Motorcycle saddle cushion: how to improve driving comfort?
It is very pleasant to ride a motorcycle, but it can also be tiring, especially if the seating comfort is not at its optimal level. Indeed, comfort counts a lot when driving a two-wheeled vehicle. Is your motorcycle saddle right for you? If not, here's how to fix it.
Choosing between foam and gel to pad your motorcycle saddle
Most motorcyclists are forced to endure the hardness of their motorcycle's saddle during their ride. The problem is that few of them seek to improve comfort. They place a little too much importance on the performance of the vehicle than on their comfort. From now on, this will no longer be the case, because with these little tips. You will be able to align the terminals without having to take a break.
First, you have the choice between two types of padding: gel or foam. For information, gel is much more comfortable compared to foam . Especially since it is the most commonly used. Aside from comfort, gel adds style to your motorcycle, especially on luxury motorcycles rather than small, inexpensive motorcycles.
Foam also has its place in terms of comfort . You can indeed find the comfort that your riding lacks with a foam saddle. In terms of value for money, it is perfect. However, these two types of coatings have their particularities. The gel is more suitable for long distance runs. As for the foam, it lasts in the long term . It manages to maintain its elasticity over time, hence its slightly higher price.
The materials needed to replace the saddle of your motorcycle
To provide more comfort to your motorcycle seat, you will need the following materials:
- A powerful stapler,
- A leatherette coupon,
- Padding: gel or foam.
Leatherette is no longer as easily found as it once was. She began to disappear in time. However, it was well suited to covering the saddle of a motorcycle . The advantage is that currently you can choose your color.
As for the stapler, you have two choices to obtain it: either by borrowing or by buying. With €15, you can take some home and redo your motorcycle seat yourself. Just avoid staples that are too long : 6 mm is perfect, 8 mm not at all.
The advantage of today's generation is that they do not need to call a professional to replace a motorcycle saddle. All they have to do is go online and find a good tutorial . With the right tools and a guide, you will have no trouble replacing your motorcycle seat. This is the key to improving driving comfort.
The different steps to replace the saddle of your motorcycle
Generally, the original cover of a motorcycle saddle is fixed by staples with a layer of glue to have a good seal. It's going to be a little difficult to remove it. Either way, it's a step worth taking. To do this, you will use a flathead screwdriver to remove the staples . Then use pliers to remove them. Sometimes rusty staples break easily. When you remove the cover, the old adhesives will easily peel off.
The second step is to assess the condition of the upholstery . Is it ready for a new cover or should it be replaced? You can judge for yourself. You can dig out the driver's seat or add a foam board to make it more comfortable. Opt for dense foam or gel if you want to obtain good driving comfort .
Then, use the old cover as a template for the new cover . It will be a little torn, but it is enough to serve as a cutting line on a new leatherette. However, add a few more centimeters to be able to exert traction when shaping the cover.
When you start attaching the cover to the saddle, get help and always start by stapling the middle . Go forward little by little while maintaining sufficient tension. At the rounded shapes, do the same by making folds and stapling them inwards. If the leatherette is too tight, use a hair dryer to soften it or a heat gun .