When I first entered the world of BMW motorcycling in 2020, I quickly noticed the prevalence of what seemed to me an unlikely accessory among the Roundel Faithful: the Kermit Chair. Why would a rather simple folding seat be so popular with riders who owned some of the most technologically sophisticated bikes in the world? Surely it wasn’t only the fact this chair cost a lot of money, like most of BMW’s product line. With just a little more exposure to this community, I came to realize a large contingent was actually not enamored with the latest/greatest tech, and instead preferred classic machinery featuring basic, straightforward (albeit admittedly unique) engineering that allowed savvy owners to tend to many maintenance and repair tasks at home or on the road. Hmmm…

During this same period, I was developing an appreciation of the low-tech components of my own first BMW motorcycle, a relatively modern 2013 F 800 GT. While it had quirky innovations, like an under-seat gas tank to centralize weight distribution, it also included an old-school front end with a non-adjustable conventional (female slider) fork—something not found on any of my street bikes for many, many years. Surprisingly, that front end just plain worked, delivering some of the most wonderfully neutral steering and confidence-inspiring handling of any motorcycle I’d ever ridden. BMW had taken a rudimentary design and dialed in the chassis geometry, springs and damping to perfection, no futuristic or racetrack-derived gadgetry needed. The Kermit Chair’s appeal began to make more sense. Once I considered BMW riders’ penchant for traveling where comfortable seating is in short supply, their attendant need for space-saving efficiency, and their attraction to elegantly simple construction involving admirable craftsmanship and high-quality materials, the Kermit Chair’s popularity became readily understandable.

The 1984 brainchild of BMW motorcyclist Kermit Easterling (no, the chair isn’t named for Kermit the Frog, despite the green version’s iconic status), it was only natural for the chair to be adopted by fellow long-distance tourers on the bikes from West Berlin. Kermit wanted something comfortable, durable, lightweight and packable, with the same pragmatic sensibilities as his favored motorcycle marque. Beemerphiles noticed Kermit’s chair at rallies and wanted their own; the rest, as they say, is history. That history includes Kermit’s transfer of the manufacturing company to another BMW rider named Tom Sherrill in 2003. Tom set up the current production facility near Nashville, Tennessee, eventually adding two more family-run operations as demand skyrocketed. He’s continued using the same design specifications and quality standards that made the chair spread like wildfire within the BMW fold. It can now be found amongst the gear selections of camping, RV and overlanding enthusiasts in Europe, Australia, and Asia, and is no longer confined to the realm of niche US motorcycling—it suits anyone’s porch or backyard!

Each 5.5-pound Kermit Chair is hand-built from sustainably sourced local Tennessee white oak ($300) or black walnut ($350), double-dipped in polyurethane, and outfitted with a seat and back made of 1,000-denier coated nylon with heat-cut (non-fraying) edges in a wide variety of colors. The two handsome wood options differ a bit in hue, weight, strength and cost (explained on the website, kermitchair.com) but either will meet the needs of the vast majority of users, with the choice coming down to aesthetic preference. Hardware is made of aluminum with stainless steel fasteners, and a snug-fitting, weather-resistant, shoulder-strap-equipped carrying bag is included (about 23” x 6”). Oak version buyers can choose from two seat widths (19” or 21”; the latter adds $10) and two seat heights (12” or 15”; the latter adds $30), and personalized embroidery is available for either wood version ($20) – you wouldn’t want anyone mistakenly carrying away your chair thinking it was theirs! Optional accessories include black or silver aluminum leg extensions ($50) for the lower seat-height model that raise it by five inches and come in their own little sack, and a nylon webbing/aluminum hardware cup holder ($20). Every chair comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a five-year warranty, with all parts available separately in case of loss or damage.

The Kermit Chair’s packability necessitates assembly and disassembly, but the process is quick and easy after the first introduction; any confusion can be eliminated by watching a short video on the website. No tools are needed, even for securing the optional leg extensions. The engineering is extremely clever, producing a sturdy and stable frame with a remarkable economy of parts and connections.

If the price tag seems daunting for a wooden camp chair, keep in mind you’re paying for top-notch materials and rare hand-craftsmanship, along with time-tested durability and design. That said, Kermit Chairs are occasionally available at a substantial discount at events where the company is a vendor, such as the BMW MOA National Rally. I bought the chair pictured—a regular height and width black walnut frame with navy fabric and leg extensions—for a mere $189 (less than half-price!) at the 2025 rally that happened to be right outside Nashville, just like the Kermit Chair Company. Make sure to look for them at gatherings of motorcycling and outdoor enthusiasts, and note they also sell packable tables of different sizes in both wood offerings, ranging from $150 to $225.