Sheepskin Buttpads?

[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