Rick Mayer vs. Bill Mayer vs. Russell vs. Rich's custom

[Jules083]

What's the final verdict on the most comfortable? I have a Sargent the previous owner installed, I hate it. It's way too hard for my tastes.

Visually speaking I like the Rick Mayer or the Bill Mayer best, not a big fan of the wings on the Russell.

Also, I'm 5'9" and am somewhat concerned that the wings are going to make it harder to reach the ground. I can touch alright with the seat in the highest position now, but much more and I'd have to put it in the lower one. The lower position is a bit harder on the knees, so that's another concern with me.

I'm not what most people would consider an 'ultra long distance' rider, and generally stay under the 500 or 600 mile range per day. I would like to do a SS1000 someday, and maybe if I was more comfortable I would start going farther. Average day now is normally in the 350 range.

Just for reference I have a Mustang on my Sportster and like it plenty, although I haven't done much long distance riding on that bike. Maybe 300 tops as of now. It's a little 883, high speed highway riding isn't much fun on it so it doesn't get put on vacation duty very often.

Thank you for the advice. I've been reading this section all morning and my eyes are going crossed looking at the options.

 

[Breathless]

I had a Rick Mayer saddle. It looked nice but functionally may not have been as good as the OEM one. I had that saddle rebuilt (totally) by Russell Cycle Products. Just got back from a 6000 mile trip. Probably had ten minutes of butt discomfort the entire trip.

Nuff said.

 

[Pat L]

I've had several Russels. Loved them all. My R1150GS Adv got a Rich's. I liked working with Rich and liked the relatively lower seat than a Day-Long, but it wasn't as comfy for touring.

I will put a Day-Long on my FJR this winter.

 

[FJRay]

It's been asked and answered many times. If you want to look at it then get what makes you eyes happy. If you want to sit on it then get what makes your ass happy. Both of the Mayer's are the sons of the original Russell builder but I don't know if they use the spring or just depend on foam. My vote is on the Russell and I'm on my fourth one.

 

[RiderX]

Yeah seems like we just did this one 2 weeks ago, but I'm not a hater.

No springs in the Mayer brothers.

I just got done with 7000 miles on a Rick Mayer seat. It was far superior to stock for my posterior.

I put 11,000 on a used RDL before that. (Doing some experimentation). At about 400-500 miles in a day I notice the RDL to be superior. If you aren't riding crazy miles, perhaps the Rick Mayer is a better value. I do agree it looks better. The stock seat for me was intolerable above 400 miles. I was able to get through the 7000 in 8 days on the Rick Mayer but it wasn't perfect for that much mileage (although I just sort of got numb at about 800 so a 1500 mile day was actually pretty good, lol). I'm hoping he will rework it again to see about improvement. He hasn't been responding to my emails and my phone has been lost (flew off motorcycle, doh!). Also messing with Airhawk.

I would agree with the typical posts that the RDL works and save yourself the aggrevation and just do it. I would not disagree with that, but still experimenting.

 

[Jules083]

Thanks.

I guess I missed the earlier threads, I haven't seen much mention of the Mayer's seats. Quite a few threads of the Russell though, which makes sense according to the replies. I'm not completely against the looks, but wanted to know just how big the comfort difference is. It seems like the Russell is worth it though, might as well go for it. Probably just going to get the all vinyl one, both for cost reasons and no maintenance.

 

[FJRay]

Thanks.

I guess I missed the earlier threads, I haven't seen much mention of the Mayer's seats. Quite a few threads of the Russell though, which makes sense according to the replies. I'm not completely against the looks, but wanted to know just how big the comfort difference is. It seems like the Russell is worth it though, might as well go for it. Probably just going to get the all vinyl one, both for cost reasons and no maintenance.

The Russell on my 03 FJR is one of the first ones and it is all vinyl. Still looks fine with over a 100k miles on it. I just clean it with Pledge along with the rest of the bike.

 

[Fred W]

If you're going to do a Russell, go with leather. I have an all leather on my FJR and a vinyl on my V-strom. The vinyl is not as comfortable on a hot day and you'll eventually get swamp ass (wich we all know leads to monkey butt). On the V-strom I was looking for the maintenance free aspect of just hosing it off after playing in the mud, but honestly the leather is just as easy. The price difference will mean nothing after you have ridden a hundred thousand miles in total comfort

 

[RiderX]

If you're going to do a Russell, go with leather. I have an all leather on my FJR and a vinyl on my V-strom. The vinyl is not as comfortable on a hot day and you'll eventually get swamp ass (wich we all know leads to monkey butt). On the V-strom I was looking for the maintenance free aspect of just hosing it off after playing in the mud, but honestly the leather is just as easy. The price difference will mean nothing after you have ridden a hundred thousand miles in total comfort

If you're wearing something like a roadcrafter, you think there's much difference (on a hot day?)

 

[Ignacio]

What's the final verdict on the most comfortable?

Covered in the link in my signature.

 

[Fred W]

If you're going to do a Russell, go with leather. I have an all leather on my FJR and a vinyl on my V-strom. The vinyl is not as comfortable on a hot day and you'll eventually get swamp ass (wich we all know leads to monkey butt). On the V-strom I was looking for the maintenance free aspect of just hosing it off after playing in the mud, but honestly the leather is just as easy. The price difference will mean nothing after you have ridden a hundred thousand miles in total comfort

If you're wearing something like a roadcrafter, you think there's much difference (on a hot day?)

Yeah I do.

Plus the leather stretches and adapts more to your individual shape. You have to remember to remove your fat wallet in your back pocket, unless you want it indented in the leather! . The vinyl tends to retract back to its original shape each time you get off.

True story: When I first got the Russell I was still occasionally wearing jeans. I know! I hadn't drunk the ATGATT koolaid yet, but now I'm a convert. Anyway, after the first few times I rode on the new Russell, I had already decided that I needed to send it back for an adjustment to deepen the rear pocket and get me further away from the tank. When I was talking pictures to send with the adjustment request I noticed there was a depression running down the center of the seat. I thought it was defective construction or something. Turns out it was just the depression left from the center seam of my jeans!

BTW after the adjustment it has been perfection for me. To avoid possible adjustments, just be sure to take good photos of yourself and your position on the bike and also tell them where you'd like to be sitting in reference to the tank.

 

[NMRoadRunner]

Ahh! never mind, I'll just piss someone off again! B)

 

[Jules083]

What's the final verdict on the most comfortable?

Covered in the link in my signature.

Thanks for that. So basically you are saying that you felt the Russell was the best, but the Bill Mayer was very close to being that good. And you use a Rick Mayer, even though you say the other two are more comfortable. You cleared that right up. :lol:

All joking aside, I'm still a bit hung up between the three. The wings just seem like they are going to make it harder to touch the ground, which is an issue. I've already dropped this thing once, luckily I was in grass and somehow didn't get a scratch on it. Not much fun picking it back up though, considering it fell to the downhill side.

 

[Ignacio]

You cleared that right up. :lol:

... I've already dropped this thing once, luckily I was in grass and somehow didn't get a scratch on it. Not much fun picking it back up though, considering it fell to the downhill side.

YRMV (Your Results May Vary)

I just know I won't get anything but a Russell now.

 

[RiderX]

Thanks for that. So basically you are saying that you felt the Russell was the best, but the Bill Mayer was very close to being that good. And you use a Rick Mayer, even though you say the other two are more comfortable. You cleared that right up. :lol:

All joking aside, I'm still a bit hung up between the three. The wings just seem like they are going to make it harder to touch the ground, which is an issue. I've already dropped this thing once, luckily I was in grass and somehow didn't get a scratch on it. Not much fun picking it back up though, considering it fell to the downhill side.

Oh yeah forgot to mention. There is almost a 2 inch difference between my Rick Mayer and my Russell. I got used to the Russell pretty quick (no flat foot and must shift forward), but it was sure nice being lazy (for my height) on the Rick Meyer as far as seat height. It is very close to stock.

so I'm going through the Airhawk and Beads on the Rick and may end up that I can't live without the RDL. (Should have read Ignacio's profile earlier I guess as I'll likely end up with similar results).

 

[Jules083]

You cleared that right up. :lol:

... I've already dropped this thing once, luckily I was in grass and somehow didn't get a scratch on it. Not much fun picking it back up though, considering it fell to the downhill side.

YRMV (Your Results May Vary)

I just know I won't get anything but a Russell now.

Good to know, thanks.

Thanks for that. So basically you are saying that you felt the Russell was the best, but the Bill Mayer was very close to being that good. And you use a Rick Mayer, even though you say the other two are more comfortable. You cleared that right up. :lol:

All joking aside, I'm still a bit hung up between the three. The wings just seem like they are going to make it harder to touch the ground, which is an issue. I've already dropped this thing once, luckily I was in grass and somehow didn't get a scratch on it. Not much fun picking it back up though, considering it fell to the downhill side.

Oh yeah forgot to mention. There is almost a 2 inch difference between my Rick Mayer and my Russell. I got used to the Russell pretty quick (no flat foot and must shift forward), but it was sure nice being lazy (for my height) on the Rick Meyer as far as seat height. It is very close to stock.

so I'm going through the Airhawk and Beads on the Rick and may end up that I can't live without the RDL. (Should have read Ignacio's profile earlier I guess as I'll likely end up with similar results).

Hmm... might be a deal breaker. With the Sargent set to the lowest setting I am almost flat footed, with it set to high I am reaching a bit. Not quite on my toes, but close. I have a lowering link for the bike I just took off, I was planning on leaving it off. With the g/f on the back plus gear it sat funny, felt like riding a Harley.

 

[SilveradoSlick]

I've had the Rick Mayer for about four years and both my wife and I have been very happy with it. I got the leather and it's still hanging in. We had the luxury of riding in so we got to talk to him about the style we chose and we got the shape just right. Might be a nice vacation...

 

[LAF]

If you're going to do a Russell, go with leather. I have an all leather on my FJR and a vinyl on my V-strom. The vinyl is not as comfortable on a hot day and you'll eventually get swamp ass (wich we all know leads to monkey butt). On the V-strom I was looking for the maintenance free aspect of just hosing it off after playing in the mud, but honestly the leather is just as easy. The price difference will mean nothing after you have ridden a hundred thousand miles in total comfort

I agree to a point. Get leather on the top and vinyl on the sides. This allows for better movement on the sides and vinyl holds it shape better than leather at stress points.

I am also 5'9" and have my Russel in the high position. This will make you slide forward on stops to get your left foot flat. However on the road it is heaven. Leather will show you this on the seat as a bit of wrinkles but no harm on the leather. I sealed mine with black polish and a horse hair brush. Then I lexol it for months before it needs polish again. On the side stand, in rain, water just runs off, I run my hand over it and ride.

As always been said you dont see it when you are on tour, 4 or 500 miles into the day.

I have had 3 Russels and tried to mind **** myself that a Corbin or Sargent might work. Wrong, they cannot hold a ass compared to a Russel.

 

[becoyote]

I am on about my 6th Russel for various bikes. I even have one on my DR650.

5 were absolutely perfect from the start, one needed to be sent back for a slight adjustment which was free and fast. It was then perfect.

I had one Bill Mayer seat. The wait time for the Russel was soooooo long. Bill's seat was very good. He got it done when he said he would, price was great. Good experience all around.Seat was huge improvement but I would still say the Russel is a better all day seat.

The first custom seat I ever bought was from Rick Mayer. Probably the best looking seat of the bunch but the comfort was only marginally better than stock. The over all experience from the purchase was horrible and that is all that I will say about that on public forum :angry2: