Are all stock Harley seats leather?
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: California
Are all stock Harley seats leather?
Just bought a 2004 Harley sportster 1200 custom. And it's got leather bags on it and I just treated the bags with that yellow stuff they give u at the dealer in that little round tub. Reminds me of the tins of pomade I use for my hair lol. Anyway The bikes got the stock seat and I wanted to kno if I could use the same stuff for the bags on the seat and sissy bar. Is it real leather? Should I even treat the seat?
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: California
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Japan
Yep, most are vinyl these days with perhaps some leather trim. The stock seat for my Fatboy is definitely vinyl and the sides with the studs are buffalo hide, I believe. There is a reason for that. Upkeep is easier with vinyl and it keeps it's luster much longer. I pored over whether to go leather when I ordered my custom seat, but ended up going vinyl, cuz I knew I lacked the discipline to do the regular upkeep.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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They haven't had leather stock seats for years.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: North London, UK
They're definitely NOT leather.
That leather dressing is great for two things - making the bags look all shiny, and attracting dust. To keep your leather bags in great shape, don't wash them with whatever detergent you use on the rest of the bike. Go to somewhere that sells horse supplies and get a tub of saddle soap. It's really easy to use and actually cleans the leather, instead of just making it shiny. Use the saddle soap to get the muck off, then give them a coating of leather dressing. Keep on top of that and they should last for years.
That leather dressing is great for two things - making the bags look all shiny, and attracting dust. To keep your leather bags in great shape, don't wash them with whatever detergent you use on the rest of the bike. Go to somewhere that sells horse supplies and get a tub of saddle soap. It's really easy to use and actually cleans the leather, instead of just making it shiny. Use the saddle soap to get the muck off, then give them a coating of leather dressing. Keep on top of that and they should last for years.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
the only stock seats that i am aware of that are leather are on the cvo bikes. otherwise, vinyl. most of their seat upgrades are vinyl as well, though they do have a couple of leather ones.
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From: Ontario East
Wut DRIFTER says about cleaning with saddle soap. I treat all my leather with Bee's Wax. It takes VERY little wax. Make sure the leather is warm, get a thumb-nail sized bit on your leather and rub it in..go as far as it will go without adding more. Let it sit in the warmth of the sun, or use a gentle hair drier gun. Then take a clean cloth and wipe any excess off. Make sure to do any welts (seams) really well. It helps preserve the threads and water-proofs them as well. Been doing it that way with all my leather for almost 30 years. Only on my 2nd jacket and still using my original chaps, gloves, which still look like new. Boots are another story. They do wear out when you use them in construction as well as everyday riding, but I think I'm on my 3rd pair in 30 years. Never got wet through any of my leather.
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