Pads that increase circulation are also great for relieving heat-induced discomfort. Buttache is exacerbated by hot weather, and may even lead to stickier, secondary complications. Butt rash is something we don't like to talk about, but all experienced riders have succumbed to it. This kind of skin irritation is caused by heated moisture that clogs pores and softens the skin to the point of fragility. Sweat is most often the culprit, but a leaky rainsuit or one that doesn't breathe can cause a rash too. The beaded seat pad we rode with (and to a lesser degree, the sheepskin) let air circulate and eliminated sticky butt syndrome.
Chafing is an entirely different animal. This is when friction causes enough skin irritation to make sores, which usually occur at the underwear seams or where the edges of the seat contact the thighs. The underwear fix is easy, some of us ride with bicycle shorts instead. The lack of thick seams will be pleasing immediately and the chamois-like padding in the crotch will help draw moisture away from your skin. For those who don't like the elasticized feel or the high cost of riding shorts, both Hanes and Jockey make comfortable thigh-length cotton briefs. If it's the actual seat seams that are causing irritation, a new seat shape may be the only fix. (Although any of the pads discussed here could possibly give you the lift you need.)
So when you purchase a sheepskin for your motorcycle seat you can be assured you'll be more comfortable in just about every area...but only in moderation. It won't circulate blood like the beads, and it won't dampen bone contact like air or gel, but it's an all-around good option -- the good ol' boy of seat pads. Plus, Comfort Line sheepskins are attractive, fully washable and available in beige, brown or gray, in addition to basic black. The Sheepskin Singles are short-haired (three-quarters of an inch long) and come in small, medium or large for $45. Comfort Line also offers a longer hair length in Shaggy Sheepskin (two inches long; $85), which is a full seat cover available in 10 different color styles (including predator tints like fox, grizzly and wolf).
The sheepskin we tested attaches to the seat using a four-point, hook-and-loop system that semipermanently affixes to the bottom of the seat. The pad can be removed and adjusted via four nylon straps running through metal loops on the underside of the sheepskin. This harness was easy to apply and held the pad securely.
