How to Make Your Motorcycle Seat More Comfortable

According to the U.S. Census, about 1.5 million homes own a motorcycle. 

If you’re one of the millions of people who own a motorcycle, you might have noticed that your motorcycle seat isn’t as comfortable as it used to be.

However, that doesn’t mean that you have to toss it out and get an entirely new bike. There are plenty of things you can do to make sure that your ride is still just as comfortable! 

Get a Seat Pad

One of the most popular ways you could fix it is to get a seat pad.

There are plenty of different types for you to choose from as well!

Air Cell Cushion

An air cell cushion might be the most expensive one that you could buy, but they are very durable and will last you a long time. These pads were inspired by the pads they use to make sure people don’t get bedsores in hospitals, so you can rest assured that they’ll be comfortable. 

You can also customize how many air cells you want in this cushion. There should be a small valve on the side that lets you decide how high you want to sit and how firm you want the seat. 

These pads grip the seat without straps. It will use the friction itself to grip the actual seat. Because of this, make sure that it doesn’t blow away while you’re not sitting on it. 

Gel Pad

Another popular type of motorcycle pad you could get is a gel pad. 

Unlike the air cell pads, these are filled with gel which will help to distribute your weight a little more evenly across the seat. 

They’re normally thick, heavy, and made of fabric. However, it will offer you more comfort than the hard motorcycle seats. 

While they are more comfortable in general, they may not offer as much breathability as the air cell pad. When you turn your motorcycle, you might also slide a little bit on the seat. This motion might take a little bit more getting used to than the air cell pad. 

Buy Padded Shorts

Instead of buying any padded seat cover, you could buy padded shorts instead. These shorts will come in with built-in padding to keep your buttocks from getting too sore. 

These are popular with cyclists, but now motorcycle riders are catching onto the trend. Another added benefit to buying them is that they’re normally pretty cheap as well. 

One downside to going with this option is that the fabric can be really tight, which can become uncomfortable if you’re using it for a long period of time. The elastic that hugs your thighs might also start to be irritating over a longer period of time. 

But since they’re so cheap, it won’t cost you much to just try them out to see if they’re for you.

Take Breaks

One easy way to ease the pain is to just take breaks every now and then. 

Whenever you come to a stopping position, just stand up for a little bit. If your motorcycle has back pegs, you could stand up on the back of those while you’re riding. 

If you don’t feel comfortable standing up, you can try switching up your positions throughout the ride. You can sit forward, left, right, or back to help distribute some of the pressure. 

Another way to ease some of the pain is to make sure that you’re hydrated enough before a long ride. When you’re properly hydrated, you won’t be as prone to cramping or having issues with achy muscles. 

If you’re feeling too sore to even get back on the bike, try taking some pain killers to help ease the pain. Or, if it really is too bad, mix it up and take a car or other vehicle that day. 

Invest in Some Butt Powder

Your butt can end up getting chafed, irritated, or even red if you’re going to be moving around a lot on an uncomfortable motorcycle seat. 

To prevent this chafing, you can help to remove the sweat you make. There are several powders out there that are designed to absorb all that moisture and reduce the friction rubbing against your skin. 

Try and find one that uses talcum powder and calamine. To use it, just apply it as needed before you head out on your ride. This should leave you dry and even more comfortable all day. 

Replace the Seat

If nothing else works, you might want to just look into replacing the seat altogether. 

This is the most expensive option and should only be used as a last resort. However, some people just don’t like the way a seat pad looks or don’t want to take the time to apply chafing powder. 

If this is the case, you might be able to find an aftermarket seat. This will help your motorcycle become ready to ride when you are, and it will still keep the aesthetic look of your motorcycle. 

These seats aren’t too difficult to install either. You should be able to just pop off the old one and slide the new one right in.