15/10/2026
Why we DON'T use memory foam in our seats.
I get asked for it a lot, so here's the honest answer.
Memory foam was designed for a mattress. Not a motorbike seat. And on a bike, it fails for 3 reasons:
1. It bottoms out.
Memory foam is a slow-recovery, low-resilience foam. It feels soft when you sit on it, but under your body weight + vibration + a few miles, it compresses flat. Once it's flat, you're sitting directly on the seat base. That's why it feels great for 10 minutes, then worse than stock.
2. It holds heat and water.
It's an open-cell foam that acts like a sponge. It traps body heat in summer, holds water in winter, and breaks down faster with UK weather. On a bike that's getting ridden, not polished, that's a problem.
3. It has zero vibration support.
A bike seat needs to support and return energy. Proper high-density, closed-cell foams like we use (dual-density PU / rebound foam) push back and absorb road buzz. Memory foam just absorbs you, then stays there. No support, no control, more fatigue.
What we use instead:
Specialised gel thats been developed especiallyfor motorbikes, + a top layer of comfort foam that doesn't bottom out. It stays supportive after 500 miles, doesn't soak up water, and doesn't turn into a hammock.
Soft isn't comfortable. Supported is comfortable.
If your current seat feels great in the garage but kills you after an hour - this is probably why.
Alastair - Else Made
