Hello, I am going to put a new seat on, and am looking for experienced opinions.

Im thinking a Lepara bare bones. Would you go leather or vinyl?? And is there a good reason?

Thanks,

mike.

 

Answer this question first.
Would you like a nice pair of leather boots, or cheap, thin, non-breathing vinyl boots?

 

I've had two seats made for me and money wasn't an issue but both times I wanted leather, both times I was talked out of it by the upholsterer. Things like a good vinyl would last longer, be more comfortable, etc. I really have no problems with vinyl but think next time I'll stick to my guns and walk out with what I went in for.

 

I've had both and from my personal experience, after I went to leather, I never looked back. On hot days, it was much more comfy for me than the stock vinyl ever was because leather will breathe and vinyl won't. Also, after a while, the leather seat conformed to the shape of my butt so I basically had a custom seat.

 

I think they try and talk you out of leather a lot of times simply 'cause it's harder to work with. I'd say leather all the way.

 

I been tossing around the idea of modifying the seat on my Slim. I have debated leather for a custom look. Now you guys really got me thinking. Are they any negatives to leather?

 

That's what I was wondering...

 

Of course there are negatives to leather. It should be kept from getting wet...vinyl doesn't care. It can sun fade..vinyl doesn't. Leather really should be cleaned and given treatment periodically so it won't dry out and crack. My Corbin leather seats conformed to my butt, but also conformed to the seat foam (which is firm on a Corbin) , so the glue lines were visible. Vinyl always looks good. And vinyl's cheaper, too.
I think the bottom line is to consider how much you ride--if you zip around town and other short putts, vinyl is great and will always look good. But I f you tour, you will be happier with leather because it breathes better. Ask the guys who stack miles....Even with some minor negatives, I wouldn't have anything besides a one piece leather seat panel (no stitches--they tend to leak after a couple years)...the seat's sides can be vinyl, but the contact area has to be leather.

 

I have plenty of both. I've had leather ones split and crack and discolor, even when meticulous on the care. They also will stretch, and on a shape like the bare bones, I would expect butt marks/wrinkles on the top after a few years. The lepera vinyl is very good quality, and that's what I'd go with.

 

THE WORST Seat I ever had was a lepera.
It was like sitting on a covered brick.
~Pera~ in spanish is female dog or bitch.
So lepera = The Bitch and it does not disappoint.
Let that sink in for a minute.