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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Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - 1963-70 Triumph
13 reviews $88.39

Colony #2981-2 2 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
16 reviews $16.93

Lowbrow Customs Stainless Steel Solo Seat Hinge / Pivot Bracket - Bolt-On
7 reviews $83.19

Colony #2612-10 Seat Post Rod Nuts Spacer Kit 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$82.50

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 2 inch Black
33 reviews $20.26

Cycle Standard Chrome Solo Seat Spring Support Bracket Harley Ironhead Sportsters 1957-78
12 reviews $25.92

Colony #3080-6 Seat Spring Upper and Lower Set Harley-Davidson 45s/VL/Servi-car
1 review $71.50

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 4 inch Electropolished Stainless Steel
$59.00

Colony #2984-2 5 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
14 reviews $18.14

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 4 inch Chrome
28 reviews $20.31

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Hairpin Style -3 inch Black
18 reviews $20.30

Lowbrow Customs Hairpin Style Solo Seat Springs - 2-1/2 inch Black
12 reviews $20.29

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Weld-On Solo Seat Spring Mounts - Short
$39.00

Colony #2983-2 4 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
11 reviews $18.14

Lowbrow Customs Chrome Solo Seat Bolt-On Spring Mounts for Harley-Davidson Swingarm Frames 1958 - 1985
1 review $36.03

Colony #8876-5 Seat Bar Bushing Set 1965-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$33.31

Colony #8875-5 Seat Bar Bushing Set 1937-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1929-1973 45 Solo/Servi-Car - CAD Plated
$33.31

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Weld-On Solo Seat Spring Mounts - Coped
$34.00

Colony #8873-18 Saddle to Seat Tree Mounting Kit 1934-1980 Harley-Davidson Models (Except FX/XL) - CAD Plated
1 review $31.50

Gigacycle Garage Gigacycle Garage Seat Bolt 1/4"-20 for 1997-Up Harley-Davidsons
$28.00

Colony #2084-2 Seat Post Bushings 1958-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins OEM# 47094-58
1 review $24.37

Colony #3793-3 Front Seat Mounting Bracket Pin & Lock 1954-1978 Harley-Davidson XL/XLCH
$12.10

Colony #3277-14 Seat Spring Mount Kit 1968-1984 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH
$23.76

Colony #8859-1 Seat Post Bushing 1929-Up Harley-Davidson 45 Singles 1930-1936 VL OEM# #3113-29
1 review $19.93

Colony #9915-4 Seat Bracket Button Head Mounting Kit 1987-Up Harley-Davidson Softail/Fat Boy - Chrome Plated
$8.93

Colony #2982-2 3 inch Heavy Duty Solo Seat Springs - Made in USA - Chrome Plated
17 reviews $16.93

Lowbrow Customs Solo Seat Springs - Hairpin Style - 3 inch Chrome
13 reviews $14.81 $20.48

Colony #3750-1 Seat Mounting Screw 1/4-20 x 1/2 Harley-Davidson OEM# 2952 - Chrome Plated
$4.40

Colony #8874-2 Seat Post Rod Lock Nut & Lockwasher 1925-1981 All Harley-Davidson Models (Except FX/XL) - CAD Plated
2 reviews $6.38

Saddlemen 1/4 inch -20 Seat Mount Knob - Black
6 reviews $8.00

Haifley Bros. Bates Style Pillion P-Pad - Horizontal Pleat - Black
$149.95

Haifley Bros. Bates Style 1 inch Horizontal Pleat Solo Seat - Black
$264.95

Gigacycle Garage Gigacycle Garage Seat Bolt 1/4"-28 for Pre-1997 Harley-Davidsons
$28.00

LePera Pillion P-Pad - Smooth for Bare Bones Solo Seats - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$180.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Diamond - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$387.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Smooth - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$318.00

LePera Bare Bones Solo Seat - Pleated - fits 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail
$387.00

Colony #3312-14 Seat Spring Mount Kit 1965-1967 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH
$23.76

Colony #3256-8 Saddle Bar To Seat Mount Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH - CAD Plated
$13.74

Colony #3226-4 Seat Post Bushing Set 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLH/XLCH
$22.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black Leather - Vertical Pleat - for Harley OEM Factory Rigid Frames
$500.00

Rich Phillips Seat Co. Cobra 2-Up Seat - Black Leather - Horizontal Pleat - for Harley OEM Factory Rigid Frames
$500.00

Til Death Cycles TDC Oversize Seat Mount Nut Kit
$25.82

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Weld-On Complete Seat Spring Mounting Kit - Flat Bottom
$55.00

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Weld-On Complete Seat Spring Mounting Kit - Coped Bottom
$65.00

Bare Knuckle Performance SS2 Solo Seat Springs - Barrel Style - 3 inch Stainless Steel
$34.00

Colony #3752-1 Seat Mounting Screw 1/4-28 x 1/2 Harley-Davidson OEM# 2739 - Chrome Plated
$4.40

LePera Cobra Pillion P-Pad - Smooth
$192.00

LePera Cobra Seat - Diamond- Rigid Frame
$479.00

LePera Cobra Seat - Smooth - Rigid Frame
1 review $433.00

LePera Kickflip Seat - Diamond - 2010-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$548.00

LePera Streaker Solo Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$399.00

LePera Streaker Solo Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$307.00

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

LePera Sprocket Solo Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$364.00

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

LePera Cobra Full-Length Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$479.00

LePera Cherokee Seat - Smooth - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$479.00

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

LePera Cherokee Seat - Diamond - 2004-2023 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$548.00

LePera Silhouette Solo Seat - Smooth - 1958-1978 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$318.00

Sully's Customs Sporty 2-Up Seat - Black Diamond - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
1 review $244.95

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

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

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

Colony #3642-2 Buddy Seat Auxiliary Spring Clip - Heavy - 1936-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$30.00

Colony #3641-2 Buddy Seat Auxiliary Spring Clip - Light - 1936-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$30.00

Drag Specialties Solo Seat - Smooth - 1982-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$280.95

Drag Specialties EZ-On Solo Seat - Smooth - 1982-2000 Harley-Davidson FXR
$354.95

Drag Specialties Solo Seat - Smooth - 1958-84 Harley-Davidson Sportster FX/FL
$362.95

Drag Specialties Solo Seat - Smooth - 1984-99 Harley-Davidson FXST/FLST
$353.95

What Is the Most Comfortable Custom Motorcycle Seat Style for You Purchasing The Right Motorcycle Saddles Will Improve Your Ride Experience If you have ever taken a trip on a bike with an uncomfortable seat, you know how important a motorcycle...

Purchasing The Right Motorcycle Saddles Will Improve Your Ride Experience

If you have ever taken a trip on a bike with an uncomfortable seat, you know how important a motorcycle seat is. Let’s get yourself a new, comfy motorcycle seat! Exploring some aftermarket motorcycle seats or restoration of the seat with some motorcycle seat hardware can turn a motorcycle seat nightmare into a dream ride.

Choosing Solid Solo Motorcycle Seats

Solo motorcycle seats are common on a variety of motorcycles. They look cool and they can give the rider some added suspension when they are mounted with seat springs. Custom solo motorcycle seats are a great option for any Harley Chopper, Bobber, Shovelhead or rigid frame bike. These universal motorcycle seats have suspended seat pans making them easier to mount and position than a flush frame mounted seat.

Custom Motorcycle Two-up Seats

A two up seat is exactly what it sounds like; a seat meant for both a rider and a passenger. These seats have specific fitment and come in a variety of styles and stitch patterns. These two-up seats provide a combination of comfort and style. A quality aftermarket motorcycle seat makes all the difference.

Choose the Right Motorcycle Seat at Lowbrow Custom

We have motorcycle seat kits with all of the pieces you need to complete the installation. Lowbrow Customs carries an assortment of solo seat springs, seat mounts, and seat hinges and hardware to help you design the perfect solo motorcycle seat.

Our selection of solo seats come in a variety of colors, stitch patterns and styles like old school, vintage so you can find the perfect motorcycle custom seat for your bike.

There are measurements and product information so you can easily determine which seat is right for you. Combine our two-up seats with a universal motorcycle backrest for a perfect comfort combination for you and your passenger.

We carry custom motorcycle seats in solo and two-up options from brands like Biltwell, Sully’s Customs and Cycle Standard.

All of our motorcycle seats for sale are in stock and ready to ship to your door. If you have any questions please let us know. We are happy to help you get the right seat for your application. Moreover, you can watch a video “how to mount a solo seat” guide if you’ve just started customizing your dream bikes.

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Motorcycle Seats FAQ

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