"Air Hawk" seat cushion review on BMW K1600GTL.

[@MysterJuly]

First of all, thank you for your video and in-depth review. I agree with most of the information you've presented and I'd like to add my comments for your benefit (and hopefully other viewers). Also, I loved your comment about the American flag. I have a 2015 K1600GTL, bought it new, and definitely have experienced the same seat issues. Like you, I'm not going to spend ~$1,200 on a new/custom seat. After my first long trip from KC to Memphis and back over 36 hours, I literally couldn't feel my rear-end, and it hurt to sit down anywhere. Sore and numb would be a great description. Unlike yourself, I've never found the seat to be "hot." For additional reference, I have 22K miles on the bike now, I'm 46, 6'7", and 280 lbs. So, I was told I should look into the Air Hawk and I purchased the exact same one that you've reviewed. Please forgive me as I am going to politely disagree with your assessment. The Air Hawk has worked very well for me, however, I agree that it took some "fine tuning" to get it set up for my comfort. A year or so after my Memphis trip, I rode from KC to Tail of the Dragon and back. That trip was 2,000 miles over four days and the Air Hawk made all of the difference (I wouldn't have made the trip w/o it). Earlier in your video, I think you said something about everyone's butt being different, and I completely agree. The Air Hawk has been great for me, but that doesn't mean it will work for everyone else. Oh, and you said that you found information from other riders stating that "you're not seated correctly," or "you're riding it wrong." I don't agree with that and I believe you should be able to ride your bike to your comfort level. I also like what you said about the rest of the bike. I absolutely love mine and I have very few complaints. The seat would definitely be one though. Two more pieces of advice for someone wanting to try the Air Hawk. 1) Use it without the straps and simply stow it in the trunk/tail bag once you get off the bike. I have found that the straps simply get in the way and I like being able to "adjust" in the moment. Again, this works for me and may not work for other people. 2) Add highway pegs (not a cheap option though). I noticed you don't have any on your bike and I wouldn't have bought mine without that addition. When I did my initial test ride, I noticed immediately that I wanted to move my feet and didn't care for the foot peg location through my entire ride. Being able to move my feet and change my leg position has really helped my butt and overall comfort. Finally (and sorry for my long comment), there are lots of options out there and the Air Hawk definitely helped me. I believe Amazon has other knock-off Air-Hawk-like products, so one could try this for ~$30. Again, great video and I appreciate all of the information presented. Stay safe and keep the rubber-side down.

[@JSProjectWild]

Excellent, can't tell you how much I appreciate that in-depth comment! BTW, after sending the Air Hawk back I tried the "Butt Buffer" seat pad with no better results and sent it back. Thanks Joey!!! 🦾

[@paulshpardy7536]

Great video. I have a 2012 K1600GTL. I bought mine in 2021, It came with a Sargent seat. My wife found it very uncomfortable as well as myself. I also found that the Sargent seat made me set to high. I had to go to my local BMW dealership to pick up some part and while I was there I sat on another GTL with the original BMW seat. I found that it was way more comfortable then my Sargent. So ask the dealership if they had one kicking around and so they did. So I bought an original for $300CA. I turned around and sold my Sargent for $900CA. Not bad, I came out $600 ahead. The first long trip we took my wife was great but I was in pain after 400km. At our destination a bought a lawn chair cushion at Walmart just to get me home. I owned a Stratoliner before the GTL and I had bought a Air Hawk for my wife for that bike because she was very uncomfortable. I kept the Air Hawk when I sold the Stratoliner and then dug it out and I have been using it ever since on the GTL. It works great. Same size as the one in your video. Both my wife and I can travel for hours with only our hunger and fuel causing us to stop. Paul

[@JSProjectWild]

Great comment---thanks for taking the time to post that and thanks for watching!!!🦾

[@BMWLDRider]

Great review. I have a 2019 GT with a Sargent World Sport seat which I love. However due to a recent issue with an enlarged prostate, long days in the saddle prove to be uncomfortable. So I'm seriously considering the AirHawk. Keeping in mind that the shape of the OEM GTL seat and the GT are very different. The Sargent seat is a bit wider and is, in and of itself, much more comfortable. You might want to check them out. Ride safe. Joe

[@JSProjectWild]

I also tried the "Butt Buffer" seat cushion but for me nothing would make that GTL seat even passable. Had a Sargeant seat on my 2015 FJR and it was a little better than stock. Thanks for commenting Joe!!!

[@DavidPoteet-q7q]

The seat was one reason for trading my 2022 Honda DCT in on a K 1600 GTL I am with you on expecting a comfortable seat on these new bikes

[@JSProjectWild]

Yeah, I just don't understand why it's so difficult to design and manufacture a more universally comfortable seat. Thanks for commenting!

[@jbadj85]

Hello from Costa Rica 🇨🇷. Im short like 1.70 m. I lovw the bike but not the seat, i installed a foam cushion because i fell the edge of the seat cutting my leg hehe. Now is better. I can say is a good recomendation no to have a big cushion just an inch or less of cushion is enough. ✌️

[@JSProjectWild]

Glad you found a reasonable cost solution to a problem that should not exist on a "premium" touring machine. Thanks much for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@rayjones9819]

I have the same exact bike (2018). Just got it yesterday. I rode it home from the dealer, which was an hour and a half. I agree, that seat was uncomfortable. And thats getting off a zx-14. So far i love bike, hopefully that doesn't change. I will be looking for other seat options though. Enjoy bro.

[@JSProjectWild]

Congrats!!! Yes, my butt was more comfortable on my ZX-14R. You'll love most things about that GTL but you'll hate that seat, it's shameful. I researched a lot and think the Russel Day Long would be best for me but it still chaps my a$$ having to spend the dollars, which I have not decided to do yet. I might just sell the bike in the spring. Thanks much for watching and commenting!!! 🦾

[@ceesklumper]

I just bought mine last week and have put around 500 miles on it. Standard seat and had some discomfort on one side after about 1.5 hours. I have found your behind has to get used to a new saddle, sort of like when you buy new shoes. So I am waiting to see for another couple of long rides before I try a solution.

[@JSProjectWild]

Prediction----you're going to need a solution. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Letsgetit1600]

I have the 2012 gtl and yes the seats are not for the big and tall. I test the seats on the k1600Gt on the taller sitting and it is prefect for me . They are interchangeable.

[@JSProjectWild]

At 6.0 ft. and 205 lbs. I guess I don't consider myself big or tall. I researched that seat and refuse to give around $900 to BMW for something they should have made comfortable in the first place. And I've read plenty of comments on the forums that folks don't like either seat. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@Letsgetit1600]

@@JSProjectWild no problem .

[@andrewdyson4255]

I had a 2020 Gtle and I too had seat problems. I found it was more about the position of the legs. I had the seat raised by about 2” and that helped a lot. I also had an air hawk but it didn’t work for me. I ended up selling the bike after 2 years and went back to an RT which suited me better. The trouble is I don’t think there’s a solution. It’s all down to butt size I suppose. It was sad because the engine in the K1600 was brilliant

[@JSProjectWild]

Great comment and thanks for taking the time to respond! It would be easy for a person to spend many hundreds of dollars and still not be comfortable.

[@VerleYates-dp9ps]

Ya, have a '98 BMW 1100RT with the same situation; couldn't last 30 min on a ride. Researched and found a guy who made spacers under the front bracket near the tank that had the same problem. That was nearly 100K miles ago.

[@JSProjectWild]

The aluminum spacers that the previous owner made does not have any effect that I can tell. I think that is why he put the bike up for sale. He just couldn't get comfortable on it and neither could his wife as a passenger. Thanks for commenting!

[@VerleYates-dp9ps]

You bet. Hoping to get a 1600 sometime soon. Rode a 2020 and absolutely LOVED it. Want it for more room for wife/I for touring the W. coast. Live in Central Oregon.@@JSProjectWild

[@shawnolson9370]

I bought a GT instead of a GTL. The seat is adjustable. That was a lot better because I'm 6'3". I didn't care for the GTL seat at all.

[@JSProjectWild]

I have heard the GT seat is better, but it would have to be because nothing could be worse IMO. Thanks for commenting!!!

[@mrsmith697]

I have the same problem..but is almost al of my bike.is on the 17 bike now. So i maybe try one airhawk

[@JSProjectWild]

I hope the Air Hawk works for you. Thanks for watching!

[@DavidPoteet-q7q]

My 2022 K1600 is a bit better but I will try the air hawk to see if it is better

[@JSProjectWild]

I wish you more luck than I had trying to make the GTL seat comfy. Thanks for watching!

[@randyoberst5133]

Love my Beemer but hate the seat.

[@JSProjectWild]

Thanks for that Randy! At least I'm not the only one.