My father used to call me “the Most Comfort-Oriented Person on Earth.” After many years of intensive therapy, I’ve embraced that title, and I take it as a compliment. Here’s one way that my comfort orientation manifests itself: I find ways to make sure that I can avoid unnecessary discomfort while I ride my motorcycle.
The largest point of contact between you and your bike is the seat, so seats are frequently customized accessories. Every human bottom is unique. Some are wider, some are narrower; some bony, some well-padded. Manufacturers try to appeal to the average rider, factoring in weight, height, riding style and other variables. They also need to consider style, durability and affordability when they design seats. Sometimes comfort gets moved down the scale in the process, and it’s left to the rider to make the bike work.
Comfort is really a function of ergonomics – the machine/human interface. Like everything else on a motorcycle, seat comfort is related to a lot of other metrics. You have to consider seat height, seat-to-handgrip and seat-to-footpeg distance – the “Golden Triangle” of motorcycle comfort. The cushiest seat won’t deliver comfort if it doesn’t relate well to the whole.
Additionally, you need to consider how you use your bike. Long-distance riders have much different requirements than bar-hoppers. Freeway commuters and canyon carvers use their seats differently. A show bike that is stored indoors can look good with a high-end leather or exotic seat material, while an everyday rider that lives outdoors might do better with a durable synthetic.
There are three basic approaches to getting a custom seat for your bike.
- The easiest way is to upgrade your seat with one from your manufacturer’s catalog. The big advantage here is that you may be able to include the seat in your original purchase, and you may be able to get credit for the stock seat in trade. The dealer can take care of installation. The seat will probably be included on the new vehicle warranty. The seat should match your bike precisely, and will be designed to blend with the styling of the rest of the bike.
- Next up is buying a custom seat from a seat manufacturer other than your bike’s maker. Seat replacement is such a common thing on motorcycles that there are dozens of companies making their own versions. The big players in the H-D world are Corbin and Mustang Both companies have been making their own versions of motorcycle seats for decades, and offer a wide range of styles, materials, fillings and custom features. They have the patterns and measurements for most production bikes and can send you a high quality seat that will fit your specific ride.
- The third (and most involved) option is to create a custom seat to your personal specifications. If you’re handy, you can do this yourself, either from scratch or using your stock seat as a base. If you’re like me, and want to be involved in the process but not to the point of doing the work yourself, you can work with a local artisan to design and build a new seat or to recover, refill and reshape your existing seat. This might be the most time-consuming and expensive option, but you will wind up with a seat that is completely unique and tailored to your bike and body.
Whichever way you choose to go, here are some things to consider when you customize your seat for comfort:
- Seat fill matters: There are multiple densities of foam and other seat fillers, each engineered for a different purpose. Get expert advice based on your weight, build and riding style. Consider multiple layers of fill, similar to the science of mattress construction, and target zones on the seat for specific fill properties.
- Cover your seat: The right kind of seat cover can greatly affect comfort. Leather is traditional and breaks in nicely over time. It can be smooth or textured, slippery or grippy. If you’re a sport-touring rider and move from side-to-side in transitions, you might want a seat that’s slippery in the middle and grippy on the sides. Touring cruiser riders spend most of their time in the middle of the seat, and may benefit from a breathable cover in the middle.
- Protect your pillion: Many bikes come from the factory with a terrible passenger seat. If you’re going to carry a passenger, you can increase your riding distances if your co-rider is comfortable. Upgrade the pillion, and you’ll have an easier time convincing your partner to go for a ride.
As “the Most Comfort-Oriented Person on Earth,” I’m happy to share these basics with you. Now go forth and create your own custom seating solution, and ride without discomfort.
