Leather or Vinyl
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,281
Likes: 3,418
From: Idaho Panhandle
Looking for a new seat and was wondering what is better for comfort. Corbin says leather, Ultimate says vinyl. I have never had a leather seat so no way to compare. I do know I slide forward on the stock seat and on long rides on hot days in fl monkey but sets in. Does leather help with that at all. Had 2 mustang seats but thy didn't work for me. probably going with a solo so any suggestions, experiences would be welcome. Thanks!
1. Leather does not need a lot of maintenance. I wipe it down when it gets dirty, but on a regularly used leather seat, I have not used any conditioners, dyes, oils, etc for years. One leather seat needed re-stitching after over 100,000 miles. But, I cover my seat when it rains. I cover it to keep water out of the foam (through the stitch holes), not off the leather. I would do the same for vinyl seat.
2. Leather is less hot when left in the sun..This really does not matter as how hot is hot. Just throw a towel or jacket over the seat if you park in the sun. Leather does breather and has more ability to recover shape. Once vinyl stretches, it is that new shape forever.
3. I slide around less on leather and it feels cooler when sitting on the bike for hours. But on long rides I use a sheepskin cover. Warm in winter, cool in summer. If you use a sheepskin, then vinyl or leather may not matter much to you. My daily trips are with a naked seat, so leather matters to me.
4. Leather can bleach out after years and years, but takes a leather dye naturally and easily. This usually happens after about 6-8 years. So do my gloves and even my jacket. I treat them every few years and I am good to go and they look new again.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,542
Likes: 161
From: Booming metropolis
The person that does the sewing at a seat place told me that it is much easier for her to cover a seat with vinyl than it is with leather. The leather rips sometimes when they try to stretch it tight where as the vinyl doesn't. That is the reason she liked vinyl sides and leather seat portion verse an all leather seat.
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