This season I decided to try something new on my '12 DL650. I heard rave reviews on the accessory bead seats, so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

According to reports, they help keep the rider cool in hot weather, by allowing air to flow underneath the butt. I've also been told they allow water from pooling in the crotch area during rain, which helps keep moisture from wicking through the weather-susceptible crotch seam.

I bought an inexpensive seat with black wood beads on Amazon, for around $15. I couldn't see the need to go all out for the ceramic, which runs around $70.

I rode the bike once in the rain with the seat, but the rain wasn't hard enough to cause the afore-mentioned crotch pool, so I can't really report on that.

I also rode it several times in temps between 90-100 degrees. I can't say I noticed any appreciable difference in cooling 'down there'. FWIW, I was wearing a mesh jacket and mesh pants.

What I did notice was the toll it took on my back. I have a Russell Day-Long seat, which has been awesome to ride on. I regularly can empty a tank of gas without having to get off the bike since using the RDL. Once I added the beat seat to it, I quickly noticed lower-back pain. What I think may have been happening was the bead seat caused just a slight bit of additional curve to my lower spine, and it didn't take long for me to feel the effect.

I tried to tough it out, using the seat for a good month-plus. But it never got any better. I took the seat off and immediately the back pain went away.

I'm glad this is a solution for some -- my brother got one for his Honda Nighthawk and loves it -- but for me it's a no-go.

I'd guess the beads changed the way the seat supported your butt. RDL's are legendary for the fact that they provide support and firmness in just the right places, and the beaded seat probably altered that by making the seat stiffer in places that it shouldn't have been.

I'm surprised you wanted to try a beaded seat; I always thought RDL's were the top of the pyramid for support and comfort.

My bike came with beads and stock seat when I bought it used from a private party. I took the beads off last year as I didn't like them, didn't help with comfort at all. I then bought an RDL seat this spring and absolutely LOVE it. Completely worth the money. I can ride all day and be fine!

This is my theory too; even though the seat wasn't made specifically for me (came with the bike), I think the added 1" or so of height altered the geometry just enough to cause discomfort.

I agree that the RDL is absolutely a great seat -- it would be hard for me to ever own a bike without one, now -- but the bead seat was cheap enough and easy enough to install that I felt it was worth a try.

I just can't bring myself to spring for a dual RDL for my Super Tenere, as much as I'd like one, but they seem to get universal praise from everyone. I've made due with a stock seat and an Airhawk, but 400 miles in a day is about my limit for that.

I never had a bead seat on my bike; I just couldn't picture how sitting on little round things could actually increase comfort.

I have never used a beaded seat but the Sit n Fly seat covers do very much cool your man things down.

The first time I tried one it put a smile on my face because of the cooling effect.

I did not like the cover for myself but they do keep things cool.

No cotton or seams in your undergarments......THAT makes a huge difference along with a quality seat.

I have just ordered a couple of these for my bikes. https://www.ebay.com/itm/3D-Motorcyc...5OPb3ywrOsgVRg
I'll let you all know how they work out.

I'd not compare your generic bead experience with the Beadrider offering.
https://www.beadrider.com/product/ul...ont-seat-only/
The Beadrider beads are generally much larger than those for cars etc and the ceramic ones nigh on wear for ever.



The smaller beads won't let the airflow work optimally. I always had the Beadrider seat on my RDL.
Results vary of course by rider.
I like being able to move around easily - some seats just grip you in place too firmly.

I find switching around between nothing, AirHawk and Beadrider on a long day helps. I used both on the Terry Cox seat on my Wee and on my current CBF1000 ( no 3rd party seats in North America

So you ordered a GIANT hair net!!!!