Why Motorcycle Seats Are So Important

There is nothing more enjoyable than riding your own motorcycle. While motorcycle prices increased in 2022, people are still buying new bikes or customizing used ones to their liking. You might ask, what is the most important thing to customize on a bike? The answer is the motorcycle seat. Approximately 70% of bikers in the country complain about back, waist, and hip pain after riding for long periods. The main reason behind this is either a poor motorcycle seat or excessive seat height, leading to unwanted pressure on the spine, coccyx, and hip joints. No matter how expensive or good a brand of bike you ride, if the height and design of its seat do not match your body's structure and shape, that bike's ride will never provide you with complete comfort. Don't worry; 'Bikes Guide' is at your fingertips to help you understand any ride-related issues and find solutions for everything. Our Bikes Guide report today contains all the necessary tips for choosing the best motorcycle seat and detailed information on how bike seat height affects your ride.

How to Identify a Suitable Motorcycle Seat

When modifying your bike, when choosing a seat cushion and modifying the bike seat, you should definitely try to keep the following points in mind.

Selecting a Motorcycle Seat According to Bike Type

The shape and structure of a motorcycle seat largely depend on the type of bike you have. This is because when designing a seat cushion, factors such as whether the bike's seat height is correct, the seat's structure, and the sitting position all need to be calculated. Otherwise, you will never be comfortable sitting on that seat. For example, if your bike is a sport touring, dual-sport, or even a small cruiser bike, your motorcycle seat will be narrower and smaller than most models. Therefore, you must choose your seat cushion to match the dimensions of that bike seat. At the same time, the cushion must have sufficient thick padding and protection. Only then will the motorcycle seat and cushion absorb most of the shocks while you ride. And even if it can't absorb all of it, the impact will be evenly distributed across all the seat's padding, saving your body from significant harm. Pay Attention to the Material of the Motorcycle Seat The material from which a seat is made plays a crucial role in finding the right one for you. You should only allocate your valuable time to motorcycle seat cushions that offer various material options to choose from. Neoprene rubber cushions can provide a comfortable and protective shape for your motorcycle seat. This material can easily adjust its shape according to your body measurements and the seat's contour. Moreover, it offers sufficient protection in the right places. Additionally, neoprene is waterproof, so your cushion won't be damaged, and it absorbs most bumps or shocks from rocky roads. Furthermore, for those who want a somewhat firm yet lightweight seat cushion, a cushion made from a combination of polyurethane and gel will be the best. In short, before buying a cushion, you need to thoroughly understand its material and quality. Customize Your Motorcycle Seat to Match Your Physique Many riders in our country believe that as long as the motorcycle seat cushion is good and thick, they are safe from pain. But the truth is, a correct seat cushion cannot be understood solely by the amount of padding. Instead, it is essential for a motorcycle seat to have its own structural design and the ability to distribute pressure evenly. There are some companies or mechanics who can install seat cushion padding according to the rider's body size. Choose a motorcycle seat that has several different pockets for adding padding cushions. If the seat is not made to match your body measurements, you might later experience severe pain in your back, waist, and hip joints, or even serious damage to your spine. Does the Bike's Seat Height Suit You? Many people don't pay much attention to this aspect when choosing a motorcycle seat, and many don't even know much about it. But ask an experienced biker; they will tell you that even a one-inch difference in seat height can cause various problems during the ride. When buying a bike, we usually choose it based on its design, mileage, features, performance, and seating position. However, if the bike's seat height is off, riding your beloved motorcycle in an uncomfortable position will spoil all the enjoyment. That's why it's crucial to thoroughly check the bike's seat height while sitting on the motorcycle before purchasing. Generally, you should ensure that the seat height allows your feet to easily touch the ground when you sit on the bike. Typically, the seat height can be a maximum of 0.25 inches higher than the rider's foot, never more.

Problems with Bike Seat Height and Tips Related to Motorcycle Seat Height

Motorcycle seat height must be planned very carefully depending on usage. The importance of bike seat height in this context is immense. In our Bikes Guide today, we have provided some brief insights into the importance of seat height. Below, we will learn some essential tips for choosing the right seat, which should be followed when selecting a seat.

What is Motorcycle Seat Height?

Motorcycle seat height is typically measured in inches. However, riders must remember that even a slight difference of a few millimeters in this height can create problems during your ride. Seat height is measured from the ground to the lowest part of the motorcycle's seat when it is standing upright. However, the bike's seat height can change slightly depending on the rider's total weight, including a pillion, and the suspension settings while riding.

How to Adjust if the Bike Seat Height is Too High?

Bikes Guide understands the difficulties faced by motorcyclists who are a bit shorter and struggle to place their feet on the ground when riding their preferred motorcycle. Since we are discussing seat height and its impact on riding, today in Bikes Guide, we want to share some useful tips to make the ride a bit more comfortable for our fellow riders who are at a disadvantage:

• A rider's shoes are quite important for a safe ride. Those who have trouble placing their feet on the ground while sitting on the bike can make the ride more comfortable by wearing boots with slightly higher soles.
• If you need to stop while riding a motorcycle, leaning slightly towards the side where you put your foot down will make it easier to safely brake with your foot on the ground.
• A regular rider knows that when stopping for a short time while riding a bike (e.g., during a traffic jam), you can only place one foot on the ground. In this case, try to stand with your foot on any elevated spot on the footpath or uneven road.

Conclusion

Motorcycle seat height actually depends on many factors. At the end of the day, the biggest thing is how safe and comfortable you feel while riding your bike. No matter what the bike's seat height is, the weight of the bike also has a big impact on your comfort and seating position while riding. When riding lightweight bikes, simply touching the ground with one foot is enough, but to balance an overly heavy bike, you need to use both feet with body strength. So, don't forget to take a test run when modifying or buying a bike. Bikes Guide hopes that seat height will not become an obstacle on your path to comfort and happiness. Happy Riding!