not really a gel pad just wondered if anyone has used one of these there is a bloke selling them on ebay. seem to be getting good reviews there filled with the same stuff that go in bean bags and there only £30 need to get something for the 300 mile ride up to liverpool next year for the classic TT. doesnt matter what bike i am on naked or sports bike after about an hour my ass is in tatters. or if someone can recommend a decent gel pad i used one once wasnt to impressed saying that is was a non branded item. happy lockdown
I've used one, still got it. It's OK on a flat saddle, pretty rubbish on a shaped one. I also have a sheepskin which I use on my 800, also OK.
I used a gel pad for a while on my Thruxton was a little better than stock or comfort seat but not by much though Then got an Airhawk pad and when correctly inflated its brilliant for a two and a half each way commute - no bum fatigue or pain
I've never been a fan of gel pads, Have tried them in the past both in the form of separate pads and as a comfort seat.I found that they probably extend riding comfort by about 50 miles or so. Many people have high opinions of Air Hawks but I have never tried them. I have had best results from a Sargent seat I had on a ditch pump and a seat reupholstered by Tony Martin on an 800 Tiger. They both made a huge difference to riding comfort but the downside for me was that they increased the seat height.
The same problem occured with the TIGER 900 GT LOW of my wife. The LOW-version is equipped with a very "hard" and thin motorcycle saddle. Our Triumph dealer here in Austria said, that a comfort seat for the LOW-version will be developed by TRIUMPH, but nobody knows when. Therefore we disassembled the saddle and put a 1cm gel pad which we adjusted to the original form of the saddle under the original seat cover of the bike. time expenditure: 1 hour required tools: pliers and a screwdriver to remove parts of the original staples, compressed air stapler with 6 mm staples, scissors to cut and adjust the gel pad persons: min 2, better 3, to stretch and fix the original seat cover back in position and staple it down costs: € 20 / USD 23,6 effect: My wife is very happy! Long rides are very comfortable now for her! You can see the result in the pictures.
Gel pads can be great. The minus is it hardened with cold temperature and doesn't hold quality in time. More and more upholster shop are reluctant to use gel.
airhawk seats are fabulous. 600 mile day was a breeze (with cruise set tbh) and well recommended. I think you can find a cheaper ones but definitely air seat. For shorter trips, as @Dartplayer says, cycle shorts are great (gel ones) and only £15 for them.