Bead seat cover

[manowarwi]

In reading through some old postings here I saw a few people mention using bead seat covers as an economical way to improve seat comfort.  I have been thinking about getting a new seat, but like most procrastinators, I kept on putting it off and then last Saturday I realized I was about to go on a 1000 mile trip the next morning and hadn't done anything to address this need.  I ran to Walmart and picked up a cheap bead seat cover and very carefully as to not destroy the entire part cut it down to a manageable size: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14673953&findingMethod=rr

At first I was skeptical of this mod, but I figured for $8 it was worth the chance and I figured I could always take it off if it was unbearable.  It turns out I was very impressed with the improvement the cover made!  While obviously very firm, my weight was distributed much better with no pressure points.  After 400+ miles in a day, my whole butt would be slightly sore but nothing that made me want to get off the bike.  The airflow was also very impressive.  It was 90+ degrees all weekend (deadly hot for us northerners) yet my "boys" never felt sweaty or uncomfortable.     I was also able to move around very freely on the beats so my jeans never bunched up like they normally do on long trips causing other discomfort/numbness.  My friend who rides a goldwing swapped rides with me for about 40 miles and even he commented on how nice the beads were for airflow. 

Is this a replacement for a true custom seat?  Not at all, but its definitely helps a lot.  I still plan on getting my seat modified or purchasing a day long, but even then I think I'll hold onto the beads.  The pic below is grainy but you can see how much of the original cover I kept.  I just reused the ties the cover came with and tied them under the seat and it didn't move at all. 

[VirginiaJim]

I've tried them and they don't work for me.  Glad it works for you.

[danl]

I made a beaded seat cover that exact same way. It worked great on my Vulcan cruiser. Not so well on the Connie- I slide around too much on it. I also don't think I get the same airflow especially with the riding pants I have. I've been using an Airhawk that I also had for the Vulcan, that seems to work better, and it lets me move up towards the tank and sit on the thin part of the seat in more comfort when I want to change positions.

[So Cal Joe]

I've tried them and they don't work for me.  Glad it works for you.

+ 1

[Elfmaze]

i bought one.  never got to cutting it down...    How did you cut it?  does the whole thing unravel when you cut the fishing line?

[manowarwi]

i bought one.  never got to cutting it down...    How did you cut it?  does the whole thing unravel when you cut the fishing line?

It appears that every few rows has its own line, so I started pretty far up and snipped a few lines with scissors to get a feel for how much came loose.  Pretty much once you make a cut, you'll be able to undo an entire row or two of beads.  Don't go crazy and cut straight across, just one or two snips and then work the row of beads out. 

There is also the thick line that runs around the perimeter and I recommend leaving that as long as possible so you can loop it through the back row and tie it off in the middle.  That outer thick line is what you tie off to, so you really want to preserve that if possible. 

[mvjr1904]

Used one in my cage, worked great. On a stock seat, won't this cause you to slide forward more easily while braking?

[rcannon409]

I'm sorry I tried one on the c14.  It works amazingly well, but I'm afraid someone will see me using it.  I feel like the the elderly person running Indian blanket covers in their Caddy when using it.

[danl]

I used a hot glue gun to secure the snipped lines to the last row of beads. Has never broken on me, I've had the thing for 3 years now.

[manowarwi]

Used one in my cage, worked great. On a stock seat, won't this cause you to slide forward more easily while braking?

I didn't notice it any more than normal (which was already an issue for me).  What I did notice was it was easier to move back without my pants getting bunched up. 

Like some of the others said here, it either works (except for the goofy look of course) or it doesn't.  It was well worth the $8 gamble IMHO. 

[W14]

Used one in a car years ago, it did not work for me.

[fmwhit]

I use the BeadRider, paid abt $40.00, looks good and provides good air flow in the warmer months.  In the winter I switch over to my air hawk.

Fred