My Rick Mayer Experience

[Fly Bye]

After trying to modify the stock seat on my '08 FJR and even buying a sheep skin gel pad, I had enough.

I found out that if you put lip stick on a pig, it's still a pig. Nothing I did to modify the stock seat helped to any positive degree.

After doing my searches for a good seat fix I decided on a Rick Mayer seat.

I called in to make a ride in appointment for May 17th, booked my hotel room in Redding and off I went. Deciding to make this a worthwhile ride I left on May 14th to visit some friends in Reno NV. for a few days, then headed for Redding on the 16th. When I arrived at the Travel Lodge in Redding I unloaded the FJR and set the address for Rick Mayer's Shop in the GPS. When I arrived he had finished his work day and I introduced myself as his May 17th 9:AM appointment. He greeted me cordially and showed me around his shop and office.

He asked if I were hungry and to that I gave him a BIG yes. So we rode off to enjoy some good Italian food at a favorite restaurant of his and had a very pleasant conversation.

The next morning when I arrived he and his two assistants were there to start the re-build of my seat. I put the FJR on the center stand and Rick asked what I wanted out of the seat. After I explained what I wanted he then explained how he would re-work the seat.

The entire process took about 3 hours. Watching him work told me immediatly that he is a true craftsman. There was not one waisted motion, everything was fluid and exact. Rick made the rider seat to fit me and recovered the rear seat to match. I had them done in black leather. Rick does not charge extra for ride the ride in appointment nor did he charge extra to work on a seat that has been modified. Everything was straight forward and professional.

The next morning I headed out for my return trip to Boise ID. I rode 547 miles to Baker City OR. to spend the night. All I can say is that if I had the stock seat that trip would have been a painful one. With the Rick Mayer seat I was very comfortable and more that pleased with my purchase.

I summation I can say without reservation that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire process and would not hesitate to recommend him to fellow riders.

 

[CAJW]

Sounds like my experience the two times I've done a ride in appointments (the Mrs. just HAD to have one too). Only difference is that we found a great burger place instead and he made me work a bit to keep up with him on his local roads! Great Customer Service by Rick and staff! :clapping:

 

[Fly Bye]

Oh Yeah...

He made me work to keep up with him as well.

He can ride tha BMW hard and fast.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Glad it worked out. I have a riding buddy on a GS1100 who was fitted at a rally last year and seat showed up sometime later. Him, not as happy as you with the fit. Maybe riding there was really worth it.

 

[SkooterG]

Rick Mayer is a hell of a nice guy. Unfortunately, he did not do a great job on my seat so many years ago. This despite an initial ride-in and a subsequent follow-up of sending the seat back to him. Better than stock, but not what I was hoping for.

After the experience, I did not want to spend any more $$$$ on another attempt but twowheelnut talked me into having Rick's brother Bill Mayer build me a seat. So I did a ride-in there also. He nailed it! Perhaps partially because I knew now better how to describe what I wanted?

My Rick Mayer seat is my everyday seat, but after all these years is getting worn - the foam seems to be compressing losing a good portion of it's 'custom' fit. I pull out the Bill Mayer seat for my Iron Butt rides or any long trips. Pure comfort with that seat.

 

[Bokerfork]

Watching Rick make a seat is like watching sausage being made.He's amazing to watch, and it's true, there is no wasted motion.

In the end though, one is comfy as hell and the other is delicious.

 

[Greb]

I did the ride in appointment and regret getting the basket weave vinyl covering. The vinyl made the seat hard and uncomfortable for me. I'm betting if I had went with leather it would feel better.

 

[TomInPA]

I bought my bike with a Rick's Saddle already on it. Problem is, the guy who owned it before was much smaller. I went in and had the seat re-done with a new leather cover instead of the basket weave. Rick has a price schedule for re-work if you bought the seat second-hand, but it's free to original buyers. A new leather cover will cost you $250, and that smarts a bit.

 

[Specter]

I had the same great ride in experience. The ride home was so much better than the ride in. I have basket weave vinyl and am happy with it. Rick suggested firmer foam since I was planning multi day rallies. He was right, and the seat is comfortable for days on end. I don't even use my sheepskin pad anymore.

 

[GPRIDER]

I had the same great ride in experience. The ride home was so much better than the ride in. I have basket weave vinyl and am happy with it. Rick suggested firmer foam since I was planning multi day rallies. He was right, and the seat is comfortable for days on end. I don't even use my sheepskin pad anymore.

I wished I had that kind of results from my Rick Mayer saddle. In his defense though, I didn't do a ride in. I think that would have helped. I sent mine back twice after the initial build, but it still wasn't any more comfortable than the stock seat for me. I did like the looks of it though. Nice looking work. If I ever get another custom seat, I will do a ride in.

GP

 

[Fly Bye]

If at all possible, do the ride in, it is worth the extra travel expense. I made the best out of it by visiting some friends along the way. Meeting Rick and his crew was a lot of fun and that puts it on a more personal level.

There are plenty of good places to ride through while you are there, beautiful scenery, lakes, mountains and good road conditions. Putting some miles on your motorcycle while you are there will let you know if there are any adjustments to be made before your return trip home.

I'll add this to my list of good experiences.

 

[2006FJR]

Love my Bill Mayer and would do it again. I have always wanted to try the Rick Mayer to see the differences.

 

[Geno]

I did the Rick Meyer ride-in in March. Great group of people, great workmanship. Best money I've spent on the bike. Rick even threw in a jar of Skidmores Leather Cream that he promised would make my gut go away and fill in my bald spot..... <_< . Hasn't started working yet, but I'm hopeful.

 

[Ignacio]

Rick Mayer is a hell of a nice guy. Unfortunately, he did not do a great job on my seat so many years ago.

Similar story with me. I had one by Rick and tried to have it modified twice....until I gave up and bought a used Russell. I should have done that the first time...or maybe tried Bill Mayer.

Rick's seat LOOK great and certainly better than stock, but they aren't the best custom saddle when it comes to comfort for long distance riding.

 

[El Toro]

When you google to get info on RM saddles, you discover some of the anecdotes include stories of lost checks, credit card disputes, etc. Maybe these stories aren't true, but when you look at the ride in policy, RM is not taking credit cards for account settlement on the ride in appointment date at this point. Also, he requires that you physically sign the order form. Of course there are two sides to every story, and we know that there are some genuine pieces of work out there masquerading as customers, so one might give RM the benefit of the doubt. There are lots of good anecdotes about the RM seats too.

Russell doesn't require a physical signature, they will take credit cards, and they do not ask for a nickel until they deliver your seat. When I've googled to find info about them, the stories that have surfaced seem to be relatively innocuous. My first hand experience with 3 Russell seats in the last few years has all been 100% positive.

I've never had an RM or BM saddle. The ones I've seen have really looked very good, but this is true of most custom seats I've seen.

Most folks probably realize that Bill Mayer Senior was the father of RM and BM jr, and was also the inventor of the seat that is presently sold as the Russell Day-Long. Bill Mayer ought to be in the AMA Hall of Fame if he's not. I may have to start working on that.