The problem that sometimes arises when you buy a motorcycle is that the bike is not always in the exact spec that you would like. I owned a BMW R 1200 R, the naked roadster that uses the LC Boxer motor that preceded the 1250 cc and now 1300 cc range. BMW use the Boxer motor across a wide range of different models and applications. As I am known to do, I sold the Bee Em and later regretted it. So I shopped around and found another one, this time in the white with red accents colour scheme which I prefer over the silver of my last one. But with it came a problem.
BMW offer this bike with various seat options. There are Low, Sport and Comfort options. I suspect that my previous R 1200 R had the comfort option, which is significantly taller than the sport option on my “new” bike. Being a bit long in the leg, I way preferred the taller seat, not for the comfort, as the sport seat was great, but for the more relaxed angle of my knees. As I intend to use the bike as my long-distance touring machine, I also looked at a “comfortable” seat for the pillion. You know the old “happy wife happy life” story. The upgrade with the factory seats was going to smack me with over R10,000, which almost had me choking on my beer. There had to be another, more affordable option.
Then it dawned on me… I would chat with Dion Korkie. Dion is a legend in the custom motorcycle seat space. He has done work for a few of my mates. Simon had him do a custom seat for his Triumph Speed Twin, and Loy got his Honda NC 700’s seat pimped for comfort. In both cases the results were spectacular! Dion has an eye for what you want and, as a rider himself, perfectly marries form and function. The end result is a seat that looks factory and enjoys enhanced comfort.
I got hold of Dion and briefed him on my requirements. I wanted the seat in plain black, but with subtle red stitching to compliment the red frame on the bike. Well, to say that the result was what I wanted is a huge understatement! He knocked it right out of the park! The materials he used are perfect. The seating surface is a classy non-slip texture, with the sides a smoother texture. The stitching is subtle and perfect, flowing from the rider’s perch perfectly into the separate and slightly higher pillion seat. The end result is a seat that looks better than the factory option and works better too. The pillion seat is subtly re-shaped to prevent the pillion from sliding forward under braking. All in all, I could not be happier with the result. Needless to say, there was also a huge saving over the BMW option.
In a world of compromise in which we find ourselves today, Dion is a shining example that you CAN have your cake and eat it! If you need a structural or comfort improvement or simply want to customize your seat, speak to Dion. You will not be disappointed. You can reach him on 082 297 727. Either call him or WhatsApp him. Your butt will thank you!
