Flying By The Seat Of Your Pants: A Look At Motorcycle Saddles Hot

Living with the wrong motorcycle seat can be a real pain in the…you-know-what.  There is a substantial industry based around fixing the evils of poorly designed stock seats.  So why is this aftermarket necessary?  Let’s take a look.

The problem is, many stock motorcycle seats are just not very good.  This is true for two basic reasons.  First, to a large extent, motorcycles are sold based on appearance.  Often, a seat that is designed to follow the lines and shape of a bike is less than ergonomically friendly.  These seats can also be slanted toward the tank in a way that constantly slides the rider uncomfortably forward.  It is a matter of form over function. 

There is a second reason that is also dictated by showroom sales.  A seat constructed of overly compliant foam will feel incredibly comfortable for the few minutes a potential buyer sits on it on the showroom floor.  However, soft foam is not your butt’s buddy on long rides.  Manufactures know that seats designed for long ride comfort can feel unforgiving initially.  Motorcycle manufacturers understand the importance of first impressions.

Even a well designed seat can be a pain of it does not work well with your posterior.  A walk down a busy city street will deliver proof positive that rear-ends come in all shapes and sizes.  To expect a motorcycle seat to fit all of them is more than a little unrealistic.  A seat that works well for one rider may be completely uncomfortable for another.

So you have a dilemma here.  What do you do if you have a seat that leaves you with monkey butt after a big ride?  Well, you have several options. 

First, you can contact one of the companies that take your own seat and dissect and re-work it to your specifications.  They will sculpt new seat foam to a shape that will please your posterior.  They will then sew up a cover to fit the new creation.  The upside to this strategy is that you have ultimate control over what is being formed.  That may be a downside as well it you don’t make good choices.  The other problem is that you are left with only one seat, since you sacrificed your stocker.  You are locked into your decision.  Lastly you may have to live without your seat during the process.

Another choice is buying an aftermarket seat from a company that sells custom seats on their own seat pans.  These companies typically still give you options as to seat foam, shape and covering.  One company that fits into this category is Corbin.  I am a fan of Corbin seats, and have used them on many of my motorcycles.  They are wide, flat and firm, and add miles of comfort to my riding day.  I will warn you that they are not for everyone, and they take some break-in.   Also, this is typically a more expensive option since the seat pan is an expensive component.  The upside is you have the new seat and your original.

Many aftermarket seat companies will allow you to customize the appearance of your bike with aesthetic touches like color options and even custom artwork.  Also, you are likely to have cover material options ranging from vinyl, to a breathable weave, to leather.  Many will also give you options for accessories like removable backrests.

In the end (pun intended), stock seats are a compromise that many riders simply can’t live with.  Thankfully, you have some choices in the aftermarket.  If you want to be an iron butt rather than a monkey butt, your seat is the logical place to start.

Here are a few of the big names in aftermarket seats:  Corbin (http://www.corbin.com/); Sargent (http://www.sargentcycle.com/); Cee Bailey's (http://www.ceebaileys.com/seats/); Mustang (http://www.mustangseats.com/); Day-Long (http://www.day-long.com/); Saddlemen (http://www.saddlemen.com/); Ultimate Seats (http://www.ultimateseats.ca/)