While all motorcycles come with a seat as standard equipment, it’s not uncommon for a rider to change their seat almost immediately. I’m sure he’s thinking to himself that it may seem strange, but it really isn’t. There are several types of seats, and depending on your application, you may choose to swap your seat from its original stock version. If you make the decision to change your seat, you will need to consider a few things. First you need to decide what your main application will be. Are you going to travel long distances or are you going for a walk in the city? What kind of material do you prefer in a seat? Let’s talk about some of your options and how they might benefit you as you explore options for upgrading your original motorcycle seat.

Internal Material – Once you decide on your primary application, you can determine which material will best suit your needs. You can choose between foam or gel. If you’ve decided that you’ll be riding mostly in your small circle, running across town, to and from work or school, then the foam seat will probably suffice for you. The foam seat will provide plenty of comfort for occasional or even daily short trips. On the other hand, if you have decided that your application will require traveling longer distances and sitting for longer periods, then you might consider gel seating. The gel seat will conform to your body and provide the support you need to ride comfortably for longer periods. The support, along with the soft feel, will benefit you for touring applications.

External Covering – When deciding on the external material to choose for your seat, you will once again need to address your request. Will this seat be exposed to sunlight for long periods of time? Will you be riding in the rain or sitting in the saddle for long rides? You can choose between leather or vinyl. If you’re riding your motorcycle in the short closed-course setting again, a vinyl cover will probably suffice. If you’re parking your motorcycle in a garage and it won’t be as exposed to the elements, vinyl might be all you need. However, if you’ll be traveling for longer periods and are exposed to the elements, leather might be the best option for you. The leather cover will breathe, better withstand exposure to sunlight, and by treating your leather seat, you will extend its life well beyond the life of a vinyl seat.

The bottom line is when choosing your next motorcycle seat, take a few minutes to fully understand how you plan to ride your motorcycle. By doing so, you will ensure that you will be able to achieve your goals as you upgrade from your original motorcycle seat.