I'm thinking about buying a Sargent seat for my bike. Heated grips are a must for me. What are your experiences with heated seats? Worth the extra $200?
thoughts on heated seat?
- Thread starter drtyrrel
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On most bikes they are a nice add - not as useful as heated grips, but handy on occasion. But the ST (like my BMW K1100) has an engine-heated seat and I can't imagine hollering down to the engine room for "Mo' heat!"
Shuey
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Definitely . . . yes!
I asked myself the same question when I had Sargent make a custom seat for me and asked if I wanted it. I decided I might as well go ahead and get it, although I'd probably never use it. Ha!
When you start out on a chilly morning (anywhere in the 50s or lower for sure) or ride past sunset and the temps start to fall, having a heated seat makes stopping to add a layer for comfort, or just grinning and bearing it unnecessary.
Some major arteries run through your butt and thighs which the seat heats. That warmed blood then circulates keeping your core, extremities and, most importantly, your neck and head . . . comfortably warm! Coupled with a pair of heated grips a bearable ride turns into just another fun ride!
Shuey
PS: On my STs (3) on chilly mornings I'd press my legs into the bike using the bike heat to warm my calves which helped, but I never really noticed any comfort from a bike warmed seat. On warm days, I moved my legs a little out from the bike so fresh air could get between me and the bike and was comfortable. Although I noted that for many on this site heat was a noted issue with their ST riding comfort, I never thought it was. Different strokes . . . different folks.
I asked myself the same question when I had Sargent make a custom seat for me and asked if I wanted it. I decided I might as well go ahead and get it, although I'd probably never use it. Ha!
When you start out on a chilly morning (anywhere in the 50s or lower for sure) or ride past sunset and the temps start to fall, having a heated seat makes stopping to add a layer for comfort, or just grinning and bearing it unnecessary.
Some major arteries run through your butt and thighs which the seat heats. That warmed blood then circulates keeping your core, extremities and, most importantly, your neck and head . . . comfortably warm! Coupled with a pair of heated grips a bearable ride turns into just another fun ride!
Shuey
PS: On my STs (3) on chilly mornings I'd press my legs into the bike using the bike heat to warm my calves which helped, but I never really noticed any comfort from a bike warmed seat. On warm days, I moved my legs a little out from the bike so fresh air could get between me and the bike and was comfortable. Although I noted that for many on this site heat was a noted issue with their ST riding comfort, I never thought it was. Different strokes . . . different folks.
OP
OP
My r1100rt has the heat vents that blow through the oil cooler onto my arms. Really nice until I forget to turn them off when it's 80.
Simply, yes. You might forget your heated jacket butt you won't forget your heated seat.
My Dutch coworker use to poo poo heated seats until he purchased a retired ST-P with a heated Corbin. Now he sings it’s praises.
I don't think I've ever suffered a cold Arris. Hands yes, Neck yes, Arris no.
Upt'North.
Upt'North.
I'd go for the heated seat, but only after a heated jacket liner, gloves and grips.
OP
OP
"When you start out on a chilly morning (anywhere in the 50s or lower for sure) or ride past sunset and the temps start to fall, having a heated seat makes stopping to add a layer for comfort, or just grinning and bearing it unnecessary."
50 degrees is a nice day around here
50 degrees is a nice day around here
CYYJ
Michael
For the climate that you and I ride in (Toronto and upstate New York), I would say "for sure" get the heated seat. It makes a huge difference during cool weather. It's not a substitute for heated clothing, but it is a very effective compliment. It's also a nice luxury to have on cool mornings or evenings.
Michael
Michael
I think a heated seat is a nice bit of kit.
I would buy one.
I would buy one.
Yes. I have a heated leather Corbin on my ST, and a heated and cooled Corbin leather seat on my HD.
Wretched excess, but promotes comfort.
Plus, I will never own another car without heated seats.
Wretched excess, but promotes comfort.
Plus, I will never own another car without heated seats.
The corbin saddle on my ST13 engine heats very nicely. And it has a very heavy fiberglass pan, c/w a layer of reflectix to insulate the bottom. It is pretty comfortable on cool days,, so I would say that I would not pay the extra for a heated seat on this bike,,, imho,, Cat'
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Back in 2014 I picked up a heated RDL saddle set. Although I have never used the back saddle, I use the front saddle for my commutes. During the cold weather months (from Nov-Dec to about mid May), I use that heated saddle anytime it gets below 50F and this year it was used a lot!
About two weeks ago I removed my heated controller, but there have been a couple of days that having a heated saddle would have been nice, at least for the first 15 miles, until things are warmed up anyway!
About two weeks ago I removed my heated controller, but there have been a couple of days that having a heated saddle would have been nice, at least for the first 15 miles, until things are warmed up anyway!
A heated seat is like heated socks. Didn't know until I had.
I agree with the above comments. I thought of them as an extravagant luxury until I got one. What I found is it is great for those marginal days when its not cold enough to justify heated gear, which we get a lot of here in the Pacific Northwest. With a heated seat and grips I can ride an hour in 40 degree temperatures and be comfortable. And like grips, its always on the bike available to use, just flip the switch.
John Anthony
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Definitely worth it in my book, especially if you do any riding at all in chilly weather.
John
John
You fair weather nancy!
Call yourself a northern biker?!?! I don't yet have a heated seat, but the bike has grips and I have a heated waistcoat. I rode last winter in -6C, and the heated kit was wonderful. For next winter, a heated seat is on my shopping list.
So you've got more heated gear than I've got in my house and I'm the NancyYou fair weather nancy!
I don't yet have a heated seat, but the bike has grips and I have a heated waistcoat. I rode last winter in -6C, and the heated kit was wonderful. For next winter, a heated seat is on my shopping list.
.I've got about 15 years of British winter's under my belt and even on the service bikes we never had heated anything including grips. This wasn't the commute into work but all day riding, like all day, all weather's, all jobs, yes it was cold on occasions but let me think.........no never a cold Arris. But then again it was only minus temps all day, snow, ice, winds, sideways rain.
My one concession to the cold was putting my socks in the microwave before going out after snappin.
Whose the nance now.
Upt'North.
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