Can anyone please advise me about covering a saddle with sheepskin.

Does it add comfort from the point of view of cushioning. Does it help to keep your backside cooler. Can it be used in the rain or does it get wet and stay wet.

I have seen photos of various riders using them, but have never had the chance to discuss it with them.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks

Sheepskin over saddle:

-Add comfort from the point of view of cushioning.
-Help to keep your backside cooler when is warm.
-And warm when is chilly

I also use it as a complement of my short termarest for camp

Can be used in the rain if is shower one, if not I roll it and keep it dry in bag…

Here in country-side Patagonia are cheap and nicely hairy…

Saludos

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Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”

£10 sheepskin rug from Ikea

Sling it over the saddle and comfy is my middle name

Makes a great mat , pillow,, etc etc

I’ve had one on my old R100GS for the best part of 10 years
I love it very comfortable and like everyone has said it helps in the heat the cold
Got mine from an add on one of the forums for about £20 second hand
It’s just a big bit of sheepskin cut to a rough shape and strapped to the seat by a bit of webbing strap that stitched to the bottom of it
Mine is in 2 bits one for the rider and one for the pillion
A few years ago in France After my wife had flown home I ended up lending the pillion pad to a mate I met up with out there so he could put it on his R1 he said it saved his life on that trip
Why not try an off cut from a local sheepskin coat type shop
I use mine in all weathers I just have a small waterproof sheet rolled up on my top box that I put over it if I stop out in the rain
And yes I know I am the most uncool men in the world I have a BMW and a top box in fact I have a collection of top boxes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not very good photos but here are some of bike with the sheepskin on in Morocco

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.5706058993.9268.607353993&type=1&l=25e43f77 31

Bed ridden patients used to have sheepskins to lay on, they help prevent bed sores. Same principle on the bike, every time you move the piles move so the pressure points change.
IMHO don't get a fleece from a furniture store, they've been cleaned to an almost sterile state, without the natural oils, lanolin, they will retain water. I use mine as pillow, its 5 years old, been caught in too many downpours and doesn't smell. Could do with a good combing though

Signature;- Current bike, 1991 Africa Twin RD04

Even Dakar riders use them now.....

I've tried sheepskins on a couple of my bikes and have never found that they really worked for me. They help for a bit then they get just as uncomfortable as the seat. In rain they will get wet and take a long time to dry out.

About all that has ever worked for me is a leather covered aftermarket seat.

The seat & ergonomics of the bike are always my biggest challenge to get sorted out. I'm not really sure what model of person the manufacturer's build these bikes for but I know I'm not one of them.

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1971 BMW R75 project,
2013 Suzuki DL650A

Have to agree with both comments above. However, I really do like the Sheepskin in cold weather and HOT weather too.
Good for both. But if your seat sucks to begin with ... I find a Sheepskin only extends your riding range by a small amount. I rode cross USA R/T on my former BMW R100RS with a Sheepskin. Great in cold weather, but too much movement under my butt doing sporty riding ... and my butt still suffered on long 10 hour, 400 mile days.

As Cycleman says above ... a leather covered after market seat ... designed by a PRO ... works for me. My Corbin on my DR650 is a 10 hour a day seat. Just amazing compared to stock torture device Suzuki provide stock.

I started with Sheepskins back in the 1980's, (as mentioned) did cross country and much more with Sheepskin covers. Even did a 6 week, 6000 mile ride through Baja and Copper Canyon in 1998 on KLR650.


This KLR was a '98 loaner Press bike from Kawasaki .. no time to get a better seat, so I set off with this Sheep Skin. Even with the Sheepskin it was a torture rack good for about two hours before pain set in. But did keep seat cool in hot conditions, but was distracting trying to ride off road. (too much movement).

Next for me I tried what the Pakistani and Indian Taxi drivers use in New York City, the wooden bead thingies. They work pretty well but also distracting riding sporty or off road and when they break, beads go everywhere!

Eventually I realized a really good custom seat was the answer ... and I also am a BIG FAN of padded, chamois lined quality bicycle shorts worn under riding pants. Really helps prevent "Monkey Butt" and does extend comfort a bit. Absorbs sweat, and the good ones are anti bacterial. I buy them at 2nd hand Thrift Stores for a few dollars. I carry a couple pairs and swap them out daily.

But Sheep Skins are still really useful for many, especially if just sitting on a long highway in cold conditions ... but will never be even close to a really well made seat.

Ordered one of these
Sheepskin Pet Rugs | Padded Pet Sheepskins | Buy Now From Lambland
its arrived but not seen it yet as I am still at work
Hope is good

Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

I recently re did two DR650 seats (mine and a friends) In my mates I got 1 inch of foam added and then put a sheep skin over that, he says its loads better, but the additional foam was the best bit - only cost $40 from an upholsterer.

lambland uk have them for about £12

I love mine wouldnt settle for anything else sure spend 10 times the amount on an airhawk and you can suffer punctures.

I strap mine over the seat with one bungee cord and also use it in camp as a cushion or under my feet.

definatly improves comfort and probably doubles riding time before the numb bum sets in

Looks great, thanks for sharing.

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Jacek & Rebecca
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