With the current design of motorcycle seat there is a disadvantage in that, when the motorcycle is accelerating or performing manoeuvres, a pillion passenger's purchase on the seat is at times not adequate. This may lead to unwanted movement of the passenger due to inertia.

This movement of the passenger can affect the rider (he who controls the vehicle) whereby it places extra weight on the rider's arms, especially under braking as the passenger moves into contact with his back, and extra strain on the passenger's arms as they are braced both for and during the manoeuvre.

The problem lies in the fact that a driver must be allowed to move around on the seat of a moving motorcycle.

However, when carrying a pillion passenger, the driver desires that the passenger should be stationary relative to the moving motorcycle at all times to reduce instability.

The driver perceives the motorcycle as carrying a point load fixed to the motorcycle at a point in space behind him. However, movement of this point load relative to the motorcycle means that the driver must make constant adjustment and alteration to the distribution of his own weight on the motorcycle to maintain ride quality.

Therefore, the driver must be free to move around on the seat whilst the passenger must be made to remain still or substantially still.

Therefore, it is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to increase the purchase between the passenger and the seat by using a seat cover. The seat cover is used on the section of the motorcycle seat on which a passenger would sit. Further embodiments of the present invention are made apparent in the description laid out below.

The invention provides a motorcycle seat cover, comprising a high friction flexible material and attachment means attaching said material to a motorcycle seat, the attachment means comprising bias binding and a drawstring, wherein, in use, contact between a passenger and a seat cover attached to a motorcycle seat reduces passenger movement relative to the seat. The motorcycle seat cover can be easily fitted and may be removable. The cover may also be constructed with a bias binding and a drawstring for snug fitting. The contact of the passenger against the attached seat cover creates frictional forces therebetween, thus reducing passenger movement whilst the motorcycle is in motion or performing manoeuvres.

Japanese Patent Application No. JP 20010138971 (Katsuboshi) discloses a seat cover for a bicycle which absorbs the shock of impact experienced through the seat. The seat cover is made of a low friction material to reduce the rate of tiring of a cyclist and would not increase purchase but rather the opposite.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a motorcycle seat cover embodying the invention;

Figure 2 shows in a plan view covering the passenger section the motorcycle seat cover of figure 1 in situ on a motorcycle seat ; Figure 3 is a side view of the seat and seat cover of figure 2; and Figure 4 is a plan view from the underside of the motorcycle seat of the seat and seat cover of figure 2.

A seat cover according to an embodiment of the present invention is tailor-made to the seat to which it is to be attached. Precise measurement of the dimensions of the seat is made, and a template fashioned. This template is then used to mark onto a sheet of high-friction material 1 the appropriate cutting pattern that must be followed to form a suitable seat cover. The high friction material 1 is then cut according to the cutting pattern, and subsequently machined to the appropriate dimensions using an industrial sewing machine. The industrial sewing machine should also allow the simultaneous attachment of the bias binding 2 to the high-friction material 1, and the passing of the drawstring 3 through the bias binding 2.

The ends of the drawstring 3 are heat-sealed to prevent fraying. In order to help prevent the unwanted separation of the bias binding 2 from the high friction material 1 when the seat cover is in use, the stitching 4 is double- stitched at points along the high-friction material/bias- binding interface where high stress is likely to occur.

As shown in figure 1, the seat cover includes a high friction flexible material 1. This is formed as a web'of fibres. The fibres may be woven, interleaved, or molded in a net-shape and are made of a high friction flexible

material such that they may remain in position with respect to the seat when in contact with the seat, and closely follow the contours of the seat when attached thereto. The fibres may be made from any high friction flexible material, such as rubber or foamed plasticised PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which, in preferred embodiments, is resistant to the elements (rain, sun etc. ), is of low flammability, and retains its high friction qualities when wet.

Suitable materials for the web include those with properties similar to that of Duck Premium Grip Liner' available from Henkel Consumer Products. This is a non- adhesive multi-purpose non-slip liner constructed of plasticised foamed PVC coated onto polyester fabric scrim.

An attachment means is attached at the perimeter of the web. This is a bias binding 2 attached to the edge of the web by cotton stitching 4, although suitable materials for the stitching include those with properties similar to that of Nylbond'available from Coats Barbour. This is a nylon bonded sewing thread made from high tenacity polyamide 66.

The bias binding 2 may, for example, be made from non- acrylic coated cotton, but other suitable materials include those with properties similar to that of WN64'available from W. Attwood Ltd. This is a woven cloth using 100% MT Nylon 6.6. It has a non-fray acrylic coating and is silicone proofed.

A drawstring 3 passes through the bias binding 2. The drawstring 3 may be elastic or inelastic, and either flat or round in shape. Suitable elastic materials for the drawstring include those with properties similar to that of the material made on a 12 spindle machine using 40's x 14

ends rubbers and 1/167's polyester x 2 yarn available from Leicester Thread.

In a further embodiment, eyelets (not shown) are formed in the bias binding 2 through which the drawstring 3 passes.

The ends of the drawstring 3 are then tied together to lace the seat cover onto the seat.

The web may be tucked under grab straps 6 provided on the seat 5 as shown in figures 2 to 4.

In a further alternative embodiment, the seat cover is fixably attached to the seat by means of a fastener or other permanent fixing.

In a further embodiment, not shown in the figures, a tape may be attached to the forward edge of the seat cover to prevent fraying of the web.

The cover, once in position over the motorcycle seat 5, is then attached thereto by the attachment means. The ends of a drawstring are drawn to the underside of the motorcycle seat 5, and tied, either together or to a feature of the underside of the seat (not shown). The drawstring 3, passes through the bias binding 2 as shown in figure 4.

The web of fibres grips the seat by virtue of being of a high friction material, and holds the seat cover in position on the seat. When a passenger sits on the seat cover, the relative motion between himself and the seat is restricted by the frictional forces created. These frictional forces between the passenger and the seat cover, and the seat cover and the seat, reduce the shift in the centre of gravity of the accelerating, laden motorcycle

created by a passenger sliding along the seat (as is the case when the seat cover is not used). Reduction of the movement of the passenger relative to the motorcycle increases passenger comfort, and allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle more easily.