Opinion polls on the comfort of stock dual-sport motorcycle seats would suggest their kinship with medieval torture devices. Stock saddles are generally too narrow, with inadequate padding for comfortable support, especially on long rides.

Enter the Amphibious Softseat self-inflating cushion. This pneumatic pad effectively cushions the stock seat providing soft coverage of the bends, dips and humps common to many factory saddles. The pad absorbs shock and attenuates vibration otherwise transmitted to the rider. And on cold mornings, it provides insulation from a chilly saddle. Two adjustable plastic straps fasten the pad to the saddle; the straps are flexible enough to locate the pad as far fore or aft as the rider prefers.

Operating the Amphibious Softseat is similar to high-end tent camping sleeping pad in that it automatically inflates when the nozzle is opened. And it can be deflated completely, folded, and rolled up for storage in its mesh carry bag. The package takes up about the same space as a pair of goggles.

How well does the Amphibious Softseat work? I used the cushion over 3,000 miles, through sub-freezing to 90°F+ temperatures, through rain, snow, and sleet, off road and on dirt and gravel roads, as well as on interstate highways, mainly on rides of continuous stretches longer than 200 miles. The cushion provides a comfortable perch and doesn’t slip around. It wasn’t scarred by exposure to weather, and it’s easy to clean.

On long rides without the Amphibious Softseat, there’s a tendency for my legs to “go to sleep” from inadequate circulation, and I need to stand and stretch early and often. With the Amphibious Softseat, I found long haul rides more pleasant with less cramping, allowing me to comfortably ride longer distances between breaks. Riding off road, the cushion wasn’t obtrusive. Standing on the pegs, then sitting down, wasn’t an issue either.

Bottom line: The Amphibious Softseat self-inflating cushion civilizes the factory dual-sport motorcycle saddle. Riding with and without the pad is comparable to lying on an inflatable sleeping pad vs. the bare ground. MSRP: $89.95 (Large); $79.95 (Small) MotoMachines.com

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