Fresh install of WP2.5 and BB.9.0.1
Within bbpress admin, i setup the maps to from WP -> BB roles
When creating a new user from the WP admin screen, selecting a role of any selection, it will default to the standard member. (verifying by looking under the bb admin user screen)
My solution was to just change the bb_capabilities meta_value to the desired role level of new seeded users.