Can You Improve the Seat of Your Motorcycle?

Do the custom seats really help?

Most of the motorcycles on the market come with terrible stock seats, right? Of course, most of the owners immediately do something with the idea to improve their comfort. It might be a new expensive seat or some other solutions like gel pads, air hawk, or the old fashion sheep skin. Do they really help? In this video, I will tell you what I think about it
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[dmosier]

I have an airhawk type inflatable pad UNDER my mesh seat cover. The cover holds the airhawk in place, thus eliminating the problem of it shifting. Best of both worlds. I am loving it.

[itsallabouttheridekeepingi]

Great Vid, as I am short I have got most of my last 8 bikes seats done ✅. Lowered and made more comfortable. The first time I brought a “ low comfort seat “ it was worse than the original. So instead of buying seats that MAY not work and pay a fortune for I done the following:
1. I go to my local upholstery place ( as most upholstery places have done bike seats )
2. Tell them what I require and they take cover off lower or raise seat out better and softer product over the top of other form - it’s all moulded in .
3. I then take for a LONG test ride ( without the cover ) return and make any further changes.
4. Seat is recovered and you have a seat designed just for you .

[teneretraveller]

Cycling gel shorts.
Perfect comfort.
Fits any bike.
Cheap!
Really important topic no one else considers.
Happy travels 👍

[renatofigueiredo]

When your body starts to complain, it's time to stop and rest. Respect this rule and be happy on your motorcycle. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[domp]

I know it's a bit weird, but I found that silk boxer shorts make a massive difference. Less chaffing as you move on the seat, and you feel like Hugh Heffner. Nice.

[darkhorsewebdesign]

Mesh works great, only warning I have is I bought mine from AliExpress and it was super slippery as they had not washed off the release compound. Easy fix wash it first in hot soapy water before using.

[terrymoore]

Great topic Pavlin, over the years tried custom seats from seat concepts, sheepskins and Air Hawks, which cost a small fortune, in 2018 I found the 3D mesh covers, and they are the easiest and most cost effective way to cushion your seat. Currently ride a T7 with the tall rally seat and a full 3D mesh cover.

[rhenus]

Hi Paulin, the modification of the seat with 3d mesh was the only modification for making the seat of my T7 comfortable. Without 3d mesh after 2 hours I was not able to ride anymore. In August I rode from Switzerland to the Provence. On one day I was for 8 hours on the bike. It worked perfectly. Thank you very much🙂

[richardahola]

I have tried modifying the foam of my seat with some improvement. My buddy added a 1" thick new foam and a bigger cover he made that helped a lot. I finally put a steel tractor seat on my old GoldWing and it is very comfortable for long distances. It is horrible in town or traffic jams because it supports my legs and I can't touch the ground without sliding forward a lot. No padding at all. Large surface area.

[FALKOR]

Used 3D mesh for two seasons now and totally agree, the only thing I would add is that you don't need a stapler, it's all done by velcro that runs underneath the seat, easy to take it off for cleaning 👈🏻

[MrEtnorb]

If you have the time you can rebuild your own seat. I’ve now rebuilt seats on a DR650, KTM500, Suzuki Vstrom1000 and a KTM 690. I have a sewing machine so have made new seat covers but it is possible to use a single piece of vinyl and staple it on. The main problem with modern seats is that they all slope towards the tank and are not flat side to side. Perfect example is the T7. And forget about sorting out pillion seats on such bikes.

[TheRideWithRoland]

Well, on some saddles the pain is really getting insane(I own 5 motorcycles) Specifically the tailbone. I do a lot of long journey’s and that’s a problem then.
I put the mesh on my Africa twin, but I don’t feel any difference when it comes to the pain.
What works for me, and you are not gonna like it, is some fake animal skin 😂.
Plus I do have then also a awesome entrance to my tent after the ride. 😃
The whole thing was originally a ornamental rug, cut it into a normal size, and it was around 30 euro?
It really helps me, especially on highways where you don’t move. If it gets wet I don’t mind, gortex suit so yeah.

[charlesstoddard]

Hey Pavlin,
Just got a mesh seat cover as you commented on and can't wait for the results this early spring (Newfoundland).
Will let you know my experience in a few months .
Thanks for all the good advice and no nonsense approach to your video's.
Keep on doing your thing!!!
May your big jib draw
As they say here.
Cheers chuck

[joshuaworth]

The most helpful mc seat video on the internet after looking into comments on a lot of seat reviews i noticed a lot of people say that the 3d mesh was the way to go so im going to make one, thanks!

[pw]

I have the same on my T7. It doesn't make the Tenere a comfortable bike, but it does add about 1 hours riding before I need a break.

[MalcolmoftheNorth]

This is an interesting topic. In my experience I have also found that something that gives you some air between yourself and the seat works wonders. For many years I have had a road bike that I’ve been on very long trips with (8-10 000 km). I used to use a bead mat on it. It felt very… unspectacular. But it was still unspectacular after a week. And not painful. But it’s a bike for good roads, where you don’t stand up. And it had the same problem as you described with the AirHawk; it moved around a bit. Not a big problem if you have to sit all the time. Then I was introduced to the 3D mesh on a long trip in Australian outback. I’ve never looked back. I now own a Téneré 700 too, and one of the first things I did to it was to put on a 3D mesh. I live in a fairly varied climate in Norway, and what I find is that it’s invaluable not only on the (few) hot days, but also in the wet as I don’t sit in a puddle. My bottom actually stays dry when everything else is wet. I think the working principle here is: get some air between you and the seat. It prevents moisture build-up and is actually good for the skin. No more "monkey butt".

[essess]

Hello from Vietnam! I was looking for something to improve my seat and there is so many products out there, I didn’t know what to choose. And your video came out just the right time! Now I know what to get for my bike, thank you so much! 😁

[ChrisLambert-Yngvegodi]

Well I swear by my airhawk but you are right it does move. After my first arse breaking trip on my Tenere I haven't looked back.

[themotomotion]

Mesh fabric on the seat is so good you even forget is there, it is a real game changer.

[africarie]

I refurbished the buddy seat on my XT660 as you did and that was (is) a major improvement in riding comfort both on and off-road. This summer when I was touring on hot days in France I got up on the foot pegs and was riding standing in small towns and villages to 'air' my lower body half. Worked well enough for me. Touring regionally I have no problems when I am in/on the saddle for one and a half hour. I keep this advice in back of my mind for next year on a major trip. I do not want to damage my well done saddle unnecessary.