A suction cup motorcycle seat allows you to take a pillion with you on your bike without having to screw anything. The seats are designed for fast mounting and removal and they do not require you to make any changes to your motorbike. Even more, you can roll it up and store it under your motorcycle seat when it is not in use. But how safe is a suction cup motorcycle seat? How does it compare to the screwed motorcycle seats? We have answers.
Most of the people who use suction cup seats have never complained about the safety. The seats are safe but you have to ensure that they are suction-cupped properly. Most motorcyclists mostly use them for short rides, such as those that take less than 20 minutes, only. Unfortunately, some pillions will not seat on a motorcycle seat that is not bolted properly.
How Does a Suction Cup Motorcycle Seat Work?
The suction cup motorcycle seat mounts to the motorcycle fender without the need for drilling or damaging the motorcycle. The seats come with several industrial-strength suction cups that make them safe to use on any motorcycle. Actually, people have used them for over one decade and manufacturers are still working to perfect them.
Manufacturers ensure that each suction cup is air-tight and secure to the bike for the safety of the pillion. Therefore, each suction cup has to be airtight after attachment and you can only use a quick-release air tab to remove it.
When removing the seat from the fender, you must pull each suction cup so that air can flow in. The slightly curved shape of the seats allows them to adapt to the shape of the motorbike fender perfectly and the felt on the underside eliminates chances of scratches on the fender.
Suction cup motorcycle seat producers know that the paint of your motorcycle is important. They also know that anything that gets into contact with the fender, including the suction cups, can damage the paint if you are not very careful. Therefore, they recommend the removal of any dirt, dust, or anything that might be in-between the suction cup attachment and paint when mounting the seat. In other words, you have to clean the suction cups and the fender before mounting the seat. That will help prevent damages to the motorcycle.
Furthermore, manufacturers recommend the use of a fender support kit to reinforce the fender and support the passenger. The fender support kit allows mounting a sissy bar or a backrest.
Choosing the Best Suction Cup Motorcycle Seat
Shopping for the best suction cup motorcycle seat can be stressful, especially when doing it for the first time. The first step when shopping for one should be doing thorough research. Keep the following questions in mind during the research.
- Is a suction cup motorcycle passenger seat worth buying?
- What are the benefits of using a suction cup motorcycle passenger seat?
- Are suction cup motorcycle passenger seats built the same?
- Which is the best suction cup motorcycle passenger seat in the modern market?
We are sure that you have many other questions related to suction cup motorcycle passenger seats and the only way to satisfy your need for knowledge is by getting as much information from reputable sources as you can. The best sources of information include buying guides, word-of-mouth testimonials, rating websites, and product reviews. Remember to use only credible and trustworthy sources and websites to avoid buying an unsafe seat or one that will last for a few days.
Here are some of the factors to consider when shopping for one.
The Brand Value
Each suction cup motorcycle seat brand has its value. Most brands provide a unique selling proposition that should offer a different experience from what the competitors offer.
The Features
The construction material, quality, and ease of use are some of the features to consider when shopping for the best suction cup motorcycle seat. Identify some of the most important features you would want on your passenger seat. For example, some people will go for a suction cup passenger seat made of high-quality synthetic leather while others will choose one made of cowhide leather so that their passengers can seat comfortably for a relaxing ride. Others will focus solely on the durability of the used material.
Good Design
Most suction cups motorbike seats will have 6-8 suction cups and soft rubber felt. The cups should offer strong absorption and they should hardly slip off. Such cups will keep the seat firmly on the motorcycle’s back seat. Furthermore, the seat should be good-looking and feature a stylish appearance so that it can make your motorcycle more attractive.
Customer Ratings
The customer ratings grade products. So, remember to check them before making the final purchase decision. The ratings will tell you exactly what to expect after buying the product.
The Product Quality
You are unlikely to get exactly what you pay for. At times, you will get a product of lower quality than you expected and at other times, you may get one of higher quality.
The Product Reliability
Check the sturdiness and the durability of every suction cup motorcycle seat before buying. The quality will determine how long you will use the product.
Tips and Tricks of Using the Suction Cup Motorcycle Seat
- Suction cup motorcycle seats are attached with an airtight quick mechanism. The suction cups fit the passenger seat to the fender securely and they do not move unless you pull out all the quick release air tabs situated below the seat. The seat is as secure as the bolted motorcycle passenger seat and it does not require any drill holes or bolts. You can remove it to leave a clean fender without any drill holes or bolts when riding solo.
- Remember to clean the suction cups and the fender before attaching the passenger seat. Any grime, dust, or dirt in-between the fender and the suction cups can cause abrasion, therefore, damaging the paint.
- When not riding, remove the suction cup passenger seat from the bike. Even though the seat is airtight and will not move with the weight of your passenger, leaving it on the motorbike when riding alone is dangerous. When riding alone or without any weight on the passenger seat and when trailering the bike, the pressure and force of air will accumulate under the seat, therefore, forcing the air release tabs to open. As a result, the suction cup passenger seat will not be held solidly. So, never use the seat unless you have a passenger or luggage on it.
Conclusion
Even though suction cups are a simple invention, they are among the most useful technologies. They are highly used in many fields, including the fashion industry, photography, and the motor vehicle industry. Suction cup motorcycle passenger seats are easy to install and remove. Also, they do not move unless you pull out all the quick-release tabs, which are usually situated below the seat. So, they are as safe as the bolted versions. On the upside, they eliminate the need for drill holes or bolts. You can remove the seat easily and store it when riding alone.