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Heated Seats

10K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  chicago 
#1 ·
Hi folks, I am a new Vee2 owner and have been working on kitting out the new bike with various farkles. One thing on my to-do list is to get a better seat for it. The OE one is ok for a few hours, but I am used to doing consecutive 12+ hour days on my old Honda and I really don't see that happening with the Vee2 seat.

I'm drawn to the Corbin seats for their reputation and their "seat builder" customization, but one of the options is for a heater element. I often find myself riding in cooler weather but I honestly don't think having hot buns would really do much when my legs are catching the wind anyway. Not to mention I've read articles about certain male sensitivities to heated seats in cars, and given the seating position of a bike I think this effect might be more significant.

Anyone have any experience with heated bike seats? Would it be worth the extra $150 to option for it?
 
#4 ·
I have the Corbin heated seat on my V2 n love it. I'd love it even without the heat because I have yet to get a sore butt from multiple trips on it. The heat really warms your core and along with heated grips it's the perfect combo. I must say it cost damn near $600 after shipping but was worth every penny.


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#5 ·
Corbin has a polarized reputation. I know guys I have ridden with for decades who love them. I know guys who can't understand how anybody would put one on their bike. For what it i worth they are carved to a bucket shape and use very stiff foam.

There are others out there as well. If you have Vee2 you can use the Shad heated comfort seat.

Sargent has a heated seat option for all V-Strom models. They are pretty good seats. I used one on my Wee and liked it.

Use a voltage monitor like the signal dynamics unit and heat controller (DC square wave generator) and you will be fine.

Frugal DIY types might want to try a "Symtec Single Seat Heater" and seat concepts foam & cover combination.
 
#6 ·
Heated seats and grips are nice because they are always available for a little extra heat for a cooling body. The problem is they don't add enough body heat to do a good job in colder and/or longer rides. Heated gloves, vests, jacket and pants liners, and insoles or socks better target the places that get really cold or get warmth to the core much more effectively but have to be packed to help.
 
#9 ·
I had heated seats on my BMW they only had two settings high and low. My wife loved them, I would try them every once in a while, but even on low they caused me to sweat, which was very uncomfortable so I would turn them off and then get cold from the moisture. Maybe if the heater was controlled with a rheostat so there is more range it would be better. For me if only high and low I would save the money, if they have a rheostat, I would probably say yes even if I only used it once in a while.
 
#11 ·
My back side /crotch is the part of my body that is always the warmest and doesn't want any additional heat. My arms and hands seem to get the coldest. Heated grips warm the palms of my hands and the backs of my hands still freeze. I'm happy with a heated jacket liner and heated gloves. Hopefully you can find some friends that will let you try different components. We are all different.
 
#12 ·
Where I live heated gear is a must if you plan to ride either early or late in the season.
Heated grips are fine until the temps drop into the 30's. I then break out the heat gloves. And of course the heated jacket which I wear as soon as the temps get into the low 50's.
I had a Corbin heated seat that was on my Honda ST1300 when I bought it. There were two settings....On & Off. I was never able to really feel the heat with two or three layers of clothing, blue jeans and Aerostich over pants.

My recommendation is that heated gloves and jacket are a much better investment.
Warm and Safe is a great company as I had a problem with one of the sleeves on the jacket had a hot spot. I contacted the company about two years after I had bought it. Told them what the problem was and they said, "send it back and we'll look at it."
They sent me a brand new jacket with no questions asked.
 
#13 ·
+2 on what Greywolf said.

I love my heated jacket liner and heated gloves. But I often find myself reaching for the Oxford heated grip controller. I know everyone can't spend all the money right away, but unless you know you are going to need heated clothing I have always suggested getting the heated grips first and then a Nice heated jacket liner.

The neat thing about a heated seat is a lot of blood flows through that area and it can keep your entire body warmer.
 
#14 ·
Thanks a lot for the input! I think given my tolerance and climate that I can forgo the heated option and instead put the money towards heated socks and/or pants. I find I'm not so much limited by temperature as much as I am by the local municipality's enthusiasm for de-icing. I see what salt and brine can do to cars on a daily basis, and I don't want that happening to my bike :)

In the mean time I think I will hold off until spring before buying the seat. I have a buddy with a Bandit who has a Corbin, maybe I can convince him to give it a test ride before I buy my own. I like the support of firm foam, as long as the shape is right.
 
#15 ·
Also, something to consider, instead of heating the bike, there are a few companies that sell heated butt pads. Toss it on the seat and plug it in. I think that is a better option than adding another electrical part to the bike. Heated grips are a must if you ride in winter. Hands and fingers tend to freeze before any other body parts.
 
#17 ·
I suppose things have changed at Corbin but my experience from years ago was not a good one The seat (foam) failed/collapsed thousands of miles from home and I had to improvise a pad to sit on. Yeah they fixed it when I got home. Another Corbin seat I purchased was so ill fitting I returned it but had to pay for return shipping. When I spoke with them their idea of customer relations was pretty much 'oh well'. not a fan. Have been happy with Sargent on 3 bikes.
 
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