Best Motorcycle Seat Cushion for Long Rides: Gel, Air or Foam
The best motorcycle seat cushion for long rides is one that eases the pressure points on your seat, takes some of the buzz out of the road, and stays put without raising you so high that your feet no longer reach the ground. As a general rule, gel needs no adjusting, air lets you tune the firmness but needs checking, and foam is simple but can soften over a long day. Here is how they usually compare and how to size one.
Gel vs air vs foam seat cushions at a glance
These are general traits of each type, not test results. Individual cushions vary with their materials and build.
| Gel | Air | Foam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | A gel layer gives a little under you | Connected air cells you inflate to a firmness you choose | A foam block compresses under your weight |
| Adjusting | None needed | Add or let out air for firmness, check it before rides | None, firmness is fixed |
| Bumps and vibration | Depends on the gel and the layers around it | Depends on how much air is in it | Depends on the foam's density |
| On a long day | Usually feels the same all day, with nothing to reset | Can feel different as the day warms up; may need a top-up or a little air let out | Softer foams tend to compress more as the hours go by |
| Things to watch | Usually heavier than an air cushion; how warm it gets depends on the cover | Can lose air or puncture | Can feel warm, and an uncovered foam can take on water |
What a seat cushion actually fixes on a long ride
The first hour is rarely the problem. Later in the day, a factory seat that felt fine around town presses on the same few points, the road keeps buzzing through it, and you are shifting around every few minutes. A good cushion can ease that pressure and take the edge off some of the vibration.
A cushion will not change the shape of a seat that is wrong for your body. If your seat slopes you into the tank or is too narrow, a pad may help a little, and it is worth asking a seat shop about your options. One of our own reviewers said the pad made little difference on their bike, and that is worth knowing before you buy any cushion.
Gel seat pads: no pump, nothing to check
Gel tends to give a little as you sit on it rather than pushing back at one point. The main appeal for a long ride is simplicity: there is no pump and nothing to check before you leave.
Our X-Tender Motorcycle Gel Seat Pad uses alternating layers of gel and foam to absorb shock from road bumps. The top layer is a DryMax mesh that lets air move so body heat does not build up under you, and the gel is designed to keep a stable seat temperature through changing weather. It adds only 1.5 inches to your seat height, it is lightweight enough to pack, and we recently made it water-resistant after rider feedback (water-resistant, not waterproof, so it is still worth covering the bike or bringing the pad inside overnight).
It installs with adjustable elastic loops: remove your seat, position the pad, run the loops around and reattach the seat. Snap-on sliders let you take the pad off quickly when you do not need it, and an anti-skid base keeps it from sliding around. If a loop wears out, we sell Replacement Loops for Gel Seats so you do not need a new pad.
Many of our reviews come from riders who bought the pad for their passenger, and one wished they had bought it sooner. An adventure bike owner with a 32 inch inseam used it to fill the low front of the seat, and a cafe racer owner said it smoothed out the hard edges of his saddle.
Air seat cushions: adjustable, but need attention
An air cushion is usually a set of connected cells you inflate, and you set the firmness by adding or letting out air. The trade-off is attention: air pressure tends to rise as it warms and as you climb, so a cushion set on a cool morning can feel firmer on a hot afternoon or up a mountain pass. Too much air tends to feel tall, and too little can let you sink through to the seat. Follow the maker's instructions and check it before you ride. We do not carry air cushions, so these are general points to weigh in any of them.
Foam seat cushions: simple and light
Foam is simple, with nothing to adjust and nothing to leak. Memory foam slowly shapes itself to you. As a rule of thumb, softer foams tend to compress more over a long day, some foams feel warm, and foam without a cover can take on water. If you choose foam, look at how firm it is and whether the cover is water-resistant.
How to choose the right size seat pad
Size matters more than most riders expect. Too small and you sit on the edge of the pad; too large and it hangs over the sides of the seat. The X-Tender comes in five sizes, all 1.5 inches thick. Fit by seat and bike type, from the product page:
| Size | Where it fits | Front width | Back width | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Small | Passenger seat of sport bikes and street bikes | 7 in | 8.5 in | 9.5 in |
| Small | Passenger seat of cruisers, baggers, touring, sport-touring, adventure and standard bikes | 8 in | 10 in | 12 in |
| Medium | Rider seat of sport bikes, street bikes, roadsters and standard bikes (not rectangular seats) | 8.5 in | 14.5 in | 12 in |
| Large | Rider seat of cruisers, touring, sport-touring, baggers, bobbers, choppers and large scooters | 9.5 in | 16 in | 14 in |
| X-Large | Long rectangular rider seats (cafe racers, scramblers, some dual-sport and enduro, modern classics) | 6.5 in | 8 in | 16.5 in |
Measure your seat where you sit and compare it with the table. An owner of a big touring cruiser told us the Large fit the rider seat perfectly. On most bikes the passenger seat is smaller than the rider seat, so if you ride two-up, measure the passenger seat on its own: the X-Small and Small sizes are the ones listed for passenger seats.
Other long-ride comfort that helps
A cushion handles the seat. These help with the rest of a long day:
- Your throttle hand. Holding the throttle on a long highway stretch can tire your wrist. Our Easy Cruise Motorcycle Throttle Lock holds the grip in a fixed position to help reduce fatigue on longer stretches, and disengages when you roll it forward. Speed still drops uphill and rises downhill, so stay on the controls. Our guide to easing wrist pain on long rides covers grips, posture and breaks.
- Rain. Canadian summer days can turn wet fast. The Dri-Tek Rain Suit has heat-sealed seams and pants you can pull on over your boots. Our tips for riding in the rain help once it starts.
- Cool mornings. Early starts can be cold even when the afternoon is warm. Our Heated Seat Pad runs from your bike's 12V battery with an on and off switch; owners say it gets very warm, so expect to switch it off and on, or add a temperature controller. Our guide to the heated seat pad vs a seat heater kit explains the options.
- Load and luggage. A loaded bike handles and brakes differently. Check our guide to how much you can carry on a motorcycle, and if you are camping, our motorcycle camping trip checklist.
- Noise, eyes and breaks. Many riders find earplugs make wind noise easier to live with, eye protection keeps out debris, and regular stops to stretch and drink water are worth planning into any long day.
- X-Tender Motorcycle Gel Seat PadGel and foam cushion for rider or passenger seats
- Replacement Loops for Gel SeatsNew elastic loops for an X-Tender pad
- Easy Cruise Motorcycle Throttle LockRests your throttle hand on open road
- Dri-Tek 2-Piece Rain SuitKeeps you dry when the weather turns
- Heated Seat Pad12V seat warmth for cold mornings
Which seat cushion should you buy?
- Long days, rider or passenger, nothing to adjust: a gel pad like the X-Tender, sized to your seat.
- You like to fine-tune and do not mind checking it: an air cushion.
- The simplest option for shorter rides: a firm foam pad with a water-resistant cover.
- Your seat is the wrong shape for you: a pad may help a little; a seat shop can tell you about other options.
See the rest of our range in motorcycle accessories.
Questions riders ask us
Is the X-Tender a seat cover or a replacement seat?
Neither. It is a pad that sits on top of your existing seat, held by elastic loops, and comes off when you want.
Will it raise me up? I like to touch the ground.
It adds 1.5 inches to your seat height. If you are already on your toes at a stop, check whether that suits you.
How do I choose the size?
Pick the row in the size table for your bike type and seat, then compare the measurements with your own seat. Between two sizes? Send us your bike's make, model and year.
Is it good for a passenger?
Yes, and many of our reviews say so. The X-Small and Small sizes are made for passenger seats.
Will it slide around?
The base is anti-skid and the elastic loops hold it to the seat. Adjust the loops so the pad sits snug before you ride, and check them now and then. If a loop wears out, replacement loops are available.
Can I leave it on the bike in the rain?
It is water-resistant, not waterproof. Take it off or cover the bike when it is parked outside, especially overnight or when rain is forecast.
Tell us what you ride and what gear you already have, through the chat on any page or at (647) 400-3081, and we will help you pick the right fit.
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