Okay, After about 12 long year my Beadrider seat cover broke while riding into the office. A moment of silence. :-( Okay, I was pretty happy with them for all these years as an alternative to a custom aftermarket seat being made for my butt. Heck, I even had an aftermarket seat and still used the beads. I wanted to know from the gang does anyone have any other suggestions besides beadrider. Thanks for any thoughts.
Alaskan leather. There's a thread around here in the Vendor's forum with an ADV discount. Awesome people to deal with, and very inexpensive for the comfort provided.
Beads let you get that minty fresh feeling of cool air on the arse when it's sweaty hot out there. I like how one can quickly change the many pressure points that the beads provide. In cool weather, other methods probably do well.
I have used the air hawk and thought it was terrible. The beads are wonderful though especially in hot weather. I have since replaced my beads with a 3D Mesh seat covering similar to that used in Kontour seats. It has made the stock seat so much better. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't forget the Beadrider advantage in the rain of keeping your ass from sitting in a pool of water.
There is no substitute for the bead rider. The Airhawk and Alaska Sheep's Skin seats are poor substitutes. Especially the sheep skins, I can't even tell it's on the bike, waste of money.
I have plenty of customers who use the Bead Rider with their seats-stock or custom. They place my waterproof seat covers under the beads in summer and over in winter when the air gets too cold as it flows under their "seat". 99% of reports from those riders are positive on the Bead Rider.
I'm a cheap bastard and look to save a dollar when I can. If you really like the functionality of the beads but don't wanna fork our 40-50$ for a new set, get a set of the taxi cab seat beads from Wally World. Then just cut them to fit your bike seat. You will have to unlace the beads but it pretty easy...just start about 2 rows of bead more than you actually need and unlace. I took a piece of 18ga wire and laced the outside of all the beads (outer edge); keeps them from coming unlaced during use. If you don't like the wood color of the wally world beads, then just paint them. An hour or so our your time and 10$!
Don't let a couple of negative remarks put you off the Airhawk 2. I've done 14 hour days on one, on and off road. They're adjustable, have good airflow, and mine doesn't pool in heavy rain. Still maybe worth considering as an alternative as per you OP. Good luck with which ever way you go.
Thanks for all the great info everyone. Right now I think it is between the beads and the Alaska buttpad on the list.
One suggestion-- check the Fleamarket before you buy anything new; you'll most always find sheepskins and Airhawks for sale. Sarah
ATV Seat pad: $19, I'm on my second one. Put the first on the Vstrom stock seat, and really improved the comfort and the ride. Now I've got one on my r1200gs, which has the adventure seat. Good air flow, not too much. Can be taken off easily during the rain. Cheap, replaceable, and surprisingly comfortable. Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Comfo...qid=1417017153&sr=8-3&keywords=atv+seat+cover On the bike:
This, less than $10 and you can make it big enough to go far enough down the seat so your inner thighs don't get pinched. I've been running for years on three different bikes. Perfect for the summer.
Ok ... I know this thread is old as hell.... but here goes anyway................. I found a wally-world seat cushion some years back for about $15 ...then took a waly-world beaded seat and cut a section to fit ... It's worked fine for 6 or 7 years.... but now worn out.......... Wally-world has stopped selling the covers.... I like the beadrider concept.... but the price ...not so much... are there any beadrider "tribute" seat topers? There is one company on Amazon "Zone Tech" ... that is inexpensive ADVRider discount from beadrider? Thanks, says the Mexican cheapskate....
Well you did dig up a fossilized thread... however iirc, some peeps have bought a beaded car seat cover and modified that. IMHO the original is still the best though and yes I was shocked at the price too as I bought mine about 10+ years ago..
Me too. This thread inspired me to put my 10+ year old beadrider on my 690. I forgot how comfortable it is.
I put many miles on a beadrider on my FJR. I really liked the airflow and how rainwater drained away instead of puddling between my legs. I came across this at the Slimy Crud Run this year: Apparently a new design from Seat Concepts. Looks like a lot of airflow and cushion, allows water to drain away. I'm hoping they'll make a cover for my KLX400R .. I'm not tall enough to handle the 1/2 inch of a beadrider.
this one is a cheap alternative and i don't think you have to modified it... https://www.amazon.com/Zento-Deals-...d=1529542638&sr=8-7&keywords=Zento+Deals+bead