Blowing hot and cold: Indian reveal plans for cooling and heated seats

If you’ve ever ridden a motorcycle in the peak of summer, you’ll know just how hot and sticky it can get for your nether regions. Thankfully, Indian Motorcycles may have just come up with a solution with their new ClimaCommand Classic Seat.

Still awaiting patent approval, the new seat is designed to cool a rider when its warm, as well as provide heating when the temperature dips.

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Speaking about the release in a statement, Vice President of Parts, Garments, and Accessories, Ross Clifford, said: “Despite advancements in heating and cooling for seats, we had yet to see a cooling technology that truly eliminated the discomfort of hot-weather, and with ClimaCommand, our engineering team has finally solved this problem.”

Comprising of a thermoelectric module to regulate the temperature, a ducting system to cool the module itself and a graphene layer to ensure either heating or cooling across the entire seat, the system is said to differ from what’s already on the market as it doesn’t push cool air through perforations in the seat in order to keep the user at a comfortable temperature.

“Our thermoelectric technology paired with graphene material is truly a game-changer, and another example of Indian Motorcycle bringing difference-making innovation to the market,” Clifford continued.

To achieve either heating or cooling, electricity is applied to the graphene through the thermoelectric module below the seat. One side of the material will absorb the heat and the other will dissipate heat. Reversing the flow of electricity will cause the sides to alternate – switching the chair from either hot to cold, or vice versa. Riders and passengers will have a choice of three independent settings; low, medium and high.

The ClimaCommand unit is designed for Indian’s Thunderstoke models, which already go a step towards rider cooling with rear cylinder cancelation when the bike is stationary and the ambient temperature is above 15-degrees. Further comfort can also be achieved for pillions with the inclusion of arm and back rests.

Although the incoming system is not yet compatible with Indian’s Ride Command infotainment system, the American firm say a version of the Chieftain and Roadmaster will be available later this year with the new seat controllable via the onboard system.