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

a few things

a) if you get a pale coloured one, they will look gross very quickly, especially depending on the colour of the dust in the area you are riding in.

b) You can increase the rain resistance by buying some lanolin from the local pharmacy and massaging it in.

c) if you do go for a dark coloured one, it may eventually fade if dyed... mine was a black piece from lambland and it now has a hint of blue.

d) They make camping really snug.. I regulary use it as a pillow. I've learnt to ignore the smell. I have washed it several times in streams and suchlike.

e) combined with an airhawk, it makes for a comfy arse. However it will raise you an extra couple of inches away from the ground... which on the drz is a challenge.

f) as mentioned above, once off road, take it off and strap it onto another part of the luggage so you can shift your arse around and grip the tank... makes for much more confident off road riding.

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https://fernsforays.wordpress.com/

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

Thank you all for your comments and advice regarding sheepskin seat covers.

Sorry for the delay in replying, been very bogged down for a few weeks.

Only question I still have, is regarding finding the appropriate quality sheepskin.

One of you has mentioned that "natural" is the best. Ideally with original natural oils. If this is the case, please could you tell me where to look and what I am specifically asking for.

Once again, Thanks to you all.

Hi PJW,

You don't say where you are in the world??

If you look at this Australian site they have some great products to fit all sizes of bikes. I have 2 of the Solo Universal pad. They fit on my BMW 1200GS and on my Yamaha 660 Tenere.

SHEEPY HOLLOW sheepskin Seat Covers for Motorcycles

They post all over the world although that starts to push the price up.

The first one for the BMW is now 5 years old and has been all over the world. The sheepskin is still OK but the elastic is in need of replacement.

Definitely make riding more comfortable

Chris.

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http://wombatstravels.blogspot.com.au/

Sorry

Very new to this site ! Still learning my way around and it didn't dawn on me that my message was going worldwide.

I am based in Hertfordshire in the Uk.

If you can find a local butcher that kills and skins the sheep himself he might give it to you for free.... thats where i got my one