What is the difference between a pillion pad and a passenger seat?

The difference between a pillion pad and a passenger seat is comfort for the passenger. A pillion pad is a vintage-style motorcycle accessory and is simply a leather-upholstered pad located on the rear fender. This allows a passenger to sit with more comfort than if they were to sit on the fender itself. On some choppers the pillion pad (also known as a p-pad) is positioned to support the rider, should the rider slip back a bit on a sprung solo seat, for instance. A true passenger seat is full seat meant for regular use, and is similar in style and materials to the main seat. Typically it is part of a two-up motorcycle seat, that is, one seat that is designed and built for both the rider and a passenger.

How do you mount a sprung solo seat on a motorcycle?

In most cases mounting a sprung solo seat on a motorcycle requires a bit of welding and fabrication work. The parts needed include the solo seat itself, a solo seat pivot, seat springs and seat spring mounts. There are also some bolt-on seat pivots and seat spring mounts available which allow for a weld-free installation. To understand the parts needed and the installation process, watch the Solo Seat Install How-To video.

What length seat springs do I need for my solo seat?

The length springs needed depends on several things, including the frame dimensions, type of solo seat, and style of seat spring mounts being used. Ideally the seat is mocked up and a measurement can be taken to determine what length seat springs are needed. You do not want to slide back while riding, so the solo seat should be mounted so that it is parallel to the ground. Most solo seats have a bit of a kick up in the rear to help cradle the rider and keep them from sliding back. All of the solo seat springs we carry are heavy duty and up for the task at hand!

Motorcycle Seats

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Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
39 reviews $199.99

LePera Signature II Solo Seat - Rigid Frame
4 reviews $274.35 $295.00

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black Diamond - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
5 reviews $419.95

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black Diamond - Rigid Frame
1 review $389.99

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black Block Pattern - 1982-2003 Sportsters
$389.99

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black Diamond - 1982-2003 Sportsters
11 reviews $389.99

Sully's Customs Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black H-Pleat - Rigid Frame
1 review $275.99

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black H-Pleat - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
1 review $234.95

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black H-Pleat - 1982-2003 Sportsters
15 reviews $389.99

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Diamond Pattern - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
8 reviews $219.99

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
7 reviews $219.99

LePera Signature II Two Piece Seat - Diamond - Rigid Frame
$479.00

LePera Baron II One Piece Seat - Pleated - Rigid Frame
$479.00

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Diamond - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
28 reviews $199.99

Sully's Customs Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black Diamond - Rigid Frame
1 review $275.99

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll - Black
5 reviews $149.95

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Arched Pleat - Rigid Frame
1 review $165.00

Biltwell Solo 2 Seat - Black Diamond
14 reviews $119.95

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black H-Pleat - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
5 reviews $419.95

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Weld-On Spring Mounts / Perches
73 reviews $31.89

Sully's Customs Signature Seat - Black Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley Sportsters
9 reviews $204.99

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Weld-On
14 reviews $65.99

LePera Signature One Piece 14" Back Seat - Diamond/Buttons - Rigid Frame
$479.00

Saddlemen Americano 2-Up Cafe Seat - Tuck and Roll - fits 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$319.00

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black Arched Pleat - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
4 reviews $234.95

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Weld-On
19 reviews $65.99

Sully's Customs Sporty Solo - Black Diamond - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
39 reviews $149.99

Biltwell Midline Solo Seat - Black Tuck n Roll
3 reviews $119.95

Biltwell Solo 2 Seat - Black Tuck n Roll
5 reviews $119.95

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Diamond - Rigid Frame
$165.00

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Horizontal Pleat - Rigid Frame
$165.00

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-up - Black Arched Pleats - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
20 reviews $199.99

Sully's Customs Traditional King and Queen Seat - Black H-Pleat - Rigid Frame
$389.99

LePera Sprocket Solo Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$381.30 $410.00

Biltwell Thinline Solo Seat - Black Diamond
3 reviews $119.95

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black Diamond - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
1 review $234.95

LePera Cobra Solo Seat - Smooth - Rigid Frame
2 reviews $318.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Leather Solo Seat - Black
50 reviews $189.00

Biltwell Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge/Pivot - Polished
9 reviews $109.95

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - 1963-70 Triumph
15 reviews $76.99

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 1 inch Tuck-n-Roll Solo Seat - White
$264.95

LePera Cherokee Seat - Pleated - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$509.64 $548.00

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Horizontal Pleated - 2004-2021 (Excl. 2007-09) Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$249.99

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts - Black
13 reviews $49.49

Lowbrow Customs Black Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-On
4 reviews $65.99

Saddlemen Step Up Seat - Lattice Stitched - fits 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportsters
2 reviews $449.00

Saddlemen Step Up Seat - Lattice Stitched - fits 1977-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
2 reviews $449.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Snub Nose Leather Solo Seat - Buckskin
2 reviews $189.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Leather Solo Seat - Buckskin
2 reviews $189.00

Biltwell Solo Seat - Black Diamond
19 reviews $119.95

Biltwell Macho Negro Chromoly Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot - Black
51 reviews $89.95

Sully's Customs Diamond Pattern Solo Seat - White
6 reviews $114.99

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Chrome
38 reviews $18.99

Gasbox Chopper Seat Pan Kit
2 reviews $64.95

Sully's Customs Sporty Solo - Black Horizontal Pleated - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
19 reviews $149.99

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll - White
$149.95

Colony #3082-7 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set 1958-Up Harley-Davidson Swingarm Big Twins
1 review $74.25 $82.50

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 2 inch Chrome
25 reviews $18.99

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 1 inch Tuck-n-Roll Solo Seat - Black
2 reviews $264.95

Sully's Customs Camel Back Seat - Diamond Pattern - 2004-2021 (Excl. 2007-09) Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$249.99

Biltwell Midline Solo Seat - Black Diamond
2 reviews $119.95

Biltwell Slimline Solo Seat - Black Diamond
4 reviews $119.95

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Weld-On Threaded Spring Mounts
30 reviews $29.69

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - 1963-70 Triumph
12 reviews $76.99

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 4 inch Chrome
27 reviews $16.49

Sully's Customs Vertical Pleated Solo Seat - Black
4 reviews $114.99

Cycle Standard Motorcycle Seat Mount Screw Repair Kit
4 reviews $10.29

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Black
25 reviews $18.99

Sully's Customs Solo Seat - Black Vertical Pleat - Rigid Frame
$165.00

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Lil Guy Pillion P-Pad - Tuck-n-Roll
4 reviews $149.95

Colony #3081-7 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Rigid Big Twin
3 reviews $74.25 $82.50

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