Heated seats

[Dr Jekyll]

Some people swear by them but can't see what difference they make That part of me never gets cold even when the temperature is hovering around zero, and I tend not to ride if it's colder than that.

Is it all about 'core temperature'? Any experiences?

[airsafari87]

I guess they fall in to a similar category to
Cruise Control.
Heated Grips.
Quickshifter and Blipper.

I never needed or wanted any of those right up until the point where I rode a bike that did have them. Now they would be a major consideration factor for me when buying a new bike.

Likewise heated vests, I thought I never needed one of them till my Mrs bought me one a couple of Christmas's ago and now I'd be lost without it it.

I can only imagine that heated grips + heated vest + heated seat would be

Another way of looking at it.
No matter how warm and toasty you are, if you then sit on a cold bench or on cold ground you soon start to get cold yourself.
I can only imagine that the reverse of that would happen with a heated seat??




I really want a heated seat on my next bike now!

[junglie]

I think it depends on what you are doing.

My Fireblade has nothing and that was fine for the riding I was doing.

My K1300GT had heated seats and grips as well as cruise and I used all of them quite regularly.

[MrGman]

I always thought heated seats were a crap idea, then I had a loaner over winter once, think it was a tiger with a heated seat, I was completely shocked at how bloody good it was at keeping your whole body warm and not just your arse, if I had the choice I’d certainly add one as an option.

[Trevor555]

Dr Jekyll said:

Some people swear by them but can't see what difference they make That part of me never gets cold even when the temperature is hovering around zero, and I tend not to ride if it's colder than that.

Is it all about 'core temperature'? Any experiences?

I have to agree with you.

I did a cold 120 miles trip recently and suffered from cold hands and feet only.

[vonhosen]

Even if you think that part of you doesn't currently get cold, once you've used one in the cold, you'll be convinced of the benefit.
Sit on a cold floor for 2 hours, then sit on a heated seat for 2 hours. You'll be convinced of what it does for your core temperature.

Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 13th February 16:32

[Bob_Defly]

It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but the heated grips and seat on the Tiger 900 are really nice in the cold.

[LosingGrip]

I'm thinking of getting some more heated stuff. I've got the grips already and thinking either a jacket or seat. I'll hopefully be doing an hour commute each way soon. I've heard if you keep your core warm your toes/fingers will be warmer.

[Dr Jekyll]

I have a heated vest and heated grips, but my fingers still get cold. Heated gloves are on the list for next winter.

[Scobblelotcher]

airsafari87 said:

I guess they fall in to a similar category to
Cruise Control.
Heated Grips.
Quickshifter and Blipper.

I never needed or wanted any of those right up until the point where I rode a bike that did have them. Now they would be a major consideration factor for me when buying a new bike.

Likewise heated vests, I thought I never needed one of them till my Mrs bought me one a couple of Christmas's ago and now I'd be lost without it it.

I can only imagine that heated grips + heated vest + heated seat would be

Another way of looking at it.
No matter how warm and toasty you are, if you then sit on a cold bench or on cold ground you soon start to get cold yourself.
I can only imagine that the reverse of that would happen with a heated seat??




I really want a heated seat on my next bike now!

I’m a tart and love all 3 features you mentioned at the start of the post. I ride an RR with them and love it!

[Kawasicki]

vonhosen said:

Even if you think that part of you doesn't currently get cold, once you've used one in the cold, you'll be convinced of the benefit.
Sit on a cold floor for 2 hours, then sit on a heated seat for 2 hours. You'll be convinced of what it does for your core temperature.

Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 13th February 16:32

Yup.

Even if you feel like only your hands and feet are cold, they are cold because your core temperature is less than ideal. If you can maintain a warm core, then your extremities are warmer too.

[Kawasicki]

Dr Jekyll said:

I have a heated vest and heated grips, but my fingers still get cold. Heated gloves are on the list for next winter.

I have no heating of any kind. I just freeze. It’s deeply unpleasant. I look like death after a couple of hours. I aim to change that, starting with a heated vest.

[black-k1]

I thought heated seats on bikes were pointless until I tried on on a cold winter run. Sitting on a warm seat was great for kerping the core warm and for making a lonb cold run much more comfortable.

While not a deal breaker now, having a heated seat is a bit of a plus when it comes to buying a bike.

[Zedboy]

Agree with majority here ... after 35 years riding with no winter comforts I got Keis gloves and vest two years ago and it’s transformed my all year riding. Love ‘em and they make me safer and much happier

[off_again]

Long story, but have been on a number of long rides on a friends K1600 with heated seats. Never really thought it would make that much difference but it does. Not all situations, but it does make a difference and keeps things comfortable. I would say that heated grips are an absolute must for me (need to improve my circulation) but will look for heated seats next time.

However, I would also mention a heated vest though. Now that works!

[s2kjock]

I find the heated seat on my K1300GT very concerning if used when riding in heavy rain.

I have switched it on by accident once or twice in those conditions and was convinced I had wet myself.

[Lost ranger]

I've only used mine on motorway rides when it was barely above freezing. Even then it felt uncomfortably warm in itself without affecting more core temperature that I could tell. Each time I switched it off for the return trip.

[dreamer75]

I'm such a softie, I've got a heated seat, heated jacket, heated gloves and heated grips! Riding in the winter is snug - probably warmer than the car!

Bike doesn't have a heated seat as standard (Z1000SX) but I got a Top Sellerie because the standard seat was so uncomfortable for long days out. Decided to tick the heated seat option seeing as I was spending so much on the seat anyway. It is lovely !

[Scobblelotcher]

dreamer75 said:

I'm such a softie, I've got a heated seat, heated jacket, heated gloves and heated grips! Riding in the winter is snug - probably warmer than the car!

Bike doesn't have a heated seat as standard (Z1000SX) but I got a Top Sellerie because the standard seat was so uncomfortable for long days out. Decided to tick the heated seat option seeing as I was spending so much on the seat anyway. It is lovely !

I don't think it's soft really to stay warm. I've ridden and been so cold, struggled to use my hands and it undoubtedly affected my ability to ride well. I'm pretty stalwart to the cold and conditions (ex Royal Navy and very used to bitterly cold conditions) but if you ride any distance in this type of condition you are reducing your ability to stay safe. Concentration is also often reduced when the rider gets too cold.

I used to smirk at people with heated bikes/clothing but now I think it's just smart to stay warm, alert and able to pilot your bike to the best of your ability rather than trying to tough it out with degraded ability to respond to an emergency event.

Aside from the safety stuff, many (most?) of us have one car or more and have the choice so making riding more comfortable means the bike is probably going to see more use!

[black-k1]

As an addition, I found my heated seat to be of such benefit that, when I was fitting a new cover to the pillion seat, I included heating in that.