BeadRider Seat Cover

[Icecold Dan]

I've been using a BeadRider 13" ceramic seat cover for about 4k miles now and thought I'd share my thoughts. I am using the cover on the stock seat in the low position with the seat bumper mod.

I really like this cover and find that it really does distribute my weight over a larger surface area. Even after back to back 800 mile days, there were no noticable pressure points and no soreness that goes along with it. A great feature of the cover is that it allows air to flow between the seat surface and your bottom. I rode in mid 90 degree and humid weather in Florida and had no swamp-ass what-so-ever. Another great and unexpected result was that after riding through a driving thunderstorm from Birmingham to Asheville, I wasn't sitting in a puddle the whole time.

If I had to find one complaint, it would be that it is somewhat slippery. Not so bad that I felt unsafe, but it did take a few rides to adjust to it in heavy breaking situations. Now I barely notice it.

The price was very reasonable and was quickly shipped to me upon ordering. The BeadRider seat cover gets 2 thumbs up from me. For anyone that does any long distance riding, or riding in hot and humid conditions, I would highly recommend it.

 

[greg the pole]

::006::

 

[Boondocker]

I have been using sheepskin seat covers, such as those by Alaska Leathers, for a long time and consider them an improvement over vinyl. They offer some padding and thermal insulation, especially when parked in the hot Nevada sun. They have some drawbacks too, like they can hold a lot of water if your bike gets rained on while parked. After a year or so of use, the material can get a little "bunchy" and make ridges you can feel.

The beaded seat covers always seem to get high praise, although to me they seemed kind of low-rent and cheesy. Although the price for a front and rear set of the ceramic Bead Rider is not low-rent. The rule about seating however, is listen to your butt. So I'm listening.

I'm curious if anyone has sheepskin vs. Bead Rider comparisons, based on your own experience. I run the stock seat pan with Seat Concepts foam and cover, while my wife very much enjoys her Corbin w/backrest pillion, sheepskins on both. We've done some long days in the saddle, and while not uncomfortable, it does get a bit "scoochy".

 

[Icecold Dan]

As requested

 

[sportsguy]

Bought one of these for my FJR - it was excellent.

Then bought an Airhawk...it was awesome!

I still have both, and when long rides beckon, the Airhawk gets the nod - I've done 10+ hour sin the saddle on the 'Hawk with nary a complaint.

Like anything, there is a learning curve, as the Airhawk will position you higher and you do move on it, so test, learn and adjust.

I was considering the Bead Rider for a ride this weekend on the S10 - might give it a go to see how the Sargent seat I have now works with the bead son this particular bike.

 

[ejy712]

I too like the beadrider seat in hot weather. One warning. Try to keep the seat in shade when not riding. The ceramic beads really soak up heat in direct sunlight. It's downright uncomfortable for a few minutes when getting back on the seat. The wooden beads are much better in this regard.

 

[Boondocker]

Ejy712 - thanks for the advice about sunshine and heat on the ceramic beads. I was about set to get the ceramic, figuring they were a quality step up from wood. Living in southern Nevada with lots of sunshine, a hot seat could be a significant issue for me. I'll reconsider wood.

sent fron my S3 HandDroid using Tapatalk Beta 4

 

[sportsguy]

Ejy712 - thanks for the advice about sunshine and heat on the ceramic beads. I was about set to get the ceramic, figuring they were a quality step up from wood. Living in southern Nevada with lots of sunshine, a hot seat could be a significant issue for me. I'll reconsider wood.

sent fron my S3 HandDroid using Tapatalk Beta 4

I honestly don't know the difference beyond the marketing. Same shapes, same size beads roughly, my Ares is the same...so why the space age material jump? Oh, right...marketing...

 

[fredz43]

My son has one on his Wee Strom and loves it. When I try it on his bike my bum is hurting in a few miles. Feels like I'm sitting on marbles. Well, I guess that is what I am actually doing. Different butts need different seats, I guess. I like my Sargent V2. Sometimes add a sheepskin for >500 mile days, though.

 

[twinrider]

My friend swears by his bead rider. He got the new ceramic one so lent me his wooden one. Tried it but it felt like I was ... sitting on wood. ::007: : Have also tried a sheepskin but that didn't improve things much over long distances although it was better than the bead rider... Still searching for a good seat solution.

 

[sportsguy]

My friend swears by his bead rider. He got the new ceramic one so lent me his wooden one. Tried it but it felt like I was ... sitting on wood. ::007: : Have also tried a sheepskin but that didn't improve things much over long distances although it was better than the bead rider... Still searching for a good seat solution.

Airhawk.