Hartco Wool Seat Cover
HARTCO WOOL SEAT COVER
EVALUATION
RELIEF FOR HOT, CROSS BUNS; COLD ONES, TOO
LONG-DISTANCE RIDERS KNOW: IT'S usually not foul weather, limited fuel capacity or simple mental fatigue that can cut short a day’s ride; it’s the plush factor of the bike’s saddle. Even the most well-appointed touring rig can become a torture rack on wheels if the saddle starts to feel like a fakir’s bed of nails after a few hours. Rather than become a Hindu ascetic, though, you could take a tip from savvy long-haul pilots and invest in a wool seat cover from Hartco (10910 Switzer Ave., Suite 108. Dallas, TX 75238; 1-800-446-7772).
Granted, less-grizzled long-haul vets might be skeptical about the worth of a mere piece of lambskin. Indeed, you won't discover its virtues immediately; that is, not unless it’s near freezing outside —or worse — when you first climb on. Then you'll instantly notice how the wool takes
the eye-opening surprise out of straddling a frosty saddle. Your derrière w'ill stay warmer in cold weather, too, because wool is an excellent insulator, even when wet. Hartco does offer a raincover though, for $ 14.
In hot weather, the wool’s ability to breathe allows air to flow underneath you, and it also wicks away perspiration, helping to keep your haunches as cool and dry as a welltended infant's. Plus, the cover adds a bit of padding that further contributes to long-term comfort. And thanks to a tight fit that secures the cover as snugly as if it were on the original owner, the skin doesn't bunch up or sag with use. An elastic binding in the hem and a 34-inchwide elastic strap with a steel clip hold it in place.
Still, some fair-weather riders might not be convinced that the wool
cover can really make a difference over the long haul. But all it would take to turn them around is to climb off'one at the end of a personal-best high-mileage day and realize something’s missing—namely the burningbun fatigue and general gluteal distress that often accompanies a marathon ride. Such comfort can be a godsend, whether you've got 200 or 800 miles to cover before you sleep.
To be sure, Hartco’s wool seat cover (available in 10 colors for most motorcycles, with prices starting at $119) isn't the Golden Fleece; it can't transform a sorry seat into a king-and-queen throne. But it can let you stay in the saddle longer, by helping you keep your mind on your ride instead of your rump. For long-distance riders who weary of turning the other cheek, Hartco’s seat cover is pure comfort in sheep's clothing.
