"I know when my 'Start Date' is, but how do I know when my seat will be done and shipped to me?"
      Typically, your seat will be done and shipped in 7 to 10 business days from your assigned Start Date. When the seat is completed and shipped I will supply you with the tracking number. Please resist the temptation to call and check on your completion or shipping date during this time.
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"Do I have to send my seats or do you have pans?"
      I own most of the popular touring seats including the BMW GS, RS, RT, K12RS and K12LT, the Honda PC, ST 1100.ST 1300, and the Kawasaki FJ, FZ and Concourse. I can build on my pans for a flat $500 deposit for a front and rear set. If ordering a front only of a two-piece seat, the deposit is $250 (Seat Pans subject to availability). This deposit is refundable as long as the replacement seat is in very good condition and returned within the time frame outlined in "What do you do with my deposit check on a RMC saddle pan?" I absolutely do not sell pans. If you don't plan on returning your stock seats, be aware that you will be charged the full deposit.
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"If I send my stock seat, how long will I be off of the bike?"
      When your order is received it is given a calendar date and you are notified. I don't need your stock seat until then and I will do my best to get it shipped back in 7-10 days.
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"What do you mean by "stock seat" for purposes of the stock seat exchange?""
      When you choose to do a stock seat pan exchange, we build your seat(s) on a stock seat that we often purchase new from BMW, Yamaha, Honda, etc. rather than manufacturing our own aftermarket pans. We send your custom seat in exchange for your stock seat which will be placed in our inventory for other customers. Once a seat (any seat) has been built on your seat, we no longer consider it a "stock" seat. Why? Because it has been modified from its original condition. After receiving your new Rick Mayer Cycle seat, if you send us a seat for exchange that has been modified from stock, your seat deposit is forfeit. We cannot acccept seats for exchange that have had gel pads inserted, seats built by other manufacturers, or that have otherwise been modified from stock in any way. In other words, if your seat doesn't look like it did when the bike was bought new in terms of cover materia, original foam, and pan condition (holes drilled, accessories attached, etc.) it is not acceptable for our seat exchange service.
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"If I pay by credit card, when is the card billed?"
      I ask that all orders be prepaid however I don't wish to create any stress over it. I am happy to take $100.00 when the order is placed and the balance when the seat is built. Please indicate your preference on the 'additonal comments" section.
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"Suppose I get my new saddle and it doesn't fit quite right?"
      My number one goal is for you to be extremely pleased with your purchase. I feel I have an obligation to you, my customer, to listen to your needs and through my experience build a custom saddle that will not only be finely crafted, using the finest materials, but also be extremely comfortable.
     This requires a commitment on my part as well as yours. As your saddle maker I must understand and interpret how widely different shaped people fit on a vast assortment of bikes. As the customer, your commitment is to allow me to do the job. Sometimes it is necessary to go back into a saddle and fine-tune it a bit. I may be good, but I'm not perfect. Still, by actual count, less than 2% of the saddles shipped require adjustment.
     After you receive your new saddle, bear in mind that a break in period will occur and the feel of the seat will change significantly during the first few hundred miles. During the first 30 days of ownership, and after a few hundred miles, if you feel an adjustment is in order, just give the office a call and Rick will discuss your needs with you. If it is mutually agreed, an adjustment will be performed at no charge. Shipping is not included either way and a check to cover return shipping is expected. This does reflect a change in policy and is directly related to the increases we have experienced in shipping costs. Again, no charge is incurred to adjust the seat.
     If a second adjustment is deemed necessary, and is mutually agreed upon, our basic labor charge is $75/hr. Additional materials may also be charged.
      For more information, see: What is your company's refund policy?
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"What is the difference between Rick Mayer Cycle and other custom seat companies?"
      The difference is in the construction. The Rick Mayer product is hand made of multiple densities in the same saddle including the use of the exclusive PUDGEE material insert. The individual pieces are bonded in a manner that will not separate, EVER. Simply put, the Rick Mayer Cycle product is an improvement over the single density molded cookie cutter plug using medical innovations and technology not found anywhere else. Combined with the most experience of any seat maker and the least expensive, the value of my saddles are unmatched.
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Will the stitching allow water to soak the saddle?
      Water, just like electricity will follow the path of least resistance. Because the needle of a sewing machine pierces the material, not punches, material is not removed This means the thread through that opening is under compression by the surrounding material. If Cotton thread were used, water would tend to wick into the underlaying material. Since my thread is Dacron which actually repels water, virtually no wicking will occur. the thread is also run through an oil bath during the stitching process adding further to its water resistance. Lastly the cover is applied to the underlaying materials with latex cement in a very uniform pattern. All combined, the surface is as waterproof as it can be. Moisture does enter the saddle from a number of places however. Even "unstitched" saddles are sewn together using multiple pieces. Often when I build a saddle on a rainy day, the stock seat is wet at the bottom, not the top. Obviously water has entered the stock pan from below through the large openings at the bottom of the seat. On the other hand, stitching the seating area provides additional air space due to the 'pillow top' effect. It also provides a very positive bond between the laminates eliminating any possibility of glue separation. Saddles ridden all day in the rain absorb actually very little water. If parked in the rain, the bucket can fill with water so its always a good idea to keep it covered when parked.
      Raincovers are used to protect the seat from the environement (sun, rain, etc.) when the rider is not on it. While the seat is being ridden the rider's body protects the seat from the elements. Raincovers are not to be used while riding as they may transfer some color.
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If I get leather, will I have to avoid rain?
      No, I use only top grain UNSTRETCHED cowhide. This is one of nature's most durable materials. Cows get wet, they dry. However, a lot of leather used by other seat companies has been processed and renders the material very fragile. These processes include stretching the leather, scuffing to create a smoother look, texturing to resemble exotic hides and so on.
      Since leather is sold by the square foot, the reason to stretch it is obvious. Stretched leather evens out the texture and grain of the leather and reduces visible flaws. Stretched leather is typically used in shoes, purses, etc. Stretched leather has very little if any stretch left. It also makes the hide very thin and subject to tears. Stretch is crucial to comfort. Also, treatments to texture the leather to look like ostrich, alligator, possum, whatever is done on stretched leather and is also very ill-suited for a motorcycle saddle. With minimal care, it is a very water-resistant material.
      But if the bike is left parked outside at any time, a raincover is a good idea. Raincovers are used to protect the seat from the environement (sun, rain, etc.) when the rider is not on it. While the seat is being ridden the rider's body protects the seat from the elements. Raincovers are not to be used while riding as they may transfer some color.
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Is leather always more comfortable than vinyl?
      No. If you wear a Gortex suit or pants like a 'Stitch on a hot day you will find very little if any comfort difference between leather and vinyl. Leather does not breathe. I can smother you just as quickly with a piece of leather as with vinyl. However because leather is not a petroleum product, it will not insulate and trap body heat like vinyl. Therefore on a hot day, your butt stays cooler on leather IF you are wearing natural fibers (jeans). The rider that dons his/her Aerostitch in Death Valley in the summer is wasting their money on leather.
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If I get leather, will I have to treat it often?
      Depending on your climate, leather should be treated several times a year to maintain its water resistance. This can be once or twice in cooler climates and monthly in the desert southwest. Water should bead on the surface and if it spots or darkens the leather, you have waited too long. Mink oil is my personal preference but there are many good products. Word to the wise: Be careful, most boot waterproofers contain silicone so unless you want you motorcycle saddle to feel like an ice rink, don't use silicone-based products on your saddle! Once silicone is applied, it must literally wear off. I know of no product that can remove silicone without harming the leather.
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If I RIDE-IN will I get a better fitting saddle?
      Sometimes. On a bike and body I understand, not likely. In other words, if you are having a saddle made on a Ducati Multistratte and you are 5'3" 200# you should probably ride in if you can. 98% of my saddles are done long distance through photos and measurements.
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What about sprung seats and how does yours compare?
      Since I am the only person alive today besides the present owner and builder of the sprung seat that actually built hundreds of sprung seats, I feel uniquely qualified to answer that question; The sprung seat is a very good idea anytime saddle width exceeds pan width. As saddle width approaches the width of the pan, foam and foam products can support very well, if not better. In other words, a fat guy on a narrow-pan seat like a KLR should really consider a sprung seat while the more average body on most of today's touring bikes will find the pan width more than ample to support the saddle without overhang. The down side of a sprung seat is a higher than stock (usually) seat and shorter riders can find the sprung seat reduces foot contact with the ground. I will refer anyone that I feel would benefit from a sprung seat to that seat company.
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What do you do with my deposit check on a RMC saddle pan?
      Sometimes folks like to have a saddle built on a saddle pan I have in my shop and then exchange their saddle pan for it when their new custom saddle arrives. The Rick Mayer Cycle seat pans are not sold; they are loaned. For that service I require a separate, deposit that is returned to you when I receive your stock seat pan. The deposit is a flat $500. Please see also Do I have to send my seats or do you have pans? This deposit must be received by our office in the form of a check. If for any reason we make an exception and allow this deposit to be paid on a credit card, the same terms applying to a refund apply. When your seat ships we will have FedEx send you a notification with tracking number. This will provide you with the date your seat shipped and allow you to follow its progress across the country. Your stock seat(s) must arrive in my office within 30 days after we shipped your seat to you or your deposit will be cashed and forfeited with NO EXCEPTIONS! Should you for any reason not receive the notification email with the tracking number, the shipping label on the package will also include the date shipped. Additionally we can provide the ship date over the phone if you call our office.
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What sort of photos do I need to include with my order?
     I use the photos to assist me in building a saddle to fit you. To do that I need:

• One side view of you seated on the bike, in street clothes, sitting in your riding position, both feet on the pegs, with the bike on the center stand or with the bike supported if you don't have a center stand.
• If you are getting a dual saddle (custom fitted front and rear) I also need an additional photo of you and your passenger, seated on the bike together in street clothes, sitting in your riding positions, feet on the pegs, with the bike on the center stand or with the bike supported if you don't have a center stand.
• If you are "vertically challenged," another photo of you with the bike off the stand, with both of your feet on the ground (or as close as you can get) as if you are stopped at a stoplight would also be helpful.
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What is your company's cancellation policy?
     We consider an order form a binding legal contract. We incur costs the moment an order form is received. If an order is canceled for any reason prior to 7 days before its assigned start date, $50 is charged against any monies collected. Cancellation requests are not accepted less than 7 days before the start date or after production has begun.
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What is your company's refund policy?
     If the seat cannot be used for the following reasons: rider becomes seriously ill or motorcycle is destroyed or sold, refunds can only be considered if the seat is returned unused within 30 days in original packaging. We cannot allow refunds on used seats because, due to the custom nature of our seats, they cannot be sold to another customer . We unconditionally guarantee that your seat will be more comfortable than stock and are always happy to adjust the seat for any length of time after purchase. Please see "Suppose I get my new saddle and it doesn't fit quite right?" and "What is your company's cancellation policy?"
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I ride a dual sport bike that sees quite a lot of dirt. Will a touring saddle limit my dirt riding?
     No. All saddles are built with the bike in mind and the customer's own comments dictating the outcome. A touring saddle built for a dual sport bike when the customer conveys he/she very seldom rides off-road will have a wider, deeper pocket than the same saddle built for the customer that states the opposite. Bottom line-a saddle built for a KTM will not look like it belongs on a Gold Wing!
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What about seat heaters?
      In regards to original factory seat heaters, the heater, wiring, and switch are left intact during the process and the original heating element is re-laminated to the finished saddle.
     In regards to after-market seat heaters, Rick Mayer Cycle does not sell heating units directly. The heating elements that are supplied by the customer are installed free of charge during the saddle-build process. All wiring is the responsibility of the customer. The finished saddle will have the wiring passed through the bottom of the saddle and the customer can place the switch anywhere convenient. Seat heaters are available on line. Search; "automotive seat heaters" and a number of sources will appear.
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Will my finished saddle be any higher than stock?
     Some bikes have a severe downward slant and raising the crotch of the saddle can dramatically improve highway comfort. While this does not increase riding height, the effect at a stop is a slightly higher seat. The customer can always request the finished saddle be kept as low as possible with this in mind; sometimes saddles that are kept low for maximum foot on the ground while stopped are not always the most comfortable touring saddle if the tendency to slide forward is not addressed. The customer has to decide if he/she wants that trade-off. These are completely custom after all!
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If I ride-in, can I get my saddle any quicker than if I have my saddle shipped to me?
     Yes. The ride in calendar is a separate schedule than the shipped calendar and is not effected by the shipped order backlog. For example, it may be possible to schedule a ride in appointment the following week even though my shipped saddle backlog is many weeks out.
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Is there a charge for Ride-In/Same-Day service?
     Because of the overwhelming popularity of this service and the additional time required to complete saddles in this way, effective 4/1/2006 a $75 service charge will apply. While you wait for the saddle to be completed you can lounge in air-conditioned comfort in our waiting room with high-speed wireless internet access, coffee service, DVD movies, cold beverages, and a comfortable couch. There is also a large viewing window where you can watch your saddle actually being created!
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Can I add a aftermarket seat heater to my RMC saddle?
     Yes, an aftermarket seat heater can be added when your saddle is being constructed, but please be aware that aftermarket heaters can be quite stiff so it is possible that the heater may lessen the comfort of the seat.
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My stock seat has a factory installed heater, If I order a seat from Rick, will it also have the heater?
     Yes, if your stock seat is heated, and you order a seat from Rick, it will still retain the heater. If opting for the stock seat exchange you must have the heated option on the seat you plan to exchange. You may not trade a non-heated seat for a heated seat.
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Can I just send the plastic or metal base or do I need to send the entire seat?
     We do need the stock foam even though we do not use most of it. The portion of the stock foam that contacts the pan is intricately molded and very time consuming to duplicate. The stock cover, on the other hand, is of no value and if you wish to keep it you may remove it and do so.
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Do I need to be home when the seat ships?
     Because we always require a live signature to confirm delivery of your new saddle(s), you may want to have your order shipped to a work or dealer address. If no one is at the delivery address our carrier (FedEx) will not leave the package as doing so leaves you open to loss. The package, even though insured, is not covered once left unattended, even if left at the wrong address! Please note that this policy is never waived.
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