Motorcycle seats are as unique as the motorcycle itself. There are a ton different styles and designs. There are also a ton of manufacturers fighting for your butt…literally.
I’m quite certain it would be next to impossible to review every kind of motorcycle seat, so I will stick to the seats that I have personally owned. I’ll try to break it down by pros and cons. Please keep in mind that I’m only speaking about MY butt.
Stock Seat
The only motorcycle I have owned where I found the stock seat to be just about perfect was my BMW K1600 Grand America. It was very comfortable from the day I bought it and I have spent several 700 + mile days in that saddle. It’s wide, plush, and big enough to move around if I began to get stiff. I never experienced pain or discomfort, and I never even thought of upgrading the seat. The same cannot be said for my other bikes.
Corbin Seats
Corbin is a well known American motorcycle seat manufacturer that have been making quality seats since 1968. They make seats for just about every type of bike, and are popular among long riders. I have owned three different Corbin seats. Two of them were/are very comfortable, and one was not. The Corbin I had on my Moto Guzzi Norge, and the one I currently have on my wife’s Honda Rebel 1100 are very comfortable and really elevate the riding experience. However, the Corbin I had on my Honda ST1300 was not very comfortable due to the fact it caused me to slide into the gas tank…not fun. That said, I can vouch for the quality of the seat and can confirm that they are indeed comfortable once you break them in.
Pros
- Very well made with outstanding craftsmanship
- You get to design your seat and choose colors, stitching, etc
- Universally comfortable once broken in. Doesn’t matter who’s butt it is.
Cons
- The seats are made from durable and robust materials, therefore they are heavy. All of my Corbins were significantly heavier than the stock seat.
- They take a while to “break in.” The seat will feel hard and stiff for first thousand or so miles. Like a horse saddle, once broken in they are very comfortable.
- Cost; they are expensive
You can learn more about Corbin here: https://www.corbin.com/projects/
Sargent Seats
Full disclosure, I have limited experience with Sargent seats. I bought a heated Sargent seat for my BMW R1250RT to replace my stock seat. The seat looked fantastic, the heater worked well, and it closely resembled the stock seat. Unfortunately, my butt did not find it comfortable. I wanted to love it, but it simply wasn’t compatible. However, I know a lot of folks who own a Sargent seat and are completely happy.
Pros
- Quality made and they closely resemble the stock seat in appearance
- Outstanding customer service
- Cost; cheaper than some of the competition without hindering quality
Cons
- Comfort (in my specific case)
- Not as many options regarding customization
You can learn more about Sargent here: https://www.sargentcycle.com/
Russell Day Long Seats
In my experience the Russell seats are the most comfortable saddle I have ever owned. I had one on my Honda ST1300, and I currently have one on my BMW 1250RT. Both my ST1300 and my RT1250 were/are extremely comfortable with the Russell seats. They really are “day long” saddles, and they should be! They are custom made to your preference and your body/butt. To get one of these seats you will be asked to submit photos of you sitting on your bike as well as a few measurements. You will also be required to send in your stock seat. Russell Day Long will tear your stock seat down to the pan, and rebuild it to your butt. The comfort is unparalleled, and I simply can’t recommend these seats enough. They are the perfect seat for the long rider.
Pros
- The most comfortable seat I have used, period. 10hr days are easy on this seat.
- Tons of options when it comes to your seat. Like the Corbin you get to choose the color, material, stitching, etc.
- The heated seat option is amazing. I love that it warms up quickly and actually makes a difference when riding.
- Customer support, they are great to work with and just a phone call away!
Cons
- This is a custom seat made to your body; others may not find it comfortable.
- Your bike now has a custom seat, you may have to purchase a new seat if you ever want to sell the bike.
- Lengthy process; RDL seats are the cream of the crop, so you will have to wait in line to get your seat built. Totally worth the wait!
You can learn more about RDL here: https://day-long.com/
Ultimate Seats
I have experience with only one Ultimate Seat. A few months ago I broke the bank and bought the Ultimate seat for my 2025 Honda Goldwing Tour. I really wanted to make the stock seat work. I tried my hardest and hoped that my ass would get used to the stock seat, or the seat would break-in after a few thousand miles. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t happening. After a hundred or so miles I would start getting butt burn from the heat and I would find myself squirming for the rest of the ride. An Airhawk cushion helped, but I would still experience pain after a long day of riding. I mulled the decision and conducted way too many hours researching seat options for the Goldwing. I settled on the Ultimate Seat (Tall Boy) and I’m glad I did. I have over 1,000 on the seat now and I can confidently say that the seat really have transformed the wing for the better. I have ridden gas tank to gas tank without stopping and my butt never complained.
Pros
- Transformed the Goldwing into a true luxury long-riding machine. The seat is very comfortable out of the box and little to no break-in period required.
- Superb build quality and looks amazing on the bike!
- The heated seat option is amazing. It warms up very quickly and seems to be warmer than the stock seat.
- Seat is wider and feels as if it provides more support where it matters.
- Customer support, they are great to work with and just a phone call away!
Cons
- Cost. This is an expensive seat. You get what you pay for and I appreciate the quality and comfort…but buying one new hurts the wallet.
You can learn more about Ultimate Seats here: https://ultimateseats.ca/
