So we've all heard/seen the 650 xchallenge...let's see your XCOUNTRY! - Page 54

catdander · 02-03-2009, 06:34 AM

kicksave, your seat looks terrific.
is it common practice to have an apolsterer customize mc seats. not only is my inseam short, 29" but am also very short through the torso. i've got an 09 xc and would like to have it a bit reshaped, just don't want to loose the comfort of the cushioning.
although the front half appears to be flat i find myself sliding up. was thinking of taking some off the mid section to keep my butt in place. maybe replacing with a softer foam as you said, to "cradled into the seat wherever I place myself".

Kicksave · 02-03-2009, 07:40 AM

Check out a couple of upholstery shops in your area. Make sure you use one that has worked with Motorycle seats before. Because there are concerns a rider will have that a couch or car owner won't. Some cover materials are more weather and fade resistant than others. And the firmness of the foam can make a huge difference in your comfort.

Have an idea of what you're trying to accomplish. Let them know exactly what problems you're having with the factory seat. A good upholsterer will work with you to figure it out. If they let you, ride the bike with the foam reshaped before they cover it. Then you can make necessary adjustments before they give you a finished product.

andrewgore · 02-03-2009, 07:45 AM

Nice looking seat. Seems though most people are looking for an even lower seat? Am I the only one that is looking for a taller seat? I figured something like the xCountry seat, but without the "cutout" up front would be perfect. Maybe even raised a bit from that? I like being able to easily move around on my seat, not quite easy with the stock xCountry seat. Might have to email Renazco or something of the sort?

slide · 02-03-2009, 08:00 AM

Second what Dave said about a guy who has bike experience or who is willing to learn using your bike and his expense in case of a do over needed.

I had a guy who was a master at auto upholstery do my GS11 seat. It was wonderful looking and also wore well but the material (ok my fault as I approved it) was high friction. Thus I couldn't slide my ass around easily. That made some riding tougher as well as my stopping 'one foot down' which I do.

My guy would probably have done mine over for a trivial fee but I sold the bike to a guy who was happy with the seat (bright yellow color). So it worked out.

Kicksave · 02-03-2009, 09:17 AM

Renazco would be an excellent choice. They've made seats for many an off road bike. In Ojai, Ca. Bill Mayer makes a great motorcycle seat. They made a seat for a G650 XChallenge Police Bike Prototype for us. But I used a local shop here in Long Beach. They covered a 96 R1100 GS seat for me a while back in black and tan with the old VW basket weave vinyl. They were cheap and quick, so I used them again. The seat for my XC was done in about 4 hours, and it cost less than $300.

Kev_England · 02-03-2009, 09:25 AM

Geoffster - is this available to the public yet? If so can you post details?
I have an exchallenge but think the grab handles are the same fit as X Country.
Cheers, Kevin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffster

Oddly enough, this is one of the first things I checked on my bike when I noted that TT saddlebags come with a steel subframe, and I saw that my '09 does not have removable rear footpegs like earlier models. Yes, I too gave my '09 the magnet test and it stuck. So BMW figured out that XCountry owners are treating their bikes like adventure bikes (pack mules), and have given the '09s appropriate subframes. All I can say is "cool!"

BTW, I put a rack on my bike that's a prototype from a XCountry owner in Canada. The final version will be available after the first of the year and will have slightly different attachment points. It's unique feature is that it attaches to the factory grab handles. It also works quite well with the BMW sport tailbag which also rides on my R1200RT.

Geoffster · 02-03-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev_England

Geoffster - is this available to the public yet? If so can you post details?
I have an exchallenge but think the grab handles are the same fit as X Country.
Cheers, Kevin.

It should be available from http://www.naturereach.com/shopping.html . Email Nick at info@naturereach.com to be certain.

Red Adventure · 02-05-2009, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffster

It should be available from http://www.naturereach.com/shopping.html . Email Nick at info@naturereach.com to be certain.

?

Geoffster · 02-05-2009, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Adventure

?

Nick's website says "under construction," although everything seems to work. I suggest emailing him before going through the PayPal ordering process. No point being disappointed or angry if he can't ship immediately.

Red Adventure · 02-05-2009, 06:54 AM

I don’t know how many of you have seen the mods I made to my XCountry but I thought I would add a bit here.
When I got the bike the first thing I fitted was some hand guards to give the bike a better look and to protect the leavers in a fall over.

Next thing that bothered me was to fuel range. Although the Xtank looked like a good option, when landed here in South Africa it wasn't a cheap option. Since the whole idea of me choosing the XCountry was price driven this wasn’t an option for me.
So all that was left was for me was to have one made locally. I decided to go with steel sheeting then to line the inside of the tank and put polyurethane on the out side for strengh.

Next was a screen and again the BMW screen wasn’t going to work, so a Kapa screen with a few mods did the job just fine.

At the same time I needed to find a solution for repairing punctures. I use an old adjustable walking stick and modified a 26 spanner and a long tyre leaver.

The stick livers here for when its needed

Then for my compressor I fitted a aux power socket (and for my GPS too).

The power comes straight from the battery.

Next was a front mudguard to stop the spray of mud in my face. For this I use a universal rear fender and made a aluminum bracket to attach it.

The last thing added was a proper after market bash plate.

matloik · 02-05-2009, 07:35 AM

Nice work Red!

Can you give some more details on your walking stick? Close up pics? Where do you place it?

Red Adventure · 02-05-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matloik

Nice work Red!

Can you give some more details on your walking stick? Close up pics? Where do you place it?

Sorry about the poor pictures but in those pictures the front and rear wheels were in fact lifted off the ground. The walking stick just holds the bike tipped over the side stand, if that makes sense to you?

HeadinSouth · 02-05-2009, 02:10 PM

Nice work. Gotta love lots of self-modding.

andrewgore · 02-08-2009, 04:08 PM

Found this, in case anyone wonders if the xCountry can handle going off-road

.

Andrew

novaboy · 02-10-2009, 03:47 AM

Hey Gang,

I have spent a lot of time reading all the posts in here, and you've convinced me that the X/C is for me. So I just put down a deposit on a 2009 with ABS. I'm just waiting to hear back on the financing, and for the snow to go. It's gonna be a long 2 months. The first things I'm getting are a tank bag and bar protectors.

Pics when they become available.

Cheers

02-03-2009, 07:40 AM	#797
Kicksave wannabeema Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca. Oddometer: 168	custom seat Check out a couple of upholstery shops in your area. Make sure you use one that has worked with Motorycle seats before. Because there are concerns a rider will have that a couch or car owner won't. Some cover materials are more weather and fade resistant than others. And the firmness of the foam can make a huge difference in your comfort. Have an idea of what you're trying to accomplish. Let them know exactly what problems you're having with the factory seat. A good upholsterer will work with you to figure it out. If they let you, ride the bike with the foam reshaped before they cover it. Then you can make necessary adjustments before they give you a finished product. __________________ Regret is a useless emotion. Choose wisely the first time. Own your bad choices. And move the hell on.

02-03-2009, 07:45 AM	#798
andrewgore Team MGH Joined: May 2008 Location: NW Suburbs, IL Oddometer: 2,495	Nice looking seat. Seems though most people are looking for an even lower seat? Am I the only one that is looking for a taller seat? I figured something like the xCountry seat, but without the "cutout" up front would be perfect. Maybe even raised a bit from that? I like being able to easily move around on my seat, not quite easy with the stock xCountry seat. Might have to email Renazco or something of the sort? __________________ Andrew Gore Three R Plastics Economy Cycle Stop Dropping your Helmet with Helmet-Hook I use Carbon Fiber Brake Rotors. Do you? Kettle Cycles

02-03-2009, 09:17 AM	#800
Kicksave wannabeema Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Long Beach, Ca. Oddometer: 168	custom seats - part deux Renazco would be an excellent choice. They've made seats for many an off road bike. In Ojai, Ca. Bill Mayer makes a great motorcycle seat. They made a seat for a G650 XChallenge Police Bike Prototype for us. But I used a local shop here in Long Beach. They covered a 96 R1100 GS seat for me a while back in black and tan with the old VW basket weave vinyl. They were cheap and quick, so I used them again. The seat for my XC was done in about 4 hours, and it cost less than $300. __________________ Regret is a useless emotion. Choose wisely the first time. Own your bad choices. And move the hell on.

02-05-2009, 07:35 AM	#806
matloik kludge Joined: May 2008 Location: PDX \| Hood River Oddometer: 1,114	Nice work Red! Can you give some more details on your walking stick? Close up pics? Where do you place it? __________________ '08 Versys & '08 450 EXC-R / '11 G650GS & '06 KLX250S (wife's) Portland Area Off Pavement Rides ~ Hood River Rides ~ Vancouver Island Trip

02-08-2009, 04:08 PM	#809
andrewgore Team MGH Joined: May 2008 Location: NW Suburbs, IL Oddometer: 2,495	Found this, in case anyone wonders if the xCountry can handle going off-road . Andrew __________________ Andrew Gore Three R Plastics Economy Cycle Stop Dropping your Helmet with Helmet-Hook I use Carbon Fiber Brake Rotors. Do you? Kettle Cycles

02-03-2009, 06:34 AM	#796
catdander catdander Joined: Sep 2008 Oddometer: 44	kicksave, your seat looks terrific. is it common practice to have an apolsterer customize mc seats. not only is my inseam short, 29" but am also very short through the torso. i've got an 09 xc and would like to have it a bit reshaped, just don't want to loose the comfort of the cushioning. although the front half appears to be flat i find myself sliding up. was thinking of taking some off the mid section to keep my butt in place. maybe replacing with a softer foam as you said, to "cradled into the seat wherever I place myself".

02-03-2009, 08:00 AM	#799
slide A nation in despair Joined: Jul 2003 Location: NM, USA Oddometer: 21,022	Second what Dave said about a guy who has bike experience or who is willing to learn using your bike and his expense in case of a do over needed. I had a guy who was a master at auto upholstery do my GS11 seat. It was wonderful looking and also wore well but the material (ok my fault as I approved it) was high friction. Thus I couldn't slide my ass around easily. That made some riding tougher as well as my stopping 'one foot down' which I do. My guy would probably have done mine over for a trivial fee but I sold the bike to a guy who was happy with the seat (bright yellow color). So it worked out.

02-05-2009, 06:54 AM	#805
Red Adventure Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Oddometer: 35	I don’t know how many of you have seen the mods I made to my XCountry but I thought I would add a bit here. When I got the bike the first thing I fitted was some hand guards to give the bike a better look and to protect the leavers in a fall over. Next thing that bothered me was to fuel range. Although the Xtank looked like a good option, when landed here in South Africa it wasn't a cheap option. Since the whole idea of me choosing the XCountry was price driven this wasn’t an option for me. So all that was left was for me was to have one made locally. I decided to go with steel sheeting then to line the inside of the tank and put polyurethane on the out side for strengh. Next was a screen and again the BMW screen wasn’t going to work, so a Kapa screen with a few mods did the job just fine. At the same time I needed to find a solution for repairing punctures. I use an old adjustable walking stick and modified a 26 spanner and a long tyre leaver. The stick livers here for when its needed Then for my compressor I fitted a aux power socket (and for my GPS too). The power comes straight from the battery. Next was a front mudguard to stop the spray of mud in my face. For this I use a universal rear fender and made a aluminum bracket to attach it. The last thing added was a proper after market bash plate.

02-05-2009, 02:10 PM	#808
HeadinSouth vroom! Joined: Jan 2006 Location: N Vancouver BC Oddometer: 68	Nice work. Gotta love lots of self-modding.

02-10-2009, 03:47 AM	#810
novaboy Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Rothesay, New Brunswick, Canada, eh Oddometer: 335	Hey Gang, I have spent a lot of time reading all the posts in here, and you've convinced me that the X/C is for me. So I just put down a deposit on a 2009 with ABS. I'm just waiting to hear back on the financing, and for the snow to go. It's gonna be a long 2 months. The first things I'm getting are a tank bag and bar protectors. Pics when they become available. Cheers

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