn - tractor seat, this seat and...and...and. Does this seat increase comfort level substantially? I am 6'4" so ride position is important too.
 
IMHO It's more than substantially better than the stock seat. The BMW Weekender (made by Mustang) is also a very good option from what I have read.
What tilted me towards the Wunderlich is that the passenger seat is a supreme improvement over the stock.
Both front and read are at least 1.5" and 2" wider. Bear in mind, that it's not just the shape of the seat, it's the foam layer and some minor dips for the coxis etc.
There's always a risk but I don't see how this cannot be a substantial improvement over the stock.
 
emgarciax, Thanks for posting the pictures of the Wunderlich comparison. I'm also interested in this seat. The OEM seat puts my knees up way too high, making it hard to get my legs up on the pegs/footrests. I'm just 5'8", but have extra long legs. Can you say more about the Wunderlich seat, especially about the comfort level? Does it alter the seating position? You mention a wider seat base, but does it also sit higher and bring you closer to the tank? Any longer-term impressions of the seat - is it too firm or is it breaking in? I'm trying to turn my R18 Basic in to a more comfortable longer-distance, solo ride. The OEM seat is just not working for me, even after reshaping the foam and adding a gel pad insert.
 
A bit higher and closer to the bars.
I also like how the passenger seat flows in to rider seat making it a part of the back.

IMG_1939.jpeg
 
Manhattan Matte said:
Thanks, again. The driver's seat does look good and nicely padded, with better comfort for the passenger, too. I'm trying to set up my R18 Basic as more of a long-distance solo rider. Maybe there are other forum members that can comment on the Wunderlich seat? Best.
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Hi there!
I got an Aktivkomfort for my FE, it's like night and day difference from the stock seat, but I don't know if it fits with your backrest.
To be honest the seat doesn't officially fit on my FE too... they say it fits only the Classic model,
but a thicker spacer solved the problem.
 

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Thanks for the info, TheMadMax. That seat looks super plush! I think I'll contact Wunderlich about the backrest/rack compatibility. Mine is not the Wunderlich folding backrest/rack version - it's a good knock-off version of a Horning backrest/rack. I've been a Wunderlich fan for decades, but their prices, including shipping, are getting a little beyond my motorcycle allowance. :)
 
As long as we are on the subject. I can perfectly flatfoot my R 18 Classic (2023) and even after
adding a gel foam later, it sucks. But I traded my R1200RT to be able for a first time flat foot a bike .
6th and last BMW and I still want that stable position. Can you address net height change? Maybe sliding
forward a little is all one needs to do? Is the Corbin a good choice for height? Really want a new seat this year.
 
I'm seriously considering the Wunderlich seat, too. I've never been satisfied with the Corbin seats I've had on previous BMWs - mainly GSAs - too hard, heavy, and not shaped for my particular bottom, but that's just my opinion/experience. Never had a Wunderlich seat before, but I'm interested in it because unlike the Mustang/BMW Dayrider and Weekender seats, you can buy the driver and passenger seats separately. I ride solo, and want to be able to keep my rear rack and driver's backrest. I contacted Wunderlich USA to ask if their seat would work with the aftermarket backrest and rack, and the answer was YES. The driver seat will NOT, however, work with the OEM rear seat because it is a little higher and wider in shape. I confess I'm also a bit too picky about looks. I prefer form and function, is what I'm trying to say. The Wunderlich seat doesn't look too ugly, fat and over-stuffed to me from the pictures I've seen, but I have no idea if it would be as comfortable as advertised. What I've done in the meantime while I'm considering buying the Wunderlich seat, is to get an inexpensive, off-brand seat pad for $34 online. The pad makes the OEM seat more comfortable/tolerable, even though I've already added a gel insert and re-upholstered the OEM seat. The best thing about the pad is that it increases the seat height by about an inch, giving a little more leg room and not having me feel like my knees are up at a too high of an angle on the pegs/footrests. The bad side, is the pad looks cheap on such a beautifully designed bike. I'll probably go for the Wunderlich seat at a later date, which is said to be a little higher (20 mm) than the OEM seat, before my next long trip - maybe they will have a Black Friday sale or something like that if I wait long enough. Just my thoughts.
 
The seat sounds good but I am still trying to understand vertical changes. Does sliding forward just a bit make the vertical change not be present?
 
Great conversation and questions.
For your reference, I am 5'6" and the change from stock to the Wunderlich brought me about 2/3" or 1" closer to the bars.
It is taller than the stock, also about 2/3" or 1" but I can still flat foot the bike, which is reassuring on slow parking maneuvers.
Please note, the 2/3" or 1" is a subjective measure, however I am confident both are by no means over 1" on forward move or height add.
 
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That's a good and comfortable looking seat for rider and passenger, emgarciax. I've been on the fence for a few weeks, trying to decide between the Wunderlich and the Mustang Day Rider 2-piece. Finally ordered the Day Rider yesterday. Will probably not use the pillion seat, but wanted to have the option of a driver backrest. Good looking Manhattan Matte color bike, by the way. :)
 
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