Tag Archives: motorcycle seat

Motorcycle News, News

Indian develops ClimaCommand seat

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Indian Motorcycle is looking after your backside with its patent-pending ClimaCommand thermoelectric technology that both heats and cools the seat.

Indian says the seat costs $A1995 ($US1199.99) and is available for their 2014-2019 Thunderstroke-powered models and 2020 models without Ride Command.

Many luxury cars have heated and cooled seats and there are motorcycles with heated seats, but none has yet introduced a cool seat to their production bikes.

Honda has also applied for a patent for a seat that blows cool air on to the rider’s derriere, but it has not yet added it to their fleet.

The Indian seat is a lot more elaborate with a surface that is actually cold to the touch, rather than just pumping cool air through perforations in the surface.

That would be great when you hop on your bike after it’s been sitting in the sun while you’ve been sipping your latte.

And it would look much nicer than an ugly lambs wool cover.

The ClimaCommand Classic Seat has temperature controls on the side and has three key elements:

ClimaCommand hot cold seatTemperature controls

  • A proprietary thermoelectric module that pumps heat away from the rider
  • A patent-pending ducting system for cooling the thermoelectric module
  • Graphene, a highly conductive and flexible material that optimizes the distribution of heating or cooling while maintaining superior comfort

Indian Motorcycle spokesman Ross Clifford says the thermoelectric technology paired with graphene material is “truly a game-changer”.

How it worksIndian Motorcycle develops hot/cold seat

Here is the official statement from Indian which explains how it works:

To accomplish conduction heating and cooling, a thermoelectric module located within the seat directly regulates the temperature. Electricity is applied by a thermoelectric module to the graphene material, causing one side of the material to absorb heat and the opposing side to dissipate heat. By reversing electrical flow, the hot and cold temperatures alternate sides. A graphene material, which is a nanomaterial created from 100% carbon atoms, is then used to ensure the heating and cooling is dispersed throughout the entire seat.

The well-cushioned ClimaCommand Classic Seat delivers unprecedented comfort with Thunderstroke models. Independent rider and passenger controls (low, medium, high) allow the rider and passenger to remain in command of their heating and cooling levels. With no perforations, the seat’s vinyl cover is highly-durable and water and UV-resistant. Passengers can add more comfort with Armrest Pads and a Trunk Backrest Pad, both designed and developed to seamlessly pair with the new ClimaCommand Classic Seat.ClimaCommand hot cold seat

It’s important to note that the ClimaCommand Classic Seat is not Ride Command-integrated. However, Ride Command-integrated versions of the ClimaCommand Seat will be available for the 2020 Chieftain and Roadmaster later this year.

The ClimaCommand Classic Seat is now shipping to dealers and available at IndianMotorcycle.com.

In addition to the all-new ClimaCommand Classic Seat, Indian Motorcycle is introducing an array of new parts and accessories for Scout and FTR 1200 models. New Semi-Rigid Scout Saddlebags allow Scout riders to pack for the long haul, while FTR 1200 riders can select from high or low mount carbon-fiber Akrapovič exhaust options, several new airbox tank cover options, new billet aluminum Rizoma mirrors, and a carbon fiber nacelle to enhance the high-performance design of the FTR 1200.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Sargent seat improves Ducati comfort

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Since your backside is on the seat most of the time, it is the most important ingredient in rider comfort, so I chose a Sargent Seat to improve the comfort on my Ducati Scrambler Icon.

The standard seat is an ugly, flat and uncomfortable piece of plastic with a tacky white “Ducati” on the tail. It looks cheap and nasty and spoils the look and comfort of an otherwise great bike.

Replacing it with a Sargent Seat in vintage all-black for $A690 has not only improved the looks and quality feel of the bike, but most importantly it has greatly improved my riding enjoyment.

Firm versus softSargent seat

Like suspension, firm is often better than soft. Too plush and you sink in, then hit the supports underneath when you hit bumps in the road. That can become very tiring and uncomfortable on a long trip.

Firm cushioning means you are supported and prevented from hitting those “bump stops”.

Dane Higgins of Sargent Seats says they use visco-elastic or “memory” foam which is firm, but immediately absorbs your backside’s areas of high pressure.Sargent seat

Some aftermarket seats use gel which feels like it would be comfortable, but it’s heavy and it heats up so you get that annoying hot spot on your backside after a while.

Sargent also use a thicker layer of foam than the original, so they send you a lower-profile underseat storage box to accommodate the extra depth of the seat.

The Sargent seat is more contoured than the original but you can still shift around a bit and you don’t get any areas of high pressure or that burning feeling of many other seats.

Speaking of heat, you can also get a heated option, or even a solo seat so you can have a luggage rack or top box on the back seat area.

Sargent seat
Sargent seat

We’ve tried other aftermarket seats and they take some time to get used to, or to “bed in”.

With Sargent Seats there is no “break-in period” required thanks to their patented “Zone Suspension Body Contour Technology”. Click here for more tech info.Sargent seat

Basically it offers immediate and maximum comfort right from the first time you sit on the seat.

They don’t use glue which can harden and create discomfort. That also means there is nothing to come loose, so it should last longer.

Sargent SeatsSargent seat

This American company has an Australian distributor and offers seats for more than 100 motorcycle models.

They also have choices of colours for the seat and welt (seam or rim edging), high and low versions, two-up and solo, modular, heated, and backrests, so there are almost 1700 products available.

Most also come with a handy LED torch under the seat.

Sargent seat
LED torch

The company has been around since 1935 when Henry Sargent started an automotive reupholstery business in Florida.

Marion Todd bought the company in 1950 and his son, Mark, expanded it into motorcycle seats in 1990.

Sargent seat

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Corbin adds more motorcycle seats

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American company Corbin has been easing saddle sores for years with their handcrafted seats for a multitude of bike brands and models.

Standard motorcycle seats are appalling quality. They are usually cheap and very uncomfortable.

You have to buy expensive models before you get comfort seat, low/high options, or leather.

Corbin is one of the biggest names in aftermarket seats with models for 27 motorcycle brands, including the electric Zero and three-wheeler Slingshot.

They are continually adding new models to their extensive range.

The latest are saddles for an eclectic mix of bikes including the Suzuki TU 250X for $US393, Honda Rebel 500 and 300 (CMX 500 in Australia) also $393 and the Ducati Panigale V4 ($US343). Postage is extra.

The Honda and Suzuki also have backrest options for $257.

All seats have colour, material and logo options.

All their seats are covered by a lifetime owner’s warranty for the basepan, foam and hardware, while the cover materials, heaters, coolers and workmanship are covered for one year.

If you are getting saddle sores or can’t last a whole day in the saddle, this is one of the cheapest options for getting some joy back into your riding.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Motorcycle seat slides with the rider

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Imagine a seat that slides with the riders when they move sideways out of their seat for corners or forward and back for aerodynamic effect.

Now Finnish engineering company Etteplan has received a patent for a seat that slides sideways and forward and back with the rider.

The seat has been tested by disabled Finnish racer Ulla Kulju who was paralysed at 15 in a snowboarding accident.

sliding seat slides
Ulla

She works as a Senior Design Engineer at Etteplan and is the world’s first paraplegic female motorcycle racer, coming sixth in the disabled world championships 2017.

Perhaps it would be useful for disabled riders, but we’re not so sure it would be useful for other riders.

What would prevent it sliding around and upsetting the rider’s control?

The company says the invention would be useful for all racers and helped Ulla improve her lap times.

Not only has the patent been granted for the seat, but also the manufacturing process as it is 3D printed in one piece.

Printing motorcycle parts on 3D printers looks like being the future of motorcycling for precise and cheap manufacturer.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com