Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Sheepskin seat cover? Sheepskin seat cover?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 24 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: France
Posts: 42
IKEA of all places
£20 in IKEA for a skin
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 25 Sep 2010
NearlyHomelessNick's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 96
Personally I would not bother with baby rugs they have been cleaned chemically and all the goodness removed.
A greasy bio fleece still has Lanolin in it, a natural dirt and water repellent. I can shake mine almost dry after a downpour
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 25 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: France
Posts: 42
Good info
Thanks for that info, I hadn't considered that at all. Just looked at the German website you mention and I think it's the way I will go If they have the lanolin loaded ones. As you say very cheap.
Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 28 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: South Manchester, looking out the window at the Peaks, UK
Posts: 72
I have often wondered about the IKEA sheepskins; are they worth having?

38
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 28 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: France
Posts: 42
Ikea skin
Hi,
Well we have one for a chair in the house and it is great, but we are taking the advice on the lanolin loaded organic ones and have ordered one of those for the bike. We have never got the IKEA one wet! We quite fancy the brown on the bike
Cheers,
Robin
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 28 Sep 2010
mjredl's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chilliwack, BC (outside Vancouver)
Posts: 40
As noted in my previous thread, I have had my sheepskin since 2001. It is washable and does not shrink much at all. A few years back I bought one for my wife from IKEA and when washed, shrunk quite a bit. (Washing directions for this skin is dryclean only). Just hand wash or wash on gentle cycle in a washing machine and install on the seat while still a little damp, no problem. Both sheepskins do a great job. IKEA's cost about $40 CAN.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 22 Dec 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SOUTH AFRICA
Posts: 14
Sheepskin Cover
Hey Chaps. i had a sheepskin cover made, cost about $20. get someone to stitch it so it is a slip on
Attached Thumbnails
Sheepskin seat cover?-28857_0_10_3_xt660z-20tenere_image-20credits-20-20yamaha.jpg  

Sheepskin seat cover?-shhep.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 7 Jan 2011
The Raven's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 153
I'm surprised no one mentioned Alaska Leathers. Thats where I got mine for the KLR. It's rugged as hell and keeps going, plus they stand behind the product. I brush it out a couple times a year for maintenance.

This is their website and try to ignore the shiny thing on the front page, thier pads are not just bling. : <Alaska Leather> Home of the Sheepskin Buttpad - Motorcycle Seat Covers - Alaska Leather Home Page

Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 3 Mar 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Posts: 88
Would an Airhawk seat cover be worth the extra money over a sheepskin cover?
__________________
expro.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 3 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
The synthetic airhawk cover does hold water but thankfully hardly any.

The bladder underneath the cover has channels that may hold quite a bit of water so you may find a heavy storm would produce a wet stodgy pad to sit on.

Generally I found them helpful on long motorway stretches but a complete pain at all other times. Your mileage may vary.
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #41  
Old 10 Mar 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London
Posts: 88
So for random on and off use and off-road riding, would the sheepskin cover be better suited?
__________________
expro.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 10 Mar 2011
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
I've had an Airhawk and a sheepskin on an AT and here, FWIW, is what I reckon:

Airhawk - couldn't live with it. Too tall, too wobbly. Maybe I had it over-inflated, but I got rid of it anyway. Also eye-wateringly expensive compared to...

Sheepskin - cheap (if you wait until you get to Chile or Kenya to buy it) and adds a few dozen miles a day to your comfort zone. Drys quickly.
I attach it with two bungees, so if it gets wet and I don't have time to dry it, I just fold it back over itself and sit on the saddle.
Also allows some movement of air under the back-door area - good in the tropics.
Chuck it on top of a pannier and you have a near-perfect stool upon which to drink in a motel car-park.
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 15 May 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: on the road
Posts: 24
Smile short or long haired?
Is there a big difference between long haired and short haired skins?

I got both, the long haired one is heavier but would be more comfortable for using as a mat cover. The short one looks good size and light but might not be soft enough, although I just did a short trip and feels much better.

I guess my worries would be drying time... long haired ones might take a lot longer.

Any advice?

Tnx
Beedee
__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 16 May 2011
spooky's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Utopia/Germany
Posts: 279
go for the comfortable long hairy fluff... take it off if heavy rain... actually I never did..
__________________
The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 26 Jun 2011
engjacques's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: redding, ca, usa
Posts: 25
Alaska Leathers
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowraven View Post
I'm surprised no one mentioned Alaska Leathers. Thats where I got mine for the KLR. It's rugged as hell and keeps going, plus they stand behind the product. I brush it out a couple times a year for maintenance.

This is their website and try to ignore the shiny thing on the front page, thier pads are not just bling. : <Alaska Leather> Home of the Sheepskin Buttpad - Motorcycle Seat Covers - Alaska Leather Home Page
Love my cover from Alaske Leathers over a great Rick Mayer seat. Rick Mayer added loads of comfort to stock GS seat and sheepskin added the icing to the cake
__________________
engjacques
09 R1200GS. 06 Royal Star Tour Deluxe
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2003 XT600E replacement seat cover bacardi23 Yamaha Tech 5 20 Jan 2010 19:19
1990 xt600. Need a seat cover.. skiboyracing Yamaha Tech 5 28 Dec 2008 20:45
Sheepskin seat covers and Quarantine Inspection? Chris D (Newcastle NSW) Australia / New Zealand 8 24 Nov 2008 05:04
XT600E - A Gel Seat or Sheepskin? kentfallen Yamaha Tech 15 1 Feb 2008 10:28
Seude Seat Cover mikesharp98 KTM Tech 13 29 Jan 2008 13:39

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:47.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top