The seat on a Coleman mini bike serves the all-important roles of keeping the rider planted and comfortable over varied terrain. But beyond pure function, the seat also makes a huge styling statement. Coleman has offered a variety of eye-catching seats across their long mini bike history.
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of Coleman seats, from the classic vinyl covered banana seats of the 1960s to the latest contoured and padded performance saddles. We’ll provide tips on choosing the right seat for your specific Coleman and riding style. And we’ll walk through mounting and maintenance to gain maximum comfort on every ride. Read on to get the scoop on Coleman mini bike seating.
Early Coleman Mini Bike Seats
Being some of the first mass-produced mini bikes in the 1960s, Coleman set many of the early styling trends in seats. Their earliest models like the Coleman 200 featured a long, curved seat imitating the “banana” style popular on choppers and other custom motorcycles of the era.
These first generation seats utilized a metal pan frame covered in bright vinyl upholstery. Their elongated shape allowed seating one or two people when riding tandem. Dual springs aided damping. Chroming the seat pan gave added flash.
Banana seats graced hot models like the 1965 Coleman Charger 65. They became synonymous with mini bikes through the 60s and into the 1970s. For many, the colorful banana seat defines vintage Coleman styling.
Rise of Single Seats
By the late 1960s, Coleman began offering more trail and performance focused mini bikes intended for single riders. These models utilized narrower solo seats in place of the banana.
Single seat designs provided several advantages:
- Lower weight without the heavy steel seat pan
- Absence of a back portion improved stand-up riding ergonomics
- Allowed more compact overall bike proportions
- Reduced costs from simpler construction
- Matched the intended use for single rider operation
- Easier for riders to shift weight and transition positions
Single seats ultimately displaced most dual/banana seats as Coleman expanded their trail and sport bike offerings. Let’s look closer at popular single seat styles.
Traditional Vinyl Coleman Seats
The classic vinyl mini bike seat remains a Coleman staple even on modern models. Comprising a molded pan covered in durable vinyl upholstery, these seats offer a balance of function, cost, and style.
Traditional vinyl seats feature:
- Steel or molded plastic base pan
- Formed dense foam cushioning
- Durable vinyl cover in eye-catching colors
- Front nose indentation for easier standing
- Side grip pads for holding on with knees
- Rear fender overlap edge to block splashing
- Springs or dampers for shock absorption
- Chrome dress-up parts on deluxe models
Vinyl seats lack the contours and padding of modern performance saddles. But the simple, economical construction keeps Coleman mini bikes affordable. They also fit the vintage aesthetic on retro-styled Colemans.
Modern Performance Mini Bike Seats
In recent years, Coleman has upped the comfort and styling on many models with more fully featured seats. These modern performance saddles offer advantages like:
- Much deeper padding and contouring for greater comfort
- Custom stitching patterns and accent piping
- Use of advanced “grippy” seat cover materials
- Front rise shaping supporting the thighs while standing
- Lumbar support through wider rear profiles
- Integrated grab handles at the rear
- Aggressive ridges and shapes matching contemporary mini bike design
- Contrasting seat cover panels and colors
- Options like seat heaters for cold weather riding
- Backrest add-ons to increase support on longer rides
For riders wanting comfort to match modern performance, upgraded seats transform the riding experience. Many now consider them essential upgrades.
Choosing the Right Coleman Mini Bike Seat
With the range of styles and features, selecting the optimal Coleman seat depends on a few factors:
Bike Type – Vintage models traditionally had dual seats while most newer performance Colemans accommodate single saddles. But universal mounting allows mixing and matching.
Riding Style – Solo dirt riding favors a thin single seat for maneuverability while cruising may warrant a plush dual saddle with backrest.
Physique – Smaller riders can size down for better reach and grip. Larger riders need more coverage area and padding.
Features – If you’ll ride in cold weather, get a heated model. Opt for lumbar support for long rides or slick material if wearing shorts.
Budget – Aftermarket seats range from basic universal models under $50 up to custom saddles over $300. Prioritize comfort.
Take time selecting the ideal seat for your specific Coleman mini bike and needs. You’ll be thankful over long days of riding.
Tips for Mounting Your Coleman Mini Bike Seat
Once you’ve selected the perfect seat, proper mounting ensures it stays firmly in place:
- Clean the existing seat pan thoroughly to remove any dirt, grease, or grime first.
- Make sure the new seat base matches the mounting hole pattern spacing on your bike’s frame.
- Apply a thin layer of silicone sealant to the pan and mounting holes before bolting up.
- Use OEM quality fasteners for a secure hold. Nyloc nuts help maintain tightness.
- Alternately tighten bolts incrementally to evenly clamp the pan. Don’t overtighten.
- Attach springs to the frame and seat using factory spring hardware. Verify free movement through the range.
- After a test ride, check bolts again for tightness. Add threadlocker to prevent loosening over time.
- Take care not to overfill the gas tank causing overflow onto the seat material.
Proper seat installation only takes a few minutes but ensures it stays firmly planted on even the roughest trails.
Customizing Your Coleman Mini Seat
Personalizing your Coleman seat further expands comfort and style options:
Custom Reupholstery – Replace worn vinyl with colored leather or unique fabrics and materials. Add custom stitching accents.
Padding Inserts – Cut dense foam pieces to insert under the cover adding thickness and support in key areas.
Shaping – Strategically add firm padding sections to create contours matching your body. Reduce pressure points.
Gel Pads – Use gel pads or beads to create “pockets” relieving pressure on sensitive regions. Helpful for providing lower back or groin relief if needed.
Heating – Install an aftermarket heating element and controller. Choose wired or battery power depending on bike setup.
Lumbar Support – Attaching a cylindrical lumbar support pad improves comfort on longer rides.
Don’t limit yourself to basic replacement seats. With some creative custom work, you can gain the perfect fit and function.
Maintaining and Repairing Coleman Seats
Like any component, your Coleman mini bike seat needs periodic inspection and maintenance:
- Keep vinyl conditioned with a specialty sealant/protectant to prevent cracking and fading.
- Thoroughly scrub the upholstery with bike wash and vinyl cleaner every few months removing grime and staining.
- Check seat pan bolts regularly for tightness. Snug any loose fasteners and use threadlocker.
- Inspect seat springs for sagging and binding, replace if worn out. Lubricate spring ends to prevent squeaks.
- Repair tears, rips, or holes in vinyl promptly using a vinyl patch kit. Avoid further deterioration.
- Deep clean foam regularly to prevent compacting and bottoming out – use a wet/dry vacuum on removed upholstery.
- Consider adding waterproof seat covers for heavy duty use in wet, muddy conditions. Quick to install and remove.
With attentive care, you can keep your Coleman seat like new for years adding to ride quality and pride of ownership.
Popular Coleman Mini Bike Seat Accessories
Further enhance comfort, functionality, and style with these useful Coleman mini bike seat accessories:
- Backrests – Increase lumbar support with strap-on or integrated backrest pads and panels. Helpful for passengers.
- Grab Handles – Attach handle straps to the sides or rear of the seat for passengers to hold onto securely. Improves safety.
- Storage Packs – Mount waterproof underseat bags for carrying ride essentials and personal items. Keep gear secure.
- Shoulder Straps – Add shoulder straps to vintage dual seats to transform them into makeshift backpacks for light loads.
- Number Plates – Install number plates sporting your favorite digits for motocross style. Wide color choices available.
- Race Pads – Use knee grip pads like Wake Knee Savers to prevent chafing and provide extra hold during aggressive riding.
Don’t overlook handy accessories tailored to mini bike seats. They can take comfort and functionality to the next level.
Best Coleman Mini Bike Seats
Here are my top recommendations for great Coleman-compatible seats:
- TrailMaster Solo – Contoured performance seat perfect for high revving Coleman trail bikes. Deep padding with grippy material.
- ARacer No. 533 – Legendary dirt bike style seat upgraded with comfort foam. The quintessential race-ready mini bike saddle.
- PartsAvatar Heated Seat – All day riding luxury with heating and lumbar support. Fits a wide range of Coleman models.
- Coleman Trail Master – OEM quality but with extra length for better thigh support when standing plus rear grab bar.
- Daymak Banana Seat – For the vintage lover, a classic steel pan banana seat in eye-catching designs ready for restoration.
Finding your perfect Coleman mini bike seat matches is part of the fun. Seek out saddle features catering to your specific riding style, physique, and preferences. Take the time to properly install and care for your seat and it will reward you with miles of riding comfort.
Wrapping Up Coleman Mini Bike Seats
Saddling up on a Coleman isn’t just about function – the right seat provides both physical support and makes a strong style statement. Coleman set the stage with their iconic banana seats in the 60s and continues leading with performance-focused saddles matching modern ergonomics. Give careful consideration to seat selection, taking into account your bike, riding terrain, size, and personal preferences. Improving comfort optimizes every ride. And take pride in the seat you choose as the focal styling piece tying your whole mini bike together. Your Coleman seat supports you literally and figuratively each time you hop on for adventure. Pick one that makes your smile as you ride off into the sunset!
