Gel Seat Inset
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Depends on what you're after. It pays to know exactly what you want.
I'd suggest go DIY. The original cover is only stapled on underneath, it's not hard to remove those staples and slip something over the foam. You should be able to get everything you need from an upholsterer (scrap table) for under $20. A small light duty staple gun is all you need to staple everything back on.
If you merely want to achieve allover softer bum-pamper effect - inserting a thin (5-10 mm thick) medium density foam layer already creates a noticeable effect without distortion.
If you're after changing the seating position, eg slight rise the back of the bum = slightly increased lean-forward body / shortening distance to handlebars, inserting a pre-moulded 3D-gel-silicone bicycle monkey-butt-saddle-pad can achieve that easily .... including a centre groove to air the crown-jewels.
GEL Silicone Bike Bicycle Cycling Soft Comfort Saddle Seats Pad Cushion Cover US | eBay
Bike Bicycle Cycle Seat Saddle Black Soft Cushion Extra Comfort Gel Pad Cover US | eBay
I'd suggest go DIY. The original cover is only stapled on underneath, it's not hard to remove those staples and slip something over the foam. You should be able to get everything you need from an upholsterer (scrap table) for under $20. A small light duty staple gun is all you need to staple everything back on.
If you merely want to achieve allover softer bum-pamper effect - inserting a thin (5-10 mm thick) medium density foam layer already creates a noticeable effect without distortion.
If you're after changing the seating position, eg slight rise the back of the bum = slightly increased lean-forward body / shortening distance to handlebars, inserting a pre-moulded 3D-gel-silicone bicycle monkey-butt-saddle-pad can achieve that easily .... including a centre groove to air the crown-jewels.
GEL Silicone Bike Bicycle Cycling Soft Comfort Saddle Seats Pad Cushion Cover US | eBay
Bike Bicycle Cycle Seat Saddle Black Soft Cushion Extra Comfort Gel Pad Cover US | eBay
Perhaps this video is what you are looking for.
Gel inserts:
https://www.luimoto.com/?p=538
looks like some work needed but I have not tried it.
Gel inserts:
https://www.luimoto.com/?p=538
looks like some work needed but I have not tried it.
Not bad options,alot cheaper than the motorcycle specific ones they sell. Mostly just looking to increase comfort.
looks like a good option. My plan was to just buy something and then bring to an upholster, might attempt myself now. Thanks.
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I went through the same thing and decided to go to my local custom motorcycle shop and have them add a gel insert to the stock seat. They turned it around in a day and could not be happier with the comfort. It made a huge difference.
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Instead of a gel seat insert you might try padded bicycle shorts. :nerd:
I used padded mountain bike shorts when riding my S1000R, worked great, then I bought a Sargent seat worked even better.:smile:
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Thanks!
I didn't have too much of an issue with the original seat but the prospect of a bit more comfort was enticing, plus I wanted to do another mod on the bike and kill a weekend morning.
So I went the Luimoto route. Read the directions, watched the video and bought the recommended stuff (including an Arrow Fastener PT50 pneumatic staple gun ($28 US) and 1/4 inch (6 mm) stainless staples). There's no need to an additional tutorial set of pictures cuz' the Luimoto video covers it all nicely. Taking the seat apart, cutting out the hole (which does take a bit of time), installing the pad and putting the cover back on are really easy. My suggested additions to the directions are (1) I definitely suggest using the air stapler over a manual one. My manual stapler didn't sink the staple far enough into the seat pan; (2) mark where the seat cover meets the seat pan on the under part of the seat with a silver Sharpie marker. This makes it easier to realign the seat cover when putting it back on; and (3) cut the seat hole a 1/4 to an 1/8 inch less than the marked lines. This way you can then exact fit the gel pad to the hole by cutting out a bit more of the seat foam. As far as a skill level needed to tackle this project, I'd say that someone with Sponge Bob skills can easily complete the task. The revised seat looks no different after the installation than it did before.
My first ride (50 miles / 30 km) on the revised seat was nice. I didn't seem to sink into the padding as much. This was a bit strange at first but I quickly adjusted. I was really comfy by the end of the ride and had forgotten about the gel pad addition. I'll post an update after going on a much longer ride, but so far I like it.
Note: I have no connection with Luimoto.
So I went the Luimoto route. Read the directions, watched the video and bought the recommended stuff (including an Arrow Fastener PT50 pneumatic staple gun ($28 US) and 1/4 inch (6 mm) stainless staples). There's no need to an additional tutorial set of pictures cuz' the Luimoto video covers it all nicely. Taking the seat apart, cutting out the hole (which does take a bit of time), installing the pad and putting the cover back on are really easy. My suggested additions to the directions are (1) I definitely suggest using the air stapler over a manual one. My manual stapler didn't sink the staple far enough into the seat pan; (2) mark where the seat cover meets the seat pan on the under part of the seat with a silver Sharpie marker. This makes it easier to realign the seat cover when putting it back on; and (3) cut the seat hole a 1/4 to an 1/8 inch less than the marked lines. This way you can then exact fit the gel pad to the hole by cutting out a bit more of the seat foam. As far as a skill level needed to tackle this project, I'd say that someone with Sponge Bob skills can easily complete the task. The revised seat looks no different after the installation than it did before.
My first ride (50 miles / 30 km) on the revised seat was nice. I didn't seem to sink into the padding as much. This was a bit strange at first but I quickly adjusted. I was really comfy by the end of the ride and had forgotten about the gel pad addition. I'll post an update after going on a much longer ride, but so far I like it.
Note: I have no connection with Luimoto.
Nicely done! Seat looks great!Installed Gel Insert under my new leather seat cover:
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As it is raining whole day, did not ride it yet...
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76 Posts
Looks like the install would be pretty similar. The sargent diy heated seat only draws 2 amps too.
Sargent Cycles Introduces "Do It Yourself" Heated Motorcycle Seat Upgrade Kit | Cycle World
Just an update on my Luimoto gel pad upgrade. I've done a few more 30-40 mile rides in 50 F weather with the revised seat. I find that it takes about 20-30 minutes for the seat to warm (i.e., uptake on some body heat). Up till then I find that the seat is a bit stiff and I slide around a bit. But once the seat warms up I settle into a nice comfy position and forget about the seat. I expect the warm up time to decrease once summer hits here and the temperature increase above 70 F. All in all, I'm really happy with the addition.
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