DP Gel Seat + Sun = WAY HOT

[ejw24]

Bike was parked on the street yesterday in the sun, wasn't that hot out (high 60's).  The gel really gets super heated - to the point where it was almost to hot to sit on it to ride.  Any one know of any covers or anything to use when parking in the shade isn't an option??

[A.duc.H.duc.]

a buddy of mine almost always leaves his jacket draped accross his seat...

his jacket isn't as nice as mine though.

[Ivan]

Any one know of any covers or anything to use when parking in the shade isn't an option??

Here ya go.  I have the BCS model, which covers the entire topside of the bike, and is still small enough to fit under the seat in its own little pouch.

http://www.coveralls.biz/

[hypurone]

I just throw a white (reflects heat better) hand towel over it. Cheap, that way if someone bags it, no biggie.  [moto]

Not that I ever really leave my bike anywhere, unattended for very long and usually just set my gloves and helmet on it, but when I have to the towel works like a champ.

[RB]

i take my seat off an bring it in the office. I too have the gel seat, and 8 hrs in the a/c gives me a nice cool seat for the ride home!
You could get one of those thermal reflective sheets, they are very thin, and you could store it under you seat.

[m1moto]

Yep that seat gets hot, I usually put my jacket on it but I'm always worried it will grow legs.

[Scooter Montgomery]

Umbrella Girl

[ejw24]

Umbrella Girl

This is a plan I can really get on board with!! 

Thanks for all the ideas, I ordered one of the reflective seat covers this afternoon.

[MotoCreations]

The gel really gets super heated

Know of motorcyclists in Arizona with gel seats who regretted having them. Hot summer sunshine on the gel heating it for hours -- get off work and ride home hoping it cools off in traffic -- burns by the time you get home. (one person went to the ER it was so bad) Then you walk rather strange for a few weeks and wear loose fitting clothes.  Everyone one of them later replaced to a non-gel seat.  Arizona is an extreme environment though.  But never assume the gel is going to "cool down" within a few miles.

[NAKID]

I have one, live in AZ and cover it with my jacket if I have to park it in the sun. It's usually under covered parking or in my garage...

[mxwinky]

I've experienced the same "gel burn" on my Multistrada and found the perfect solution.  There's a small cover available that has stretch bands that go to the brake and clutch levers and then other bands that go to the shifter and rear brake levers, then more stretch bands that loop over the rear turnsignals (or whatever is convenient on the rear of the bike) and then the cover is stretched/suspended over just the tank and seat area of the bike.  It can easily be stored in its own pouch and fits in a tankbag easily.  Cost is about $36 at most shops here in the Northern California area.  I'll get the name and try to post a pic when I get home.  It really does the trick.  I believe it's called "Cycle Shade", but I'll make sure and report back.

[ducwrx]

More riding less parking

Ambient temperatures aren't the problem. I nearly burned my butt after it sat in the sun (65-75 degrees F) for two hours. Now I carry a white washcloth if I can remember it.

[ducatiz]

Dowco makes a "bikini" cover called the Traveler that folds/rolls up small enough to fit under the seat.  I have one and it's perfect.  Comes with bungee hooks front and back and runs around $35 on the street.  Waterproof and sun proof.  It only covers the top of the bike.  Mine covers the front end to below the headlamp, the sides down to the top of the engine and the back to the top of the rear wheel.  Indispensible and take about a minute to put on and about 2-3 minutes to ball up and stick under the seat.

[ducducgooseme]

I had one in Colorado and sold after realizing how distracting it was on my commute home to frying my man peaches the entire ride.  Took the fun out of riding it.

[mxwinky]

Checked mine and it's definitely called the Cycle Shade.  A very nice product that just covers the tank/seat area and really does the trick when it comes to keeping the gel seats from roasting your chestnuts.  I rode the 'strada today after it sat in the sun for hours and the seat was cool and comfortable.  I took a pic with my phone but can't seem to get it loaded here, but the website is www.cycleshade.com and you can find good pics of it there.  Hope this helps!