Sheepskin Buttpads?

[dsmith41]

How many of y'all use those sheepskin buttpads like they sell at Alaska Leather?  I was wondering if they really do work as mentioned by Alaska Leather and I figured you Iron Butters would be the ones to ask.  I currently have a Beadrider and while it does help, I would like to step up my comfort level a notch or two without spending an arm and a leg on an aftermarket seat.  

I am in the planning stages of my first SS1000 and I want to make sure I give myself the best chance possible.  I did 515 miles this weekend and I did 993 miles a few weekends ago, all in an effort to toughen up for 1000 in 24 hrs.  After both rides, I was hurting pretty bad and the miles were stretched out over an entire weekend.    

Something needs to be done on my seat.  If not a sheepskin pad, what else would give me the most comfort for my buck?  

[1KPerDay]

the sheepskin does help. Nothing substitutes for a properly constructed seat (I like Russell Day-Long). But in the heat the sheepskin makes a difference. I've recently used the beadrider more though... it flows more air in the hot. If you need PADDING; the sheepskin with the gel below will help. if you just need air circuation, the beadrider is superior, IMO.

The Airhawk with the sheepskin over it made for some good long comfort. But you have to get used to the airhawk.

[Specter]

I have one, and it is comfortable in all kinds of weather, but it has a drawback. If you like to slide around on your saddle, the sheepskin doesn't allow it.

On long rides, I'll switch it out for twisty areas, and to vary seat height/knee angle.

[Cablebandit]

I own both, and used the Beadrider on my first Saddlesore 1000.  The beads do flow a lot of air.  This may not be noticeable in summer, but in winter you will actually feel the cold air blowing beneath you.  The beads are also very slippery.  You can slide all around the seat for the "massage effect".  That being said, after 3-400 miles you feel like you are riding on wood unless you have a well padded ass.  I don't.  I switched over to the Sheepskin and haven't looked back.  It doesn't flow air under you like the Beadrider, but it does keep the heat from your seat radiating up to your rear end.  In the winter it keeps the cold from the seat away as well.  An added benefit is that it provides a little cushioning as well.  You can't slide around on the sheepskin though.

One more thing.  When you do you SS1000 you'll get a sore ass, but at some point in the ride it won't get any worse and actually get better the longer you go.  It sounds weird but it's true.  I also did my first one on a stock Weestrom seat with Beadrider.  The seat alone was good for about 50 miles before pain set in.

[birdrunner]

For a sportbike sized sheepskin,  I went to Ikea and paid something like $30.00.   The Alaska Leather ones are much larger, and way more money.

[greench440]

I like the sheeepskin way more than the regular seat.   I found a sheepskin car  seatcover on the bargain table at Shucks and made my own.

[RECON]

Did my first SS1000 last summer with a sheepskin, had to put my Airhawk under it at about the 600 mile mark and the two together seemed to work pretty good.  Last week I completed a BB1500 and only used the sheepskin but was wearing a Aerostich Roadcrafter and the type of underwear and pants underneath that don't keep sweat against your skin.  I actually think what you wear against your skin makes a huge difference.  

[DeputyDawg]

   I always wear wicking synthetic long briefs to help keep moisture away from my skin, but even with these undies,  on very hot days after after a while in the saddle it feels like my butt skin is tearing. A sheepskin helps this a lot and I've been using one for years. Last year I bought a Beadrider and used it some. For me it isnt as comfortable as the sheepskin although it does move more air under you.

[ConPilot1]

I don't ride like you IBA crazies but I really like my Alaska Leather pad. Winter and summer. I did a 9 day 2500mi tour last summer in damp/hot/humid and it was great. no monkeybutt or rash with leathers and cheap synthetic wicking underwear.

[BrookR1]

I just wear a pair of gel padded bicycle shorts under my jeans. I still have my stock seat. Seems to work for me. If you go this route, make sure there aren't any seams on any pressure areas.

[bubba zanetti]

I have an Alaska Leather one that I carry. I do not always use it but when I do, it is often in the afternoon when my butt needs a treat on a hot day. Used it this past Sun coming home from Kamloops after sweating in my leathers through Kelowna. Those last few miles felt great. Kind of my security buttlet.

[lionlady]

I am in the planning stages of my first SS1000 and I want to make sure I give myself the best chance possible.  I did 515 miles this weekend and I did 993 miles a few weekends ago, all in an effort to toughen up for 1000 in 24 hrs.  After both rides, I was hurting pretty bad and the miles were stretched out over an entire weekend.    

Something needs to be done on my seat.  If not a sheepskin pad, what else would give me the most comfort for my buck?  

Where did you hurt? Your back or your butt? If it was your back, then the problem is probably the riding position, not the motorcycle seat. Cruisers (you've got an Aero in your sig line), with the vertical/slightly leaned back angle of your body in the saddle, exaggerate the curve of the lower spine, which causes strain on the lower back muscles=pain.

P

[dsmith41]

Yeah, it was my butt mainly.  I try to keep my back straight to reduce fatigue.  

Some of it was the result of Monkey butt.  I need to do some experimenting with Gold Bond powder and my Under Armor compression shorts.    

[lionlady]

I've got an Alaska Leather sheepskin. LOVE IT!! Just enough "cush" to ease the butt bones without feeling mushy. The sheepskin is thick and the fleece is deep. Worth the premium price.

It actually is pretty easy to flap water out of it if you get caught in a rain. If rain is expected while I'm off the bike, I'll either turn the pad over or tuck it in a sidecase. Easy on/off plastic clips on either side.

P

[blakebird]

I've never used a pad on any of my SS1K's....but I have when doing several 800+ mile days in a row.
I bought an AMS pad for my wife, and have tried it a couple times. It works well, but I don't really need it unless it's a long distance burn covering a week or so.

AMS makes a medical gel pad covered in genuine sheepskin, in a few different shapes

http://www.amspecialtiesusa.com/gelpad.htm

[sportridertex]

I have the Alaska Leathers sheepskin, It works well, another trick, I've done on long rides, especially when I lived in TEXAS and rode a lot of HOT southwest miles, I'd take a tshirt and roll it up, and sit on it, it would change the pressure points on my butt.

I'd ride a hour or so with it, then remove the tshirt and ride without it for awhile, just to have a change in the seat.

IT works for me

[scotteroni]

I have used sheepskin and found it cool in the summer and warm in the fall. I was actually in a downpower once and my pants were soaked down to my underwear and I swear the wet wool actually seemed quite warm under me and kept me from getting too cold and uncomfortable.   BTW you can make a cheap gel pad by going to walmart and getting one of those gel pad bicycle seat covers and cutting the edges off. You can put it under sheepskin or just sit on it by itself. It has some material on the bottom that keeps it from sliding around under you. Yeah, I know it seems bogus but it will work in a pinch when you can't stand the pain of sitting any longer.

[WBill]

My wife and I like the sheepskin covers from Rider Wearhouse.  Maybe a little pricey, but easy on and off (for nights at motels) with the supplied bungees.  WBill

[Tar Snake]

I generally use mine on anything longer than a day ride. I think it helps the most in hot weather. I have a beaded seat cover too, but don't really like it the beads hurt me after a awhile.

YMMV

Best thing to do is try one out, I have the Aerostich version.

[CBOrwig]

Ive tried the sheepskin and the gel seat pad. Neither works very well for me. I still end up the two pressure points and in extreme discomfort within a couple of hours. I met up with a guy last weekend using an Airhawk and he swears by it. Thats going to be my next try for a comfortable ride.

[ConPilot1]

On these HOT weather days we've been having in the Northeast I came to realize how much I appreciate the light-colored AKL sheep pad.
I burnt my ass off on my GFs' Honda the other day from the black vinyl seat sitting in the hot sun when I got on the bike.

Today I got on my Connie and the AKL sheepskin was nice and cool, even in the screaming hot sunshine.

[Scratch33]

I burnt my ass off on my GFs' Honda the other day from the black vinyl seat sitting in the hot sun when I got on the bike.

Hints from Heloise:  A old white T-shirt can serve double duty as a cleaning rag and as a seat cover when your bike's left parked in the summer sun.

[Rockin]

My butt liked it enough to buy one for my wife.

[Richard T]

I've bought 2 tailored sheepskin seat covers from this guy (Triumph Trophy and Kawasaki GTR1400/Concours) - excellent product and service.
http://www.cruisncomfort.com/page0.php
Based in Australia, but deals internationally (I'm in the UK)

[Cal24Master]

How many of y'all use those sheepskin buttpads like they sell at Alaska Leather?  I was wondering if they really do work as mentioned by Alaska Leather and I figured you Iron Butters would be the ones to ask.  I currently have a Beadrider and while it does help, I would like to step up my comfort level a notch or two without spending an arm and a leg on an aftermarket seat.  

I am in the planning stages of my first SS1000 and I want to make sure I give myself the best chance possible.  I did 515 miles this weekend and I did 993 miles a few weekends ago, all in an effort to toughen up for 1000 in 24 hrs.  After both rides, I was hurting pretty bad and the miles were stretched out over an entire weekend.    

Something needs to be done on my seat.  If not a sheepskin pad, what else would give me the most comfort for my buck?  

We need a little more information.  Was the problem because you were sliding forward on the seat, and having to slide back all the time?  If so, you need to have a better seat made.  You have several good choices.  I prefer Bill Mayer, (They are the ones that invented the Day Long Saddle that Russel nows sells), but you can go with Russel, Rick Mayer or several others.  
If this is NOT the problem, and the issue was moisture and heat causing heat rash, then the answer is to get some LD Comfort shorts.  These eliminate monkey butt.  For $50 it will put an end to rear end problems without having to have sheep skins, beads or other crap strapped to the top of your seat.

[busdriver803]

I've got a self inflating stadium pad that if I rise up off the seat a little and open the valve I can add air, or by remaining seated let all the air out.  It has worked for me on several 600+ mile days on my Vstrom.  I'm not sure that anything I do would help my backside hold out for many more miles per day than that.  

[loadedmind]

Last week I completed a BB1500 and only used the sheepskin but was wearing a Aerostich Roadcrafter and the type of underwear and pants underneath that don't keep sweat against your skin.  I actually think what you wear against your skin makes a huge difference.  

I have an Airhawk.  My last long ride, I used the Airhawk combined with the right underwear, some anti monkey butt powder (yes, that's actually the name) and it helped immensely.  The key ingredient when using the Airhawk is experimentation.  The proper amount of air can make all the difference in the world with the Airhawk so change it around.  Start a ride with it half blown up and, half-way through, add or remove air.  This is what helped me a lot.  The Airhawk does take some getting used to.  Sometimes I feel like my butt moves around too much.  If you're doing any amount of serious twisties, I don't recommend the Airhawk, but if the ride is mostly highway straights, the Airhawk will be your saving grace.

[Mr.Black]

This past Tuesday, I met Delegate1k. On his Wee he had one of these;



I ordered one today from Walmart.com for $20.00. I am going to give it a try before I spent 400 dollars on a Sargent or Corbin.

I'll let you know in a month or so how it works.

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I think it largely depends on the bike.

On my ST1300, the sheepskin pad was fantastic! On the RT, not so much. I tried the AirHawk pad too, but with the RT I've settled on the BeadRider as my preference for warm weather riding.

[Coro Kid]

I used a dense sheepskin on my BMW K100RS and Blackbird on the Grand Challenge, the NZ equivalent of the Iron Butt 100 miler.  They were "ok" but nowhere near as good as a custom seat with varying density foams which I subsequently had made for the Blackbird.  Mind you, the sheepskin was about NZ$100 and the custom seat was NZ$500.  Last month, I did another 1000 miles in 24 hours ride on my Street Triple. I retained the stock seat but used the smallest Airhawk pad available.  On initial practice runs, I didn't like it for the same reason as some of the other posters have commented on... you feel a bit "wobbly" on it.  However, I ended up with just the tiniest amount of air in it - basically one breath and it was fantastic.  Plenty of other things were sore, but not my butt!  Totally sold on the Airhawk now  

Some pics here : http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/09/airhawk-seats-and-other-stuff.html

[2wTraveler]

I have not tried the beads so I have nothing to compare to but I have been using one of the Sheepskin pads from Alaska Leather for about 5 years now. I've found them to be comfortable for extended periods. However, I think it is even more effective to change it up every other gas stop on longer rides. I'll ride 400 miles or so on the seat alone, then install the Sheepskin pad and ride for another 400mi. then stop and remove it. etc...

It changes up the seat occasionally and helps eliminate "hot spots".

[Mr.Black]

This past Tuesday, I met Delegate1k. On his Wee he had one of these;



I ordered one today from Walmart.com for $20.00. I am going to give it a try before I spent 400 dollars on a Sargent or Corbin.

I'll let you know in a month or so how it works.

Meh. Comfy but it makes my jolly parts slide forward into the tank.

[lionlady]

...Last month, I did another 1000 miles in 24 hours ride on my Street Triple. I retained the stock seat but used the smallest Airhawk pad available.  On initial practice runs, I didn't like it for the same reason as some of the other posters have commented on... you feel a bit "wobbly" on it.  However, I ended up with just the tiniest amount of air in it - basically one breath and it was fantastic.  Plenty of other things were sore, but not my butt!  Totally sold on the Airhawk now  

Some pics here : http://geoffjames.blogspot.com/2010/09/airhawk-seats-and-other-stuff.html

Most folks over inflate the Airhawk. Sounds like you figured it out.

P