Motorcycle Seats 101 Guide

When riding a motorcycle, you want to be as comfortable as possible while you navigate the road ahead. It is difficult to concentrate if you are too busy shifting around and trying to alleviate the soreness on your bottom. It can even be dangerous for you and other drivers if you cannot stay safely seated atop your vehicle. If a motorcycle seat can no longer fit you or has evidence of damage, this indicates that you need to acquire a new one.

A motorcycle seat must have a wide surface area to offer better stability and spread your weight out evenly. While you are seated, it will help improve blood flow, decrease vibrations, absorb shock, and prevent numbness. If you pick the right style of motorcycle seat, it will alleviate pressure from your prostate, tailbone, and scrotum.

If you have never replaced your motorcycle seat before or have not done so in a long time, this guide will provide you with information about the equipment, how to purchase it, and instructions for installation. If you are interested in purchasing a motorcycle seat from Viking Bags, this guide will give you a detailed overview of what is in stock.

A motorcycle seat is typically made up of three components: the baseplate, the seat foam, and the seat cover.

• The baseplate serves as the foundation of the motorcycle seat, making up the frame which the other components are fitted into. It is also where the mounting hardware is fixed to connect the motorcycle seat to the vehicle. They can be made of plastic to allow for better flexibility or steel to ensure greater durability. Rubber bumpers are placed on the bottom of the baseplate to prevent the paint from scratching and reduce vibrations. If there are any exposed brackets, they are coated with a finish to prevent being worn down.
• The seat foam or “the comfort layer” must be designed in a shape that contours within the frame of the baseplate. The foam must be soft enough for your bottom to rest comfortably on top yet rigid enough to prevent it from sagging underneath your weight. Motorcycle seats that prioritize comfort tend to be the more expensive products. Harder seat foam tends to be better equipped to contour around and support your bottom than softer seat foam.
• The seat cover is designed to protect the other components from becoming damaged due to weight, friction, moisture, UV rays, chemicals, and extreme temperatures. A seat cover is typically made out of long-lasting and durable materials such as vinyl or leather. Vinyl requires little maintenance and is more durable while leather needs more upkeep but provides better comfort. When constructed, the seams are sewn twice to promote better strength and the stitching is evenly spaced, uniform, and tight.

As a secure motorcycle seat is required for a motorcycle to be considered street legal, there is a motorcycle seat designed for every model, make, and year. Depending on how many passengers you wish to carry, the level of comfort you prefer, and the kind of motorcycle you own, there are many types of motorcycle seats that will suit your needs:

The different types of motorcycle seats can be classified by their basic style or their seat padding:

• Air cushion:

  This motorcycle seat is pumped with air to provide a cushion and is easy to inflate. It is designed to distribute pressure, prevent numbness, and is shock-absorbent

• Foam:

  Either made from high-density memory foam or combined with gel, this popular option for motorcycle seats is shock-absorbent and prevents numbness

• Gel:

  This material contours around the shape of your body which helps increase the comfort provided by your motorcycle seat while evenly distributing pressure and preventing numbness

• Sheepskin:

  This motorcycle seat helps regulate your body temperature so you are comfortably warm or cool depending on the season. The material is also easy to dry, moisture wicking, and has good air circulation

• Beaded:

  Considered a universal motorcycle seat, this version has massaging seat covers and provide good ventilation through the beads to make up for the lack of cushioning

• One-piece seat:

  Considered the standard version of the motorcycle seat, it has a compact yet simple design big enough to fit the operator

• Two-piece seat:

  Having two sections, this motorcycle seat is large enough to seat both the operator and a passenger. There is adequate space towards the back to allow you to store motorcycle luggage

• Extended solo:

  Similar to the one-piece seat as it is meant to fit the operator, it has a tail that reaches all the way to the fender. There is enough padding to provide an impromptu seat for a passenger.

• Sprung saddle:

  This model elevates the operator above the frame thanks to the springs that are positioned between the baseplate and the frame to help with shock-absorption.

Though a motorcycle seat may be adequate to provide the necessary comfort and seating for an additional person, it does not hurt to have your motorcycle equipped with additional features. The best motorcycle seat accessories to choose from include the motorcycle driver backrest and the motorcycle passenger backrest.`

• The motorcycle driver backrest provides support for your back so you do not have to keep adjusting your lumbar support while riding. The motorcycle driver backrest can either be attached to the frame of your motorcycle or have a tongue inserted into a receiver fixed on your motorcycle.


• The motorcycle passenger backrest promotes better safety and comfort for a passenger as it can be used in unison with a sissy bar. Much like the driver backrest, this accessory is meant to provide support for the passenger’s lower back.

Whether standard or custom-made, there are motorcycle seats that stand out from the others in the market. The unique examples have specific features that either increase their functionality or improve the riding experience.

The R-REVB Cruiser R Motorcycle Seat Cushion is composed of an air pad made out of polyurethane which is protected by a seat cover made of a breathable space mesh cloth. Despite its flattened appearance, the extra cushioning helps to reduce pressure on your bottom by moving with the motorcycle’s suspension system.

The Gear Comfort Ride is created from soft-molded foam with multiple built-in pockets to help provide extra cushioning but also support the weight of the operator. Despite the material, it is capable of hiding any existing damage and preventing any tears from growing. Thanks to the three quick-release buckles, it is easy to install and remove from your motorcycle as necessary.

The Classic Air Sport Seat Pad is constructed out of medical grade neoprene rubber which helps to promote blood circulation, reduce strain on pressure points, help with shock absorption, reduce vibrations, and improve moisture wicking. When this product has been inflated, this allows a steady flow of air throughout the padding.

The Iron Born Vertical Stitch Motorcycle Solo Seat is built with a steel/fiberglass frame and is covered with Viking leather/foam materials. Given a sleek yet comfortable design, the padding has high quality shape retaining foam plus can be stitched both horizontally and vertically. The style of stitching helps to complement the swing arm and tools bags.

While it may seem like a simple task just to pick out the motorcycle seat that you need, the number of options available may make you question which is truly the right equipment for the specific model you own. To spare you from wasting time agonizing over which motorcycle seat to purchase, here is a list of tips to help you narrow down the criteria you are looking for in a motorcycle seat:

• The higher the price of the motorcycle seat, the better its longevity, construction, and functionality will be
• A motorcycle seat with a large width will guarantee comfort for your bottom while less width will help improve your vehicle’s performance
• The material of the cushion must be moisture wicking and have good ventilation to prevent accumulation of sweat
• If you wish to give your motorcycle a stylish look, it is recommended you get a leather motorcycle seat as they are easily customizable
• To help ease along the installation process, you should make sure that the motorcycle seat can be attached via buttons, Velcro straps, elastic straps, or loops
• Depending on the types of motorcycle seat you choose, it may be able to help with your posture and prevent pain due to sitting in an uncomfortable position

After you have finished purchasing your motorcycle seat, the installation instructions should be on the back of the equipment or you will be given a complementary instruction guide. The instructions are easy-to-followed so that the process of mounting your new equipment is quick and simple. Here are the step-by-step directions for how to install your motorcycle seat:

1. Insert the motorcycle seat from the top and push the front tab underneath the slot in the frame until it catches on
2. Make sure that the rear hole in the motorcycle seat lines up with the hole in the fender. After lining up the holes, insert the fastener and turn until it is tightened
3. Check that the motorcycle seat is not loose and has been properly secured

If you need to remove or replace your current motorcycle seat, here are the step-by-step directions for how to do so:

1. Unscrew the rear fastener that is keeping the motorcycle seat connected to your vehicle. Put the fastener to the side until you are ready to install the new motorcycle seat
2. Carefully lift up the motorcycle seat from the rear and pull backwards so that the equipment will disengage from the tab towards the front