Russell of Rick Mayer seat????

[CHRIS_D]

Would you buy a Russel or Rick Mayer seat?

I was all set on buying the Russell seat until I came across the Rick Mayer seat. He offers the same warranty as Russell, but Rick Mayer's also offers a 10% discount for MSF Instrutors, has a seat pan exchange program for the FJR (so there's no riding down time!!) and his seat cost a hell of lot less. The only reason I haven't jump on this is because of Russell's Patented Suspension System and their seat's ruputation for be able to ride all day. Is Russell's suspension system worth the additional $200 to $300 in cost? Will you be able to ride all day on the Rick Mayer seat too?

Any direction or insight will be appreciated!

 

[evil_henchman]

This comes up so often that it would be right at home in the never ending pointless recurring threads section. Try a search and you can read ad nauseum about both seats. That being said, comfort issues are probably the most subjective thing talked about. Everybody's different and it sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into a Rick Meyer so go for it. Personally I'd never spend a dime on either as the stocker is fine for me.

 

[ionbeam]

If you really ride your FJR for many continuous hours (and you don't mind the cost, and don't care that the seat isn’t real pretty) then the Russell Day Long is the better seat. Russell is function over form and delivers real value for the cost.

The Rick Mayer seat is much better than the stock seat with the advantages that you listed, but the RM seat isn't perfect. Many people have had problems caused by the angle of the seat pitching them forward and the shape of the seat cup which bothered them enough to send their seat back for adjustment. Some seats have been sent back more than once. I have a RM seat and would rate it an 8 out of 10 for >8 hr riding days, I would rate the stock seat 4 out of 10 for >8 hrs. Everyone is different, I'm just adding my opinion.

There seem to be a larger number of people that prefer the Bill Mayer (Rocky) seat over the RM seat. BM seat owners step in here.

If I had it to do over again my wife would have me get a Russell for her comfort, I could live with the RM seat. It isn't uncommon for us to have >12 hr riding days.

History: Bill Mayer Sr. originally designed the “Day Long” seat, then later sold the patent and design to Russell. Bill III a.k.a. Rocky and Rick are his sons. Bill/Rocky’s seats uses fathers foam core technology.

As evil notes, this subject has almost as many posts as oil and tires. A search should yield a weeks worth of reading

 

[opt8low]

Why do we even ask this question????

RUSSELL

The only way to go.......

Dana

 

[Toecutter]

I think some of it depends on your weight while riding. Under 200 lbs. you might be fine with a RM. I've had both and prefer my Rick Mayer. The Russell wasn't custom-made for me, so that was probably the difference. They make a very comfortable saddle.

 

[mehaffydr]

I started out with the stock but neeeded improvment so I bought a Sargent seat. It was better but kind of hard and not good for all day.

I then purchased a Rick Mayer seat for the same reasons you pose. It was a very nice seat but still was not that all day ride.

I then paid the big bucks and got the Russel. Should have done that first and would have savr=ed o lat of money but I will always buy a Russel for any new bike.

When they say day long they mean it. I did the BBG on this thing and it is Great.

But thats just what my ass prefers.

 

[CHRIS_D]

This comes up so often that it would be right at home in the never ending pointless recurring threads section. Try a search and you can read ad nauseum about both seats. That being said, comfort issues are probably the most subjective thing talked about. Everybody's different and it sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into a Rick Meyer so go for it. Personally I'd never spend a dime on either as the stocker is fine for me.

Yes, sorry I jumped the gun and didn't do the search.

I'm just tired of spending tons of money for seats that aren't worth a crap!! I had a Sargent on my last bike which wasn't much better than stock, I even went to the trouble and rode down to Jacksonville FL to get it adjusted right. I get the re-worked seat back and it seems to be exactly the same. I think they just recovered the original one or maybe took a new off the shelf and shipped it back to me. And because I purchased the seat indirectly from a dealer I was charged $175 for this so-called rework!!

 

[CHRIS_D]

Okay, I'm glad I posted this because it seems so far that the Russell is worth the extra money and trouble. I do weight around 230# so I would have to opt for heavy spring option.

 

[twodogs]

I have a RM and it is night and day to the stock. Great seat.

BUT, if looks weren't a consideration, and if I rode LD more, I'd get a Russel.

Bill

 

[Bounce]

I'd get a russell. If there was some reason that I absolutely couldn't then I'd go with Rocky (Bill Mayer) as he's continuing his dad's business and I've heard about some "issues" with the splinter cell of the Mayer's clan (Rick).

If you're "security squad sized" then the Russell is the only way to go. Bill admitted that playing with different foams can only do so much but that his original design (now known as the Russell) could go that extra mile.

 

[radman]

Doesn't need a rain cover, doesn't rip, no family feud involved. All day plowing riding comfort. And if that horn don't keep ya off the tank, you aint packin'.

 

[ionbeam]

Doesn't need a rain cover, doesn't rip, no family feud involved. All day plowing riding comfort.

Are you sure that Harley seat will also fit an FJR? Is that off of the Hard Tail?

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

I had three ride ins, Corbin, Rick Mayer and Russell. the Corbin was free as they used my FJR for a prototype to fix a latch problem. The Rick Mayer was better but after sending it back once for a refit it just didn't cut the long days. sold it and got the Russell. 22 hours in the saddle and the next day no problem with the buttocks. Worth every penny and nobody sees the seat when you are on it if the looks bother you. I also have a Bill Mayer seat on the Wee-Strom and like it but not as comfy as the Russell.

 

[snikr]

I have a Rick Mayer seat and I love it. It all came down to how many hours do you want to spend in the saddle. And how many pounds do you pack. I'm 220 and can ride 7 or 8 hours with no problems. My wife loves it as well compared to the stock seat. And the price was right for me. Plus I did a Saddle Sore 1000 on my Mayer seat. But if you are in to 10, 12 or more hours a day in the saddle I'd say go for the Russel. YMMV

Tom

 

[twowheelnut]

[SIZE=8pt]Pssssst! Hey meester, joo wan see my Beelly Mayer zeat? Eets gud, si?[/SIZE]

I have 2 Bill Mayer seats, one on the FJR, the other on the Wabs. One leather and one vinyl. The thing I like Bill's seats is that they are seamless in the seat. Seams, like heat, are bad for the tush, IME. Oh, and I definitely prefer the leather over the vinyl... the leather does a better job at not being a heat sink.

 

[FJReady]

I have a leather RM and love it. This is the only custom seat I have experience with so I can't compare to others. But it is WAY better than the stock one. I recently took a 7 day trip and spent between 5 and 10 hours per day in the saddle. No complaints. I'm about 180lbs.

 

[squeezer]

I have a Rick Mayer seat and I love it. It all came down to how many hours do you want to spend in the saddle. And how many pounds do you pack. I'm 220 and can ride 7 or 8 hours with no problems. My wife loves it as well compared to the stock seat. And the price was right for me. Plus I did a Saddle Sore 1000 on my Mayer seat. But if you are in to 10, 12 or more hours a day in the saddle I'd say go for the Russel. YMMV
Tom

I've had no problem doing the LD stuff with my Rick Mayer (vinyl basket weave cover). Ditto for the Bill Mayer I had on my Connie.

Oh yeah -- I'm about 220 lbs.

It really depends on the butt. Both Mayers and Russell have loyal followings. It seems that fewer people report problems with the Russell, but those folks who have either Mayer saddle set up right will swear by them.

And let me get this out of the way now since it has to get mentioned in every thread on this issue:

There are a lot of similarities in these three saddles because they all derive from the same source. Bill Mayer designed the Russell saddle and sold the design to Russell. It uses springs for some of the support. Bill Mayer then started a new saddle company that used advanced foam to do the same thing as the springs in the Russell. Bill taught both his sons -- Rocky and Rick -- how to build saddles and sew covers. Rocky now runs the Bill Mayer shop and Rick has his own.

 

[Low Level FJR Pilot]

I have a Russell that I purchased from Hot Wheels on this forum and I absolutely love it. My Butt has never been happier on a long ride. :yahoo:

 

[SilveradoSlick]

Really like my Rick Mayer. Ride in if you can or tell him what you want if you can't.