Motorcycle Seat: Ready-Made, Cover or Re-Cover — How to Choose
Three ways to get a new seat
There are three ways. The first is a complete seat, new or used. The second is just a cover, when the foam and the base are still intact. The third is re-covering at a workshop, and then you look for a craftsman, not a ready-made part. Often a cover is enough: for example, the leather has cracked but the base is fine. It is cheaper than a complete seat, but it has to be stretched on, so think about fitting.
Height, shape and comfort
A seat can be single or dual, stock, lowered or custom. A seat lowered by a few centimetres helps shorter riders reach the ground, but it reduces suspension travel and can be harder because of thinner foam. A gel insert adds comfort on long rides. For cruisers such as the Triumph Bonneville T100, many shapes are available, and it is worth comparing them by photos and dimensions.
What to put in your request
- what exactly — complete seat, cover, re-covering, gel insert;
- bike model and year;
- seat type — single or dual, stock, lowered, custom;
- material and colour — leather, synthetic leather, Alcantara;
- original or aftermarket;
- condition — new, or used in working order;
- delivery city and budget.
Example: “I am looking for a dual seat for a Triumph Bonneville T100, 2018, black synthetic leather, new if possible. Lowered by 3 cm, if available. Delivery to Gqeberha, budget up to R 790.”
What to pay attention to
Synthetic leather is cheaper, but it cracks sooner in strong sun and heat. Genuine leather lasts longer, but it costs more and needs care. Alcantara feels pleasant to the touch, but it gets dirty quickly. For riding in the rain, look for a waterproof finish and a good seam, because water that gets into the foam causes a smell and ruins the seat.
- Whether the mounts and the lock match the frame of your exact model.
- For a used seat: the condition of the foam and the base, and whether there are cracks and dents.
- Whether all the fixings are there.
- Whether you can return the part if it did not fit.
A typical mistake is to buy a seat “from the same line” without checking the year. The mounts and the shape sometimes change between generations.
It is faster through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of going through dozens of listings, you describe what you want in one request, and sellers and craftsmen reply in the chat with photos and a price. They see where their offer stands, so they often improve their terms. The site shows the best-value one first, with reviews of the seller beside it. Contacts are hidden. More in “How it works”.
Related sections: drive and running gear and stands and pedals.
