BMW working on new hi-tech seat

Is BMW updating the springer seat?

Back in the old days, a biker’s seat was his main source of comfort – a sturdy set of springs under the saddle provided a little bit of cush for his tush, and that was it. After the brilliant invention of suspension, pretty much nobody but chopperheads stuck to that idea.

According to Visordown, though, BMW is revisiting that principle, with new patents filed for a damper system that fits under a motorcycle seat to maximize comfort.

Of course, they aren’t planning to throw out their springs and shocks – this is just another way for BMW to make their motorcycles even more comfortable. And BMW being BMW, they aren’t just planning to throw a shock under a motorcycle seat and say it’s done; the system they’re working on has sensors that work in conjunction with the motorcycle’s front end to feed real-time inputs to the seat, which will in turn adjust on the fly to road conditions, constantly adapting damping settings to keep the rider’s butt comfy.

Will the seat ever make it to market? It’s hard to say – it sounds like a lot of added expense and weight, but a few years ago, nobody would have expected ABS, multiple fuel injection profiles, or electronically adjustable suspension either.