Heated seats-Pro's/Con's

[Bikerbozo]

I am getting new seat for '10 Tri Glide. Just happened to run across the heated seats at Drag Specialties. Wondering what sort of opinions out there.
Anyone find the heat makes a difference in winter? My butt is the last place that gets cold. Do they radiate keeping rest of body warm?
I am picturing riding with one hand under me to warm it up sometimes.
It's a nice plush looking seat. If not heated, I just may get non-heated.
Who knew that 62K would flatten out my stock seat?

[skuuter]

My Wife said the Heated Seats (not my cup of tea) on Our last Gold Wing were basically useless if She wore thick riding pants, because the heat wouldn't penetrate. If She wore thin jeans, She felt the heat, but then Her legs got cold.....Our experience has been "not positive".....


.....and I looked at Your Seat in Eureka Springs....why would You replace such a "Work of Art"....LOL

[RdKnB]

I do not think I have a need for a heated seat, although I have a heated vest and gloves.

[pcombe]

Ride allot in south Dakota winters?

An air seat creates a dead space beneath your backside that your body will heat and has the added advantage of comfort?
Just Sayin:

[Saltywheels]

My experience with heated seats has been very favorable, both on 2w & 4W. As a matter of fact, am planning to get a new Mayers seat & make it heated....(just in case it starts snowing in Los Angeles. lol!) Seriously, I believe there are pros n'cons. And in my opinion, the pros have it!

[Bikerbozo]

.....and I looked at Your Seat in Eureka Springs....why would You replace such a "Work of Art"....LOL

When I 1st got the trike, I had no problem seeing over windshield. Now its a strain. Either I am shrinking (a possibility with the amount of rain I ride through) or the seat is getting squooched. I have the Zeppelin air seat on my old bike and like it. But the boss doesn't and overuled my getting one for TG. So looking for something with lots of padding, but not to wide in passenger area. Just happened across heated seats and was wondering.

[paws]

We have the OEM heated seats and grips on both of our Gold Wing trikes.
We use AirHawk seats on top of the seat for the plush feel.
We can definitely feel the warmth through the AirHawk.
Same with the heated grips - can definitely feel it.
The heat is most appreciated in the winter.
Good luck with your decision.

[ladyff1481]

I have a heated seat but I didn't have to replace my stock seat. A local auto upholstery shop installed the heating mechanism in the seat and I can control it high or low. Saved me at least 2/3's the cost of replacing my seat with a Harley heated seat. I'll show it to you at the rally next month.
I love it!

[pcombe]

We have the OEM heated seats and grips on both of our Gold Wing trikes.
We use AirHawk seats on top of the seat for the plush feel.
We can definitely feel the warmth through the AirHawk.
Same with the heated grips - can definitely feel it.
The heat is most appreciated in the winter.
Good luck with your decision.

Tell me more about the air hawk?
I have a Harley tourglide with a backrest between me and the passenger.
What size would you recomend? Medium?

[GARYD]

I ride all winter here in the Chicago area and see no need for a heated seat. My lower extremities aren't effected by the temps as much as most people. When it gets really cold I wear UnderArmour Heatgear and fleese lined jeans - and maybe chaps if I'm going for a long ride.
Heated grips are a must though.


I have the H-D Road Zepplin seat and love it. Just rode 600 miles back from Canada yesterday and only stopped for gas - 12 hours in the saddle with no problems, aches or pains. Love that seat.

[Shimpy]

This past winter was the first time I had heated seat and really liked it. It came factory on my Wing and gets so warm that I have to turn it down, like setting on a toaster. I never had a problem with a cold butt, but it seems to make the whole body warmer and more comfortable.

[msocko3]

My 12 GL1800 is the 1st heated seat & grip bike I've ever owned. Like Skutter said, too heavy of pants and you won't feel it. I can feel the grips when turned on and the seat I can feel when wearing jeans.

[paws]

Tell me more about the air hawk?
I have a Harley tourglide with a backrest between me and the passenger.
What size would you recomend? Medium?

We have Gold Wings so am not sure what size might be a good fit for the Harley. The AirHawk website might enlighten you on that or a phone call to them.


Believe me, it only takes a LITTLE bit of air to make it comfy. Too much air and its hard as a rock - like an air mattress.


I have the original design on my trike - I believe it is a medium (had originally purchased it for the seat of my Suzuki 800 Boulevard).
Hubby bought the AirHawk designed for a man's anatomy "down there"... it has an open channel along the middle of it.

Neither seat has ever failed to hold air and we use them on every ride. We don't have them strapped down to the stock seat - they never move around on the seat at all - have some kind of rubber bottom on them.

Since they were a little pricey, when we make a stop and leave the trikes unattended we do pick them up and stash them in the trunk as it would be easy for them to disappear from the bike if someone were so inclined.

Also wanted to let you know that we wore the Silks against the skin then LL Bean flannel-lined jeans over that to the Texas Trike Reunion in April, starting off in 32 degree weather with 30mph north side-wind, running at 70mph. That was about 250 miles and COULD feel the DIFFERENCE of having the seat heat turned on vs. turned off. Also had on big gloves and could feel that grip heat - for SURE!

Good luck with your decision...!

[DonFor]

pepper Wife loves the heated seat keeps her nice and comfortable. Her back gets heated as well. A Big Plus.

[dadztoy]

We love the heated seats and grips on our 09 Wing - wouldn't be without them... Not that one couldn't ride, but it's just that much more comfortable... Wish I had them in my truck for the cold Chicago winters here...

Les

[jaxbobg]

I've used the seat and hand grip heaters in cold weather and really like the extra warmth. It never gets overly warm, just enough cut the chill.

However, this raises a question for me. I purchased a Beadrider cushion last spring but haven't ridden in really chilly weather yet.

Do any of you have experience with the Beadrider over a heated seat?
Can you still get warmth from the seat or do you remove the beads in the winter months?

(I may have to start a new thread to get an answer to this.)

[Geezzer Glide]

Well I been riding for 43 years and have owned 21 different motorcycles during that time and have never really seen the need for heated anything. I regularly will ride in temps down into the low 30's during the winters and am just fine with out all the heated gear. I have also road in colder temps but for the most part if it is below freezing I drive my truck. I learned the hard way in my younger years that if the temps are below freezing that it's very common for isolated patches of ice to be on the roads here in Nebraska. Than can be a disaster on two wheels. Not so bad on three wheels but then I still don't ride much if the temps are below freezing even on three wheels.
Dan

[jaxbobg]

Okay Geezzer, I suppose that heated anything won't make a difference when the temps drop below 30 degrees.
I'm a life-long Southern boy, so probably wouldn't survive more than 30 minutes in your backyard in winter.

However, I've seen wind-chill charts that show that at 65 mph an outside temp of 50 can feel like 35 to 40 degrees. I guess at 30 the wind-chill is about at the bone freezing temp.

More power to you, being able to ride in freezing weather without heated equipment. Just don't expect me to ride over to your place this winter.

[scribe5]

I just installed heated OEM seats to my 2005. I had to use Warm and Safe heat trollers since the 05's weren't wired for heat. They get really warm really quick. The wife and I love it.

[rmrc51]

I do more riding in the cold weather then during the hot summer months and never felt the need for a heated seat.

That being said, I also never use the heated seat option in my truck either. Guess I have a naturally warm rear, lol.